Hurricane Hunters wrap up Hawaii deployment

by Master Sgt. Brian Lamar
403rd Wing Public Affairs

8/11/2014 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- As Hawaii recovers from the one-two punch from Hurricanes Iselle and Julio, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron is packing up their operating base here for their return to Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi.

The "Hurricane Hunters," an Air Force Reserve unit assigned to the 403rd Wing, arrived Aug. 5 and flew their last mission Aug. 10. The squadron launched aircraft from the Island of Oahu during the threats of the storms and flew eight reconnaissance missions into Iselle and five into Julio.

Iselle, which at one point was a Category 4 hurricane, weakened into a tropical storm before it made landfall on the Big Island Friday, while Hurricane Julio spared the islands moving north of Hawaii Sunday afternoon.

The deployment to Hickam was considered a rare event since hurricanes typically don't make their trek intact all the way to the islands, said Maj. Jon Brady, 53rd WRS aerial reconnaissance weather officer.

Hawaii has been hit by three hurricanes since 1952, the last of which was Hurricane Iniki in 1992.

A hurricane-force storm hitting Hawaii is rare due to three factors; water too cold to sustain intensity, shear winds that threaten to topple a storm over and disorganize its wind-field flow, and a desert of dry air that chokes away its power, said Brady.

"I've been doing this 14 years, and this is the first time I've had two storms back-to-back on one deployment, where I hit one storm, go into crew rest, and the next day fly into another storm, said Maj. Sean Cross, 53rd WRS pilot. "And, they're both major hurricanes at some point."

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center was happy see the Hunters because of the uniqueness of a second hurricane trailing, .

"The data they provided to us was vital," said Tom Birchard, the senior forecaster and hurricane specialist for CPHC. "It helped immensely. A lot of times we are taking educated guesses with the wind radii and wind field. Satellite data can only give us so much info; the data from the aircraft are ground truth."

That ground-truth data that the CPHC forecasters enjoy provides real-time assistance to emergency managers on the ground and helps them with weather watch and warning decisions.

"Seventy-five percent of that analysis is weighted based on the weather data gathered by the aircraft," said Birchard.

With Julio dying and heading off to die in the colder waters North of Hawaii, the Hunters are readying for the next storm, which is brewing in the Atlantic basin.

Hagel Discusses U.S.-Australia Force Posture Pact

By Jim Garamone

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 2014 – Calling a new force posture agreement between the United States and Australia a “milestone” in the relationship between the two countries, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel today said United States looks forward to signing the document.

Hagel spoke at a news conference in Sydney with Australian Defense Minister David Johnston.

The document re-emphasizes America’s rebalance to the Asia-Pacific, Hagel said, adding that it will be invaluable to sustaining a peace and stability throughout the region.

The cornerstone of the document is the rotational presence of U.S. Marines in Darwin and American airmen in Northern Australia, Hagel said, noting that this will allow the militaries to work more closely together.

“It will expand our regional cooperation here in the Asia-Pacific from engagement with [the Association of Southeast Asian Nations] to the trilateral cooperation that we have been working on with Japan,” the defense secretary said.

The agreement looks long-term at joint military capacity building, cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and other new initiatives.

The agreement is part of the Australia-U.S. ministerial conference. The two defense leaders will be joined in the discussions by Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also is participating.

Those talks will look at maritime security, special forces, missile defense and Afghanistan. They also will involve discussion of the situation in Ukraine, Hagel said.

“We’ll also be conferring on the threat posed by [the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant] in Iraq and America’s appreciation to Australia, in particular, for Australia's offer to assist in humanitarian relief operations there,” he added.

Hagel took the opportunity to highlight America’s rebalance effort. The United States has been and will remain a Pacific power, he said. About 200 U.S. Navy ships are now in the region, along with more than 360,000 uniformed and civilian personnel.

“It’s pretty clear that the U.S. is committed to this part of the world, but also does not mean a retreat from any other part of the world,” Hagel said. “We have interests all over the world. We'll continue to work with our partners and strengthen those partnerships and the alliances we have in every part of the world and here as well.”

For up-to-the-minute coverage of the secretary’s overseas trip, follow the Defense Department’s official Twitter account, @DeptofDefense.

USS Peleliu Arrives in 7th Fleet Area of Operations

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ryan Batchelder, USS Peleliu Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) arrived in the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR) after participating in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise, Aug. 9.

Peleliu is expected to carry out various operations in support of the nation's maritime strategy, providing presence in the 7th Fleet AOR while promoting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

"[Peleliu is] ready to support pre-planned, existing operations and exercises that support theater security cooperation across the region in addition to being prepared to respond to any contingency that may arise," said Capt. Paul C. Spedero, Peleliu's commanding officer.

Peleliu's crew has undergone multiple training evolutions including air and well deck operations. They also conducted various damage control and engineering drills while participating in RIMPAC 2014 to prepare themselves for operation within 7th fleet.

The 7th Fleet's AOR encompasses more than 48 million square miles from the Kurile Islands, north of Japan, to the Antarctic in the south. And from the International Date Line to the 68th meridian east, which runs down from the India-Pakistan border.

Partner-Nation Participants Visit USS New York

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Andre N. McIntyre, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- Members of partner navies visited USS New York (LPD 21) Aug. 7, 8 and 9, on Naval Station Mayport while participating in PANAMAX 2014, an exercise aimed at developing strong working relationships between multinational forces to ensure the defense of the Panama Canal.

The exercise, which is scheduled to run through Aug. 15, includes participants from 15 nations: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and the United States.

Many of participants had never been aboard a U.S. Navy warship, let alone an amphibious transport dock ship.

"I like the fact that the ship was built in remembrance of those who died on 9-11," said Capt. Dennis Azmitia of the El Salvadoran navy, who is serving as an operations officer for the exercise. "There is great honor to serve on this ship."

Azmitia said serving alongside Americans is a privilege because of their moral conviction.

"I admire U.S. armed forces," he said. "There is always a reason for what you do."

Capt. Marcela Vergara of Chile, who is serving in the legal cell for the exercise, said she was amazed to see that USS New York was built with steel from the original World Trade Center in New York City.

"Who would have ever thought to make a memorial out of a warship to remember those who lost (their lives)," Vergara said. "This has truly been the best part of the visit. The U.S. Navy has been very hospitable to us by opening their arms and allowing us to feel at home even though we are far away from our loved ones."

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, the exercise host, supports U.S. Southern Command's joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations in order to maintain access, enhance interoperability and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

Airmen clean up community streets

by Tech. Sgt. Catharine Schmidt
109th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

8/11/2014 - SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- More than 30 Airmen at Stratton Air National Guard Base here came together Aug. 10 to clean up the community here as part of an effort by the 109th Airlift Wing's First Six Council and their initiative with the Adopt-A-Highway Program.

Senior Airman James Comstock, the president of the First Six Council that represents the junior enlisted of the 109th AW, has been planning the Wing's involvement with Adopt-A-Highway for a little more than a year.

"We really want to get Airmen involved in portraying that the Air National Guard is here to support and help the community," Comstock said. "What better way to do that than to have a bunch of us in [Airman Battle Uniforms] cleaning up the streets."

According to its website, the Department of Transportation's Adopt-A-Highway Program was formalized in 1990 to "encourage individuals or groups to clean up highway roadsides and to recognize those volunteers who do. Participation in the program also fosters a sense of community ownership of the roadway as well as a sense of pride in the appearance."

Comstock got the idea for this program even before he was elected the council's president, and said he just ran with it.

"As I started getting more and more people involved, the word got out and it kind of just snowballed from there," he said.

Volunteers lined Freeman's Bridge Road, picking up trash and debris as they went along. With the large number of volunteers, from junior enlisted to wing leadership, the job didn't take long to do at all.

"This is a great way for us to do community outreach," said Tech. Sgt. John Albert, 109th Maintenance Group. "And it feels good to be out here doing this."

"This is a huge event for us," said Col. Shawn Clouthier, 109th AW commander. "It shows that we are part of the community that we're out in every day, and that we live in. We want the community to be a good place for everyone to live, and our Airmen out there cleaning up the highway is a good way to show support for the community. [The First Six Council] is doing great work for us as well as Schenectady and Scotia-Glenville."

"This is just another way our junior enlisted are making it happen," said Chief Master Sgt. Amy Giaquinto, 109th AW command chief. "It's another way for the entire Wing to show our support for the community, who consistently show their support for us."

Comstock said this will be an ongoing event and he and other volunteers will be out four times a year.

"As long as the garbage keeps piling up, we'll be here," he said.

Hurricane Hunters, Naval researchers team up

by Master Sgt. Brian Lamar
403rd Wing Public Affairs

8/11/2014 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- A Navy research contingent of the Naval Academy's Training and Research in Oceanic and Atmospheric Processes in Tropical Cyclones, or TROPIC, internship program has teamed up with the Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Hurricane Hunters to gather storm data during a deployment here Aug. 5-10.

The Hurricane Hunters and Navy researchers were deployed to gather data from Hurricanes Iselle and Julio, back-to-back hurricanes following the same path.

"This deployment provides us with a unique opportunity," said Navy Cmdr. (Dr.) Elizabeth Sanabia, a researcher and associate chair with the Naval Academy's Department of Oceanography. "We haven't had a (Category 3) hurricane in the Atlantic for quite some time. Also, because Julio is following closely behind Iselle, we can collect data that will tell us how these storms interact."

While the Hurricane Hunters were busy with their normal mission of gathering the real-time storm data for the forecasters at the National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center, the Naval researchers were gathering data for a study to determine how the relationship between the ocean and hurricanes works. The researchers use specialized buoys, Airborne/Air Expendable Bathythermograph or AXBT, that were dropped out of a modified launch tube in the back of the WC-130J. The buoys send data by a radio signal from the ocean surface while diving down 200 feet under the water giving Naval personnel a column of data to examine.

"This mission was based on a field research program in 2008 where it was shown that if you have information about the ocean, some models can make better forecasts," said Sanabia.

According to Sanabia, the research will help meteorologists develop an understanding of the relationship between salinity and temperature of the ocean and storm strength.

"Most of the forecast models today just draw data from the atmosphere itself, but since hurricanes draw heat from the ocean, newer models called "coupled models" look at both the ocean and the atmosphere and need the information from the ocean to be accurate," she said.

Naval personnel set up and dropped AXBT buoys during each reconnaissance flight into Iselle and Julio, which radio back information about the ocean's temperature, said Maj. Jon Brady, a 53rd WRS aerial reconnaissance weather officer.

"The partnership between the Navy researchers and our squadron is great because it benefits the forecasts with very little extra costs," said Brady. "We are already flying these missions, while they are using the back half of our aircraft to conduct this research.

"The knowledge gained is also helpful. They are helping with future forecasts," he added. "They are able to prove how much ocean cooling occurs as  [storms] go by. The Navy's AXBT buoys provide key ocean temperature measurements which are crucial to intensity forecasting for hurricanes. Warmer ocean temperatures increase storm strength, while colder temperatures will weaken them. Knowing the actual water temperatures ahead of an approaching storm is very important aspect of intensity forecasting."

The partnership between the Navy TROPIC research team and the Hurricane Hunters is in its fourth year and is an ongoing partnership to help the National Hurricane Center increase the accuracy of hurricane forecasts by incorporating ocean data from beneath tropical systems into air-ocean coupled prediction models, which use data from the air and the ocean to obtain ocean temperature data to use in forecasts.

Veterans helping veterans: VFW visits Spangdahlem

by Airman 1st Class Kyle Gese
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

8/8/2014 - Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany -- Representatives from the Veterans of Foreign Wars met with Airmen during a familiarization tour of Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Aug. 7.

The VFW is a group of veterans that fights for rights and entitlements for uniformed service members. The organization was formed 115 years ago when veterans were forced to care for themselves after the Spanish-American War in 1898.

Brian Duffy, VFW junior vice commander-in-chief, and Robert Wallace, VFW executive director, visited Spangdahlem to better understand the mission and quality of life of the Spangdahlem community.

"We've been meeting with different Airmen," said Wallace. "As many as we could."

Wallace also said they discussed quality-of-life services provided at Spangdahlem for the Airmen and their families, as well as Airmen's concerns and what they see coming in the future.

This visit also allowed the VFW representatives to learn about issues veterans face today, and to advocate on their behalf to Congress.

"Spangdahlem has grown to be quite the jewel in the USAFE (U.S. Air Forces in Europe) crown," said Duffy.

Duffy was stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base in 1978 as a jet engine mechanic, but he now acts as a VFW advocate for service members.

"I've been a member of the Spangdahlem Facebook page for quite a while, and it's been interesting to watch," said Duffy. "I wanted to come over to see it first hand, and what I saw was absolutely amazing."

Duffy and Wallace spoke with Airmen during their tour to learn what each individual does to support the mission, and how they enjoy community and family life in the military. Airmen also had the chance to share their thoughts and concerns about quality of life, veteran rights and the future of military entitlements.

"Their main focus for the visit was to advocate on Saber Nation's behalf on Capitol Hill about quality of life and veterans' benefits that were adversely affected by sequestration," said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kalob Hinners, 52nd Force Support Squadron Airman Leadership School instructor. "The visit was not only a great way for Spangdahlem to showcase our capabilities, but a chance to show VFW Headquarters the potential the local VFW post can have in the community."

To Hinners, the visit was a success. "When visitors from VFW HQ and Capitol Hill visit and literally tell you at the end of the trip that they 'do not want to leave,' we as Saber Nation did our job!"

Prior to departing Spangdahlem, Duffy had one last message to share with the members of Saber Nation.

"You have all sorts of opportunities here at Spangdahlem that many other facilities may not be able to offer," Duffy said. "I think it is so important when you come here, that you look for the opportunities that are here outside of your professional military career and you continue to work to develop yourself and your leadership skills."

Hagel Urges Expanded U.S.-Indian Defense Cooperation

By Nick Simeone

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9, 2014 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel today called for the United States and India to do more to transform their defense relationship through increased partnerships in production and technology, given the edge he said both nations have in science and innovation.

Speaking in New Delhi to business leaders and scholars on the final day of his first visit to India as defense chief, Hagel told the Observer Research Foundation that the future of both nations rests on a stronger strategic partnership and global engagement, and he said he came away from meetings with Indian leaders reassured about that.

“The fundamentals of the U.S.-India partnership are strong,” Hagel said. The question is whether India and the United States can achieve the enormous potential for this partnership -- whether we can transform our potential into results. Following my conversations yesterday, I’m more confident than ever that we can.”

Hagel said the United States welcomes new proposals from India on defense issues in areas where both countries can partner in production and development, ranging from big data to cognitive sciences to chemical and biological defense and material sciences while building on the scale and complexity of joint military exercises and maritime operations.

“Bureaucratic red tape within either of our governments must not bound the limits of our partnership and our initiatives,” he added. “That is especially true for our defense industrial cooperation.”

Hagel noted that more than $9 billion in defense contracts have been signed between both countries over the past six years. “But we can do more to forge a defense industrial partnership, one that would transform our nations’ defense cooperation from simply buying and selling to co-production, co-development and freer exchange of technology,” he told the audience.

The key means for doing so is the U.S.-India Defense Trade and Technology Initiative, begun in earnest two years ago and aimed at taking U.S.-India military relations to a new level through closer, long term partnerships, including within the defense industry. The initiative, he said, now has more than a dozen specific proposals for cooperation.

“But the challenge today is not a shortage of proposals,” the secretary said. “Instead, for both our nations, the challenge is to seize the opportunities.” One such opportunity, he said, is a plan for both nations to jointly develop a next generation anti-tank missile. “This is an unprecedented offer that we have made only to India and no one else,” he emphasized.

While calling the fundamentals of the U.S.-Indian relationship strong, Hagel did acknowledge strains come up at times. “We will not agree on every issue, on every proposal, nor do the closest of friends,” he said, but he added that as India looks east and the United States rebalances to the Asia-Pacific region, U.S. and Indian interests across the full span of the Indo-Pacific region are aligned more closely than ever.

In closing, he told his audience, “I leave India today confident that, together our two nations will achieve the historic potential of this special partnership.”

Hagel had characterized his trip as a get-acquainted visit with the new government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi while seeking to expand common interests. It comes just a week after a visit by Secretary of State John F. Kerry. Both visits are intended to prepare for a White House visit by Modi next month.

SURFLANT Empowers Deckplate Leaders at 3D Printing Symposium

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Eric Brown, Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic (CNSL) hosted its first 3D printing symposium directed at waterfront warfighters Aug. 6 at Naval Station Norfolk.

Among those warfighters was Machinery Repairmen 1st Class Shane Chapman, who attended the four-hour symposium with two engineering shipmates from amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), to learn about this revolutionary technology and its vast applications to the fleet.

"I didn't know much about the process and capabilities of 3D printing before I got here and I'm very impressed by what it can do," Chapman said. "It can be very cost-effective for creating a one-off part, or something that isn't manufactured anymore. It would require a lot less time printing a part, instead of machining it."

CNSL held this symposium to proactively reinforce command priorities of improving surface warrior tactical and technical competence, delivering combat-ready warships and synchronizing lines of effort.

"At its very core, this technology further enhances the leadership opportunities of our Sailors," noted symposium coordinator Lt. Matthew Hipple, a CNSL action officer.

"For challenges in your engineering plant, at your console, or on the bridge - additive manufacturing could one day allow Sailors to create their own novel solutions, or overcome pauses from logistical delays," he continued. "That's ownership, and an important part of cultivating new generations of leaders and experts."

About a dozen Sailors and civilians attended the symposium on 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, rapid prototyping and direct digital manufacturing.

3D printing is the conceptual opposite of subtractive manufacturing, a process by which material is removed (often by lathing, cutting, chipping or grinding) to create a final product. 3D printing constructs three-dimensional objects by adding layers of material (usually plastic or metal) and shapes can be created not otherwise possible through traditional manufacturing techniques.

There are six industrial methods for 3D printing; the Navy favors one called "material extrusion," in which material - often thermoplastic - is melted and extruded onto a build platform.

The Navy has been exploring and implementing this technology for more than 20 years, and its applications have been embraced by communities as diverse as surface, aviation, submarines, special warfare and medicine. On Nov. 13, 2013, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert designated OPNAV N4 (Material Readiness and Logistics) as the Navy lead for additive manufacturing technology. Additionally, the CNO's Rapid Innovation Cell project "Print the Fleet" has been stood up to introduce Sailors to 3D printing.

"'Print the Fleet' was created to push junior deckplate leadership - the guys who are doing the technical work, the maintainers who are encountering the day-to-day problems to harness 3D printing technology for their uses," Hipple explained. "It's a great opportunity for them, not to just decrease their man-hours spent working on equipment, but also to increase the amount of leadership and input they have into this new technology."

During the symposium, Chapman and others in attendance learned that 3D printing has the capability to bring parts to the warfighter quickly and cheaply. By printing parts on nearby military installations or eventually, on ships at sea, inventory can be reduced and shipping costs can be nearly eliminated for many items. Within days or hours of identifying a needed part, a model can be designed and uploaded to a database for printing, allowing for a more rapid response to warfighters' needs.

This was good news for Kearsarge engineers, enthusiastic to brief their chain of command about the ease with which 3D printing could manufacture common items, including oil reservoir caps and deck drain covers.

"We have manufactured these ourselves, but if there's a faster process, that would obviously be ideal," Chapman said. "These are things that we encounter very often."

Hipple hopes that enthusiasm spreads to the other 70-plus CNSL ships.

"This is about helping Sailors overcome acquisition problems," he pointed out. "And it's about using taxpayers' dollars well. 3D printing is a new process that can streamline our logistics and give the Sailor new problem-solving tools.

"You and I have been given these resources by the American people and it is our job to use them wisely; 3D printing looks like it's going to be one way to do so. We're investigating if this can give the Navy, our Sailors, and the people the best bang for our buck."

Another CNSL 3D printing symposium will be held Aug. 20 from 1 - 3:30 p.m. at Naval Station Norfolk's Building C-9 (1731 Gilbert St.), on the second floor, in conference room 2. Registration is not required. Inquiries can be addressed to: CNSL_PAO@navy.mil.