Ramstein teams with German partners during exercise

by Tech. Sgt. Travis Edwards
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

10/21/2014 - RAMSTIEN AIR BASE, Germany -- Ramstein Airmen in concert with German disaster response authorities participated in a combined major accident response exercise, or MARE, here Oct. 18.

The exercise tested German and U.S. first responders' ability to react to a massive on-base accident, from initial notification to the recovery phase.  The MARE was an opportunity to train and rehearse roles and responsibilities in a crisis between Ramstein Airmen and German partners.

"Our German counterparts from the Kaiserslautern area brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the scenario," said Col. Lee Smith, 86th Airlift Wing vice commander. "Together, we used our skills to test our interoperability and coordination during a crisis and I am very pleased with the results."

This was the first time Team Ramstein members and German authorities conducted a response and recovery in about two years, with the last one held at Rhine Ordnance Barracks.

The exercise went very well to include the communication and cooperation between American and German first responders, said Gudrun Heß-Schmidt, Kaiserslautern deputy county commissioner. This exercise gave German disaster respondents a better understanding of Ramstein procedures to better carry out a rescue and recovery plan.
The training and inspection portion of the exercise was used to ensure both agencies are able to respond safely together and improve existing procedures should a real incident occur.

"This exercise was outstanding," said Lt. Col. Paul Silas, 86th Civil Engineer Squadron commander and emergency operations center director for the exercise. "We responded and identified everything thrown at us -- we were able to handle what came our way because of the proactive thinking of our Airmen and German partners here."

Air National Guard soars skies over Poland

by Airman 1st Class Dylan Nuckolls
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

10/21/2014 - POWIDZ AIR BASE, Poland -- Airmen from the U.S. and Polish Air Forces started training together at the 33rd Air Base at Powidz Air Base, Poland, Oct. 15, 2014, for the start of Aviation Detachment rotation 15-1.

Roughly 50 Airmen and three C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 182nd Airlift Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, Peoria, Illinois, will participate in the training hosted by Detachment 1, 52nd Operations Group, in Łask Air Base, Poland.

"Our mission here is to support the Aviation Detachment rotation and build upon the interoperability between our two forces," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Douglas Applegren, chief of tactics for rotation 15-1. "We have been looking forward to this rotation ever since we found out about it, and our Airmen are excited to work and train together with the Polish air force."

This event also represents the first time an ANG unit has supported a C-130 aircraft rotation at the Aviation Detachment in Poland. The bilateral training aims to maintain joint readiness and reassure regional allies and partners.

Ten Airmen assigned to the Det. 1, 52nd OG, serve as an enduring, forward-persistent presence to enable combined U.S. and Polish training and exercises to increase cooperation, enduring partnership and build interoperability between NATO partners.

"NATO's interoperability is key to the strength of the alliance," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jack Harman, Det. 1, 52nd OG, commander. "The Aviation Detachment builds on this by enabling U.S. aircraft to train with allies in a vital area of the world.  As Poland's state partner, the Illinois Air National Guard Airmen continue to deepen established relationships and build partner capacity between US and Polish forces.  In all, the combined efforts from the outstanding Airmen of the Aviation Detachment, 182nd Airlift Wing, and 33rd Air Base will display impeccable cooperation, readiness, and flexibility throughout the bilateral training to make this rotation a success."

The then-U.S. Ambassador to Poland Lee Feinstein and the then-Polish Minister of Defense Bogdan Klich signed a memorandum of understanding June 13, 2011, establishing a U.S. Air Force Aviation Detachment in Poland.

The detachment later stood up at Łask in November 2012 and is supported by the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

Airmen close out successful SALITRE exercise

by 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs

10/21/2014 - ANTOFAGASTA, Chile -- After flying more than 50 sorties, participating in two community relations events, entertaining multiple media events and experiencing a visit from the President of Chile, U.S. Airmen participating in Chile's SALITRE 2014 exercise are returning home.

"The 149th Fighter Wing executed every sortie except for those that were not executed due to weather," said Col. Mike Torrealday, Reserve Advisor to the 12th Air Force (AFSOUTH) Commander and Exercise Co-Director. "Maintenance turned all their missions every single day... they performed an outstanding job."

This was the first time the U.S. participated in SALITRE since 2012, but continued engagement and interactions with the Chilean air force year-round with AFSOUTH and the Texas Air National Guard made entering into the exercise a smooth process.

"The Chilean air force personnel were very accommodating," said Maj. Darren Bemis, the Texas ANG's 149th Maintenance Squadron commander. Everything we needed they brought to us; the support was outstanding and the interaction between maintenance crews brought friendship and respect for one another."

This wasn't the first visit to Chile by the Texas ANG this year. As State Partners with the Chilean air force, Texas regularly works with their partners to the south.

"At FIDAE we communicated with the Chileans and here at SALITRE we've shared ideas, we've shared experiences and in these two weeks we did the execution in the air," said Lt. Col. Greg Pohoski, 182nd Fighter Squadron pilot, 149 FW. "With each trip we are building on our relations. We started with academics and ended with execution."

The purpose of the State Partnership Program is to conduct military-to-military engagements in support of defense security goals but also leverages whole-of-society relationships and capabilities to facilitate broader interagency and corollary engagements spanning military, government, economic and social spheres.

In addition to working with the Chilean air force, Airmen were able to interact with counterparts from Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.

"The interaction between the Chilean air force fuels shop and the Texas ANG fuels shop helped us out greatly by exchanging knowledge and training," said Master Sgt. Samuel Metz, 149 MG, aircraft systems fuels technician. "I was able to train them on a piece equipment used to inspect external fuel tanks which they never used before. I showed them how to use it, so they can now inspect and certify other Chilean fuels specialist."

Also adding on to the Texas ANG presence was an Ohio ANG KC-135 flying out of Santiago providing essential aerial refueling capability.

Arrival of eighth aircraft completes unit's newly assigned fleet

by Maj. Bryon M. Turner
103rd Airlift Wing, Public Affairs

10/17/2014 - BRADLEY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE - East Granby, Conn. -- The Airmen of the 103rd Airlift Wing reached a key moment in their mission-conversion efforts when the unit's eighth newly-assigned C-130H Hercules aircraft arrived at Bradley Air National Guard Base, East Granby, Connecticut, Oct. 15, 2014.

The Flying Yankees began their ongoing conversion process from C-21 aircraft operations to the current C-130H mission in June of 2013.  The first C-130H assigned to the unit arrived on Sept. 24, 2013, and now, just over a year later, the unit's fleet is whole.

"This milestone is incredibly important for the Flying Yankees because the longevity and proud history of the C-130 bodes so well for the future on the Connecticut Air National Guard," said Col. Frank Detorie, commander of the 103rd Airlift Wing.

For Master Sgt. Daniel Taylor, a sheet metal mechanic and small shop chief assigned to the 103rd Maintenance Group, the arrival of the unit's eighth assign aircraft means something very important.

"Job security," said Taylor.  "Having all eight of them here--you have that feeling you're going to be here for a while, and with a new sense of pride in the aircraft and our mission."

The first seven aircraft are easily identifiable and unmistakably assigned to the Flying Yankees thanks to tail markings unique to the Connecticut Air National Guard.  This newly assigned eighth C-130H is still being customized by Master Sgt. Joseph Mazzie, and Tech. Sgt. Paul Martin, both structural maintainers assigned to the 103rd Maintenance Group.

"I'm just glad to be finishing up with the last C-130," said Mazzie.  "It feels good to have all of our planes here with the unit's tail flash.

The wing's C-130H aircraft are adorned with the unit's traditional black and yellow thunderbolt along with the likeness of the late Capt. Joseph Wadsworth, the legendary figure who hid the state's charter in an oak tree to protect it from British soldiers during colonial times. The artwork borrows elements from the wing's patch, as well as markings that once decorated some of the unit's past aircraft, paying homage to wing's proud history.

"We are now inextricably tied to the tactical airlift mission and our conversion to the venerable Hercules points to a very bright future at Bradley," said Detorie.

With a flightline full of iron, the Airmen of the 103rd Airlift Wing have their attention fixed on the future, with a focus on completing the aircraft conversion process.

"Now we can focus on our developing mission," said Martin.

The unit is projected to achieve initial operational capability in 2016, at which time they will move beyond the conversion stage. In the meantime, the men and women of the Flying Yankees continue to focus on developing and sharpening their skills.

109th aircraft, Airmen leave for Antarctica

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

10/17/2014 - STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y. -- The first LC-130 Hercules aircraft took off for Antarctica Oct. 17, marking the 27th season the 109th Airlift Wing has supported the National Science Foundation with Operation Deep Freeze.

This season is expected to be the biggest yet, with more than 350 missions planned and nearly 3,000 hours expected to be flown.

Crews plan to deliver 5.4 million pounds of fuel and cargo and nearly 4,500 passengers. About 120 Airmen will be deployed to the ice at any one time, and a total of eight LC-130s will be deployed throughout the season which will run through about March.

The unique capabilities of the ski-equipped LC-130 aircraft make it the only one of its kind in the U.S. military, able to land on snow and ice. The primary mission of the 109th AW is to provide airlift within Antarctica, flying to various remote locations from McMurdo Station.

"We transport scientists, support personnel, fuel, supplies, medical supplies -- basically anything we can fit on the back of the plane," said Maj. Steve Cousineau, 139th Airlift Squadron navigator who left with the first plane today.

Along with their primary mission of transporting people and supplies, crews will also be flying IcePod missions this year.

"IcePod focuses on the development of an integrated ice imaging system that can measure in detail both the ice surface and the ice bed, helping in the understanding of why ice sheets are changing at such a rapid rate," said Lt. Col. Blair Herdrick, chief of Antarctic Operations at the 109th. "The system will be enclosed in a Common Science Support Pod (CSSP) mounted on the rear troop door of the LC-130.  This will be the first operational use of the CSSP."

Two aircraft will also be outfitted with an Airborne Data Collection System (ADCS) for testing.

"The integrated Iridium-based communication and position reporting system will improve in-flight communications for mission reporting, weather updates, and air traffic control instructions. It will also dramatically improve search and rescue response," Herdrick said.

Planning is a huge role everyone plays. Lt. Col. Martha Wadsworth, 139th Airlift Squadron commander, said the squadron is ready to start their annual mission.

"We need to make sure we have the right manpower and equipment to survive in the austere environment," she said. "Also the training to use that equipment properly, and the expertise to fly the airplane safely."

The biggest challenge for not only the Airmen, but also the aircraft in Antarctica, has always been the weather.

"The planes have to get acclimated to the (environment)," said Lt. Col. Chris Sander, aircraft commander. "But we're constantly watching the weather."

While weather is a constant challenge, the other is Airmen leaving their families behind.

"Being away from the family is always tough -- that never gets easy," Cousineau said. "But once we're there, we're a big family.

"I've been going twice a year for 20 years," he said. "It's like being part of a team. We practice all year to do this. It's a good job, and it's rewarding. We're making a contribution to science."

The 109th AW has been supporting the NSF's South Pole research since 1988. Since 1999, the unit has been the sole provider of this type of airlift to the NSF and U.S. Antarctic research efforts.

Team Seymour's youngsters 'deploy' during Operation Bug Out

by Airman 1st Class Aaron J. Jenne
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

10/21/2014 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C.  -- One by one, 28 of Team Seymour's youngest members lined up with their recently issued deployment gear.

Gripping their belongings tightly, they slowly boarded a bus en route to their next destination: an aircraft on the flightline of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.

Their mission; deploy in support of the Airman and Family Readiness Center's Operation Bug Out.

In order to help them understand what their parents do to prepare for real-world deployments, children between the ages of five and 15 participated in a mock deployment Oct. 15.

The event mirrored the events of an actual deployment including briefings, processing through a personnel deployment function line and transporting their equipment to an awaiting military aircraft.

"It's difficult when a military parent deploys," said Master Sgt. Edward McBride, Airman and Family Readiness Center NCO in charge of readiness. "It brings a lot of adjustment, but I think Operation Bug Out brings perspective and reality to children, allowing them to get an idea of what parents go through and why it's important that they deploy. It's a great opportunity for us as military members to showcase what we have on base and bring a smile to a child's face."

The event began at the Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer facility where they received their deployment orders and initial briefings from Col. Mark Slocum, 4th Fighter Wing commander.

After receiving their orders, each child was given a simulated oath of enlistment before being ushered through the processing line. While going through the line, the children and their parent were able to speak with several base representatives, to include members of the base finance office, public health and the chapel. Afterward, each child boarded busses for their next destination: the KC-135R Stratotanker that would simulate taking them to their deployed destination.

The children wrapped up their deployment by visiting the simulated deployed location in a hangar near the aircraft. In the hangar, Airmen from agencies across base, including security forces and the fire department, provided demonstrations for each child. The children also chowed down on Meals Ready to Eat to fill them up during their busy deployment.

"I'm a father and a big kid at heart, so to see the EOD robots and the fire department with Sparky the firedog and the smiles they always bring, it really made me happy, because that's what it's all about," McBride said. "It's all about taking care of our families."

Staff Sgt. Ivan Alandzak, with the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron, said it wasn't just the kids who were fortunate to experience the event; the parents benefited as well.

"I think they'll have a better understanding of what goes on when daddy's gone," he said. "It's a little thing they get to experience that helps them understand at a young age what we do and why we do it."

USS Michael Murphy Departs for Maiden Deployment to Western Pacific

By Commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific Public Affairs Office and Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tiarra Fulgham, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Detachment Hawaii

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Oct. 20 for an independent deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean.

The ship and crew of more than 300 Sailors, assigned to Destroyer Squadron Three One (DESRON 31), are scheduled to conduct goodwill activities with partner nations along with various presence operations such as Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI) during the ship's first operational forward deployment.

"USS Michael Murphy's deployment to the Western Pacific is another example of our important role in the rebalance to Asia-Pacific and our commitment to the nation's Maritime Strategy anywhere in the world," said Rear Adm. Rick Williams, commander of Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific. "I am confident in the capabilities and commitment of the men and women aboard USS Michael Murphy, they are ready to operate forward and lead the way."

Cmdr. Todd Hutchison, commanding officer of USS Michael Murphy, expressed confidence in his crew and his ship as the destroyer sailed for its maiden deployment.

"Team Murphy has been looking forward to this deployment for a long time," said Hutchison. "We've worked hard, and while everyone dreads the separation from family and friends, we're anxious to face the challenges of our maiden deployment, answering our nation's call. Every day we'll work hard to honor the memories of Lt. Murphy and the 18 other men that lost their lives during Operation Red Wings."

USS Michael Murphy crew was also joined by a law enforcement detachment from U.S. Coast Guard District 14, who embarked on the ship to participate in OMSI, and is scheduled to conduct maritime law enforcement operations from the ship to administer U.S. and Pacific Island Nations fisheries laws and suppress illicit activities. OMSI is a joint Department of Defense (Navy), Department of Homeland Security (USCG) and Department of Commerce (NOAA) program.

"This is my first deployment and I am upset leaving my family behind," said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Eric Welch, stationed aboard USS Michael Murphy. "But I am looking forward to seeing all of the things overseas and supporting our mission in the Navy. I am also looking forward to coming home, making a trip to Disney's with the kids and gaining back all the time that my family and I lost to the sea."

Welch's wife Ashley and kids were at the pierside to say their farewells and give goodbye hugs to their husband and father.

"Even though he will be gone for seven months and it will seem like forever, I know that he will be back in no time," said Ashley. "The kids are looking forward to when daddy gets home, we will take a family trip, so it's something to look forward to. We can't wait to have him back."

USS Michael Murphy is named for Lt. (SEAL) Michael P. Murphy, a New York native who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during Operation Red Wing in Afghanistan in 2005. Murphy was the first person to be awarded the medal for actions in Afghanistan, and the first member of the U.S. Navy to receive the award since the Vietnam War.

Michael Murphy is a multi-mission ship with anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare surface combatants capabilities; designed to operate independently or with an associated strike group.

Nimitz to Participate Alongside Canadian, Japanese, other US Ships in Task Group Exercise

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kelly Agee, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Canadian, Japanese and U.S ships will participate

in a U.S. 3rd Fleet-led Task Group Exercise (TGEX) off the coast of Southern California, Oct. 20-31.

The TGEX will serve to train independently-deploying units in air defense, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, and maritime-interdiction operations while building cooperative relationships with partner nations.

Units participating include Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 15, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), guided-missile cruisers USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) and USS Chosin (CG 65), guided-missile destroyers USS Milius (DDG 69), USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), USS Kidd (DDG 100), USS Pinckney (DDG 91) and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), and a submarine, Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigates HMCS Calgary (FFH 335) and HMCS Winnipeg (FFH 338), Kingston-class coastal defense vessels HMCS Brandon (MM 710) and HMCS Yellowknife (MM 706), and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JS) Teruzuki (DD 116).

Simultaneously, CSG 15 will lead and evaluate training across multiple warfare areas for Milius, Paul Hamilton, Fort Worth and Freedom, as these ships will use TGEX as their final opportunity to certify prior to deployment.

Specific events Nimitz will conduct include: flight operations, tracking different ships, conducting underway replenishments, and communications exercises.

"This is an opportunity to test our ability to work in a coalition environment," said Cmdr. Darrell Lewis, future operations officer for Carrier Strike Group 11. "There are some language barriers, and how we do things is slightly different from how the other nations do things. So, we are taking them into our task group and working with them and proving we can do it."

According to Lewis this exercise will benefit new personnel on Nimitz by giving them the chance to experience a more sophisticated level of operations.

"It is going to be a great opportunity," said Lewis. "Everything you do in these exercises you can learn from. It is a taste what it was like during deployment for those people who haven't seen it."

Joint interagency and international relationships strengthen U.S. 3rd Fleet's ability to respond to crises and protect the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners.

Medical Airmen deliver Ebola treatment facility, return to Langley

by Senior Airman Aubrey White
633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

10/21/2014 - JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. --  U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 633rd Medical Group were welcomed home by family and colleagues after supporting humanitarian relief operations in Ebola-stricken African nations, Oct. 20.

While in Africa, the Airmen set up an Expeditionary Medical Support System and trained international healthcare workers on the facility's equipment, in compliance with a Department of State request for a 25-bed deployable hospital facility. According to U.S. Air Force Col. Wayne Pritt, 633rd MDG commander, the facility was the first of its kind erected in-country.

The colonel also said none of the 633rd MDG Airmen worked in contact with Ebola-infected patients during the deployment.

"There was no exposure to Ebola or Ebola patients. In fact, they were strictly segregated from the general population," Pritt explained. "Their risk of Ebola is no known exposure; essentially zero risk."

As soon as the Airmen set foot into USAF Hospital Langley, medical group staff took their temperatures and the Airmen completed symptoms surveys. After the screening, the Airmen were allowed to return home with their loved ones and will continue to be monitored twice a day for the next 21 days, Pritt said.

"I'm very excited [they've returned]," Pritt said. "[The Airmen] are very proud of what they've done. After that long flight they're very tired, but you can see the smiles on their faces. They're so happy to be home and we're so proud of what they did down there."

As of now, the Airmen have not experienced Ebola-related symptoms and are expected to return to duty in the coming days.

Members from 7th AF selected for service-level EWI program

by Master Sgt. Marelise Wood
7th Air Force Public Affairs

10/19/2014 - OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Two members assigned to 7th Air Force have been selected to participate in the Education With Industry program, an Air Force-level developmental education program managed by the Air Force Institute of Technology. 

The program, per its handbook, is a highly-selective and competitive non-degree educational assignment where the member is placed within an industry related to his/her career field.

For Capts. Alyson Busch and Jonathan Walsh, that means an assignment in a civil engineer related field.

Busch is currently the 607th Materiel Maintenance Squadron base civil engineer.  On learning she was eligible to apply for the EWI program for the first time, she jumped at the opportunity.

"Air Force Personnel Center sends out an e-mail with all the special program opportunities available and lists eligible year groups," Busch said. "This year was my first year to be eligible. I looked into it a little bit and decided to apply."

Walsh, currently assigned to the A-Staff, did not pause either when the opportunity presented itself.

"The bulk of my career has been unique ... so, it was right up my alley to do something different," Walsh said.

As selectees to this program, Busch and Walsh can expect to make a permanent change of station move following their time here. They will be assigned to a company for 10 months in which time they will be expected to garner management skills, technical expertise as well as study best practices.

"It's working with our industry partners," Walsh said. "I always like to find better ways of doing things. That is our mission to go into a company and pull out the good things and figure out how to apply them to the Air Force."

Busch is also looking forward to being able to see and make change, but in a different way.

"A lot of these companies are not in areas that have a military presence, so it's also a good opportunity to ... be there representing the Air Force ... to civilians who may never have had any interaction with military personnel," she said. "It's an opportunity for us to be ambassadors for the service."

Busch and Walsh have not yet been notified of what companies they will be assigned to, but they can expect to start their new assignments around late summer of 2015.