Pilot for a Day: 'It's my day!'

by SrA. Monica Ricci
439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

10/7/2014 - WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- Nine-year-old Peyton Malloy became Westover's newest "pilot" as Col. Albert Lupenski knelt and presented the young boy with his "wings."

"It's my day!" shouted Peyton, to Westover's newest wing commander and to a roomful of Airmen and Peyton's family.

In 2011, Peyton had a severe case of scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the spine that occurs with youngsters most often during a growth spurt. His spine was at a 90 percent curvature. Devastated when put in traction to straighten his spine, his resiliency prevailed. By the end of his 75-day stay at Shriners Hospital in Springfield, he was welcoming new patients -- telling them everything would be okay.
"Pilot for a Day" is a program that provides high-spirited children like Peyton that have serious or chronic conditions, and their families the unique opportunity to be guests of Westover and the U.S. Air Force.

Peyton was accompanied by his mother Anne, father Robert, and sister, Ashlyn. His Pilot for A Day visit began at the 337th Airlift Squadron briefing room. Peyton received a standard-issue flight jacket, and was sworn in as an honorary pilot for the day. The family then headed to the control tower to get some views of the base from one of Westover's premier vantage points. The 11-story tower looms more than 120 feet high.

The boy's imagination ran wild during his tour in a C-5. He pretended to shout into the radio controls from the pilot's seat of a C-5. Peyton also took the controls of the base's C-5 flight simulator as it "flew" to Hawaii.

Airmen with the 439th Security Forces Squadron and members of the Westover Fire Department provided tours to Peyton and his family of their facilities and equipment.
Peyton even had the chance to ride in a fire truck with his family and spray the hose.
The young boy's infectious personality got the attention of many Airmen on base, not to exclude Command Chief Master Sergeant David Carbin. Chief Carbin, who had earlier coined Peyton, shared many laughs with the family over lunch at the Westover Club.

The command chief taught Peyton the history of coins in the military and told him how to "coin check" other Airmen. Peyton enjoyed visiting tables at the club, dropping his coin on each.

"I won against everyone in the cafeteria," said Peyton as he flashed his coin.

Anne Malloy said Peyton's attitude with managing scoliosis amazes his family every day and makes them especially proud. She said they were grateful for the experience to visit Westover on a busy fall UTA.

"It was an amazing day and opportunity to see the inner workings of Westover. We would have never been able to do this had it not been for Pilot for A Day," she said.

625th STOS maintains strategic watch

by 1st Lt. Christopher J. Mesnard
Air Force Global Strike Public Affairs

10/7/2014 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE -- Most Air Force missileers spend their days in secure facilities, deep under the earth's surface, entrusted with the nation's most powerful strategic weapons. But for those selected to operate with the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron, their domain ranges from three stories below the ground to 36,000 feet in the air.

"There's no other organization like us in the Air Force," said Lt. Col. Grayson Higby, 625th STOS commander. "We have three distinct and diverse mission sets that span airborne launch operations, intercontinental ballistic missile targeting and nuclear command, control and communication."

Located at Offutt AFB, Nebraska, the 625th STOS mission is unique to the ICBM community in that it provides the commander of United States Strategic Command with a secondary Minuteman III launch capability through the Airborne Launch Control System. Housed aboard the Navy's E-6B aircraft, the ALCS serves as a vital backup to  Minuteman launch control centers.

This joint interoperability is one of the highlights the crews enjoy most about working in the 625th STOS.

"Working with other services broadens your perspective and it gives you that big picture," said Capt. Cory Kuehn, a 625th STOS ALCS operator. "When we're at the missile wings we only get an Air Force perspective, but here we're working as part of a joint battle staff with Air Force, Navy, Marines and Army to help the mission be successful."

The day-to-day work of the STOS directly supports USSTRATCOM for planning and strategic targeting purposes. But, when members of the ALCS flight conduct air operations, directly interfacing with the ICBMs, they function as a component of Task Force 214. Task Force 214 is the ICBM Task Force to USSTRATCOM.

Lt. Col. Pat Matak, 625th STOS director of operations, says the mission is both challenging and rewarding, and that the missileers who make the cut to join the STOS must bring a certain mindset and credibility with them.

"We pick our people based on their expertise, leadership skills and their ability to carry out the day-to-day interactions they will have with USSTRATCOM and the general officers they will work with," Matak said.

The 625th STOS also incorporates vital ground components that include ICBM targeting operations and supporting the time critical communication system known as the Strategic Automated Command and Control System or more frequently as just SACCS.

The Airmen serving in the squadron's Weapons, Tactics and Analysis flight are Task Force 214's primary targeteers and process over 1,500 Minuteman III ICBM targeting actions for USSTRATCOM a year. The flight also provides targeting support for Air Force Global Strike Command's Minuteman III operational test launches conducted at Vandenberg AFB in California.

In addition, the SACCS flight ensures the critical nuclear command, control and communication system meets warfighter requirements by serving as the primary interface between Air Force Global Strike Command, the system program office and operational units fielded world-wide. The office also maintains and operates a SACCS training lab that is used to conduct technical training for over 200 DoD communication support personnel each year.

The level of responsibility that comes from working with the nation's nuclear force is immense.

"Before I came into the STOS all I assumed they did here was launch missiles from the air," said Capt. Aaron Linton, a 625th STOS targeting officer. "I had no idea the depth of the mission they did here and the additional training and perspective I would gain here, to include the ICBM targeting mission we provide STRATCOM."

Because of the incredible amount of responsibility levied on the members of the 625th STOS, Higby places a high priority on keeping the squadron focused on the mission and taking care of his people and their families. Without these two pillars in the organization, the 625th STOS would not function as well as it does between the Joint Forces and the Air Force missile wings.

"The men and women of the 625th STOS are dedicated professionals that provide rapid and flexible nuclear combat capability for our nation 365 days a year," Higby said.

FIP provides new career path for missileers

by Airman 1st Class Joshua Smoot
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

10/7/2014 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Steps to implement the "3+3" operations tour construct for the missile combat crew officers at Malmstrom Air Force Base have begun to meet the Nov. 1, 2014 implementation date. It will affect all officers in the 13N - Nuclear and Missile Operations - career field.

Under the new construct, missileers in their first three-year assignment will focus on developing their weapon system proficiency. During their second three-year assignment, which will likely be at another ICBM base, missileers will apply their expertise to serve as an instructor, evaluator and/or flight commander and provide guidance and mentoring to others when performing alert.

"The first three years puts focus on the missile field," said Lt. Col. Benjamin Dahlke, 341st Operations Support Squadron director of operations. "They will focus on being a deputy crew commander for about 18 months and after that they'll be focused on being a good crew commander for another 18 months."

Leaders will use a phased approach to implement the "3+3" tour construct. For example, most 13N officers who arrived at Malmstrom in the spring of 2011 will complete a four-year crew tour. Most 13N officers who arrived in the spring of 2012 will complete somewhere between a three to four-year tour and the people who arrived in the fall of 2013 and beyond, will likely have a three-year tour.

Previously, the missile crew tour was four-years and included some instructor, evaluator and/or flight commander duties. This model allowed for inexperienced deputy commanders to instruct or evaluate more senior, experienced officers, which is contrary to the Air Force's standard operations training model.

The advantage of having them wait 36 months is to be able to have truly experienced instructors and evaluators for standardization and evaluations, Dahlke said.

"The experience level will go up at every stage of an intercontinental ballistic missile crew member's career," said Lt. Col. Justin Mulkey, 341st OSS commander. "They'll be able to focus on the mission and making themselves and their peers better."

The "3+3" tour construct is part of the Force Improvement Program initiated by Air Force Global Strike Command.

"The 3+3 crew tour is just a part of what we are doing," Mulkey said.

It's a part of bigger changes to improve how Malmstrom develops ICBM experts and leaders. This construct focuses on training and improving the crew force quality, the quality of the instruction and enhancing the nuclear enterprise, Mulkey added.

AFRC Command Chief assures Airmen of 'light beyond the tunnel'

by Senior Airman Nicholas Monteleone
403rd Wing Public Affairs

10/7/2014 - KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Chief Master Sgt. Cameron B. Kirksey, command chief master sergeant of the Air Force Reserve Command, visited the 403rd Wing here to thank Airmen, as well as, listen to and answer their questions about concerns for the future.

This was the first time Kirksey has visited Keesler since becoming the AFRC command chief. He saw various elements of the 403rd Wing and held separate lunch meetings with junior enlisted members and NCOs. While touring the 41st Aerial Port Squadron, he observed a "Mini Port Dawg Challenge," a competition designed to motivate and train aerial porters in their various job duties.  Kirksey also took time to give words of encouragement to the 403rd Security Forces Squadron as they performed weapons qualification training at the Woolmarket U.S. Navy Rifle and Pistol Range.

"The only way I can understand what is going on with a wing is to go and see it," said Kirksey. "I need to be on the ground in their area to truly be in tune with what the Airmen are going through," he said.

Chief Kirksey also visited the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron and toured a WC-130J Hurricane Hunter aircraft and talked with enlisted crewmembers about their mission.

With readiness being a keystone element of what makes the Reserve a viable fighting force, Kirksey paid close attention to the Aeromedical Staging Squadron by visiting service members scheduled for immunizations and physicals at the Keesler Medical Center.

Near the end of the three-day visit, Kirksey also took time to address the Wing's entire enlisted force where he re-emphasized how he was proud of the work of the members of the 403rd and answered questions ranging from the future of the Air Force Reserve to the justifications for mileage reimbursement during duty.

Senior Airman Dallas Hannon, a client systems technician for the 403rd Communications Flight, was at the lunch for junior enlisted members and attended the enlisted call. He said he was impressed with the way the chief was genuinely open to hearing about their concerns and encouraged their career development.

"It was nice to see the Command Chief here. It's always great to hear what our senior leadership has to say," said Hannon.

At the enlisted call, Kirksey addressed the concerns members have about what the future holds for the wing.

"Yes, there's no doubt about it. We are in a state of uncertainty," he said speaking about the new fiscally restrained military environment. "But that's nothing new... if we commit ourselves to each other; we will take care of the mission."

Chief Master Sgt. Christopher L. Barnby, command chief master sergeant of the 403rd, said Kirksey's visit was a great opportunity for the Airman to interact with leadership.  Barnby said this was also a prime opportunity for the 403rd to highlight Airman's achievements and how well they get the job done.

"In looking ahead for our enlisted members," Kirksey said, "there is light beyond the tunnel and the current state of affairs will not last forever, but we need you to be committed to the team."

(Master Sgt. Brian Lamar contributed to this article)

ATC Zero: Grissom steps up, supports air traffic crisis

by Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner
434th ARW Public Affairs

10/2/2014 - GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Chicago's Air Route Traffic Control Center controlled more than 3 million air operations last year with hundreds of millions of lives in the hands of their air traffic controllers, but when Chicago's radar scopes went black Sept. 26, many of those lives fell safely into the hands of Grissom's ATC.

"When we went to open Friday morning, our ATC supervisor wasn't able to contact anyone at Chicago Center, so he came to me and said 'we've got a problem,'" said Michael Lang, 434th Operations Support Squadron air traffic manager.

That problem, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, was caused by a fire at the high-altitude radar facility in Aurora, Illinois, causing them to go into ATC Zero, which means they have zero ability to control air traffic.

"This is really big -- Chicago Center is responsible for a huge area," said Michael Peeper, 434th OSS ATC specialist. "I've been doing this for 25 years, and this has got to be the biggest thing I've ever seen impact ATC, so it's pretty serious."

The CARTCC is an en-route facility with airspace overlying six Midwestern states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan and Missouri.

The National Airspace System (NAS) is made up of FAA and Department of Defense ATC facilities that act as a patchwork of control nodes across the United States.

The system incorporates three levels of facilities that overlap each other. These include tower facilities, which generally from the surface up to 2,500 feet; approach control facilities, which generally control up to 10,000 feet; and centers, which generally control 10,000 feet and above.

"Chicago Center, manages air traffic at a higher stratus, so they're normally controlling those guys going some distance, such as an aircraft traveling from Cleveland to Minneapolis-St Paul" said Bob Moore, 434th OSS airfield operations manager.

With ATC Zero in place at the CARTCC, Grissom and the other approach control facilities around the center stepped up to fill the enormous gap, said Moore.

"At that point, we went to what's called a tower-enroute plan," explained Lang. "That's where we push all the traffic down, route it through the approach control facilities, and avoid the center's airspace, because that's all uncontrolled."

Grissom ATC normally controls all commercial, civilian and military air traffic up to 10,000 feet between Chicago and Indianapolis, going as far west as Lafayette, Indiana, which is an area of more than 11,000 cubic miles.

Shortly after implementing that plan, the FAA also gave Grissom and the surrounding approach facilities responsibility for an additional 5,000 feet above their airspace, which created a 400-percent increase in the air traffic Grissom managed.

"We have air carriers that normally cruise at 30-35,000 feet that are now being pushed down into our airspace at 15,000 feet," said Peeper, who added that Grissom's ATC facility, which normally is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. 365 days a year has gone to 24-hour operations.

"Right now we're working through the night to control two sectors of Chicago Center's air traffic, and most of that is jet traffic going all over the country," he explained, adding that the volume of traffic is growing daily.

While increasing their air traffic at such a high volume might sound tough enough, it's a secondary affect that the CARTCC fire had that's causing a tremendous burden on controllers.

"On top of everything else, we have no automation to boot," said Lang, referring to a complex computer automation system at the CARTCC that transmitted flight plan data to the approach facilities for aircraft transiting their airspace. "Everything's a manual phone call, a manual hand-written strip, and a manual coordination of progress on an aircraft."

"We had to step backwards to the 1970s," added Moore. "We're gutting through it right now."

Where a computer system used to electronically monitor an aircraft's progress and notify controllers through a system of strips printed out to help them direct that aircraft, controllers are now having to pass that information along through a minimum of four separate phone calls for each aircraft.

"When you have to manually coordinate each and every flight plan, it's extremely time consuming," said Peeper.

"You might think at a time like this being on the scope and controlling the aircraft would be the hard part, but that's actually the seat you want to be sitting in even though you're busier than all get out," added Lang. "It's sitting in the role as the assist with all the manual coordination that's the hardest part."

For each controller on duty at Grissom, there is an assist who helps with tracking the aircraft, and in this case, takes care of the manual coordination.

While word-of-mouth operations may seem a bit scary to some, all three Grissom ATC specialists said air travel is just as safe today as it was the day before the fire.

"[The FAA] opened up a command center with an open phone line that is still ongoing to this day and facilitates communications with all the FAA facilities in the area," said Lang. "Somebody is listening to everybody, so if something gets missed, it will get caught."

Also, helping keep the skies safe and sound is the tremendous amount of experience at Grissom.

"The good thing is that Grissom is made of a lot of great people who are really experienced," explained Peeper. "Most controllers, when they come here, they arrive with six to 10 years of experience, which has really helped out."

"Some of these people have been doing this for 20 to 40 years," added Moore. "They were able to come in Friday and really step their game up."

On top of the sheer number of years behind the scopes, many of Grissom's controllers are also prior military and have experience working in environments without the comforts of modern automation, said Lang.

"I served as a Marine in Japan and several of us served overseas with the Air Force or Army where we worked in similar environments," added Peeper.

Despite a high-level of experience, the recent events have pushed Grissom's ATC to its limits with manpower.

"We're juggling schedules, and it's pushing overtime, obviously, but we're able to maintain with the controllers we have -- it's tight, but everyone, including Bob and I and the rest of the ATC staff, are strapping on a headset and working as well," said Lang. "We've got an extremely talented group who are all experienced, and now they're just showcasing what they can do to support the NAS."

Not only have Grissom's ATC controllers supported the NAS at a critical time, they also continued to support the vital military mission at the north-central Indiana base.

"We're still supporting the wing's air refueling operations," said Lang. "We had to redirect some routings initially, but that mission never faltered."

While the situation is still ongoing, Grissom's controllers said they're happy to continue to work hard to help get the NAS back up to 100 percent.

"When this kicked off on Friday, we contacted our controllers and everyone said, 'I'll do whatever you need me to do,'" said Lang, who added that the situation is improving despite the fact the CARTCC may not be up to full capability for a couple more weeks. "The holes are filling in daily."

"It's very rewarding knowing that we're part of the big picture and doing our part to help," concluded Peeper. "You think it's never going to happen, but in this day and age, things do happen, and here we are doing what we hoped we'd never have to do."

Grissom is home to not only the 434th ARW, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command, but also three Army Reserve units and a Marine Corps Reserve communication detachment. Grissom Airmen, Soldiers and Marines routinely deploy around the world in support of the Department of Defense mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

McChord Airmen participate in New Zealand IceFest 2014

by Master Sgt. Todd Wivell
62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

10/6/2014 - Christchurch, New Zealand -- Known as the gateway to Antarctica, the city of Christchurch, New Zealand, has been a central stopping point for many Antarctic expeditions and adventures. The U.S. Antarctic Program, which is managed by the National Science Foundation, has been deploying scientific teams through Christchurch for more than 50 years with the support of Operation DEEP FREEZE, the Department of Defense component of the USAP.

In honor of the upcoming Antarctic research season, the biannual New Zealand IceFest, which helps to recognize Antarctica's significance on a global stage, is conducted from Sept. 27 through Oct. 12 at Christchurch.

"The New Zealand IceFest celebrates our city's special connection with Antarctica," said Lianne Dalziel, Mayor of Christchurch. "It is a relationship which is just as meaningful now as it was last century."

As part of that celebration more than 35 Airmen from the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings participated in the one-day U.S. Antarctic Program Air Day, Oct. 5, showcasing the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft that is assigned to ODF.

"It is extremely important for us to show our good will to communities within New Zealand," said Lt. Col. Tim Davis, 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron director of operations and 728th Airlift Squadron chief pilot. "The teamwork between the United States, the New Zealand government and the U.S. Antarctic program is showcased throughout this month long event, but today gives us a chance to show the community the airlift capabilities of the C-17."

This was the second time in three years that the C-17 aircraft was showcased allowing the New Zealand community members the opportunity to visit with the McChord Airmen and to see the aircraft up close and personal.

The event started at 10 a.m. and each half hour an expected 600 people were allowed access to the Christchurch tarmac to see the McChord C-17, a New Zealand C-130 and an Air Bus aircraft. After six hours of operations, more than 7,000 people had visited the tarmac.

"This event was a very positive and motivating event," said Chief Master Sgt. Jim Masura, 304th AES superintendent and 97th Airlift Squadron resource manager. "Events like this help show our community what we do and keeps the community on our side."

"This is truly amazing and I am very surprised with the size of your aircraft," said Andrew Thomason, a Christchurch native and visitor to the USAP Air Day event. "This was our first time coming and we were excited to learn about the airdrops conducted by this aircraft."

Thomason's son, Kadin, who is 7-years-old, said he was amazed by the "comfy seats" and was excited he got the opportunity to spend some time on the aircraft.

"This is my first time to New Zealand and my first TDY and I have been looking forward to this trip," said Senior Airman Jessica Rowe, 304th EAS and 62nd Maintenance squadron hydraulics journeyman. "It was fun answering questions and interacting with the local community and I am proud to be part of this event."

Operations for ODF commenced Sept. 29 when the U.S. military kicked off the 2014-2015 season and will continue through early spring of 2015.

Reserve pararescuemen get back to basics in skills competition

by Tech. Sgt. Katie Spencer
459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

10/6/2014 - KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Thirty-four pararescumen from active duty, Guard and Reserve units participated in the 2014 Guardian Angel Rodeo competition here Sept. 22-27.

The pararescuemen, also known as PJs, were spilt into eight teams based on their respective units. The team who earned the most points at the end of the competition took home a win and bragging rights for the next rodeo.

"The rodeo is a great place for team building," said Tech. Sgt. Glenn Blake, ground tactics NCO in charge and a competition facilitator at the 342nd TRS. "You get so caught up in deployments and other training, it's not often you get to see the other guys you've once worked or trained with. Healthy competition is always important and the winners get bragging rights for next time."

The week-long competition, hosted by the pararescue schoolhouse, Det. 1, 342nd Training Squadron, tested the PJs on land navigation skills, high-angle rope rescues, survival techniques, medical skills, weapons operations and overall physical endurance.

"This is the kind of training the PJs get when they come through this schoolhouse," said Tech Sgt. Blair Baerny, a 342nd TRS instructor. "We're able to facilitate these events because we have the resources since we teach it all the time to the PJ students."

"This is where the schoolhouse is located," added Maj. Dan Turpin, assistant flight commander at the 308th Rescue Squadron, Patrick AFB, Fla. "It's like coming back to where we were born and reminiscing with old buddies. Anytime you can do your craft and get away from the computer is great."

While the competition focused on basic PJ skills, the one thing not tested was their jumping capabilities.

PJs are known for jumping out of planes and into the wild blue yonder. However, jumping is only one mode of transportation for the PJs to get to their patient to provide care.

"We wanted to get back to basics," said Blake. "Having the jumping portion taken out of the rodeo is different. but it allows more time to focus on core skills."

"Without the basics, you're not going to be good at the advanced stuff either," added Baerny. "Practice the basics and the other stuff come too."

The competition has been successful despite not having the jumping portion.

"The instructors here didn't let us down," said Turpin. "They kept the standard high. The events have brought us back to our core competencies. My favorite event was shooting from multiple positions, reducing malfunctions in weapons systems and performing a patient extrication and drag. It was physically and technically demanding, which I enjoyed."

The rodeo was also successful for the Reserve units who participated.

"This course is particularly important from a Reserve point of view," said Turpin. "We don't get the transitions. Usually guys will stay in the same place for an extended period of time, and active duty moves around a little more. Combination of seeing guys from you sister squadrons and services, we exchange tactic techniques and procedures which helps us be better at what we do as well as rekindle old friendships."

During the rodeo, not only were the basic skills and tactics tested but so was physical endurance.

Two rodeo events catered to long distances in high elevations. The PJs conducted eight miles of land navigation at an elevation of 8,500 feet above sea level and hiked seven miles starting at an elevation of 5,000 feet up to 10,600 feet. Other events included sprints, rappelling down an 80-foot vertical cliff (and climbing back up) as well as dragging a patient to safety. A PJ's physical fitness needs to be maintained at high levels in order to carry out their mission.

"Physical fitness is core for everything our job is built upon," said Turpin. "Endurance, power and strength are all important parts of this job. What I love about pararescue is no task is ever the same. Sometimes you need more muscle, sometimes you need more brains, sometimes more endurance or sprints. Overall, well-rounded physical fitness is essential to being successful at our job and to maintain longevity as pararescuemen."

This rodeo, in its dry desert and mountainous terrain, provided a competitive environment to hone physical endurance and basic skill-sets PJs need to be successful in their careers. From learning how to save people in the snow, jungle or water, PJs continuously train to do more than skydive.

"I don't think many people in the Air Force know what a PJ is or does," said Blake. "They see us jump and fall out of sky. There is far more depth and a bigger spectrum to our duties - that others may live."

Winners:

1st Place: (active duty) 48th Rescue Squadron/68th Rescue Flight, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.

2nd Place: (Reserve) 306th RQS, Davis-Monthan AFB

3rd Place: (Reserve) 308th RQS, Patrick AFB

Charleston Reservists join Ebola support operations

by Michael Dukes
315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

10/6/2014 -  JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C --  Three Air Force Reserve aircrews flew C-17 Globemaster IIIs packed with personnel and supplies over the past two weeks in support of Operation United Assistance, an effort to support Ebola stricken regions of West Africa.

Aircrew from the 300th Airlift Squadron departed Joint Base Charleston early last week, followed by the 317th and 701st AS who departed for the region over the past three days.

"I am very proud of our crews and other personnel who are supporting this vital effort!" said Col. Caroline Evernham, 315th Operations Group commander.  "These missions deliver critical supplies to the units on the ground. They are stopping briefly and usually leaving the area within two to three hours or less, and there is little danger of the crew or aircraft coming into contact with personnel infected with Ebola."

"While there should be no danger to these crewmembers, they are receiving briefs from Public Health prior to departure educating them on precautions to take to further minimize any chance of exposure" added Lt. Col. Russell Catanach, 315th OG vice commander.

"All of our crews are comprised of Citizen Airman who have taken leave from their civilian careers to support this operation," Catanach said.  "These crews demonstrate that the 315th Airlift Wing's volunteer C-17 crewmembers stand capable and ready to fly anywhere in the world to support the nation's objectives, whether during conflict or in response to humanitarian crises of any nature."

Multiple aircrews from the 437th AW led Joint Base Charleston's contribution by launching several missions in support of OUA over the past few weeks after receiving Air Mobility Command tasking.  Team Charleston aircraft have deployed so far to Senegal and Liberia.

Charleston is joined in this effort by aircraft and personnel from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

Officials expect the number of missions in support of OUA to increase in coming days as hospitals, labs, and support personnel are positioned to assist in the crisis.

"We are monitoring the situation closely, and although there are no immediate plans to start transporting patients, we will reevaluate the situation if that happens," Everham said.

The U.S. military is providing medical personnel to support health care provider training, engineers to construct Ebola treatment units, logisticians and other transportation personnel to support the regional intermediate staging base, as well as command and control staff for the Joint Force Command headquarters in Liberia.

U.S. military engineers are currently overseeing construction of at least 17 separate Ebola treatment units with a 100-bed capacity. Once complete, the facilities will be turned over to Liberia and staffed by local and international health care providers. U.S. military personnel will not staff the ETUs.

The president considers containing the spread of Ebola to be a national security priority that will require mobilizing the collective resources of the international community.

"This will not be an overnight process, but we're making significant progress," said Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby last week.

Face of Defense: Airman Finds a Place to Belong

By Air Force Tech. Sgt. Russ Scalf

308th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Oct. 7, 2014 – Staff Sgt. Ruta Shibeshi is an airman in the U.S. Air Force, and for her, what sounds like a job title to most has meant family, friends and a place to belong.

In July 1986, a more than decade-long civil war continued to rage in Ethiopia. By its conclusion in 1991, the fighting would claim upward of 1.4 million lives. In addition to those lost to the violence, an estimated 7 million more perished in severe droughts and famine that gripped the region during the 1980s.

It was in the midst of this strife that Shibeshi was born in Eritrea, East Africa. She didn’t know her father; he was a soldier who was fighting in the war. When she was 3 years old, her mother, Misgana, joined the hundreds of thousands of East Africans who were fleeing the fighting and seeking asylum in neighboring Sudan.

Refugee camp in Sudan

“We left for fear that we might become casualties of the war,” Shibeshi said. “My mother and I traveled during the night and slept during the days. It was extremely dangerous crossing the border from Eritrea. Once we reached Sudan, we joined a refugee camp with fellow Africans who also escaped the war. We lived in Sudan as residents of the camp for almost five years. While we were there, my mother gave birth to my younger sister.”

Joining the family on their journey was an uncle, her mother’s brother, Okbazgi. After spending half a decade as residents of the camp, he helped the family secure passage to the United States through a sponsorship program. Although they had fled Eritrea, the group did not manage to escape the war.

“I remember leaving,” Shibeshi said. “It was night time. They got us on this helicopter and they told us we could only take a certain amount of stuff. I remember my uncle telling us to ‘Go, here’s your sponsorship paperwork, keep it close to you.’ He was the one who got us out. He was supposed to go with us, but he stayed back so it wouldn’t look so suspicious. He gave his life.

“I remember my mom looking at me saying ‘You have to just go,’” she continued. “He said ‘I’ll be there, just listen to your mother, stay close and take care of your sister.’ They took him back to Eritrea and he was drafted. We never saw him again.”

A new start in Seattle

In 1993, Shibeshi, her mother, stepfather and sister moved to Seattle. The group stayed with her stepfather’s family while adjusting to their new surroundings. Ruta was enrolled in an English-as-a-second-language course designed to help prepare her and others in the sponsorship program with their transition to America. When she finally began grade school, she said, she found herself isolated. Many of the friends she had made in the transition began moving away as their families sought work.

“A lot of the Africans were very close,” Shibeshi said. “Their families migrated together from Africa and then to America, and so they were close. All the girls and boys, we all grew up together.”

Despite this closeness, Shibeshi said, she struggled to find acceptance with her peers throughout her adolescence and school.

“I was torn by my culture, but I wanted to be Americanized,” she said. “The only way I could adapt was to watch MTV and things like that. How did they dress? What did they talk about? I couldn’t talk to my mother, and my cousins were in it with me. TV and entertainment was my biggest outlet. I would take whatever my mom gave me and change it so I wouldn’t be as bullied, talked about or I wouldn’t stick out.”

Her struggles eventually led to rebellious behavior. As she progressed to high school, her struggle began to affect her education.

“I didn’t realize how fortunate I was,” Shibeshi said. “I was just so caught up with everything else. My freshman year was pretty much down the drain, I had like a 1.2 grade point average.”

On the verge of not being able to graduate, Shibeshi said, she knew it was time to start taking her academics and opportunities seriously. So she took night courses to make up for ones she failed, and eventually graduated with a 4.0 GPA. Her newfound dedication to academics enabled Shibeshi to move on to college to pursue a career in health care.

Joining the Air Force Reserve

In 2008, Shibeshi still was not satisfied with where her life was. She visited a local Army recruiter to see what kinds of options were available to her, and eventually decided to join the Air Force Reserve. Her home station is Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

“I joined the Air Force in May 2009,” she said. “The military has taught me how to be more confident, physically and mentally stronger, resilient, disciplined and how to be an effective [noncommissioned officer]. Obtaining my bachelor’s degree while serving in today’s military is something that further gave me purpose [and] direction, and has contributed to my career.”

Shibeshi is now serving on her second deployment. She credits her service with helping to pave a clear path for her in life, providing her with the resources that have allowed her to find a sense of security and a diverse community to which to belong.

“Moving to America was a rough transition for my family and me,” Shibeshi said. “We went from living in poverty to project low-income housing, to apartment complexes. But with resiliency, hard work and dedication of my mother and I, we now own our own home. There were several times where I could have died attempting to get to this point I am in my life, but with all that I have been through it has made me who I am today. I do not take anything for granted.

“I am a product of my past but knowledgeable enough to not be a prisoner of it,” she added. “I’ve always wanted to be successful, because my family deserves it, especially my mother. Through the grace of God, I’m doing just that.”

NNOA Pensacola Chapter holds First Annual "Speed Mentoring" Event

By Lt. Marvin Bartholomew, Pensacola Chapter NNOA Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- The local chapter of National Naval Officer Association (NNOA) held its first annual Speed Mentoring event at the Mustin Beach Club, aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP) Sept. 26.

The event drew more than 40 multi-service junior and senior officers from the Pensacola area for the opportunity to sit down with senior officers from their communities and gain valuable career insight.

Capt. Keith Hoskins, commanding officer NASP, opened the event by highlighting the missions and objectives unique to NNOA and asked all officers in attendance to actively support and foster a shared role of professional development, mentorship, and community involvement.

Lt. Christina Carter, a Nurse Manager from Naval Branch Health Clinic Corry Station, said she got a lot out of the event.

"I thought the Speed Mentoring event was very insightful and I gained a lot of valuable information," Carter said. "It was invigorating to talk to so many senior officers with such a wealth of knowledge and experience. Not only were there officers from my community, but there were officers from other communities that I did not know a lot about. I enjoyed the variety of mentors on the panel and felt honored to participate in this career enhancing event."

Lt. Cmdr. Raleigh Stahl, a Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) staff member, said he found the program a valuable experience.

"This was a great opportunity to gain valuable career insight and advise on officer professional development," Stahl said. "Additionally, it opened the doors to geographical networking".

Area commanding officers serving as mentors included: Capt. Katherine Erb, commanding officer of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT); Capt. Alan D. Dean commanding officer Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC); Capt. Janet E. Lomax commanding officer of Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center (NETPDTC); Capt. Edward L. Heflin, commodore, Training Air Wing Six (TW-6); Capt. Maureen O'Hara Padden, commanding officer, Naval Hospital Pensacola (NHP); Col. Russell A. Blauw, commanding officer of Marine Air Training Support Group 23 (MATSG-23); and Col. Eric F. Buer, commanding officer of Marine air Training Support Group 21 (MATSG-21).

"As a senior officer, an inherent part of my job is to guide and mentor junior officers, regardless of designator or warfare specialty," said Captain Erb. "The Speed Mentoring event was a great opportunity to pass on experiences from my career to a diverse group of officers as they make important decisions about their current and future careers".

Some of the senior officers also learned from the event.

"Good mentors have enabled me to stay on the right track career-wise, and have helped me to think through different problems that we face as active duty Marines and Sailors," said Colonel Blauw. "Mentors have helped me to learn how to think through different courses of action, as often there are no clear cut answers to what we should do next or what billet we should be trying to fill. I learned a lot during the speed mentoring event. I hope I was able to share some solid observations or advice, but I was also impressed by the knowledge and desire for excellence demonstrated by the younger members in the crowd."

The mission of the NNOA is to actively support the Sea Services in the recruitment, retention and career development of its members and the enhancement of diversity in the officer corps. They provide professional development, mentoring, and support cultural diversity. The NNOA's goal, since its establishment in 1972 in Annapolis, Maryland, is to establish, and maintain a positive image of the Sea Services in communities and educational institutions.