Lackland Airman saves man from burning building

by Senior Airman Lynsie Nichols
502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

11/14/2014 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO- LACKLAND, Texas -- Senior Airman Christopher Taylor recently proved an Airman is never off duty.

The Airman, assigned to 802nd Security Forces Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio- Lackland, was getting ready for work on the morning of Nov. 3, when someone started banging on his door and ringing the doorbell repeatedly.

"I went to see what the commotion was about and saw that it was my neighbor from across the street," Taylor said.

The neighbor frantically informed him that their house was on fire and that their disabled uncle was trapped inside.

"When I heard the news, I didn't hesitate," Taylor said. "I had to get in there and save this man."

The moment the Airman entered the house, he was overcome by thick smoke, so he dropped to his knees and started crawling in search of his neighbor's uncle.

"When I found him, he was in the center of the house, approximately 20 feet from the door," he said.

As the fire continued to burn, the selfless Airman only had one thought on his mind, "We were going to get out of there; no one was dying on my watch."

By the time Taylor got the man out of the house and dragged him to safety, the fire department had already been notified and was on their way.

Taylor's husband, James, couldn't be more proud of him.

"Christopher's actions speak much louder than my words, he has always been so selfless," James said. "He didn't stop to think about himself, he just went in to save this man's life."

The man was admitted to the San Antonio Military Medical Complex where he remains for treatment due to minor burns on the left side of his body and severe smoke inhalation.

Lt. Gen. Kwast assumes command of Air University

by Lisa Warr
42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

11/14/2014 - MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala.  -- Lt. Gen. Steven L. Kwast assumed command of Air University from Lt. Gen. David S. Fadok in a change-of-command ceremony Nov. 10 at Maxwell Air Park here.

Gen. Robin Rand, commander of Air Education and Training Command, presided over the ceremony. Rand described AU as not only the "intellectual leadership center of the Air Force," but as the "core of the intellectual leadership center of the world's best Air Force."

Upon assuming command of AU, Kwast became its second president and is responsible for graduating more than 50,000 resident and 120,000 non-resident officer, enlisted and civilian students each year. Additionally, he is responsible for officer accessions through Air Force Officer Training School and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.

"(Kwast) has the strategic and academic credentials to possess the title of president of AU," said Rand. "I have personally witnessed (him) in action, and I am excited about the vision and leadership (he will) provide to AU."

Kwast has served as deputy director for Politico-Military Affairs for Europe, NATO and Russia, Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.; director of Requirements, Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia; director, Air Force Quadrennial Defense Review, Office of the Air Force Assistant Vice Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.; and more recently, commander of the Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education here.

"It is with a humbled heart filled with gratitude that I look forward to serving all of you in this next job," said Kwast.

Kwast described AU as the birthplace of airpower theory and strategy, nuclear deterrence, doctrine and "thinking."

"We have a world in need of a generation of thinkers who can help us solve things in ways that the solutions in the past will not address," he said. "It is time, again, for the present generation of thinkers to innovate our way out of the problems of today and build this nation to a national power that helps us with ideological threats where information is used as a weapon."

Rand described Fadok as a "brilliant senior leader" who has increased AU in its standing as an academic institution, transformed the LeMay Center's wargaming distributed capability, and endorsed legislation that allows separated and retired wounded warriors to remain in Community College of the Air Force student status.


"During Fadok's tenure at AU, he has been extremely active in honoring its heritage and producing our finest senior Air Force leaders, Navy leaders, Marine leaders, Army leaders, civilian leaders and international partner leaders," said Rand.

Fadok attributed the mission of AU and the people who execute that mission as being the two reasons why his job as commander and president of Air University has been the most professionally rewarding job he had in his 32.5 year career in the U.S. Air Force.

"I can't tell you of a better way to wrap up a career as an Airman than to be in a position where you can shape the future of our service that's coming in behind us," said Fadok. "Always remember what you do matters greatly to not just the U.S. Air Force but to this great nation we live in."

Edwards flight test community prepares for federal spectrum auction

by Jet Fabara
412th Test Wing Public Affairs

11/13/2014 - EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Since the rise in demand for commercial spectrum and faster data transfer rates for commercial wireless use, flight testers throughout the country have been working toward solutions to be able to function in line with this compatible growth.

On Nov. 13, the Federal Communications Commission conducted an Advanced Wireless Systems auction, specifically referred to as the AWS-3 auction. According to communications experts, it is reported to be one of the largest and most significant auctions of airwaves with more than 70 companies, consisting of telecommunications companies, smaller carriers, investment firms and private entities, who qualified to bid.

"The FCC is selling off government-only spectrum to facilitate the president's broadband initiatives. This auction is the third auction in the plan to free-up government spectrum for commercial wireless use," said Tim Chalfant, 412th Test Engineering Group Instrumentation chief. "This auction will auction-off 1755-1780 megahertz, among other bands, which is one of the primary bands for aeronautical mobile telemetry used here at the 412th Test Wing."

So what will the current auction mean for the flight test community at Edwards?

"We use [radio frequency] transmissions to display real-time data from the test article into a ground 'mission control room,' such as the control rooms found at Ridley Mission Control Center, to conduct test missions safely and effectively," Chalfant said. "This auction will result in over a 10 percent cut in spectrum available for manned aircraft telemetry. Manned aircraft telemetry is currently restricted to 220 MHz in three primary bands noted as 'L,' 'S,' and 'C' Band. This loss of 25 MHz in L Band cuts our capacity for telemetry to support such programs as the F-35, F-22 and others that rely heavily on the L-Band."

Although Chalfant noted that the auction would reduce spectrum for military aircraft, he said flight testers at Eglin AFB, Fla.; Tyndall AFB, Fla.; Hill AFB, Utah; Nellis AFB, Nev., and Vandenberg AFB, Calif., have been working together to come up with solutions to minimize the impact at the pertinent bases along with all DOD flight test organizations.

"This issue is multi-service, which includes NASA, but telemetry personnel from Edwards and Eglin have been leading the effort with the Air Force Spectrum Management Office and Department of Defense Chief Information Officer on this issue 'historically,'" said Chalfant.

As evidence of the success of this involvement, Chalfant, from Edwards AFB, and Joseph Giangrosso, from Eglin AFB, were recently selected by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to co-chair a working group under the Commence Spectrum Management Advisor Committee.

"Edwards provided telemetry subject matter experts to the Air Force, DOD and to other government agencies as requested. The 412 TW established a Spectrum Encroachment Integrated Product Team under the Systems Engineering Board," added Chalfant. "It consisted of representatives from the 412th TENG Instrumentation and Range and the 412th Communications Squadron. This IPT is also aligned as part of a larger Air Force Test Center Spectrum Encroachment IPT with the 96th Test Wing. This IPT has been working with the Air Force Spectrum Management Office and the DOD CIO for the last 15 years on these issues."

In light of these auctions, Chalfant did, however, note that proceedings from the auction would be used by the 412th Test Wing to mitigate the impact on Edwards test operations from the loss of these bands.

"Our team has done an awesome job, the work of Mr. Ronald Pozmantier, Mr. Robert Selbrede, Mr. Kenneth Temple, and Mr. James Littlefield from Edwards and Mr. Giangrosso, Mr. Nathan King, and Mr. Ronald Higdon from Eglin has been amazing. A lot of effort with little recognition; the true un-sung soldiers of this spectrum auction," added Chalfant.

Hagel Announces Changes to U.S. Nuclear Deterrent Enterprise

By Jim Garamone

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 2014 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has announced a series of measures to increase investment in America’s nuclear deterrent after reviews found evidence of systemic problems in the enterprise.

Hagel announced the changes at a Pentagon press conference today before traveling to Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, to speak with missileers about them.  The changes are the result of internal and external reviews Hagel ordered after a series of Associated Press stories disclosed problems in the nuclear force.

Retired Air Force Gen. Larry D. Welch and retired Navy Adm. John C. Harvey Jr. co-chaired the external review.

Nuclear Arsenal Safe

Hagel prefaced his remarks by assuring Americans that the nuclear arsenal is safe and secure. It can and must be better though, he said. “As long as we have nuclear weapons, we will and we must ensure that they are safe, secure and effective,” Hagel said.

Hagel said underfunding and a focus on two wars allowed the status of the nuclear deterrent to degrade. Service members accomplished the missions in the nuclear enterprise thanks to their own “heroic efforts.”

“The internal and external reviews I ordered show that a consistent lack of investment and support for our nuclear forces over far too many years has left us with too little margin to cope with mounting stresses,” Hagel said.

The reviews found evidence of systematic problems. These include manning, infrastructure and skill deficiencies. The reviews found “a culture of micromanagement and over-inspection,” the secretary said. Finally, the reviews found inadequate communication, follow-up and accountability.

Root Cause

“The root cause has been a lack of sustained focus, attention and resources, resulting in a pervasive sense that a career in the nuclear enterprise offers too few opportunities for growth and advancement,” Hagel said.

The secretary vowed to hold senior leaders accountable to ensure words match actions. “We must change the cultural perception of a nuclear enterprise, which has particularly suffered in the Air Force,” he said. “We must restore the prestige that attracted the brightest minds of the Cold War era, so our most talented young men and women see the nuclear pathway as promising in value.”

As part of this, the commander of the Air Force Global Strike Command will now be elevated to a four-star.

More funding is also crucial. The Air Force established a force improvement program for Global Strike Command and reallocated over $160 million in fiscal 2014 and $150 million in fiscal 2015. These will address some of the most urgent shortfalls. Hagel said missileers had to Fed-Ex a special wrench used in fastening warheads to missiles from base to base.

Some of the money will go to incentive pay for critical nuclear assignments.

Long-term Changes

Long-term changes are on the way, the secretary said. DoD is updating and standardizing inspections. The department wants to eliminate micromanagement, redundancies and administrative burdens that overtax the force and ultimately harm the mission.

“The Navy is reducing administrative distractions and is planning to both hire more than 2,500 workers and overhaul aging infrastructure at public shipyards, strategic weapons facilities and reactor training systems,” the secretary said.

The Air Force is planning construction to improve weapons storage facilities, will replace its Vietnam-era helicopters for ballistic missile security forces and is revamping training, evaluations and management of the nuclear force.

“Both services are elevating and reinforcing the nuclear mission, including in the budget request they’re preparing for fiscal year 2016,” Hagel said. “We will need to make billions of dollars of additional investments in the nuclear enterprise over the next five years.”

The secretary said the services are looking at a 10 percent increase in funding over five years. Today, the U.S. spends about $15 billion to $16 billion on our nuclear enterprise.

Reserve Command senior leaders address issues during Hill visit

419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

11/14/2014 - HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Air Force Reserve Command's top leaders visited the 419th Fighter Wing here last week to learn more about the unit's Total Force partnership with the active duty 388th FW and for an update on the F-35 program, which will be fully online following the delivery of the first aircraft in late 2015.

Lt. Gen. James "JJ" Jackson, chief of Air Force Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command, and Chief Master Sgt. Cameron Kirksey, AFRC command chief, also toured various work areas and held an all call with the wing's personnel to discuss issues affecting the command.

Staff from the 419th FW Public Affairs office sat down with each afterward for a question-and-answer session.

Q&A with Lt. Gen. Jackson:

Q1. You've said that the biggest challenge of your job is making sure the Air Force Reserve story gets out and understood. Why is that so important to you? How can every reservist help tell that story?

A1. A lot of people in the general public, in Congress, and in the active duty don't fully understand how the Air Force Reserve operates or how we're organized. We offer efficient, effective capability and it's crucial we share this message. We have an extremely important mission to provide trained and equipped Citizen Airmen every day. Our 70,000 Citizen Airmen perform the same mission sets and train to the same standard as active duty.

I'd ask that our people educate themselves on our capabilities and mission sets so they can effectively share our story. We have great resources and tools available to our Citizen Airmen to help them do this, such as the AFRC public website, the Air Force Reserve monthly snapshot, unit-level public websites, and our respective Facebook pages to name a few.

Q2. What is the most pressing issue currently facing Air Force Reserve Command?

A2. Our present fiscal constraints and looming budget cuts are the biggest issue facing both AFRC and the Air Force. The Reserve Component has the capability to be a key part of the solution. We're an extremely efficient, cost-effective operational force that offers strategic depth and surge.

Q3. How has Reserve service changed in recent times? How has it changed since you joined in 1992?

A3. Today, Air Force reservists work in every job specialty and mission area. We were originally designed for strategic surges during the Cold War, but the Reserve Components are now relied upon as daily operational forces.

Air Force Reserve Command actually didn't exist back in 1992 when I first became a reservist. AFRC stood up as a MAJCOM in 1997 to take care of the very specific and specialized needs of reservists. We've since established a highly efficient, streamlined footprint for taking care of our members.

Q4. How do you think AFRC and its mission will be different in 5 years? 10 years?

A4. The only sure thing is that we will look different. I think we'll have a slightly smaller Air Force but not significantly. We can look forward to AFRC playing a larger role in Cyberspace, Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance as well as the KC-46 program.

Q5. Hill AFB was selected as an F-35 basing location due in part to the Total Force association between the 419th FW and its active duty counterpart, the 388th FW. Why are these types of partnerships valuable?

A5. Total Force partnerships like the one here at Hill AFB allow us an extremely efficient way to maximize capability for significantly less cost. Also, the high experience levels and continuity of our reservists have tremendous value. We're seeing active duty personnel being trained up faster at associated locations, which impacts and increases overall capability and effectiveness. The quicker buildup to proficiency of these young active duty troops also results in overall cost savings.

Q6. If you could talk face-to-face with every Airman in AFRC, what would you say?

A6. I would ask that they know what we do and to tell our story. We're a diverse and effective MAJCOM with strengths of no other component. We're a crucial piece to the Total Force mix and a solution during these fiscally constrained times. 

With the continuing drawdown of active duty personnel, I'd also encourage our people to help recruit those being affected. We want active duty personnel to know there's a place for them here. The Air Force Reserve is a great option for continued service as we offer a range of flexible statuses in which to serve. We want to capture and retain Airmen for life.


Q&A with Chief Master Sgt. Kirksey:

Q1. Now that you've served as AFRC command chief for a year and a half, can you identify the biggest challenges Air Force reservists face?

A1. Our biggest challenge is communication. I don't think we've cracked the code on how information gets from leaders down to the lowest levels, or from the lowest levels to the top. We're trying to engage leadership to make sure we have an open line of communication, and that Airmen have a platform to voice their concerns.

The next challenge is dealing with the financially constrained environment. People may be wondering what the future holds for them. I encourage people, do not hit the eject button. We're on the cusp of great things that will highlight our skillsets and talents. We're a team - we're going to get through this turbulent time together.

Q2. You've been visiting Reserve units across the command - how is morale among our Airmen?

A2. Surprisingly, morale in the Air Force Reserve is strong. We are a resilient and mature force, and I attribute that to our leadership and to the resolve of our men and women in uniform. There is uncertainty, but our people are fully charged and ready to get out there and do their nation's business.

Q3. How do you see the Reserve Component Periods deployment schedule affecting employer support of reservists?

A3. Every employer is different. Some employers will be able to easily accommodate a 180-day deployment, while others may find it challenging. Nevertheless, the 1:5 dwell gives employers and families more predictability and the ability to make arrangements while that person is deployed. What I've found is that employers are hand over fist supporting our warfighters day in and day out.

Q4. When you became command chief, sexual assault awareness was a top priority. Have you seen any positive changes in the Air Force Reserve?

A4. I have. More and more members have found confidence in the system, that it's working. In large part, we've found the majority of sexual assault cases being reported happened prior to the member coming into the military. But they're coming forward now to get some help because they've been given the opportunity, and that's a positive thing.

Q5. You've said that you prize being a "servant leader." Can you explain that?

A5. Servant leadership, from my perspective, is simply taking care of people. At the end of the day, the members that you serve grant you the authority to be their leader. We sit in positions of authority so we can be that attentive ear, that supporting cast, and make sure we address the concerns of our members. Every day I wake up and I'm stoked to be in a position where I can impact the lives of at least 70,000 Citizen Airmen.

Langley Transit Center welcomes first 90 personnel for controlled monitoring period

by Staff Sgt. Jason J. Brown
633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

11/13/2014 - JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. -- Ninety U.S. Service members arrived at Joint Base Langley-Eustis' Langley Transit Center Nov. 13 to begin a 21-day controlled monitoring period prior to returning to their home stations.

The Service members, which included Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, returned from supporting Operation United Assistance missions combatting the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa. Commanders and fellow Service members greeted the returnees as they arrived as the transit center, congratulating them on a job well done before entering the transit center for in-processing.

Per direction from the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, all military personnel returning to the U.S. from Ebola missions in West Africa will undergo a 21-day controlled monitoring program, where they will be physically separated from family members and the general public.

The 633rd Air Base Wing recently finished preparation at Langley Transit Center, which will provide comfortable accommodations and routine medical check-ups - including twice-daily temperature checks - for the returning members during the controlled monitoring period.

While the returning personnel have no known exposure to Ebola patients, the transit center staff have a robust disease monitoring and mitigation plan in place in the event a Service member exhibits symptoms consistent with Ebola.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Jasamine Pettie, who as "camp mayor" will manage the administrative contingent servicing the transit center, said her top priority is the safety, security and well-being of those undergoing controlled monitoring.

"We're the eyes and ears on the ground. Yes, the personnel are here to be monitored, but we're here to make sure they have what they need to live comfortably," Pettie said. "We're making sure they're prepared, know what to do and who to call in case of an emergency."

No additional Service members will enter monitoring at Langley Transit Center until the current personnel complete the 21-day period and return to their home stations. While no announcement regarding additional returnees to Langley Transit Center has been made, Col. John J. Allen, Jr., JBLE installation commander, said the transit center will remain open to accommodate returning personnel "for as long as necessary."

Barksdale reservist among first to receive Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal

11/14/2014 - BOSSIER CITY, La. (AFNS) -- Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James presented the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal (NDOSM) for the first time to 25 Airmen during Air Force Global Strike Command's 2014 Global Strike Challenge, Nov. 5.

James approved the award in May with the intent of recognizing Airmen for their contributions to the nation's strategic objectives in nuclear deterrence. She presented the medals after her speech during day two of the symposium, held at the Bossier Civic Center, Bossier City, Louisiana.

During her speech, James said she has visited 49 bases around the world in her first 10 months as secretary, but there are a few specific locations that stick with her.

"I've had a special place in my heart and in my travel plans for our Air Force Global Strike bases since almost my first day on the job," James said. "This week's challenge demonstrates your dedication, skill, and passion for the mission ... the same passion and skill I saw when I visited your bases earlier this year. There is no mission more important to our nation's security than the nuclear mission."

Addressing a crowd of 800 command competitors, Airmen and symposium attendees, James talked about perseverance and facing adversity. Like in any endeavor, success doesn't come easy -- it's what comes after that's important, she said.

"The example you've set over the last year shows Airmen across the service -- in the Combat Air Forces, the Mobility Air Forces, in space and cyberspace -- that overcoming adversity really is a step on the path to success," James continued.

In recognition of AFGSC Airmen and their exceptional contributions to national defense, 25 medals were awarded, with the remainder to follow in the spring.

"I am very honored and feel privileged to receive this award because I really love being in missiles," said Staff Sgt. Amber Moore, a missile chef in the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Montana. "It's been nothing but an honor serving with maintenance teams, missileers and the cops as well. This is a huge deal for me."

In the mind of one Airman, the new medal is part of a larger effort to affect change within the nuclear enterprise culture.

"It's exciting. It's one of the steps in creating a new culture among missileers and anyone associated with missiles, reinvigorating our mission and what we do for America," said 1st Lt. Carolyn Hockaday, a missile combat crew commander with the 490th Missile Squadron, also at Malmstrom AFB. "Without us and the rest of the triad, America wouldn't be as safe."

Medal recipients represented a variety of career fields eligible to receive the decoration.

The following Airmen, who represent the active-duty, Air National Guard and Reserve forces, received the first medals:

From Minot AFB, North Dakota

· 1st Lt. Victoria Fort, an combat crew instructor, representing nuclear and missile operations, 91st Missile Wing

· Staff Sgt. Brett Jordan, a B-52 dedicated crew chief, representing bomber crew chiefs, 5th Bomb Wing

· Airman 1st Class Robert Cook, a maps technician, representing missile and space system maintenance, 91st Missile Wing

· Staff Sgt. Kamuela Kalilikane, a facility maintenance team training instructor, representing missile and space facilities, 91st Missile Wing

· Tech. Sgt. Matthew Westad, a group facility maintenance instructor, representing facility managers, 91st Missile Wing

· Capt. Clyde Vickery, the chief of standardization and evaluation, representing rescue pilots, 91st Missile Wing

From F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming

· Capt. Dan Cook, an intercontinental ballistic missile launch combat crew commander, nuclear and missile operations, 90th Missile Wing

· Capt. David Skelly, an aircraft commander, representing rescue pilots, 90th Missile Wing

· Airman Riley Borges, a response force member, representing security forces, 90th Missile Wing

· Airman 1st Class Joseph Tucker, a maps technician, representing missile and space system maintenance, 90th Missile Wing

From Malmstrom AFB, Montana

· 1st Lt. Carolyn Hockaday, an OSS instructor, representing nuclear and missile operations, 341st Missile Wing

· Tech. Sgt. Christopher Zachary, an electrical maintenance technician quality assurance evaluator, representing missile and space systems electronic maintenance, 341st Missile Wing

· Staff Sgt. Amber Moore, representing missile chefs, 341st Missile Wing

· Airman 1st Class Andrew Matthews, a nuclear weapons technician, representing nuclear weapons career field, 341st Missile Wing

· Staff Sgt. Bob Kohlenberg, an instructor flight engineer/scheduling non-commissioned officer, representing special mission aviation, 341st Missile Wing

From Whiteman AFB, Missouri

· Airman 1st Class Jeremiah Neer, a weapons maintenance team member, representing nuclear weapons career field, 509th Bomb Wing

· Staff Sgt. Cole Miller, a command post controller, representing command post controllers, 131st Bomb Wing, Air National Guard

From Barksdale AFB, Louisiana

· Capt. Mehul Brahmbhatt, an executive officer, representing bomber navigators, 2nd Bomb Wing

· Tech. Sgt. Erin Bernik, a squadron lead crew member, 2 man, representing aircraft armament, 307th Bomb Wing, Air Force Reserve.

· Staff Sgt. Nicole Cowles, a Personnel Reliability Program medical records technician, representing medical support staff, 2nd Bomb Wing

· Tech. Sgt. Jessica Chebaro, a strategic logistics planner, representing logistic planners, 608th Strategic Operations Squadron, 8th Air Force

· Master Sgt. Janie Rodriguez, an NCO in charge, security forces training, standards and evaluation, representing security forces, Air Force Global Strike Command

· Tech. Sgt. Crystal Velez-Greenhill, a quality assurance manager, representing financial management and comptrollers, Air Force Global Strike Command

· Staff Sgt. Giavonia Fields, an NCO in charge, headquarters Air Force Global Strike Command commander support staff, representing personnel

· Maj. Raymundo Vann, a nuclear and missile operations lead, representing nuclear and missile operations, Air Force Global Strike Command

This medal is awarded in recognition of the special trust and responsibility placed upon AFGSC Airmen as they perform nuclear deterrence operations, providing safe, secure and effective deterrence for our nation, with the most powerful weapons in the nation's arsenal.

Robins C-130 team honored for distinguished performance

by Jenny Gordon
78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

11/6/2014 - ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- When a bleed air duct exploded involving a major weapon system at Robins earlier this year, several people assigned to the 560th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron offered their expertise to quickly solve the problem.

Because of their dedication, the nine civilians were honored with an Air Force Civilian Achievement Medal Oct. 23, presented by Brig. Gen. Walter Lindsley, Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex commander.

The citation stated that from "March 15 to April 12, 2014, their in-depth systems knowledge and vast C-130 expertise proved to be invaluable when a C-130 aircraft encountered a bleed air duct failure during an engine run-up operation.

"Their leadership and decisive actions enabled immediate aircraft and engine shutdown and safe evacuation of four personnel, which prevented fiberglass dust created by the mishap from being ingested."

David "Opie" Hurst, C-130 Functional Test Flight chief, said, "The actions of these maintainers helped prevent catastrophic damage from occurring in flight, eliminating the potential for aircraft damage or injury to our Airmen."

The team includes Brad Cantrell and Brian Hall, work leads; and Jedidiah Broussard, Philippe Campos, Joseph Cates, Craig Coates, Nathan Horn, Dean Huber and Dennis Schmidt, aircraft mechanics.

Face of Defense: Airman from Iraq Earns Citizenship Through Service

By Senior Airman Sarah Hall-Kirchner

375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill., Nov. 14, 2014 – Theo Shakir grew up in a very different landscape compared to the life he wakes up to now. He hasn't always been an Air Force biomedical equipment technician and he hasn't always been a citizen of the United States.

His life changed dramatically in 2005, when he and his family departed from their unravelling native country. “I am originally from Baghdad, Iraq,” said the airman 1st class. “My first language is Arabic.”

Shakir’s family worked for the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, and when his uncle was assassinated, his family left the same week. They took only luggage and left their cars and home behind. He also had to say goodbye to his grandfather, who refused to leave the country and wouldn't let the family stay.

“The worst part was having my family separate at that moment in time, because I lost two people within a week,” Shakir recalled.

Shakir joined the Air Force in January 2013 to gain experience and discipline finally gaining U.S. citizenship through his service Oct. 17.

“It was a pretty straight forward process,” he said. “The only trouble I had was starting the process over three times. The first time I started I was a civilian and the second time I was in technical training for my job and I was not allowed to complete the process. The third time was the time that actually worked.”

He then took part in a citizenship ceremony attended by his coworkers and friends from the 375th Medical Support Squadron.

“The most rewarding part of obtaining my citizenship was being welcomed and supported by my shop and leadership,” Shakir said.

His entire shop has been behind him in becoming an American and his supervisor said he is proud of his airman's accomplishment.

“We are very proud of him for getting his citizenship,” said Tech. Sgt. Joshua Smith, a 375th MDSS medical maintenance NCO in-charge. “Going to the citizenship ceremony was eye-opening. None of us had ever seen a citizenship ceremony before. There were a lot of people there that were so grateful to obtain their citizenship, something we take for granted.”

Shakir now has a new place to call home.

“My favorite thing about obtaining my citizenship has been the security that comes with it,” he said. “Where I am from, the lack of security is why we move around. Now I don't have to move around anymore. I also love the idea of this country, a place where you can make your own name, no one is above the law, and everyone has the same fair shot at life. All are equal.”