Winnefeld Visits Invictus Games

By Air Force Tech. Sgt. Chris Powell

Air Force News Service

LONDON, Sept. 16, 2014 – Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr., vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, attended the first day of the Invictus Games Sept. 11, where he spoke with competitors, presented medals and met with Prince Harry and senior foreign military officials.

“One of the things I’ve learned while watching [the competitors] is the triumph of ability over disability,” Winnefeld said. “These folks have given so much to their country and they’ve suffered wounds -- both internal and external. They’re showing us through their hard work, their teamwork and their companionship that they’re able to overcome all of that and become something that’s bigger than their injury.”

This was the first year of the Invictus Games, which were founded by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and the Ministry of Defense following a visit by the prince to the 2013 Warrior Games in Colorado.

The games are named after William Earnest Henley’s 1875 poem titled “Invictus,” which he wrote while recovering from an intensive surgery that saved his second leg from being amputated. They were held at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the Lee Valley Athletics Centre and ended Sept. 14.

Athletes competed in various Paralympic-style events, including swimming, track and field, seated volleyball, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.

The admiral said the Invictus Games are also about helping the athletes competing prove something to themselves.

“The wounded warriors get internal and external things that are very important. Internally, they prove to themselves that they can rise above their injury through hard work, and dedication enables them to do things they never thought they’d be able to do,” he said. “Externally, they get to see the tremendous love, adoration and respect that these great audiences and their family members have for them.”

More than 400 service members -- including 98 Americans -- from 14 nations competed in the games, and Winnefeld stressed the importance of participation by coalition partner nations.

“Each one of these people were injured or wounded in the coalition fight,” he said. “We go to war against extremism and terrorism as a coalition and to come back here together as that same coalition ... is a great reminder that it started as coalition and ended as a coalition.”

The word ‘Invictus’ means ‘unconquered’ and the term “embodies the fighting spirit of the wounded, injured and sick service personnel and what these tenacious men and women can achieve post-injury,” according to the Invictus Games website.

Breedlove: U.S. Reconsidering Troops Reductions in Europe

By Nick Simeone

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2014 – NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe said today that Pentagon leaders are reviewing decisions to scale down U.S. military forces in Europe in light of the changing security environment on the continent triggered by Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and Moscow’s ongoing support for rebels in the east.

“I have talked to leadership here about a function to re-address those decisions,” Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove told reporters during a Pentagon news conference, just days after NATO leaders met in Wales to discuss the alliance’s response to the crisis in Ukraine. “Because those sequester decisions were clearly made before Russia-Crimea, I see this building now moving towards a review of those decisions,” Breedlove said, referring to the automatic cuts imposed on defense spending by the budget sequester law.

In the years since the end of the Cold War, the number of U.S troops based in Europe has dropped from several hundred thousand to around 64,000 today, with the majority of those remaining based in Germany.

“I am very emphatic that we should cease further decrease of forces in Europe,” Breedlove added. “Quite frankly, the forces that are forward in Europe now are working at full speed as part of their normal rotations into Afghan and other requirements.”

At the same time, the United States has been rotating additional forces into Poland and the Baltic states to reassure allies who feel threatened by Russia’s military involvement in Ukraine. Those operations will continue, Breedlove said, until permanent adaptions called for at this month’s NATO summit are implemented.

Breedlove characterized the ceasefire between pro-Russian rebels and the Ukrainian government as tenuous at best. And while there has been a significant reduction in the number of Russian troops crossing the border, “those forces are close enough to be quickly brought back to bear if required.” Breedlove said the Russian forces still in eastern Ukraine “are arrayed to set conditions to completely support the long-term effort of the separatists in the east and to either coerce or force the hand in Mariupol,” a frontline Ukrainian town that has been the scene of fighting between both sides in the days before the current ceasefire took effect.

Air Force, Spokane firefighters partner for HAZMAT response

by Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

9/15/2014 - LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. -- A tanker truck leaking a hazardous chemical prompted emergency responders to shut down Interstate 90 near the Washington-Idaho state line Sept. 14 garnering regional response including Fairchild Air Force Base firefighters.

"We arrived on scene within 30 minutes of receiving the call," said Bryant Benitez, a 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron fire department driver and operator. "While Spokane has their own hazardous materials team, they asked for assistance and we were happy to lend a hand by helping mitigate the situation, solve the issue and support with decontamination equipment and personnel."

Four Fairchild firefighters, one technician and a variety of support staff as well as the base's mobile decontamination and rehabilitation unit joined two dozen other firefighters, trucks and equipment from Spokane regional fire districts in response to the incident.

The leaking truck was parked at the Washington State Patrol weigh station and Port of Entry just east of Liberty Lake after the smell was reported by a fellow motorist following behind who noticed a "peculiar smell" emanating from the truck.

"A valve on the truck began malfunctioning leading to the vapor leak," said Lt. D.J. Hill, the Spokane City HAZMAT coordinator and Spokane Fire Department firefighter.

The Florida-based truck carried 7,000 gallons of anhydrous trimethylamine, a flammable substance used in making solvents, animal feed supplements and products consumed by the paper, oil and gas industries.

Such a substance required HAZMAT crews on scene to use extreme caution limiting their time on site. The crews had to go into the spill zone seven times before they could successfully contain the substance and have confidence the area and air were safe. Only about a gallon of the substance leaked, but even that small amount can be extremely dangerous as the chemical is extremely flammable.

"This multi-jurisdiction response would not have been possible without Fairchild's support," Hill said. "Some days, like today, we don't have a complete HAZMAT team on hand, so it's great we have such a powerful working relationship with Fairchild's emergency responders. While it may be the first time we've integrated like this, it certainly doesn't feel that way."

Echoing Hill's admiration, Benitez explained how the feeling is mutual.

"The base has always had amazing community support," Benitez said. "We care about them just as much as they care about us."

According to Idaho State Police, I-90 reopened Monday morning after Washington and Idaho state officials cleared the Northwest's main throughway for public transit.

Suicide prevention: What you can do

by Capt. Relinda Hatcher
31st Medical Operations Squadron

9/16/2014 - AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy (AFNS) -- September 8-14 was National Suicide Prevention Week. However, many people are hesitant to get involved in the discussion on the topic of suicide prevention.

This is concerning because the ability to get involved and intervene is critical to saving lives.

Suicide and suicidal behavior affect all people, regardless of gender, race, sexual, or religious orientation. Suicide is a problem of epidemic proportions that spans across the globe. There are roughly 39,000 suicides annually in the United States and the number increases to 1 million worldwide. Suicide is the third leading cause of death amongst individuals aged 15-24 in the U.S.

Many individuals that have contemplated and completed suicide erroneously believe their death will not impact others; but the truth is suicide impacts entire communities. In fact, it is estimated that for every suicide there are at least six survivors. Not only does suicide impact others, it very often shatters and devastates the lives of family and friends for years to come.

Another common misconception about suicide is if people want to kill themselves, there is nothing anyone can about it. This is not true. Experts believe that most suicidal individuals do not want to die. They just want to end the pain they are experiencing. Experts also know that crisis tends to be brief. When suicidal intent or risk is detected early, lives can be saved.

Major depression is the psychiatric diagnosis most commonly associated with suicide. Leading mental health psychologists emphasize the strongest risk factor for suicide is depression, but the good news is that depression is treatable, and 80 percent of people who seek help for depression are treated successfully. Other risks factors include relationship problems, other mental illness, substance abuse, previous suicide attempts, hopelessness, access to lethal means, recent loss of loved ones and unemployment to name a few.

By promoting positive self-esteem, connectedness, resiliency and recognizing individual achievement; family members, co-workers, friends and wingmen can play a vital role in preventing suicides. If someone mentions they are thinking about committing suicide, never keep this information a secret because physicians, mental health providers, chaplains, first sergeants and commanders can expedite resources to assist individuals who are exhibiting severe depression or suicidal behaviors.

With this in mind it is also important to understand that people who seek help will not get into any trouble for seeking help, and since suicidal behaviors are considered medical emergencies, these individuals should see a doctor or mental health professional without delay. If a suicidal person has a plan, or is in the process of carrying out a plan, to commit suicide, contact emergency assistance immediately. On base you would contact security forces or the command post. For emergencies that occur off base, dial 911 or your local equivalent.

As Airmen, we live and breathe the wingman concept. As such, it is imperative that we look out for one another at all times, no matter the circumstance. How can we do this? We can do this by situational awareness, talking and listening to one another, getting to know co-workers, celebrating each other's accomplishments, and by caring and encouraging one another.

Awareness, education and treatment are the keys to suicide prevention.

If someone mentions they are having thoughts about suicide, always take thoughts or plans seriously. If you are in a position to help, do not assume your presence is unwanted or intrusive. Your wingman needs your help, so stay vigilant ask, care, and escort.

For other resources, visit http://www.airforcemedicine.af.mil/suicideprevention/

NASCAR driver makes detour through Homestead

by Senior Airman Aja Heiden
482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

9/16/2014 - HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla.  -- NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Driver, Aric Almirola, visited Homestead Air Reserve Base on his way to Chicagoland Speedway to participate in the "Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup" on  Sept 10.

While visiting here, Almirola worked with members of the Homestead Air Reserve Fire Department in a live fire exercise.

"My dad was a fire fighter, so to be able to share this experience with my dad is really cool," said Almirola.

Almirola has strong ties to Florida and the Air Force community. He was born at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, while his dad served in the military.

Almirola got a chance to partake in crew chief duties, an honor few receive. He also witnessed an F-16C take-off from the flight line.

"To stand 15 feet way from an F-16 at take-off is unbelievable, "said Almirola. "I never knew how much work goes into getting a plane off the ground."

Almirola said he has always had a passion for racing cars. He spoke about his early memories growing up in Daytona, home to the Daytona 500, the most prestigious race in NASCAR.

"As a child I was at Disney World for 4-5 days, but all I cared about was the one day at the Daytona race," said Almirola, driver of racecar 43, a Richard Petty Motorsports Ford.

Airmen were selected to have lunch with Almirola at the Community Activity Center here.

"It was awesome," said Senior Airman Maegan Chewning, 482nd Logistics Readiness Squadron. "I didn't know the Air Force sponsored a NASCAR driver. He seemed like a nice guy, I was so excited to get a photo with him."

The Sprint Cup Series is the top racing series for NASCAR.

The Challenger Round is composed of 16 drivers who will compete at Chicagoland Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Dover International Speedway for the 12 spots available in the Contender Round.

The Contender Round will include races at Kansas Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway for the eight spots available in the next round, known as the Eliminator Round.

At the Eliminator Round the remaining eight drivers will compete at Martinsville Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway for the four spots available in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway for the Ford EcoBoost 400 on  Nov. 16.

Combat Aviation Advisors attend large-scale Army exercise

by Tech. Sgt. Sam King
919th Special Operations Wing public affairs

9/16/2014 - DUKE FIELD, Fla. -- Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center and the 919th Special Operations Wing sent Airmen to the U.S. Army's Joint Readiness Training Center Sept. 7 for a month-long, large-scale deployment simulation to help meet the rigorous, time-consuming training requirements to become a fully qualified combat aviation advisor, .

For the first time, 14 special operations Airmen deployed as a CAA team to Fort Polk, Louisiana, to participate in the Army exercise.

"This training opportunity is on par with replicated experiences we would encounter in a real world deployed environment," said Maj. Michael McGee, 919th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron commander. "The events that occur are played out to the fullest to provide as real an experience as possible."

AFSOAWC has approved the Army JRTC exercise to meet a portion of Air Force instruction criteria necessary to fulfill the supervised deployment training requirement. It takes approximately a year and a half to become a fully qualified CAA, depending on the member's career field, previous military experience and language training requirements.
"The increase in the amount of reservists in the CAA training pipeline and the shortage of real-world deployments makes the JRTC venue necessary to meet the wing's mission capability on time," said McGee.

This new training is also AFSOAWC's initial step into defining and committing to the Air Force special operation's role in unconventional warfare.

"This is our first stab at building AFSOC doctrine on how to conduct operations and support as part of an unconventional warfare campaign," said McGee.

Prior to leaving for JRTC, the CAA team members completed a five-day, pre-deployment 'spin-up' to prepare for the field.

The course covered unconventional warfare academics, survival-evasion-resistance and escape, land navigation, partner nation interaction and medical evacuation among other training elements.

"It was a good refresher of the MQC (mission qualification course) training," said Senior Master Sgt. Bruce Tims, a CAA with the 919th Special Operations Support Squadron and team sergeant for the JRTC exercise. "This course tries to put everything together into one linear exercise that forces you to use the various specialties in a dynamic environment and prepare you for down range."

New CAAs typically begin their training with the MQC, located at Hurlburt Field. MQC introduces the Airmen to the aviation foreign internal defense mission and provides special operations tactics specific to their new mission. Language training, a supervised deployment, job specific tasks and other requirements must be completed as well before an Airman can become a fully qualified advisor.

The 919th SOW's new AvFID mission has provided many reservists in mission support career fields the opportunity to be part of and even deploy as special operators. Many attending this JRTC exercise are from the wing's support squadrons.

"This new training opportunity for our Citizen Airmen will advance the wing's new mission capability," said Col. Jim Phillips, 919th SOW commander. "A fully qualified reservist CAA only serves to strengthen our total force integration relationship with our AFSOC counterparts."

Based on the experiences and feedback provided by the initial group of JRTC deployers, the AFSOAWC will determine the applicability of the exercise and the feasibility of sending more CAAs to complete portions of their training requirements.

An obvious benefit of the JRTC exercise is the numerous opportunities over the course of the year to provide uninterrupted, full mission profile training to the participants. Additionally, this training comes at a significant financial savings over some other equivalent options. A simple temporary duty assignment compared to a full deployment will save Air Force funds, according to Tims.

"The cost-savings of a TDY two states over, compared with a deployment to the other side of the world is sure to be significant," said Tims, a 22-year veteran.

As the reserve wing and the new center grow and change within their special operations mission, they will continue to seek out and leverage more training opportunities to meet their goals. The JRTC exercise is just one example.

Together with their active duty counterparts, 919th SOW reservists are helping the new AFSOAWC increase its capabilities and missions to keep the CAA charter of 'advise, assist, train and assess' moving forward.

Hurricane Hunters head west into 'Odile'

by Senior Airman Nick Monteleone
403rd Wing Public Affairs

9/16/2014 - KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (AFNS) -- The Air Force Reserve's Hurricane Hunters flew into Hurricane Odile Sunday to collect critical weather data for the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Odile formed in the Pacific Ocean and made landfall this morning in Baja, California. After reaching Category 4 strength on Sunday, Odile weakened to a Category 3.

This was the first flight into this storm by the Hurricane Hunters, who went on another reconnaissance flight today.

The Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron are assigned to the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. The team of reservists collected data to help determine the storm's strength and path. They found that while the projected models showed the storm moving in a more westward direction, it was in fact now moving further north, said Lt. Col. Brian Schroeder, 53rd WRS aerial reconnaissance weather officer.

During a tropical storm or hurricane, 53rd WRS crews can fly through the eye of a storm up to four to six times. During each pass through the eye, crews release a dropsonde, which collects temperature, wind speed, wind direction, humidity, and surface pressure data. The crew also collects surface wind speed data and flight level data. This information is transmitted to the NHC to assist them with their storm warnings and hurricane forecast models in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

"This storm is still a very powerful one, even though it dropped from a Category 4 to a Category 3 while we were flying through it," said Schroeder. He said the eye was developing a new eye, called a concentric eye during the flight. While the older eye was diminishing a new, more narrow eye of 10 miles across, was forming, he said.

Airman teaches SABC to students during Pacific Unity 14-8

by Tech. Sgt. Terri Paden
PACUNITY Public Affairs

9/15/2014 - MOUNT HAGEN, Papua New Guinea  -- Maj. Nathaniel Duff is deployed to Papua New Guinea in support of Pacific Unity 14-8, but recently took time out from his duties as the team medic to host a self-aid and buddy care clinic for students at Togoba Secondary School in Mount Hagen.

Pacific Unity is a bilateral Engineering Civic Action Program conducted in the Asia-Pacific region in collaboration with host nation civil authorities and military personnel. This year marks the fourth iteration of the operation, with efforts focused on the construction of two new dormitories for female students at the school.

In addition to constructing the dormitories, the Pacific Unity 14-8 team has embarked upon several endeavors to further improve the school and local community, including teaching basic life-saving medical skills to the clinic attendees.

Duff, who is deployed from the Hawaii Air National Guard's 154th Medical Group as the medical officer for Pacific Unity 14-8, taught the class of more than 40 biology, chemistry and physic students how to check for a pulse, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, stabilize a neck injury, make a splint, wrap a pressure bandage, make a sling and apply a tourniquet.

"We are working at a school so teaching is a valuable way to interact with the students and provides a medium to share and learn," Duff said of his decision to teach the class. "It's a way for them to learn a little about us and for me to learn about their culture."

Duff said his goal was to teach the students basic first aid which could be used by anybody anywhere, but he also wanted to inspire them.

"I think his demonstration was really cool, and I think I could do some of those things if I had to ... I could help someone without the assistance of a doctor," said Belinda Tau, a senior at Togoba Secondary school who attended the class.

Tau, who aspires to be the first female neuro-surgeon in Papua New Guinea, said she's been interested in medicine since she was a young child, and was impressed and appreciative of the interactive demonstrations by Duff.

Though the focus of the clinic was basic first aid procedures, Duff said he also wanted to show the students yet another side of the U.S. Air Force than what they'd seen on television or at the construction site.

"The point was interaction," he said. "This wasn't about medicine it was about spending time with the kids, making them laugh and answering questions. This [medicine] was the medium I used to do that."

New 3rd Air Force commander talks priorities, shares experiences

by Capt. William-Joseph Mojica
U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs

9/16/2014 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Lt. Gen. Darryl L. Roberson, 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force commander, outlined his priorities, challenges, leadership philosophy and personal experiences during an interview here Sept. 2.

Roberson indicated that he has three top priorities: motivational mission accomplishment, compassionate care of our Airmen and families, and the constant drive to improve and innovate.

"I use 'motivational and compassionate' because it's more than just mission accomplishment and it's more than just taking care of our Airmen," Roberson said. "I'm a believer that if you take care of the Airmen and the families, they will willingly take care of the mission. In regards to 'improve and innovate,' it's our Airmen out there who are figuring out better ways to do things on a day-to-day basis. That's so critical with the challenges we face today including sequestration, reduced funding and reduced manpower; our mission remains and we can't accomplish our mission without improving and innovating."

According to Roberson, readiness is also a critical aspect to the ability of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa to conduct missions that display the command's "Forward. Ready. Now!" capability.

"Readiness is key to our ability to conduct missions," he said. "We're rebounding from the repercussions of what we did last year with sequestration and its ripple effects. There are a lot of things going on throughout the USAFE-AFAFRICA theater, and we have to be ready to respond."

A student of leadership, Roberson has developed a rather unique leadership philosophy throughout his career that he explains will serve leaders well.

"I call my leadership philosophy, in its basic form, the three 'Cs,'" he explained. "They're competence, care and character. If you combine the three together, it equals trust and it's that trust that is the core of leadership."

"If you earn trust," Roberson added, "people will follow you through fire and climb the hill with you no matter what."

In order for Airmen to be able to focus on the mission, taking care of their families is essential, Roberson said. He believes that his family's love and support are paramount to his success.

"My wife, Cheryl, has always been so supportive, and she understands when I need to go remote or when I need to take care of business," Roberson said. "She has always been incredibly supportive, and I would not still be in the Air Force if it was not for her support and understanding, there's no doubt about it.

"I couldn't be more fortunate that we're still together after 31 years now, more in love today than we were when we started," he said.

Roberson also has two children who both continued their affiliation with the Air Force. His son, Chad, recently graduated from the Air Force's undergraduate pilot training and his daughter, Courtney, is an Air Force spouse.

"I'm ecstatic and it's extremely gratifying as a parent to raise children who have some of the same values and who understand and are willing to support and defend our country," he said of his children.

"Personally, the most rewarding part of my career has been balancing the military life with the personal life. I have a loving wife, two great kids and have enjoyed every minute of my Air Force career." he added.

Roberson grew up no stranger to the military and moving often is something he is quite familiar with as his father served in the Navy.

"Where I'm from is always an interesting question because I grew up as a Navy brat," he explained. "My dad was enlisted in the Navy and he retired as an E-8. So growing up, I moved all over, particularly around the East Coast. He never forced me to join the military, but I remember seeing an airshow when I was younger and talking to my dad about wanting to fly."

Roberson is an avid food fan and specifically enjoys seafood, a juicy steak, desserts and German cuisine.

"Lobster, Alaskan king crab and seafood in general are all great, but I'm a steak guy and when it comes to desserts, I gotta have them," he said. "Rarely will I turn down something sweet when it is offered to me. The food here is really good too, particularly the schnitzel with pommes frites which is one of my favorites."

Roberson played water polo at the U.S. Air Force Academy, and he enjoyed playing a number of sports as a kid. Today, he still enjoys playing sports but plays golf the most. He loves watching sports too, particularly during playoffs.

"I'm a Washington D.C. team fan," he said. "I like the Nationals; they're number one right now in their division. I'm a die-hard Redskins fan, even though they may disappoint me, and of course I'm an Air Force Academy sports fan."

Roberson concluded his interview with a special "thank you" to the Airmen.

"We're so blessed to be Americans. I've travelled to other countries, and we really have it good," Roberson said. "I want to thank all Airmen for being willing to do this job, defend our country, our way of life and our values for our kids and grandkids. Thank you for all of that!"