by Senior Airman Brittany Y. Auld
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

5/20/2014 - MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D.  -- Tundra Thunder is a five-day internal 5th Munitions Squadron training exercise designed to evaluate and validate the 5th MUNS warfighting capabilities in support of conventional operations.

The entire squadron, which is approximately 122 ammo personnel, participated in this event and built roughly 830 conventional munitions and 324 ALA-17 flare countermeasures.

"It exercises every facet of combat munitions production," said Master Sgt. Gregory Hammel, 5th MUNS flight chief. "Break-out, assembly, delivery, control and accountability, in as realistic as environment a can be established at home station."

The exercise is intended to flex the 5th MUN's conventional munitions generation capabilities to support B-52H Stratofortress operations, either deployed or at home station.

For one 5th MUNS conventional crew chief, the purpose of the exercise is to show their war-fighting capability if called upon and to show how quickly they can assemble and arm an aircraft.

Senior Airman Miquel Aquino, a San Jose, California native, also uses the exercise to familiarize himself with the environment, the work atmosphere, and the certain components, builds, and processes one must undergo.

This is Aquino's first time participating in the semi-annual exercise.

"I hope to become a better ammo troop from this exercise," said Aquino. "By participating in the exercise, I have obtained more knowledge on certain builds and munition items that we do not see day-to-day."

Aquino also said he has become more efficient on daily tasks and has seen munitions built on a larger scale.

Senior Airman Luke Fallis, 5th MUNS munitions journeyman, and a native of Rush, New York, said he hoped to learn more about his fellow Airmen's strengths so they can become a more effective team when they are needed.

Fallis' job as a munitions journeyman is to test, inspect and maintain the Air Force's munitions stockpile, from bullets to bombs.

"Tundra Thunder gives us the opportunity to work on munitions that we normally wouldn't use during the year," said Fallis.

This exercise ensures ammo Airmen are qualified to do their job. The more Airmen that are qualified, the more they increase our war fighting capability, the quality of troops, and the efficiency of their work force, said Aquino.

"We put the 'force' in Air Force because without ammo, the planes out on the flight line would just be that, planes," Aquino said.

National Nurses Week: Leading the way

by Airman Kristoffer Kaubisch
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

5/20/2014 - MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D.  -- National Nurses Week was celebrated at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., May 6-12. National Nurses Week celebrates nurses and their role in society.

The week also helped to raise awareness about nursing as a possible career choice and also to educate the public about the kind of work nurses are involved in.

Rommy Talbert, referral management nurse, explained that the nurses and technicians of the 5th Medical Group take pride in what they do.

"It's a great honor to serve and aid those who have served and still serve this wonderful country," said Talbert. "The honor is the same for dependents as well, since they play a huge part in the active duty members being able to stay focused and complete their missions."

The 5th MDG staff contains both military and civilian personnel, who all play key roles in the success of the mission, working together to get the job done, said Airman 1st Class Natasha D. Medeiros, 5th MDG women's health medical technician.

"We, the technicians, have such great working relationships with the nurses and doctors," Medeiros said. "They are an excellent resource and are always willing to train us on new techniques and procedures. Being a United States Air Force medical technician allows us to operate within a scope of practice that is very broad, and I love that about this career field."

Comprised of trusted advisors on health issues, the MDG staff leads the way in reaching out to patients, neighbors, and families.

"If you ever need anything, you can believe that the 5th MDG will provide and deliver compassionate, seamless healthcare to you and your family members," said Tech. Sgt. Dustin Mize, 5th MDG non-commissioned officer of Ambulance Services.

National Nurses Week concluded on May 12, the anniversary of the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the original nurse leader. Please join in all of the following weeks and recognize all members of the nurse's corps across the country for following in Florence's footsteps. Take a moment to thank them for the critical work they do in bringing better care and better health to all Americans.

Defenders remember fallen heroes during Peace Officers Memorial Day retreat ceremony

366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

5/20/2014 - MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- The 366th Security Forces Squadron, combined with support from the Mountain Home and Boise Police Departments, hosted a Peace Officers Memorial Day retreat ceremony at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, May 15.

The event included a speech from Chief Nick Schilz from the Mountain Home Police Department, the playing of "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes by Lt. Rob Gallas from the Boise Police Department, a 21-gun salute, the playing of taps and concluded with a formal military retreat ceremony and flag folding.

The event came near the end of National Police Week, originally established by President John F. Kennedy to recognize the contributions of the nation's law enforcement personnel, as well as recognize those who fell in the line of duty. The 366th SFS honored National Police Week with a range of events including a Defender Challenge obstacle course, an open house, pistol shoot and a "Ruck March to Remember."

Eustis hosts multi-agency marine firefighting school

by Staff Sgt. Katie Gar Ward
633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

5/20/2014 - FORT EUSTIS, Va. -- Approximately 115 firefighters from more than 10 local, national and international agencies took part in the 23rd Annual Hampton Roads Marine Firefighting School maritime incident response exercise at Fort Eustis, May 16.

The exercise was the culmination of hands-on and practical training the students learned during the five-day school, which started May 12. Prior to the incident exercise, students gained classroom knowledge at the Norfolk Fire Training Center and practiced live burns and de-watering techniques at various local training areas and on different vessels.

Students attended the school from various regional agencies including the Langley Air Force Base Fire Department, the Virginia Beach Fire Department, the Newport News Fire Department, Hampton Fire Rescue and Norfolk Fire Rescue. In addition, fire departments from New York, Philadelphia, Delaware, California and New Hampshire participated as well as international firefighters from Hong Kong, Singapore and the Netherlands.

The maritime incident exercise began at Third Port at Fort Eustis, where students boarded Fort Eustis' vessels and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Frank Drew to be taken to the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) National Defense Reserve Fleet on the James River.

Once students reached the Reserve Fleet, the objective of the exercise was to evaluate how they responded to and extinguished a simulated shipboard fire, said Bill Burket, Port of Virginia Hampton Roads Maritime Incident Response Team director, who coordinated the exercise.

"[The exercise] allows [students'] hands-on and classroom training components to come together so they are able to demonstrate what platforms, logistics and equipment are needed [in a shipboard fire]," said Burket. "A marine event requires multiple agencies, so this gives everyone an idea of what to do, and they can take it back to share with their own agencies."

Jim O'Brien, a firefighter with the New York City Fire Department, said he gained significant insights from not only the exercise, but the Hampton Roads Marine Firefighting School as a whole.

"It shows us what to expect in a ship fire and gives us different tools and training we normally may not be aware of," said O'Brien. "It's also good for [firefighters] to know what the staff on a ship [that is experiencing a fire] may need, and [this exercise] teaches us how to respond."

In teaching firefighters how to respond to marine incidents, the exercise and school curriculum allows students to provide specialized support to MARAD, local and regional agencies and surrounding communities, said Burket.

"We need to be able to show the community if [a vessel] encounters a problem and needs assistance, we're trained to respond and take care of the situation," said Burket. "We have a strong relationship with our port partners, and we were very fortunate this year to be able to train so many students so their agencies now have increased capabilities."

Solo or no-go: ENJJPT pilot's perspective on first solo flight

by Airman 1st Class Jelani Gibson
82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

5/16/2014 - SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Editors Note: This article is an ongoing series about the obstacles 2nd Lt. Abraham Morland faces as a Sheppard Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program student in the year long course, after he renounced his British citizenship to pursue his dream of flying in the U.S. Air Force.

At the end of April, noise on the flight line was loud, but the sound of a T-6 Texan's prop-driven engines sliced through the wind with rapid clarity. This was 2nd Lt. Abraham Morland's first solo flight, and it was the flight to determine the course of his entire career.

The solo flight is an important milestone for a student pilot as they strive to earn their wings as alumni of the world's only multi-nationally manned and managed flying training program chartered to produce combat pilots for NATO.

Morland described the feeling of being thousands of feet in the sky without any direct supervision as unfamiliar, yet exhilarating.

"It didn't really hit me that I was by myself until I'd taken off and there was no one behind me talking to me," he said. "It's definitely a strange feeling, but I was definitely excited because that's one milestone to getting my wings."

From the beginning of his journey, Morland has leaned heavily on his determination to check each box on his way to earning his wings.

"If you don't have confidence you won't believe in yourself, if you don't believe in yourself, you won't make it through," he said. "No matter how much anyone else believes in you, you have to be able to believe in yourself and harness it."

When Morland touched back down on the flight line and completed his flight, he had eager teammates waiting for him. What he would receive in the wake of his accomplishment was going to be congratulations and an involuntary swim.

As a long-held tradition, once a pilot finishes their first solo flight, they are thrown by their teammates into a pool of water that is oftentimes green and seldom cleaned. When the weather gets hot, its organic contents pose an even more unappealing ordeal. Pilots are allowed to do their best and resist their dunk in the water only through craft and cleverness.

Legends are abound in the 80th FTW of those who evade capture through changing uniforms to even more drastic measures such as getting wheeled out in janitorial trashcans. Regardless of how other pilots may have got out of their drenched circumstance, that was not the fate that awaited Morland.

As soon as he stepped off the jet, his teammates were there to escort him, and an entire crowd of people awaited him as he disembarked from the flight line bus. It was official. There was no escape.

With multiple hands picking him up as he kicked out in futility, he soared through the air and landed in the pool. With beads of water dripping from his entire flight suit, the only solace was the Texas sun and the smiles that ran across the faces of his teammates. The tradition and morale it fostered was priceless to Morland.

"The camaraderie is strong in our class and we support each other through thick and thin," he said.

The initial shock and stench of the pool caught Morland by surprise.

"It was really cold," he remembered. "When I got out, my clothes smelled really bad."

With an uphill climb that's approximately 55-weeks long, Morland knows he still has a long way to go, but counts his faith as a major cornerstone of motivation.

"Pilot training is very tough and you need that encouragement, so it's definitely what's getting me through right now," he said.

As his high-flying journey progresses, Morland continues to keep his eyes on the prize, and the wings that will eventually accompany them.

Dover Reserve wing hosts IRR muster

by Senior Airman Joe Yanik
512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

5/19/2014 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del.  -- The 512th Airlift Wing hosted a muster for more than 170 Air Force Individual Ready Reserve members May 17 at the base theater.

No longer performing their Air Force jobs, these individuals are IRR members because they still have time remaining on their statutory military service obligation or they have time remaining on another contracted agreement. They remain in the IRR until the end of their obligation or if they decide to re-affiliate with the Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard.

The information gathered from musters is used to ensure surge capability of the Reserve forces in the event of a national emergency or a contingency. IRR members are still considered a mobilization asset by the Department of Defense.

During the muster, IRR members had opportunities to update their medical, employment and personal information with the Air Reserve Personnel Center. For those who did not already have an IRR identification card, the base's customer service center was open to issue them. Possessing this ID card allows the member to access a variety of base services, including Airmen and Family Readiness programs and commissary shopping.

Participants also received briefings about their responsibilities as IRR members and available benefits through Veterans Affairs.

"It's important the folks here know about the benefits they are receiving now with Veterans Affairs and when they become veterans after separation," said Grafton Sconion, a VA benefits advisor. "Some of the information we provide today might even serve as an incentive for them to re-affiliate."

Col. Raymond A. Kozak, the 512th AW commander, during his welcoming remarks, encouraged the IRR members to consider learning more about the available job opportunities within the wing, either as an Air Force civilian employee, traditional reservist or air reserve technician.

To answer any questions about some of those positions, Senior Master Sgt. David Drake and Master Sgt. Ken Bachman, 512th AW recruiters, met with the IRR members. Bachman said more than 30 of them expressed interest in an AF job and re-training opportunities at Dover Air Force Base and in the Washington, D.C., metro area.

One of them was Jessup Olson, who said he inquired about operations positions in the Liberty Wing. Already trained as an airfield manager with the Air National Guard, he said he looks forward to continuing dialogue with Bachman about getting a slot for training as a loadmaster.

Organized by the 512th Force Support Squadron, the muster screening at Dover AFB is one of 24 musters the Air Reserve Personnel Center has scheduled nationwide for fiscal 2014.

"I've been attending musters for the past 15 years, and this one by far, is one of the best-organized musters I've been to," said Drake.

To learn more about the responsibilities, terms and benefits associated with the Air Force IRR, view the IRR factsheet available on through the ARPC website.

Retired Marine Corporal to Receive Medal of Honor

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2014 – Retired Marine Corps Cpl. William “Kyle” Carpenter will receive the Medal of Honor for his conspicuous gallantry in Afghanistan from President Barack Obama at a June 19 White House ceremony, according to a White House news release issued yesterday.

Carpenter will receive the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions on Nov. 21, 2010, while serving as an automatic rifleman with Company F, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, according to the release.

In July 2013, Carpenter was medically retired from the Marine Corps as a corporal due to his wounds, the release said. He is currently a full-time student at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

Carpenter will be the eighth living recipient to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan, according to the release.

Carpenter was born in Flowood, Mississippi, on Oct. 17, 1989, and graduated from W. Wyman King Academy, Batesburg, South Carolina, in 2008, the release said. In February 2009, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at Recruiting Station Columbia, South Carolina, and completed his basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, later that year.

According to the release, Carpenter’s personal awards include a Purple Heart Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon. Additional awards and decorations include the Navy Unit Commendation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one bronze campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one bronze star, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal ISAF for Afghanistan, and Rifle Sharpshooter Badge.

The Medal of Honor is awarded to members of the armed forces who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry above and beyond the call of duty while:

-- engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;

-- engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or

-- serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

The meritorious conduct must involve great personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his or her comrades and must have involved risk of life. There must be incontestable proof of the performance of the meritorious conduct, and each recommendation for the award must be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit.

USS Jason Dunham Starts Simulated War Games

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW/AW) Derek Paumen

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) began the theater anti-submarine warfare (TASW) phase of Submarine Commander's Course-40 (SSC-40) outside of the Bahamas, May 19.

Jason Dunham was joined by embarked members of Destroyer Squadron 28 (DESRON-28), the guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) and the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64). The exercise will give the vessels involved the unique opportunity to work and learn from one another; in order to improve their anti-submarine hunting capabilities.

"It's a benefit to our forces that we can support Submarine Atlantic (SUBLANT) and submarine forces in general," said Capt. Richard Brawley, deputy commodore of DESRON-28. "We train our crews with something we never get to see during our training phase."

SSC-40 is a training course designed for naval officers preparing to take command of a submarine. The class lasts several weeks and comprises four phases, including classroom and field instruction. SSC-40 has a long history with other nations and international participation is commonplace, both surface and submarine side.

"SSC-40's primary purpose is to qualify respective commanding officers and executive officers," said Brawley. "Typically we try to involve other nations such as Canada or England."

During the three-day exercise, combatants participate in a wide variety of exercises including torpedo launch and evasion, counter fire operations, and the search and prosecution of enemy submarines using multiple radars, sonar, and sonobuoys.

For the Sailors involved, the course gives them a chance to put their training to the test and take the knowledge gained from each other into possible future combat scenarios.

"There's no limitations on a submarine," said Sonar Technician (Surface) 1st Class Michael Miller. "The gloves are coming off. This is as real as we ever get to practice. We will take the information and apply it wherever we deploy in the world for anti-submarine warfare as needed."

Jason Dunham is currently operating in the U.S. 2nd Fleet area of responsibility participating in SCC-40.

NATO Defense Chiefs to Discuss Russia, Afghanistan

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT, May 20, 2014 – Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will discuss the situation in Eastern Europe, Europe’s southern flank, and the way forward in Afghanistan during meetings with NATO’s uniformed leaders in Brussels this week.

The NATO Chiefs of Defense meetings are held twice a year, and this one is a lead-in to the NATO Summit that’s slated in Wales in September.

In Brussels, the chiefs will discuss the Russia-Ukraine crisis and its implications for the alliance. They will also assess the situation in the Middle East and North Africa -- an area crucial to NATO’s southern flank.

Dempsey telegraphed this concern during a May 14 speech at the Atlantic Council last week.

“NATO is in a critical crossroads … given the aggressiveness of Russia, so its eastern flank must be reconsidered,” Dempsey said at the council meeting. “But I’ll also tell you that my personal advice to my fellow [chiefs of defense] in NATO is that the southern flank of NATO deserves far more attention than it currently receives from NATO.”

The alliance leaves the southern flank to the southern European nations, the chairman said. Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece are most concerned about the Mediterranean.

“And yet the issues that are emanating into the NATO southern flank from the Middle East and North Africa could quite profoundly change life inside of Europe, not only Southern Europe, but well into Central and Northern Europe,” he said.

Terrorist cells, criminal syndicates, human traffickers, and drug smugglers see the southern flank as an opportunity and the alliance as a whole must consider the threats to the region.

The chiefs will also discuss plans for the remainder of the International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan and the implementation of Operation Resolute Support -- the advise and assist follow-on mission in the country.

Meanwhile, Russia’s actions in Ukraine have changed the political situation in Europe, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said at a press conference in Brussels yesterday.

“It is less predictable and more dangerous,” Rasmussen said of Europe’s current political situation. “For NATO, this has implications for now and in the future.”

Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its continued threats to the eastern and southern parts of Ukraine has led to Russia’s international isolation, including NATO’s suspension of all practical cooperation with Russia.

“NATO cannot take what it has achieved for granted, because Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has posed a challenge to a fundamental principle -- the right of sovereign states to choose their own paths,” Rasmussen said. “Russia has committed to this precept many times, but we see that President [Vladimir] Putin now refuses to uphold this promise.”

The secretary general noted that Ukraine will hold its presidential election May 25. More than 5,000 observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe will monitor the election. U.S. officials believe this election will be a good mirror of the true sentiments in Ukraine.

“This is the vote that counts,” Rasmussen said. “Any effort to delay or disrupt the elections would be an attempt to deny the Ukrainian people their choice and a further step back to find a genuine political solution to the crisis.”

To deter Russia and reassure allies, NATO has beefed up the Baltic air-policing mission. The alliance also has added ships in the Baltic and the Black Seas. Alliance airborne warning and control system aircraft are patrolling the skies over Poland and Romania. And NATO has increased the number and size of its exercises.

“Right now, about 6,000 troops from across NATO are taking place in Exercise Steadfast Javelin in Estonia,” Rasmussen said. “This is a significant exercise aiming to test our ability to repel an attack against an ally. It includes infantry, fighter jets and also a cybersecurity team.”

Steadfast Javelin, he said, is a good example “of the steps we are taking to bolster our forces and their readiness.”

The alliance must look at how much nations spend on defense and how they spend it, the secretary general said. NATO has a goal of each member country spending 2 percent of its gross domestic product on defense, but only four do so -- the United States, the United Kingdom, Estonia and Greece. Some nations -- France, Turkey and Poland -- are close to that benchmark.

The secretary general said he is encouraged that NATO nations are looking for ways to reverse the trend toward less defense resources.

Face of Defense: Troops Train With Surgical ‘Cut Suits’

By Army Staff Sgt. Carrie A. Castillo

Army Reserve Medical Command

FORT MCCOY, Wis., May 20, 2014 – Medical Readiness and Training Command members from San Antonio employed a special piece of equipment during a military medical exercise held here from April 26 through May 16.

During the training, the military medical personnel employed the Human Worn Partial Task Surgical Simulator, also known as a cut suit.

Army Master Sgt. Tinamarie Reese, a combat medic, and Army Sgt. 1st Class Kristina Boettcher, a licensed practical nurse, are only two of the six personnel that were trained and certified to work with the cut suits during the exercise.

“The neat thing about these cut suits is we can ‘heal’ them,” Reese said. “This gives us the opportunity to have a 24-hour turnaround time on any one of the suits we have here. We prepare one to be worn on a live person with any type of wounds we choose, to create different scenarios. When they have completed the scenario we bring the cut suit back and begin the healing process by cleaning it and then closing the cuts with clear silicone.”

Using the suit “allows them to be able to provide invaluable training to go beyond notional training and be able to actually go through the process of real surgery,” Boettcher said.

Officials said the cut suit is used as part of the exercise scenarios given to medical personnel at either the Expeditionary Medical Facility that is being operated by the Navy, or the Combat Support Hospital that is operated by the Army.

Once the scenarios and wounds are planned, exercise participants like Reese and Boettcher get to work choosing which organs will be damaged by an improvised explosive device, a gunshot wound, or even adding live earthworms to the intestines.

“We try to make everything as real as possible. Yesterday we added live earthworms to the intestines to act as parasites,” Reese said. “A soldier, sailor or airman could very easily drink parasitic water while deployed, so this just makes it more real. I like to see the reactions of the docs when they cut into the organs and there are different materials and smells in there.”

Army Spc. Devonne Woodruff, a dental assistant, 912th Dental Company, Twinsburg, Ohio, was one of three soldiers that volunteered to wear the cut suit. Woodruff met the physical profiles needed to wear the suit.

“It was something different to do besides the other training we are getting while we’re here,” Woodruff said.

“There was one soldier I had to get out of the suit halfway through the scenario. He got claustrophobic,” Reese recalled. “This suit weighs about 35 pounds and it’s worn just like a backward flight suit because it zips up the back.”

The cut suit is designed to be worn by a male weighing about 150 to 200 pounds and 5 feet 10 inches tall, officials said. These requirements are due to the length and girth of the suit. It needs to be form-fitted to the body, with no loose material. The volunteer is also only allowed to be in the suit for up to 4 hours.

The cut suit team employs a blood-pumping system that’s attached to the patient.

“We will add the BPS for the wound on his leg,” Boettcher said, “so that the first responders will have to apply a tourniquet before he can even go into the emergency room. I have a remote that is linked to the BPS and I can let more blood flow until I believe they have the tourniquet on correctly.”

Combat medic Army Spc. Kevin Strebler, an Akron, Ohio, native with the 912th Dental Company at Twinsburg, Ohio, was the volunteer for one of the cut suits.

“I’ve done this two times before -- this is my third time,” Strebler said. “It’s fun. I get to yell and scream about my injuries to play along. The mannequins don’t yell and scream, so they [the doctors] have to pretend more.”