Happy Hooligans, Warriors of the North make ALS history

by Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez
319th Air Force Base Public Affairs

7/7/2014 - GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- History was made during a recent graduation by Airmen completing their Airman Leadership School course.

The course is designed to prepare junior enlisted members for leadership and supervisory roles as they make the transition to the non-commissioned officer level.

Class 14-Echo began making ALS history with the makeup of their class by itself.

The class was made up by two groups of students more commonly referred to in the Air Force as flights. One flight consisted of 12 active-duty Airmen completing their in-residence course at the Chief Master Sgt. Richard L. Etchberger Airman Leadership School here, while the other flight was made up of a dozen Air National Guard Airmen from the 119th Wing attending an in-residence ALS course at the North Dakota ANG base in Fargo, North Dakota.

Both of the flights were simultaneously taught by Air Force active-duty instructors from the Etchberger ALS. This new approach on training was the first of its kind according to officials from the 119th Wing and the 319th Air Base Wing.

"When I talked to the training people at the National Guard Bureau, they said they have not heard of another Air National Guard base doing it this way," said Senior Master Sgt. Jeff Miller, 119th Wing non-commissioned officer in charge of training.

The concept of having one active-duty instructor travel to the Air National Guard Base in Fargo to teach a course rather than having several Air National Guard Airmen travel to the Grand Forks AFB, and stay there to attend the course arose from discussions between Miller and the Etchberger ALS commandant, Master Sgt. Aaron Holmes.

The benefits became apparent to the pair of senior NCOs as they discussed the financial savings for the U.S. government as well as the job satisfaction of contributing to the improvement of leadership training for the Air National Guard members and the total force concept.

The historic undertaking between the Happy Hooligans and the Warriors of the North was sealed when the students completed the five-week long joint-venture by coming together for a formal graduation ceremony at the Northern Lights Club here.

"I wasn't looking to be part of history," said Tech. Sgt. James Richey, the active-duty ALS instructor assigned to teach the flight of Air National Guard students in Fargo. "My intentions as an ALS instructor have always been to prepare the [student] Airmen to be the best supervisors and leaders they can be. The real credit should go to Sergeants Miller and Holmes. They're the ones that worked behind the scenes to make this happen. I'm just grateful to have had the opportunity."

Richey wasn't the only one grateful for the opportunity.

"This entire experience has been great. I loved it." said Staff Sgt. Todd Hillukka, the class leader for the Air National Guard student flight.

Hillukka said he had completed the U.S. Army Warrior Leader Course before he'd made the switch from the Army National Guard to the Air National Guard approximately 5 years ago.

"I was very glad to jump at the opportunity to see how the Army's WLC compared to ALS," said the 13-year veteran from Dent, Minn. "ALS is extremely more in depth in comparison to the Warrior Leader Course. It was easy to be the class leader of this flight because everyone was so good, and knowing that I'm part of something that hasn't been done before is very humbling."

The experience was also a one for Senior Justin Haley, the class leader for the active-duty flight.

"I was excited about being part of this class because I think many Airmen don't usually get to experience the total force concept until much later in their careers or if they get deployed overseas, so having gone through the experience state side makes this pretty special," said the Seattle native. "I enjoyed the camaraderie that our two flights created and I hope a class like ours happens again."

Haley wasn't the only one with hopes for a repeat of another class like 14-E.

Col. Kent Olson, 119th Wing commander, said he believes this new total force approach for ALS has become a new way of closing the gap to the 90-mile stretch of highway on Interstate 29 that separates the Happy Hooligans and Warriors of the North.

"This is something I believe will continue to benefit our Airmen and your Airmen," said Olson to Col. Paul Bauman, 319th Air Base Wing commander during the closing remarks portion of the evening. "Hopefully this partnership and new approach will become a new tradition."

Bauman agreed with his fellow wing commander.

"This graduation is a sign of what the Air Force is moving towards, and where we need be, when we refer to ourselves as a total force," said Bauman. "As we approach the 4th of July holiday, I think it is fitting to point out that nearly 238 years ago our nation's militia force joined up with the continental army to fight for our nation's freedom. Interestingly enough, tonight we have come together just a few days from our Independence Day to celebrate the ongoing successful partnership of our active and guard components, both dedicated to the common goal of protecting and preserving that very same independence."

(Article by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this story)

Team Osan Airman graduates USMC Staff NCO Academy

by Capt. Aaron Green
731st Air Mobility Squadron

7/8/2014 - OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea  -- Master Sergeant Joseph P. Connolly, 731st Air Mobility Squadron passenger services section chief, graduated from the U.S. Marine Corps Staff NCO Academy advanced course, Camp Hansen, Japan, June 13.

The enlisted professional military education course provides Marines and specially selected Airmen with the knowledge and skills necessary to assume leadership roles of greater responsibility.

It is a rare opportunity for Air Force service members to attend sister service PME academies, but Connolly, with guidance and direction from his mentor, Senior Master Sgt. Jackie L. Phillips, submitted his nomination package, and was eventually selected through the office of the chief master sergeant of the Air Force, to attend the challenging course.

Connolly attended the seven-week course with 18 Marine Corps gunnery sergeants and six Airmen.

The main focuses of the course were warfighting, leadership, combat conditioning and administrative correspondence.

"This was an outstanding opportunity for me to step outside of my comfort zone and challenge myself in a diverse and joint environment," Connolly said.

Whether he was competing in physical training sessions or the academic environment, Connolly rose to the challenge and was able to achieve "first class" ratings on both the physical fitness test and the combat fitness test, and achieve an overall grade point average of 97.65 for his coursework.

A written report from the senior NCO academy director to the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing commander addressed Connolly's great contributions to the classroom environment and outlined his keen ability to remind his fellow classmates that leadership is not bound by the color or pattern of a uniform, but by an individual's actions as a leader.

JB Charleston triathletes take on military's best

by 2nd Lt. Alexandra Trobe
Joint Base Charleston Pulic Affairs

6/30/2014 - Joint Base Charleston, S.C.  -- Two members of Joint Base Charleston competed for the Air Force Triathlon team during the Armed Forces Triathlon Championships May 31, at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu Calif.

Capt. Brett King, 17th Airlift Squadron pilot, and Capt. Jamie Turner, 315th Airlift wing C-17 pilot, had the honor of representing the Air Force and Joint Base Charleston at the event.

"The water temperature took your breath away; the start was vicious and aggressive," said King. "It was a washing machine effect of fists and kicking to get into position."

And that was just the beginning of the grueling Armed Forces Triathlon competition which pits the top triathletes in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps against one another in a 1,500-meter (one-mile) ocean swim, 40-kilometer (24.8-mile) draft-legal bike ride and 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) run.

The first discipline, the swim, was the most challenging aspect of the race due to strong currents and cold water temperatures, said Turner, who played a vital role in the helping the Air Force Women's team defend its title as Armed Forces Triathlon champion.

"I helped a few of my AF teammates mentally push themselves harder than they thought possible during the run and the bike," said Turner. "A huge part of racing is the mental aspect which can easily be affected with pain and racing at your threshold."

For Turner, the finish line was a surreal experience knowing she gave it her all as her time made the difference between the women's first and second place finish.

The Air Force Men's team came in second behind the Navy.

This was King's second year competing at the Armed Forces Triathlon and this year, he was mentally ready for the viciousness of the swim.

"Your placement in the swim is incredibly important because it determines the group you will be riding and running with in the Draft-Legal triathlon format," said King.

King exited the water portion of the competition with a Navy competitor, only 30 seconds behind the lead pack.

They chased each other throughout the bike and transition to the run.

"The bike to run transition was the best part of my race. I came into that transition in 18th place and by the time I finished the race I had moved up to 11th overall," said King.

Leaving everything on the road, King passed three other service members in the last mile of the race. The Air Force team lost to Navy by five points, which translates to only 10 seconds in the scoring system.

Although the competition was fierce, at the end of the day all the service members realize they are all on the same team.

"After the race is over there is this huge sense of camaraderie," said King. "The best part about this competition is that you're surrounded by the same kind of people. Everyone racing here had to make the same kinds of sacrifices to train while following a calling to serve their country."

For Turner, one of her biggest struggles was finding time to train due to the lack of a predictive work schedule and the added difficulty of two different jobs in two different states.

"I spend 80 percent of my time on the road and am always on the hunt for a pool or spin bike when I am traveling," said Turner.

King faces similar challenges with his training and even brings his triathlon bicycle on trips so he can train in his down time.

"The most rewarding part of the race is when you get to that point of devastating pain and you have to make the decision, either you're a fighter, or you're not," said King.

"Triathlon has become a big part of the balanced life I strive to lead," said Turner. "I enjoy motivating people and helping them realize they have the ability to accomplish almost anything."

For both competitors, it isn't the end of the race but the journey that keeps them motivated.

"It doesn't culminate in the finish line, it's the chase to constantly be better that keeps you driven," said King.

Turner and King are already training for their next races. Turner is looking forward to continuing to represent the Air Force at the Armed Forces Championships and King has set his sights on the Half-Ironman World Championship competition scheduled for Sept. 7, 2014

American Service Members Secure Bases on Okinawa

By Jim Garamone

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, July 7, 2014 – American personnel on the Japanese island of Okinawa are battening down the hatches and securing airfields and facilities ahead of Super Typhoon Neoguri.

Japanese forecasters say the storm already has winds over 150 mph, and it is bearing down on the Ryukyu Islands, home to about 30,000 American service members and their families.

Forecasters say the storm will hit Okinawa tomorrow with heavy rain and powerful winds.

Air Force Brig. Gen. James Hecker, the commander of the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa, declared Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 3, and the base began evacuating aircraft yesterday.

“I can’t stress enough how dangerous this typhoon may be when it hits Okinawa,” Hecker said in a message to the community. “This is not just another typhoon.” Neoguri is the most powerful typhoon forecast to hit the island in 15 years.

Officials are evacuating 61 U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps aircraft from Okinawa to Guam, mainland Japan, the Philippines and South Korea, said Pentagon spokesman Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jeff Pool. Aircraft moving include C-130 Hercules aircraft, P-3 Orions, P-8 Poseidons and KC-135 Stratotankers.

“The remaining helicopters and jets on Okinawa are being sheltered in protected hangars,” Pool said.

Eighth Air Force moves into new headquarters

by Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

7/2/2014 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The Mighty Eighth Air Force held a grand opening ceremony for its new headquarters here July 2.

The newly-renovated 77,000 square foot facility will House Eighth Air Force staff, Task Force 204, 608th Air Operations Center, and more.

Prior to the ribbon-cutting, Major General Scott Vander Hamm, Eighth Air Force commander, thanked the local community for their support of the Eighth Air Force family.

"Our distinguished visitors represent our long-term relationship with Shreveport and Bossier City that makes the Eighth Air Force successful," he said. "You make it a home for us and a home for our Airmen and their families."

The new headquarters building is a historic three-story administrative facility with interior renovations to include rearrangement of interior walls, finishes, stairways, plumbing, communications, electrical systems and more.

The renovation project also upgraded the structure to meet security requirements and incorporated green energy objectives by addressing site design and other factors.

"It's a state-of-the-art building," Vander Hamm said. "The architects and engineers deserve a great deal of thanks, and I thank them for getting us to where we are today."

Since its establishment in 1942, the Eighth Air Force headquarters has moved multiple times, making its most recent residency on Barksdale in 1975.

"We have found a wonderful home here with strong support from the community," he said.

The headquarters has French colonial revival architecture, matching it with other historic buildings and homes around Barksdale. In 1992, the building was added to the National Historical registry.

"I believe we have an extremely bright future," Vander Hamm said. "This new building is a reminder of our heritage."

Royal Saudi Air Force AWACS back in service

by John Parker
Tinker Public Affairs

7/8/2014 - TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- A Royal Saudi Air Force AWACS aircraft recently left Tinker for duty in Saudi Arabia after a nearly year-long restoration by the 76th Maintenance Squadron.

Danny Simon, Middle East support chief located in the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, praised the 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group for taking on the additional work among its many other depot maintenance obligations.

The E-3 Sentry, which bears the words "God Bless You" in English on its fuselage, is one of five in the Royal Saudi Air Force. It was inactive for over three years after overheating during flight causing catastrophic damage to the radar antenna located inside the rotodome, Mr. Simon said.

After aircraft arrival in May of last year, Tinker technicians removed and replaced the radar antenna much quicker than expected which allowed continued repair work on the aircraft's radio systems, IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) radar and hydraulics systems.

"Collectively as a group, we have almost completely rebuilt the entire support structure that controls radar," Mr. Simon said. "We had to replace what we call the big white parts -- all of your high-voltage section, high-power parts. That's not a small task. In fact, it's never been done before this airplane."

More than 40 crewmembers that entailed Saudi pilots, radar operators and maintenance crews stayed in Oklahoma City recently to conduct the check flight before the plane was accepted and flown back to Saudi Arabia. Mr. Simon's section coordinated all aspects for delivering the military aircraft to Tinker AFB and ultimately back home.

"This was a monumental effort, which required multiple agencies involvement including daily interaction at the highest levels of the United States Air Force and Royal Saudi Air Force."

Mr. Simon attributes the success of aircraft 1804's return home to great teamwork amongst all of the players and a united front of support from senior leadership.

World War II Veteran receives French Legion of Honor

by Senior Airman Benjamin Gonsier
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

7/2/2014 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- On a boat, rocking back and forth, soldiers were packed shoulder to shoulder. The Allied soldiers were anxious as they prepared for one of the greatest days in history. It was June 6, 1944, where more than 150,000 Allied soldiers, in the largest seaborne invasion in history, invaded Normandy in hopes to turn the tides of World War II against the Nazis.

More than 70 years after the Invasion of Normandy, John Carpenter, a local veteran who participated in the invasion and Battle of the Bulge, received the French Legion of Honor at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., July 1.

On the 70th anniversary of D-Day, 17 veterans were selected to receive the Legion of Honor at the World War II museum in New Orleans. Carpenter was unable to make the event, but he expressed his desire to receive the medal from the 8th Air Force commander.

"The Legion of Honor is not given out to just anybody," said Maj. Gen. Scott Vander Hamm, 8th Air Force commander. "It is a very special honor. The French government is recognizing [Carpenter] as a chevalier, or 'knight.'"

The French Legion of Honor is rarely given out. There is a specific number of awards the French government can give out. However, the French government made an exception for military members who fought on French soil during World War II.

Not only was Carpenter recognized for his service to the nation, but for everything he has done in life. From being a part of one of the greatest American generations to everything he has done for his family, Vander Hamm said.

On D-Day, a 29 year old Carpenter, who was much older than the soldiers around him, used his experience to contribute to one of the most important aspects of the war effort.

"He wasn't in the frontlines doing infantry; he was doing supply work," Vander Hamm said. "There is not a unit out there that can operate without logistics support. President, then General Eisenhower, said that amateurs talk tactics; experts talk logistics."

Carpenter ensured the units fighting the adversary received the supplies they needed to take the fight to the enemy.

"He enabled the war effort to continue and his years of experience were a huge encouragement to the much younger men around him," Vander Hamm said. "General Patton himself recognized Carpenter for his expertise."

During this time, Carpenter received the Bronze Star, which was an uncommon award for a logistics Airman.

"Carpenter served valiantly during many different battles during World War II," Vander Hamm added. "You are a true hero, part of our legacy, heritage and we are proud to follow in your footsteps."

Vella Gulf Conducts Underway Engagement with Turkish Navy

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Edward Guttierrez III, USS Vella Gulf Public Affairs

AEGEAN SEA (NNS) -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) conducted joint maritime operations with the Turkish navy fast attack craft TCG Dogan (P 340) and TCG Marti (P 341) after departing Kusadasi, Turkey on July 6.

Vella Gulf, Dogan and Marti conducted a surface exercise and a flag communication exercise during the engagements. U.S. Navy ships regularly hold similar events with partners and allies to foster relationships and strengthen interoperability.

"Vella Gulf was pleased to conduct another in a series of exercises with our NATO ally Turkey," said Capt. Robert Katz, Vella Gulf's commanding officer. "Our interactions with the Turkish Navy during our deployment have shown them to be highly proficient and professional; this exercise was no different. We look forward to working with them again during Exercise Breeze in the Black Sea."

The surface exercise required the participants to repel a simulated attack by small fast attack / fast inland attack craft. The second part of the exercise required the ships to communicate only via the use of signal flags.

Vella Gulf, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, is conducting naval operations with partners and allies in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in order to advance security and stability in Europe.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Former U.S. Navy Officer Pleads Guilty in International Bribery Scandal

Defendant Admits Overcharging Navy by up to $2.5 Million for Port Services in Japan

A retired Navy official who started a second career working for defense contractor Glenn Defense Marine Asia (GDMA) pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting that he and others overcharged the Navy by up to $2.5 million for port services to American ships and then used some of the proceeds to treat Navy officials to lavish dinners, cocktails and entertainment.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy for the Southern District of California, Director Andrew L. Traver of Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and Acting Deputy Inspector General of Investigations James R. Ives of the Department of Defense (DCIS) made the announcement.

“There is an old Navy saying: ‘Not self, but country.’  Edmond Aruffo instead put self before country when he stole from the U.S. Navy as part of a massive fraud and bribery scheme that cost the U.S. Navy more than $20 million ,” said Assistant Attorney General Caldwell.

“This corruption scandal continues to lead us in new directions, and we continue to marvel at the extent of it,” said U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy. “If there are others who, like Edmond Aruffo, have traded integrity and honesty for greed and profit, we will find them and prosecute them.”

“Retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Edmond A. Aruffo, who previously held a position of trust and responsibility conferred on him by the Navy, betrayed his former service for personal gain by rigging invoices and deserves to be held accountable for his criminal actions,” said Director Traver.   “NCIS will continue to work with DCIS and the Department of Justice in vigorously investigating and prosecuting these crimes of corruption and fraud.”

“The guilty plea of Edward Aruffo is part of an ongoing effort by the DCIS and its law enforcement partners to bring to justice individuals who seek to illegally enrich themselves at the expense of U.S. taxpayers,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General Ives.   “While the vast majority of DOD contractors engage in lawful business practices, a few are driven by greed to break the law.   Those who do will be caught and punished.   American taxpayers will accept nothing less.”

Edmond A. Aruffo, who retired in 2007 at the rank of lieutenant commander after a military career spanning more than 20 years, is the seventh defendant charged – and the fourth to plead guilty – in the expanding corruption scandal involving GDMA’s illicit relationships with Navy officials.  GDMA is a Singapore-based contractor that has serviced Navy ships and submarines in the Pacific for decades.

Aruffo, who became manager of GDMA’s Japan operations in 2009, entered his plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen S. Crawford of the Southern District of California to a single count of conspiracy to defraud the United States.  Aruffo’s bond was set at $40,000; however, he indicated to the court he not post bond and immediate self-surrender.  A sentencing hearing was scheduled for Oct. 3, 2014, at 9 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino of the Southern District of California.

According to court documents, GDMA owner and CEO Leonard Francis enlisted the clandestine assistance of Navy personnel – including Commander Michael Vannak Khem Misiewicz, Commander Jose Luis Sanchez, NCIS Special Agent John Beliveau and Petty Officer First Class Daniel Layug – to provide classified ship schedules and other sensitive information about an ongoing criminal investigation of GDMA.   Court documents also allege that Francis and his cousin, GDMA executive Alex Wisidagama, conspired to defraud the United States through a number of overbilling schemes.  In total, GDMA allegedly overcharged the Navy under its contracts and submitted bogus invoices for more than $20 million.  Wisidagama, Beliveau and Layug have pleaded guilty while the others are awaiting trial.

According to Aruffo’s plea agreement, Aruffo was hired by GDMA’s Francis, who is accused of bribing Navy personnel with cash, luxury travel, expensive meals, consumer electronics and prostitutes in exchange for classified and proprietary information to win contracts and favorable treatment for his company.

According to the plea agreement, Aruffo was serving as the operations officer of the USS Blue Ridge when he met Francis.  GDMA was providing “husbanding” services, such as tug boats, harbor pilots, trash removal, line handlers and transportation to that ship and numerous others.

In the plea agreement, Aruffo admitted that he and others defrauded the U.S. Navy in connection with charges for port services provided to nearly every Navy ship that came to port in Japan from July 2009 to September 2010.

As part of its contract with the Navy, GDMA was required to coordinate various vendors to provide port services for the Navy ships.  Those vendors were to submit invoices directly to the Navy, rather than through GDMA.

The plea agreement said that Aruffo and others obtained letterhead from the Japanese vendors and used it to prepare bogus invoices which inflated the cost for services by tens of thousands of dollars.  Aruffo admitted he arranged kickbacks to GDMA from the vendors, once they were paid by the Navy.

For example, according to the plea agreement, in February of 2010 the USS Lake Erie visited the port of Sukomo, Japan.  Aruffo arranged for a Japanese vendor to provide a variety of husbanding services.  The vendor invoiced the Navy $145,229.77 – an amount inflated by about $50,000, which the vendor ultimately gave to GDMA as a kickback.

A few days later, Aruffo arranged for another Japanese vendor to provide such services to the USS Blue Ridge at the port of Otaru, Japan, the plea agreement said.  The vendor billed the Navy in the amount of $432,476.14 and then kicked back $204,961.20 to GDMA.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by NCIS, DCIS and the Defense Contract Audit Agency.   The case is being prosecuted by Director of Procurement Fraud Catherine Votaw and Trial Attorneys Brian Young and Wade Weems of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Pletcher and Robert Huie of the Southern District of California.

Sailor Steps Up as Volunteer Soccer Coach

By Army Staff Sgt. Carmen Steinbach

Joint Task Force Guantanamo

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba, July 7, 2014 – Several service members here have taken to the soccer field to boost their fitness and relieve stress. Their new coach, a fellow member of Joint Task Force Guantanamo, has the skills to help the local female soccer team, Barcelona, to the next level.

Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Peter Bergum, with JTF Engineering, has coached his children’s soccer teams for many years back home. In fact, he has a U.S. soccer coaching certification, called an e-license, and coaches in Iowa. When word of his experience reached a Barcelona player, he was recruited to help bring them together and unite a team that includes both experienced and inexperienced players.

“They’re great. They’re fun,” Bergum said. “It’s fun to practice and see an improvement in the couple of games we’ve had together.”

Most recently, the team has been working on foot skills and run drills to improve passing, shooting and ball-handling.

“We’re trying to get everybody a little bit better, because we have all different experience levels on the team -- those that have played for years and years, and those that have never played before getting here,” Bergum said, “so that’s kind of a fun challenge.”

Army Sgt. Rebecca Rickrode, a soldier with the 420th Military Police Company who plays forward for Barcelona, brings a lot of experience to the table. She said training with those who have never played before has been an interesting challenge, but she has seen a vast improvement in the team as a whole since Bergum has come on board as coach.

“He is a very positive coach, and he’s very helpful,” she said. “He’s encouraging, but he also teaches us a lot of good techniques and helps out people who play at all different levels.”

While the female soccer league ends next week, the women of team Barcelona will never forget the skills they learned and the feeling of camaraderie they felt during the season, and for a brief moment enjoyed a positive distraction from being away from their loved ones.

“[Playing] just brings a little bit of home back to deployments,” Rickrode said. “You can do something that’s fun and not just do PT all the time.”

Total Force effort helps ensure mission effectiveness at McConnell

by Capt. Zach Anderson
931st Air Refueling Group Public Affairs

7/7/2014 - MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- In the world of aircrew operations, it's essential that the men and women conducting the mission are able to perform when called upon. The job of ensuring aircrews are ready and effective at all times falls on the men and women of the McConnell Air Force Base Standard/Evaluation Office.

"Our mission is to validate aircrew mission effectiveness and readiness," said Lt. Col. Travis Clark, 931st Air Refueling Group Chief of Standard/Evaluation. "That is our basic tasking. We work directly for the commander and we feed that information back to him. He needs to know his troops can accomplish their assigned mission effectively and properly while maintaining the highest standards of mission readiness."

According to Clark, getting that information is done in a variety of manners, including annual evaluations of aircrew members that involve both testing for book knowledge as well as "check rides" to evaluate flying and operational skills.

"We look to see if they can get the job done, and if they can do it by the book," said Clark. "We also measure trends so if we notice a positive or a negative trend, we relay that information to the commander to give him a pulse on how his crews are doing. It's all about making sure our aircrews are meeting the set requirements when operating the jets."

When it comes to meeting those requirements, the same standards apply to active duty as well as reserve aircrews. For that reason, the Air Force Reserve 931 ARG and the active duty 22nd Air Refueling Wing have found it beneficial to work together as a Total Force team to maximize the capabilities of both standard/evaluation programs. The two offices co-located in December 2013, and Clark said the initiative is paying large dividends.

"The Total Force Initiative for our offices really helps us both," said Clark. "One of the biggest things we as reservists can provide for our active duty counterparts is continuity. The active duty is constantly changing personnel, and we are a bit more stable. With us being here, we help by maintaining vital program elements to ensure consistency. This in turn provides a more efficient 'spin up' time for new office personnel. In essence, they don't constantly have to reinvent the wheel."

Maj. Scot Stewart, 22 ARW Chief of Standard/Evaluation, said the Total Force effort is invaluable for the base program.

"It provides for better overall mission effectiveness for McConnell as a whole," said Stewart. "The whole point of standard/evaluation is to standardize processes and give the crew the tools they need to safely execute the mission. The more experience we have to draw from, the better we are able to accomplish that. By leveraging both the active duty and the reserve resources, we are able to make the entire operation better."

One of the largest Total Force Initiatives undertaken by the offices was the electronic flight bag program. The 931 ARG took the lead in transitioning required aircrew publications and regulations to electronic tablets, which means aircrew members no longer have to carry large volumes of publications in their flight bags.

"They have completely taken over that program," said Stewart. "They take care of it for us, and it's a huge thing they've taken off our plate. On top of that, they assist us with our flight crew information files, on setting up testing and computer systems...it's really been a beneficial partnership all around."

Clark said the entire idea of the Total Force Initiative between the two offices is to make the aircrews of both the reserve and active duty components better able to accomplish the mission of McConnell.

"This program works because we are both willing to help each other out in all aspects of standards and evaluations," said Clark. "We can provide experience and continuity, and the active duty can provide support and manpower as needed. We've really become so valuable to each other that if one of us were to pull out and no longer support the other, it would have an immediate detrimental impact to things here. What we are doing is definitely making the overall program better for the entire base."

Annual ANGRC picnic celebrate families

by Master Sgt. Marvin Preston
Air National Guard Readiness Center Public Affairs

7/7/2014 - ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Airmen and civilians assigned to the Air National Guard Readiness Center at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, gathered with their families for the annual ANGRC picnic at Fort Hunt Park here July 3.

The event was hosted by Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael R. Taheri, commander of the ANGRC, and provides an opportunity to build morale, teamwork as well as recognize the sacrifices and contributions of ANG families to the Total Force mission.

"Having this opportunity to get everyone together here is spectacular," said Taheri. "This gives your families a chance to see the great people who drive the engine of the 105,400 Air National Guardsmen out there. Being in the field and coming back to Washington, D.C. I've gained an appreciation for all the hard work everyone does all year long to make the mission happen, for the Air Force and the Air National Guard."

Attendees of all ages enjoyed activities that included a sack race, kickball, softball, volleyball, and face painting.

Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Harmony Thomas, section chief of Knowledge Operations at the ANGRC and event organizer, echoed Taheri's thoughts on the importance of the day.

"The 4th of July is a time of remembrance and thanks to all those who created our freedoms," said Thomas. "There's no better way to celebrate that than to celebrate together with the people who are making that happen today."

Fort Hunt Park is located near the shores of the Potomac River and was originally part of George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. The parks open fields and forests provided a great venue for ANGRC members and their families to get together for team building and morale events.

Alaska pilot reaches 1,000 F-22 flight hours

by Maj. Ashley Conner
477th Fighter Group Public Affairs

7/3/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Maj. Jonathan Gration, Reserve F-22 pilot assigned to the 302nd Fighter Squadron, is the fourth pilot to reach 1,000 flight hours in the F-22. He accomplished the feat during a sortie here July 3.

"This flight is not only a milestone for me, but for the Raptor community as well," said Gration. "It's a testament to how far we've come with this airplane."

Prior to joining Alaska's only Reserve unit Gration was an active duty F-15 and F-22 pilot and graduated from Weapon School, the Air Force's most advanced pilot training course.

"My proudest moment in the F-22 was graduating from the first class of the F-22 Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. It was the most challenging and grueling six months of my flying career and also the most rewarding," he said.

In addition to Gration, the unit is also home to Col. David Piffarerio, 477th Fighter Group deputy commander, and the first 1,000-hour F-22 pilot.

"Having another 1,000-hour pilot in the Reserve speaks volumes to the level of experience we have in the Air Reserve Component," said Piffarerio. "We are a valuable, experienced asset able to carry out our nation's objectives."

Both pilots have been involved with the F-22 program for more than10 years and Gration has some advice for younger F-22 pilots.

"Enjoy every flight, because you never know what you will be doing in your next assignment," he said. "Also, treat each flight with the same tenacity as your first -- from mission preparation to the end of the debrief. There is always room for improvement, no matter how well the sortie went."

JS Kunisaki Arrives in Tacloban for Pacific Partnership 2014

From From Pacific Partnership Public Affairs

TACLOBAN, Philippines (NNS) -- The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's JS Kunisaki (LST 4003), carrying a multinational crew of U.S., Australian, Malaysian and Japanese personnel, arrived in Tacloban July 4 as part of Pacific Partnership 2014 (PP14).

The ship and its roughly 300 embarked personnel arrived nearly eight months after Typhoon Haiyan devastated the region.

Arriving on Independence Day, the U.S. personnel assigned to the mission had a special meal to commemorate the occasion before beginning a 10-day operation consisting of professional medical exchanges, including providing basic medical, dental, and optometry clinics; several professional medical knowledge exchange seminars; and veterinary surgical and vaccination services.

Seabees from Amphibious Construction Battalion One and Naval Mobile Construction Battalion One have already begun working with members from the Armed Forces Philippines on four construction projects at three separate sites, and the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band will conduct several public performances.

Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission in the Indo-Asia-Pacific. Although the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led mission provides tangible assistance to the local community, by definition its intention and purpose is to better prepare for emergencies and disaster situations such as was experienced less than a year ago by the city of Tacloban during Typhoon Haiyan.

"I remember seeing the images of the devastation from the typhoon all over the news and now that I'm here and I see the scars left from that storm, it's a confirmation of why missions such as this are so important," said PP14 Mission Commander, U.S. Navy Capt. Brian Shipman.

"It was because we practice these things, because we have a presence in the region, and because of our cooperation with our friends and allies that we were able to coordinate and provide rapid, effective humanitarian assistance and disaster relief when it was needed," he added.

As personnel arrived ashore, Shipman pointed out how much the world had changed, as American service members disembarked from a Japanese landing craft a short distance from where U.S. General Douglas MacArthur made his historic return to the Philippines some 70 years ago.

At the invitation of host nations, PP14 teams working with local authorities determine how to best serve the communities they have been invited to, given the duration and resources available for the mission.

"It's obvious to see why we were invited to Tacloban given what they've been through. There is a lot of work to be done here, but many different organizations and nations are currently doing some great work," said U.S. Navy Lt. Ron Piramide, PP14 Philippine team officer in charge.

"I'm honored to be able to be part of something that is contributing to the overall work being done in the area and I look forward to seeing the great work our team will accomplish."

While training in simulated crisis-conditions, Pacific Partnership missions to date have provided real-world medical care to approximately 250,000 patients, veterinary services to more than 37,000 animals, accomplished more than 170 engineering projects, and enabled critical infrastructure development in Cambodia, Federated States of Micronesia, Indonesia, Kiribati, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Vanuatu and Vietnam.

"Pacific Partnership forms bonds between nations and organizations who share a common interest in maintaining a stable and secure Pacific region," said PP14 Chief of Staff, Australian Army Lt. Col. John Cronin.

Kunisaki has already visited Vietnam and Cambodia, and the Republic of the Philippines is the last stop for this year's mission. The Southern portion of Pacific Partnership, conducted by Task Force Forager, an expeditionary command element from the Navy's 30th Naval Construction Regiment and led by Capt. Rod Moore, provided assistance to the host nations of Indonesia and Timor-Leste.

Pacific Partnership is in its ninth iteration and is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Asia-Pacific region.