43rd Airlift Group welcomes new commander

by Marvin Krause
43rd Airlift Group Public Affairs

8/6/2014 - POPE ARMY AIRFIELD, FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- Col. Kenneth E. Moss formally assumed command of the 43rd Airlift Group from Col. Daniel H. Tulley in a change of command ceremony today on Fort Bragg's Pope Army Airfield.

"There is no place in the world where the Army and the Air Force work more closely, more often, and gain more synergy than here," said Moss. "To be a part of a Total Force team which can add to this history and strengthen the relationship is both humbling and inspiring. It will be a privilege to continue the work strengthening the ties which make Fort Bragg great. To the women and men of the 43rd Airlift Group, we have an exciting future ahead of us. Together, we will continue to provide world-class support service to our partners."

Prior to this assignment, Moss was a fellow at the U.S. Navy Strategic Studies Group, in Newport, R.I., from July 2013. Moss is a 1992 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and has served in a variety of positions in Air Mobility Command and combatant command. In 2005, Moss was selected as one of 16 students to attend the Advanced Studies of Air Mobility course at the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Following graduation from Intermediate Developmental Education, he then served as a staff officer at U.S. Central Command, working on the Africa Command's transition team and as the Iraq Strategy, Plans and Policy division chief.

Moss is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours in the KC-10 Extender, C-130 Hercules, C-21, T-38 Talon and the T-37 Cessna aircraft.

The 43rd Airlift Group's 1,200 active-duty Airmen and civilians provide contingency outload, en route support and mobility operations for Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg's XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division. This partnership with the Army provides the nation a unique Joint forcible entry capability through rapid global airborne and air assault operations within hours of notification. Missions can range from humanitarian assistance to providing combat capability to the combatant commanders.

"When we talk about the Global Response Force, special operations and task force mission, and that includes Joint forcible entry airborne operations, we talk about it as a 'no fail' mission," said Maj. Gen. Frederick H. Martin, commander of the USAF EC, as he addressed mission partners, community members and the group's Airmen attending the ceremony. "We can't talk about this no-fail mission without the partnership of the mighty 440th Airlift Wing and the three other Air Force major commands here at Pope. To the Airmen, 'Gryphons' of the 43rd Airlift Group, thank you for your tireless support of the GRF and the Joint training mission."

During Tulley's command, the 43rd AG's "Gryphons" executed over 4,000 Joint Special Operations Command, Army and Air Force contingency missions with a 99 percent departure reliability rate. He artfully leveraged the new Air Force Inspection System and continuous process improvement to improve the Air Force's "no-fail" missions on Fort Bragg. His visionary strategy and tenacious advocacy rallied key stakeholders, informing decisions made by the Commander, Air Mobility Command and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

"To our partners in the world's greatest Army--thank you. Thank you for your gracious hospitality and for including us in all that you do here on Fort Bragg," said Tulley. "We have really moved the ball down the field with regard to Joint forcible entry and airborne operations. To the men and women of the 43rd Airlift Group, thank you to each and every one of you and your families for what you do every day. Your service and sacrifice at home and deployed has been humbling to witness. Putting the 'air' in 'airborne' can't happen without one key ingredient and that is what we Airmen bring to the fight--airpower!"

The men and women of the 43rd AG carried out their critical mission to, "Put the Air in Airborne," by supporting over 1,000 Joint training missions annually, ensuring Air Mobility Command and reserve component partners fulfilled 100 percent of the Joint training requirements on Fort Bragg while improving strategic continuity for Joint Operational Access Exercises.

Thanks to Tulley's ceaseless efforts, AMC is in the final approval stages to create the future 43d Air Mobility Operations Group. This new construct will provide unity of command and effort for the group's diverse operations and support functions, increasing efficiencies despite a 27 percent reduction in personnel. His strategic vision and execution made Fort Bragg-Pope Army Airfield better for over 3,000 Airmen and their families while posturing the Air Force missions on Fort Bragg for future success.

Tulley has commanded the 43rd Airlift Group since July 2012 and moves on to his next assignment as the commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

Reserve Affairs leaders visit ARPC

by Tech. Sgt. Rob Hazelett
Air Reserve Personnel Center Public Affairs

8/6/2014 - BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo.  -- Daniel Sitterly, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, John Fedrigo, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force Reserve Affairs and Airman Readiness, and Col. Petra McGregor, senior military assistant of Manpower and Reserve Affairs, pose with leaders and staff members at Headquarters Air Reserve Personnel Center Aug. 5 at Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado.

Upon arriving at the center, members of the Senior Executive Service met with Brig. Gen. Samuel "Bo" Mahaney, ARPC commander, and his staff to hear feedback and ideas from the field. The intent of their visit is to identify areas that need to be reviewed today as well as to help plan for an Airman's future 30 years from now.

Sitterly acts for and assists in executing the responsibilities of the assistant secretary in the supervision of manpower, military and civilian personnel, Reserve component affairs and readiness support for the Department of the Air Force.

Fedrigo's responsibilities include planning, establishing policy for and implementing activities relating to the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and the Civil Air Patrol as well as Total Force Airman Readiness.

ALMDS Conducts Maiden Deployment in 5th Fleet AOR

From U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy has forward deployed the Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR).

ALMDS is a sensor system designed to detect, classify and localize floating and near-surface moored mines. Operated from the MH-60S helicopter, ALMDS provides rapid wide-area reconnaissance and assessment of mine threats in littoral zones, confined straits, and choke points.

Sailors from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, Detachment 2, Laser Hawks, began the operational testing and demonstration of ALMDS in 5th Fleet on the system's maiden deployment August 4.

"The U.S. Fifth Fleet is focused on reducing the threat posed by sea-based mines in the region should that be necessary and the presence of ALMDS here in the theater adds to our capacity to do just that," said Vice Adm. John W. Miller, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet, Combined Maritime Forces. "The international community has a critical shared interest in the free flow of commerce in this region. ALMDS, along with the many other counter-mine systems we operate in the Fifth Fleet allows the Navy to keep the sea lanes open."

"It's a laser-driven system that works like radar," said Lt. Cmdr. Theodore Lemerande, officer in charge of Laser Hawks. "It beams a laser down into the water and picks up reflections from anything it bounces off of. The system then registers the returned information and uses that data to produce a video image in order for technicians on the ground to determine what the object is."

The Navy's largest helicopter, the MH-53E Sea Dragon, has been a critical component of the Navy's ability to perform the airborne countermine mission in the Fifth Fleet and elsewhere for many years. ALMDS expands the countermine mission to smaller MH-60S helicopters.

"MH-60Ss have traditionally been a platform for anti-surface warfare, combat support, humanitarian disaster relief, combat search and rescue, aero-medical evacuation, and special warfare," said Lemerande. "ALMDS allows us to take airborne mine countermeasures technology to these smaller helicopters that can fly from smaller ships allowing us to take mine countermeasures into places that may not have been accessible before."

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command's (NAVCENT) scope of maritime operations covers approximately 2.5 million square miles of area including the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea.

NAVCENT's mission is to conduct maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts, and strengthen partner nations' maritime capabilities in order to promote security and stability in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

RED FLAG-Alaska 14-3 kicks off

354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

8/6/2014 - EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Residents of Interior Alaska may see and hear increased flying activity as the third RED FLAG-Alaska of the calendar year, RF-A 14-3, runs from August 7-22.

RF-A provides U.S. and allied pilots, aircrews and operational support personnel the opportunity to train and improve their air combat skills in preparation for a myriad of worldwide contingencies.

The exercises are conducted in the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex (JPARC), the largest training range in America at more than 65,000 square miles, and in special use airspace across the state, with air operations flown out of Eielson AFB and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.

The tentative schedule for the 2014 RF-A season is as follows:
RED FLAG-Alaska 14-3: August 7-22
RED FLAG-Alaska 15-1: Oct. 2-17

Fairbanks area media interested in covering RF-A must contact the Eielson AFB Public Affairs office at (907) 377-2116. Anchorage area media interested in covering RF-A must contact Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson's 673rd Wing Public Affairs office at (907) 552-8986.

Submarine Squadron 6 Changes Command

By Kevin Copeland, Commander, Submarine Forces Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Commander, Submarine Squadron 6 (SUBRON 6) held a change of command ceremony Aug. 1 on board Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Montpelier (SSN 765), Naval Station Norfolk.

Capt. Paul Snodgrass relieved Capt. Blake L. Converse as commander.

Vice Adm. Michael Connor, commander, Submarine Forces, was the feature speaker. He also presented Converse with his third Legion of Merit award citing him for flawlessly directing the maintenance, operational, and combat readiness for nine nuclear-powered submarines.

"It is truly an honor to be here today as we take the time to come together and pay tribute to two outstanding naval officers, Capt. Blake Converse and Capt. Paul Snodgrass," said Connor. "This ceremony, and all it represents, is one of our most cherished and important traditions. It represents the continuing recognition of who we are and what we truly value as a Navy - the absolute nature of accountability, responsibility and the art of leadership. That is important, because the business they preside over is serious business.

"Successful organizations are led by visionary leaders who succeed over and over again. High performance organizations like SUBRON 6 are driven by leaders who delegate responsibility and share credit, but accept total accountability. Blake, your greatest accomplishment - your legacy - will be the people you trained, mentored, and took care of. Our Sailors and their families were always first in your mind and heart. You ensured that they were provided everything we had to maximize their chance of success and quality of life. Your tour here will be remembered as being a pivotal leader, shaping the future of the submarine force. Blake, congratulations on a job superbly well done."

A native of Montoursville Pa., Converse assumed command of SUBRON 6 in October 2010.

"I started my career in the submarine force in 1989 in Norfolk on the USS Lapon, a Sturgeon-class submarine assigned to Squadron Six," said Converse, who has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State University and a Master's Degree in Space Systems Engineering and Applied Physics from the Navy Postgraduate School. "My first commanding officer, Capt. Peter Flannery, who would also become the commodore of SUBRON 6, was a role model for me, and taught me how to be a naval officer and a submariner.

"Later, I returned to Norfolk and Squadron 6, as executive officer on USS Minneapolis-St.Paul. It was a tough two years, but I learned how to turn around an underperforming ship, how to train men, when to take risks, and how to build a strong command structure. In October 2012, I returned to Norfolk for a third tour, but this time as the commodore of Squadron Six. It was like coming home. I was comfortable in the Hampton Roads area. I had qualified as an officer-of-the-deck in these waters. I had deployed twice out of Norfolk and I had conducted dozens of exercises and operations up and down the Eastern Seaboard. But the squadron looked nothing like the one I left 10 years before - it had subsumed Squadron 8 and the local Norfolk Submarine Support Command.

"The primary job at Squadron 6 is to train, mentor and certify crews for deployment. This broad range of responsibilities would be impossible without the dedication and hard work the squadron's staff of Sailors and civilians who eat, drink and breathe submarining. Finally to the commanding officers and crews assigned to Squadron 6, I thank you for your boldness, professionalism, initiative and sheer determination. I have been honored to have served and sailed with each and every one of you."

Following the change of command Converse will report to Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic (SUBLANT), where he will be assigned as chief of staff.

Snodgrass reports to SUBRON 6 from SUBLANT where he served in several positions. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, and a Master's Degree in Engineering from Old Dominion University.

"I would like to thank Capt. Converse and the Squadron 6 staff for a very thorough and professional turnover," said Snodgrass, a native of Seymour, Indiana. "Capt. Converse's leadership has produced top performing commanding officers, a highly motivated and innovative staff and submarine crews that are well-trained ready to fight and ready to win wars. Your mentorship will continue to pay dividends to our force for years to come. Best of luck as you move to the next level of leadership in our Submarine Force.

"For the officers, chiefs and Sailors of the SUBRON 6 staff and submarine crews, it is you who make submarining such an enjoyable profession. It will be an honor and privilege to lead you. I thank you and your families for your hard work and the sacrifice you make for our nation's security."

SUBRON 6 exercises operational control over seven Los Angeles-class attack submarines home ported in Norfolk, Virginia. The squadron staff is responsible for training and preparing their submarine crews in all facets of operations, including tactical and operational readiness for war, inspection and monitoring, nuclear and radiological safety, and development and control of submarine operating schedules.

Medical Service Corps Birthday Celebration Focuses on Mentorship

By Rebecca A. Perron, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) -- Naval Medical Center Portsmouth celebrated the 67th Medical Service Corps birthday Aug. 4 with the reading of birthday letters from the chiefs of the Medical, Dental, Nurse and Medical Service corps and the force master chief before cutting the ceremonial cake.

Cmdr. Paul Allen, Nutrition Management Department head, began the ceremony by reading a brief history of the MSC, before turning the floor over to those reading the letters.

In the letter written by Rear Adm. Terry Moulton, NMCP commander and MSC chief, he thanked the corps for "providing high quality health care to our warfighters, their families and those entrusted to our care.

"Since 1947, the Medical Service Corps has led from the front in clinical, scientific and administrative specialties while supporting the mission of the Navy Medical Department," Moulton wrote in the birthday letter. "The hallmark of the Medical Service Corps has been mentoring and grooming junior officers to develop into leaders of choice for Navy Medicine. This year, I challenge you to find a mentor, become a mentor, or continue to mentor, and emphasize the leadership and professional fundamentals that make our corps strong and prepared for any challenge that may lie ahead."

After the reading of Moulton's letter by Cmdr. Tim Richardson, director for Resource Management, Moulton spoke personally about his experience as a junior MSC officer and the great mentors he was surrounded by, reiterating the importance of mentorship.

"As I was beginning at my first duty station, I had great mentors, including nurses, doctors and fellow MSC officers," Moulton said. "We are standing on the shoulders of giants. If we focus on mentorship, we will continue to make our corps strong. Today, we celebrate our 67 years, and we have a lot to be proud of. With that, I wish everybody a happy birthday."

The ceremony concluded with Moulton cutting the cake with Ensign Akakpossa Ananou, the most junior MSC officer at NMCP.

In his letter to the Medical Service Corps, Vice Adm. Matthew L. Nathan, Navy surgeon general, wrote about his experience with those in the corps.

"I truly have great appreciation for the MSC and its more than 30 individualized specialties," Nathan wrote. "It is such a diverse corps and I am constantly amazed by the breadth and knowledge that these officers possess. Their passion for science - from research, to operational medicine, to health care administration - is unmatched.

"Over the past year, I have witnessed their many achievements and contributions at home and abroad," Nathan continued. "Whether serving at sea, on deployments and humanitarian missions, clinics, inpatient facilities, and research units around the world, MSC officers continue to lead from the front lines. Their commitment and service have left an unprecedented mark on the history of the United States Navy and the care we provide each and every day."

Today, there are more than 3,000 officers on active and Reserve duty, serving within the 31 specialties of MSC.

Pease ANGB selected to receive KC-46A Pegasus aerial tanker

8/6/2014 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  -- Air Force officials announced Aug. 6 Pease Air National Guard Base, New Hampshire, as the Air Force's first Air National Guard-led KC-46A Pegasus aircraft main operating base.

"The KC-46A Pegasus aerial tanker remains one of our top acquisition priorities," said Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James. "Making a final basing decision is an important step in recapitalizing the tanker fleet. We will begin to replace our aging tanker fleet in 2016, but even when the program is complete in 2028 we will have replaced less than half of the current tanker fleet and will still be flying over 200 half-century-old KC-135s."

Pease ANGB was selected as preferred alternative in May 2013. The Air Force recently completed the environmental analysis required by the National Environmental Protection Act to provide further information concerning the basing process.

Air Force officials analyzed operational considerations, installation attributes, economic, and environmental factors for each location before making a final basing decision. Subsequent KC-46 basing decisions will use similar criteria.

Air Force officials also explained their rationale for choosing Pease.

"The Air Force chose this base using operational analysis, results of site surveys, and military judgment factors," said Timothy Bridges, the Air Force deputy assistant secretary for installations.

Officials said Pease ANGB was selected as the first Air National Guard-led KC-46A main operating base because of its highly successful existing active-duty association, which would lead to lower active-duty manpower requirements. Its location in a region of high air refueling receiver demand was also a key consideration.

Selection of Pease ANGB will minimize the challenge of fielding a new weapon system and avoid having to simultaneously establish a new active association.

"Tankers are the lifeblood of our joint force's ability to respond to crisis and contingencies," said Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark A. Welsh III. "The Pegasus will be capable of day and night operations and enable a rapid, global capability that will support U.S., joint, allied and coalition forces. The aircraft will also underpin our humanitarian missions."

Welsh also committed to ensuring continued support of combatant commander tanker requirements during a tanker recapitalization effort that will last decades by continuing to fully fund upgrades and improvements to the KC-135 fleet.

The first aircraft are scheduled to begin arriving at Pease ANGB beginning in fiscal year 2018. The formal training unit and first main operating base will begin receiving aircraft in fiscal year 2016.

Subsequent KC-46 decisions will use similar criteria.

The KC-46A will provide improved capability, including boom and drogue refueling on the same sortie, world-wide navigation and communication, airlift capability on the entire main deck floor, receiver air refueling, improved force protection and survivability, and multi-point air refueling capability.

Eagle Airlifters take to the Alaskan skies

by Staff Sgt. Chad Strohmeyer
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

8/5/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, ALASKA -- Four C-130 Hercules aircraft and more than 70 personnel assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, this week to undergo joint-aerial training with paratroopers from the 725th Brigade Support Battalion.

The training takes place one week before Exercise Red Flag and is designed to give Air Force and Army aircrew member's realistic training in challenging environments.

"This training gives us the opportunity to go off installation and learn different scenarios we could not normally do in Japan," said Capt. Ian Haig, 36th AS pilot. "Being out of our comfort zone really challenges and motivates us to be that much sharper."

While the pilots received vital training, the loadmasters from the 36 AS were not left out. Working with the jump masters and paratroopers gave loadmasters an opportunity to expand their skill set in the event of a contingency.

"Being part of a massive training scenario such as this has been very beneficial for my fellow loadmasters and myself" said Staff Sgt. Noel Jones, 36th AS loadmaster. "Being in a position to get 90 plus paratroopers out the door and safely on the ground has definitely been one of the highlights of my career."

As the exercise progresses, the scenarios get tougher and require unparalleled teamwork between the two units.

"We have several more missions coming up that go through all hours of the night and will be sure to challenge us as an effective team," Haig said. "I have complete trust in my team. I have seen what they are capable of, and this training will only strengthen our ability as an airlift squadron."

HSC-25, Guam Fire and Rescue Save Distressed Swimmers

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Wilson, U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas Public Affairs

TUMON, Guam (NNS) -- Sailors from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 conducted a search and rescue (SAR) operation and rescued two distressed swimmers, one male and one female, off the coast of Gun Beach Aug. 5 at approximately 2:20 p.m.

HSC-25 received a request from U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam at approximately 1:40 p.m. A Navy MH-60S Knighthawk was then launched from Andersen Air Force Base and the crew retrieved the female swimmer with a hoist. Navy personnel transported the patient to U.S. Naval Hospital Guam for treatment.

Guam Fire and Rescue retrieved the male swimmer via jet ski and transported the patient to shore for treatment.

"This rescue was the culmination of a team effort between our U.S Coast Guard partners, Guam Fire and Rescue and the Island Knights," said Cmdr. Stephen Merritt, executive officer of HSC-25. "The rapid response to the swimmer in distress was only possible due to the dedicated training by our pilots, aircrew and maintenance professionals here on the island of Guam and the CNMI (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). We appreciate the continued support from the Guam community."

HSC-25 is the Navy's only forward-deployed MH-60S expeditionary squadron that maintains a 24-hour search and rescue and medical evacuation alert posture, directly supporting the U.S. Coast Guard and Joint Region Marianas.