One-on-one: 351st EARS pilot in Poland

by Airman 1st Class Kyla Gifford
351st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron-Poland Public Affairs

6/11/2014 - POWIDZ AIR BASE, Poland  -- Members of the 351st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron completed day two of the Baltic Operations Exercise June 10, 2014, here after they completed an aerial refueling mission on a KC-135 Stratotanker with two F-16 C/D Fighting Falcons.

Following the debrief, 1st Lt. Paul Anguita, a 351st EARS pilot from Mascoutah, Illinois, sat down to share his perspective on this year's BALTOPS Exercise.

Q: Where have you been stationed during your career and how long have you been flying the KC-135?

A: I started out at Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas, learning how to fly. Then I spent about six months at Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma. Since then I've been stationed at Royal Air Force Mildenhall. I've been flying the KC-135s out of RAF Mildenhall for about a year and a half now.

Q: How long have you been preparing for BALTOPS?

A: This is the 42nd iteration of BALTOPS, so the big picture planning for this exercise has taken place over the past year. For my part, I really started getting involved approximately two weeks ago. At that point, my job within the squadron was to identify crews and complete all the pre-exercise paperwork for those I identified to participate in BALTOPS.

Q: What does your typical day look like during an exercise like this?

A: Depending on the scheduled take-off time for our aircraft, we get to work about three hours early to mission plan and see if anything has changed with the exercise. From there, we take off and fly for however long they need us. The length of our flights can range from two hours to around ten; it all depends on the dynamic of the exercise. It's the same as in a real-world mission; things are always changing and fluctuating.

Q: What makes BALTOPS such a unique exercise?

A: The fact that we get to work with so many different countries. At RAF Mildenhall, we get to train with other countries, but here it's a collaboration of countries coming together to practice and prepare for potential real-world situations. As aerial refuelers, we don't see too much of the naval portion of this exercise, but it's very cool for us to come out to an isolated base, such as Powidz, and fly in and around Poland.

Q: What are some challenges or differences you experience when working at a foreign air base like Powidz?

A: Sometimes the way other countries operate is different from our normal practices. Many countries in Europe have come together and they fly according to International Civil Aviation Organization rules, which provide general guidelines for everyone to follow. However, because they are just guidelines, each country has their own change to them. So when we mission plan to come here to Poland we have to see what kind of unique rules they have, and then cater our flying to their rules. Sometimes we also encounter a small language barrier, which is always interesting to try and overcome. I found that we have to use more basic language, especially when communicating through a radio. In those instances you lose all visual and non-verbal cues and have to choose your words very carefully to make sure you're communicating the correct information.

Q: Based on this and other similar exercises, what are some "lessons learned" that you have experienced?

A: Always be on your toes. You think that you might know how to do something, even after maybe the first or second time, and you'll get into a rhythm. That's when you can become complacent. Especially in a foreign area, by paying attention and keeping focused you will learn all the different ways the foreign forces you're working with do things. Then you can bring that knowledge back to your home squadron. This will enable you to lead others on your next trip to that area.

Q: What are some benefits of being stationed in Europe and participating in these kinds of joint and combined exercises?

A: It's different to fly out of RAF Mildenhall or anywhere in Europe compared to the U.S. because there are extra rules and guidelines we must follow. But you get used to it and it becomes the norm. From my position in the Air Force, I think it's great getting to work with the air forces from many of the different countries nearby. When I was deployed in the Middle East, I worked with many of the other units that we work with now on a regular basis. Exercises like BALTOPS help us improve our interoperability with these other countries, which is incredibly valuable for our training. Also, from a personal standpoint, being stationed in England means I get to travel. Two weeks ago I was in Berlin, and we actually flew over Berlin today. The opportunities to see these places from the air and also get to know the people and cultures during my time on the ground are fantastic.

ASIST Trains GW Sailors in Effective Suicide Intervention

By Communication Specialist 3rd Class Beverly J. Lesonik, USS George Washington Public Affairs

PHILIPPINE SEA (NNS) -- Sailors participated in the first, underway Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) class aboard the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), June 10-11.

ASIST aims to provide Sailors with the proper techniques and tools to recognize and handle a suicidal situation.

"This is the first time ASIST is being held underway in the Navy," said Lt. Brian Kirschenbaum, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 chaplain. "It was first brought into effect in the military by the Army less than 10 years ago."

According to Kirschenbaum, suicides have decreased and more service members are feeling comfortable enough to ask for help since the start of ASIST in the military.

"A higher statistic of Sailors reporting thoughts of suicide does not mean more Sailors are contemplating suicide," said Cmdr. Jon Conroe, head chaplain of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. "It is proving to us that more military members feel comfortable coming out with those thoughts and seeking help. If more service members seek help, there are less chances of them acting on their thoughts."

ASIST provided Sailors various practical exercises to get them familiar with ways to engage a situation like suicide.

"We are trying to teach Sailors to intervene," said Conroe. "The Navy does well at suicide prevention, but we are trying to fill the gap between shipmates who are first responders and those who are showing signs of suicide."

Twenty-seven junior enlisted and officers attended the two-day class from George Washington and its embarked air wing, CVW 5.

"It is our goal to have a trained ASIST Sailor in as many departments and squadrons as we can," said Kirschenbaum. "If anybody had suicidal thoughts, we need for all of them to have someone right there who knows how to handle the situation."

According to Conroe and Kirschenbaum, suicide intervention is similar to first aid.

"Every Sailor should be taught CPR, but not every Sailor is going to learn how to do surgery," said Conroe. "Same thing with suicide intervention. They may not have the years of schooling to be a counselor or chaplain, but they can be first responders to talk to shipmates and get them further help if they need it."

ASIST is designed to be part of a greater community made up of medical, counselors, chaplains, Fleet and Family Support, and family members. They can all work together to get every service member the help they need.

"Sometimes Sailors with suicidal thoughts just need someone to talk to," said Kirschenbaum. "Some Sailors won't open up to medical or chaplains, so we want to train a community of Sailors who trust their shipmates enough to open up and feel like they can safely seek help."

Not every Sailor needs professional help and ASIST trains Sailors to help shipmates get through a time in their lives and maintain resiliency through hardships.

"Everything in class has given me the tools I need to talk with anyone I perceive may be having suicidal thoughts," said Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Jeck Maigue, from Subic, Philippines. "Suicide is a problem in the military and I am thankful for the training I received to help other people in my squadron who are at risk."

George Washington plans to conduct more ASIST training classes and Sailors are encouraged to get involved.

George Washington and CVW 5 provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Is the Air Force in you?

By Chief Master Sgt. Edward Edgar, 317th Recruiting Squadron superintendent / Published June 11, 2014

OXON HILL, Md. (AFNS) -- When I think about being a good Airman first, there are two quotes that have framed my focus.

The first came from Chief Master Sgt. A.C. Smith, the command chief master sergeant for the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. It was part of his address to the Team Hill 5/6 Association; I was attending as president of Hill's Top 3. He said:

"I was 19 years old when I got into the Air Force ... I was 32 when the Air Force got into me."

I heard the other quote while attending a senior NCO induction seminar at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. We were being addressed by the commander's panel, and one of the members urged us:

"Be visible in uniform with your stripes, be it on the flight line or on base at the commissary ... be visible."

These two senior leaders spoke to committing more to the Air Force than just your technical expertise, which should be a given.

"Be a Great Airman First" as a slogan encompasses enlisted development institutional competencies, specifically the personal competency of Embodies Airman Culture. There are sub competencies to Embodies Airman Culture which you can read in the Professional Development Guide or at the LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education website at http://www.au.af.mil/au/lemay/main.htm.

The point is that although vital to force multiplication, simply recruiting is not enough. Being a great Airman requires ethical leadership that promotes the Air Force core values both within and outside your unit.

It requires building Warrior Ethos by honing skills to support employment of military capabilities; skills that stagnate when we simply focus on tasks in our job description. It also requires Self Development that continually increases breadth and depth of knowledge and skill.

What does all this mean? In my perspective we tend to compartmentalize in recruiting much more than traditional Air Force Specialty Codes. You've no doubt heard the old saying that when you ask a USMC member what they do, their response is "I'm a Marine," or "Sailor" or "Soldier" for the other services.

However, ask an Air Force member what they do and you might hear, "I am a heavy equipment operations technician." While this pride in specialty is admirable, overall growth comes from service pride.

Identify with the institution! Step out of your comfort zone and into leadership, mentorship and warrior ethos that build opportunities consistently and deliberately. The good news is the opportunities are endless. Educational institutions (professional and personal), professional organizations (Top 3, Toastmasters, VFW), shadow programs, community, etc. - you can't go wrong as long as you are committed and passionate in your selection.

As most readers are not 19, I'll ask:

"What age will you be when the Air Force gets in you?"

Army Marksmanship Unit Soldiers continue world dominance in Munich

By Michael Molinaro

USAMU PAO

FORT BENNING, Ga. – Two Shotgun shooters from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) took home medals in Double Trap at the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) Munich World Cup June 9.

Staff Sergeants Glenn Eller and Jeff Holguin claimed the silver and bronze medals, respectively, continuing an impressive run by USAMU Soldiers in the discipline.

USAMU Soldiers have claimed five out of nine possible medals on the World Cup circuit this year. In addition to the two medals won in Munich, their teammate Staff Sgt. Josh Richmond has earned two silver medals in 2014, and Holguin won the gold medal in April in Tucson, Ariz.

 “Without looking at the records I am 99.9% sure that we have never started a year off this strong,” Holguin said, a native of Fullerton, Calif..

New rules adopted in the sport after the London Olympics challenged everyone associated with Double Trap, Holguin said. Competitors used to know exactly how the targets would come out of the house, but through the new rules, target combinations are now presented in a random order.  Shooters have to be extremely focused to remember what targets have yet to come, according to Holguin.

 “(We) have been pounding some rounds since the inception of the current rules last year,” he said “We are more pure gun pointers than many of the other Double Trap shooters worldwide. This has helped us adjust to the new rules faster.”

Holguin shot a 147 (out of 150) in the qualification round while Eller fired a 146 to make the last spot in the six-man final. Eller fired a 29 (out of 30) in the semi-finals to earn a spot in the gold medal match against Slovakia’s Hubert Olejnik. Holguin shot a 28, then hit 18 consecutive targets in a shoot-off against Russia’s Vasily Mosin to make the bronze medal match.

Eller, from Katy, Texas, and Olejnik went shot-for-shot for gold until Eller missed a bird in the next-to-last round, resulting in the silver medal. Holguin defeated Great Britain’s Tim Kneale for the bronze.

The Soldiers have one more World Cup match before the World Championships in September, where Olympic quota slots will be on the line for the first time leading up to the Rio Games in 2016. As the reigning world champion, Eller said it’s important to treat it as any other big match and get mentally ready for the day. USAMU Soldiers compete worldwide to demonstrate the U.S. Army’s prowess and associate the Army and nation with excellence.

 “We have several events to get ready for the world championship,” Eller said. “We have a good training plan and its working.”

USAMU is part of the U.S. Army Accessions Brigade, Army Marketing and Research Group and is tasked with enhancing the Army’s recruiting effort, raising the standard of Army marksmanship and furthering small arms research and development to enhance the Army’s overall combat readiness.

Security forces train to face active shooter situation

by Senior Airman Nicholas Caceres
482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

6/11/2014 - HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- In an active-shooter incident, most people instinctively run away to stay safe.

The men and women of the 482nd Security Forces Squadron here take a different course of action. They are trained to put themselves in harm's way to neutralize the target, protect innocent bystanders, and aid the injured.

The danger of being shot by an armed assailant is very real to members of

security forces, so the squadron holds annual training on a variety of scenarios such as the active-shooter training held during the June Unit Training Assembly.

The two-day training consisted of building clearing tactics along with a live-fire exercise that included teams and solo training where SFS members dealt with a variety of active-shooter scenarios.

"The purpose is to make mistakes here where we can correct them, instead of out in the field," said Tech. Sgt. Frederick Kilian, 482nd SFS training manager. "(Our people) train in shoot/no shoot scenarios to appropriately react to each situation according to the threat level."

The training is part of a law enforcement Active Shooter Emergency Response program. The ASER program seeks to get different kinds of law enforcement personnel to use the same techniques to cooperate better in case of emergencies, explained Kilian.

Security forces had permission from Miami-Dade County to use Building 745, located just off base for the training. The mandatory training is required annually for traditional reservists and periodically for full-time people.

"I really liked the stress on communication and countering," said Senior Airman Antonio Williams, a 482nd SFS response force member. "I feel like I learned a lot from the new scenarios."

Security forces members train in dimly lit and highly lit settings to be prepared for any situation.

During the training, the trainees use modified M4 rifles and M9 pistols that shoot Simunition, a type of paint bullet that is non-lethal but packs a punch. Different colors of paint help differentiate who shot what and where.

"It was awesome," said Senior Airman Victor Alejo, a 482nd SFS response force member. "It was more interactive than I imagined. Reading about it and actually doing the training are two completely different things. The new defensive and offensive tactics were my favorite part."

Kilian was pleased the training outcome.

"The Airmen were able to quickly adopt the new changes in training and implemented it very well," he said.

Training like this will continue to grow as agencies streamline tactics to respond more effectively to emergency situations, added Kilian.

During each UTA, members of the 482nd SFS train to respond to various emergency situations. The training in June is just one example of how reservists practice to develop skills to ensure they're using the proper tactics, techniques and procedures during incidents like an active shooter.

Navy Scientist Honored for "Pivotal" Impact on Fleet Ballistic Missile Strategic Weapons System's Success

By John Joyce, NSWC Dahlgren Division Corporate Communications

DAHLGREN, Va. (NNS) -- The scientist described as a "leading force" to the Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) Program was honored with the Navy Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) Director's Award, Navy officials announced June 10.

SSP Director Vice Adm. Terry Benedict presented the award to Patricia Fetter, a Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) principal scientist, before her civilian Navy colleagues and leadership at a ceremony here.

"I am very honored that Strategic Systems Programs presented me with this award for my contributions to the Fleet Ballistic Missile Program and in particular for developing the first COTS (commercial-off-the-shelf) based real time operating system for the SLBM (Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile) Strategic Weapon System," said Fetter. "I am accepting this award on behalf of a team of hardworking and dedicated smart people because without them, none of this would have been possible."

Benedict recognized Fetter's achievements as "pivotal" to the success of the Fleet Ballistic Missile Strategic Weapons System program and fundamental to providing credible and affordable sea-based deterrent missile systems.

The SSP Director cited Fetter's "personal contributions to the FBM program for more than 31 years as a leading force in the development and sustainment of fire control and targeting software for the FBM program," in his letter of congratulations. "Your leadership helps exemplify our program's high performance standards and expectations."

SSP develops and deploys the nation's Seaborne Strategic Weapons Systems. The program directs the end-to-end effort of the Navy's Strategic Weapons Systems to include training, systems, equipment, facilities and personnel; and fulfills the terms of the U.S.-UK Polaris sales agreement.

"Patti has made significant contributions to the SSP Program both technically and from a management perspective," said NSWCDD Strategic and Weapon Control Systems Department Head Jim Wolfe. "Most importantly, she understands the value and strength of the SSP technical team at Dahlgren. They have consistently delivered high quality products to the fleet. She has held numerous positions with tremendous responsibility and accountability. I am very proud of her many accomplishments."

The SSP Director recognizes personal contributions - extraordinary in value to the success of the FBM Strategic Weapons System, of no more than two awardees annually. The nominees can be military or government employees who have not had the opportunity to serve in high visibility positions. Their work must be considered significant and important to the FBM program.

"I am blessed to have been given the opportunity to work with such an amazing group of people," said Fetter. "My career in the Fleet Ballistic Missile Program has been extremely rewarding."

The SLBM Program at NSWCDD has a 60-year history of providing a credible sea-based strategic deterrent. NSWCDD has been integral member of the Strategic Systems Program SLBM Team since it began more than 60 years ago.

"The opportunity to be a part of providing innovative solutions to our men and women in uniform that will help them conduct their missions safely and effectively has been a career highlight," said Fetter.

The highly specialized Navy Strategic Systems Programs workforce is composed of military and civilian, scientific, engineering, and professional personnel who work closely with private contractors and consultants.

NSWCDD designs, develops, tests and maintains the SLBM weapons control and mission planning software, provides expertise in reentry systems structural, material, aerothermal, and flight mechanics, and performs system level testing and analysis of strategic, test and training targeting data.

Laser Weapon Being Readied for Marine Vehicles

By Eric Beidel, Office of Naval Research

ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) -- As the Navy prepares to deploy its first laser weapon on a ship later this summer, Office of Naval Research (ONR) officials announced June 11 that they have finished awarding contracts to develop a similar weapon to be used on ground vehicles.

The Ground-Based Air Defense Directed Energy On-the-Move program, commonly referred to as GBAD, aims to provide an affordable alternative to traditional firepower to keep enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from tracking and targeting Marines on the ground.

ONR is working with Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division and industry partners on the development of GBAD's components and subsystems, including the laser itself, beam director, batteries, radar, advanced cooling, and communications and command and control.

"We're confident we can bring together all of these pieces in a package that's small enough to be carried on light tactical vehicles and powerful enough to counter these threats," said Brig. Gen. Kevin Killea, vice chief of naval research and commanding general, the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory.

The GBAD system is being designed for use on light tactical vehicles such as the Humvee and Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. With the proliferation of UAV technology, Marine Corps leaders expect that units increasingly will have to defend themselves against adversaries trying to perform reconnaissance and surveillance on them from the air.

"We can expect that our adversaries will increasingly use UAVs and our expeditionary forces must deal with that rising threat," said Col. William Zamagni, acting head of ONR's Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare and Combating Terrorism Department. "GBAD gives the Marine Corps a capability to counter the UAV threat efficiently, sustainably and organically with austere expeditionary forces. GBAD employed in a counter UAV role is just the beginning of its use and opens myriad other possibilities for future expeditionary forces."

The technologies being developed under the GBAD program are a direct response to the Marine Corps Science and Technology Strategic Plan, which calls for a mobile directed-energy weapon capable of destroying threats such as UAVs.

"Aggressive action against air threats is needed for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force to conduct expeditionary maneuver. Everything about this program is geared toward realizing a viable directed-energy capability in support of that objective to allow our Marines to be fast and lethal," said Lee Mastroianni, program manager for Force Protection in ONR's Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare and Combating Terrorism Department.

Some of the system's components already have been used in tests to detect and track UAVs of all sizes. Later in the year, researchers will test the entire system against targets using a 10kW laser as a stepping stone to a 30kW laser.

The 30kW system is expected to be ready for field testing in 2016, when the program will begin more complex trials to ensure a seamless process from detection and tracking to firing, all from mobile tactical vehicles.

The program has benefitted from previous investments, studies and technology development by the Department of Defense High Energy Laser Joint Technology Office, MIT's Lincoln Laboratory, the Penn State Electro-Optics Center and the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command.

"These partnerships, along with strong support from Marine Corps leadership, are vital as we move forward to see how this capability opens up new frontiers on the battlefield," Mastroianni said.

All the pieces for the system are being developed under ONR's Future Naval Capabilities program, which brings proven technology to military acquisition programs in rapid fashion, going from research-and-development to delivery in five years.

ONR provides the science and technology necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps' technological advantage. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader in science and technology with engagement in 50 states, 70 countries, 1,035 institutions of higher learning and 914 industry partners. ONR employs more than 1,000 people, comprising uniformed, civilian and contract personnel, with additional employees at the Naval Research Lab in Washington, D.C.