Picking up where CENTAM SMOKE left off

by Tech. Sgt. Heather Redman
Joint Task Force-Bravo Public Affairs Office

12/4/2014 - SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras  -- Firefighters from the 612th Air Base Squadron's Fire Emergency Services facilitated the El Salvador's Autonomous Executive Port Commission airport firefighter live-fires for 12 firefighters, Dec. 3.

The Salvadoran airport firefighters are required to have their qualifications completed annually on their ability to control a live-fire.  The evaluation and qualification, although held at Soto Cano Air Base, is not provided by the members of the base fire department.

"Holding the live-fires here at Soto Cano AB, works out well for everyone involved," said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Steven O'Connell, 612th Air Base Squadron fire chief.  "They use the same equipment we do, so there is no teaching or training necessary.  The only thing we have to provide is the self-contained breathing apparatus, firefighting equipment, and live-fires.  The Salvadorans provide their own internal validation of their airport firefighter skills."

The idea to hold the live-fires here at Soto Cano AB came last year during the CENTAM SMOKE exercise.  The Central America Sharing Mutual Operational Knowledge and Experiences, or CENTAM SMOKE, allows multi-national firefighters from around Central America four days of team-building exercises. 

"During the CENTAM SMOKE exercise, the Salvadoran firefighters noticed we had a lot of the same equipment that they use for their yearly live-fires," added O'Connell.  "Previously they were traveling to Brazil which was costing their country over $140,000 to get everyone qualified.  Now they're saving nearly $100,000 in training costs with virtually no cost to us.  The only thing we are supplying is our time."

Not only do the live-fires help assist El Salvador in achieving their annual firefighting qualification, it also helps strengthen relationships between the U.S. and El Salvador.

"Events like this make a dramatic impact with our relationship with El Salvador," said O'Connell.  "This is really about continuing to build a strong relationship with our partner nations, while helping them achieve their training needs."

"This is the third time I've helped facilitate live-fires like this.  We did them a lot during my previous deployment," said U.S. Air Force Senior Amn. Christian Mejia, 612th Air Base Squadron firefighter.  "It's always a lot of fun to interact with people from other countries.  It's an opportunity to share our different techniques with each other."

Another certification session will be held from Dec. 15-18.

Face of Defense: Soldier’s Daughter Helps People in Need

By Michele Vowell

Fort Campbell Courier

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky., Dec. 4, 2014 – For Lilly Bradley, the thought of children not having presents to open on Christmas morning was a sad reality that she wanted to change for at least a few youngsters.

The 6-year-old daughter of Erin and Army Spc. Adam Bradley gave 100 underprivileged children across the globe a gift to open Dec. 25. Her father is assigned to 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division here.

The gifts were 100 red and green shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies and candy through Operation Christmas Child. Operation Christmas Child is a charity coordinated through Samaritan’s Purse, a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world.

“One hundred glue sticks, 100 pencils, 100 of everything,” Lilly said, smiling, as she described some of the contents contained in the shoeboxes.

Lemonade Stand Becomes Charitable Project

The charitable project started out as a simple lemonade stand in front of Lilly’s Fort Campbell home in June, her mother, Erin Bradley, said.

“I told them they needed to make a goal for how much they wanted to make,” Lilly’s mother said. “Their goal would depend on what they wanted the money for. Did she want to save up and buy something or did she want to donate it to charity?”

Afterward, Erin Bradley gave her daughter a few examples of charities. Lilly chose Operation Christmas Child.

“I think her biggest thing was thinking about kids not having presents on Christmas,” Lilly’s mother said. “She had mentioned that once -- that it would be really sad to wake up on Christmas and not have any presents.”

With her charitable goal in mind, Lilly -- with help from her younger sisters, Layla, 4, and Audriana, 2 -- made gallons of lemonade and sold cookies at about 20 lemonade stands throughout the summer. Erin Bradley said the trio raised about $350 for their efforts.

Bake Sale, Local Donations Help Fund Project

The Bradleys established a Go Fund Me account, where Lilly received several donations from family and friends. They held a bake sale at their church, Trenton Assembly of God, as well.

Through the account and bake sale, Lilly raised about $825 -- the bulk of which was used for shipping charges. Each box ships for $7.

Additionally, a few local businesses donated some of the contents, like toothbrushes.

“She wanted to add a toothbrush and toothpaste to every one so that children could brush their teeth,” Erin Bradley said. “She loves to brush her teeth.”

With her mother’s savvy shopping advice, Lilly was able to make every dollar count when buying the supplies for the boxes.

“I taught her how to spend the money that she made,” Erin Bradley said. “We got a lot of the school supplies when they were on sale.”

Gift Boxes Packing Party

After purchasing the supplies, Lilly had a packing party with her friends to fill each box with a variety of items appropriate for girls and boys, mostly ages 2 to 4 and 5 to 9, as designated by the charity.

“Baby dolls and books and toothbrushes and soap and washcloths and highlighters and pens, coloring pages and that’s all,” Lilly said, listing some more contents of the boxes. In addition to the gifts, Lilly included a photo of herself and a letter -- typed by her mom -- to each shoebox recipient.

“I had so much fun making your box of presents for you, I really hope that you like them!” the letter said.

The Bradleys delivered the 100 shoeboxes to Liberty Chapel here Nov. 18. The chapel staff will send the boxes forward to Samaritan’s Purse distributors.

“What she did was so remarkable,” said Army Chaplain (Col.) Terry Austin, the garrison chaplain. “It was a sustained effort ever since June to do lemonade stands and organize a task force to get all the stuff together and packed and ready for shipment. She did 18-year-old work at 6 years old. [She] inspired me and I hope that it inspires others to do more for others who are underprivileged.”

In addition to helping others, Erin Bradley said she hopes that this project taught Lilly some valuable lessons that she’ll use the rest of her life.

“Originally there was no intent other than just having a fun lemonade stand, but she ended up getting lessons on having a business, running it and how to buy your supplies from your profits. She learned how to spend money and count money,” Lilly’s mother said. “She also learned a lot about hospitality and giving and community. I hope that she … just know[s] that she did make a difference for other kids.”

Search continues for missing Airman in Guam

By Air Force News Service, / Published December 03, 2014

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFNS) -- An Airman who has been missing since Dec. 1 has been identified as Airman Alec M. Dye.

Dye was deployed to Andersen Air Force Base from the 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, and was last seen near Tarague Beach, Guam.

The Guam Police Department Marine Unit, U.S. Navy Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two-Five, Guam Fire Rescue, Coast Guard Station Apra Harbor and Coast Guard Cutter WASHINGTON are on scene and conducted searches in and around the area on land and sea.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Airman Dye and his family and friends,” said Col. Tyrell Chamberlain, the 36th Wing vice commander. “Emergency responders from across the island are continuing to work around the clock to return him to his family and wingmen.”

More information will be released about the search as it becomes available.

USS Arizona Survivors Return to Hawaii

By Brandon Bosworth, Assistant Editor, Ho'okele

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Four Sailors who were serving on the USS Arizona during the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor returned and visited the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickham (JBPHH) Dec. 2.

Upon arrival, survivors John Anderson, Louis Conter, Donald Stratton, and Lauren Bruner were piped aboard and saluted by an honor guard of service members from several branches of the armed services while the Pacific Fleet Band played patriotic music.

Lt. Cmdr. Alex Torres, assigned to JBPHH, was the lead coordinator for the ceremony. It was his second time serving in this capacity.

"I was in charge last year and was asked to do it again this year," he said. "I feel very privileged."

Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Leszek Romero, also assigned to JBPHH, was the one to actually pipe the Arizona survivors aboard.

"This is an amazing honor," he said. "These men are definitely part of one of the greatest generations."

Romero, a native of Honduras, joined the U.S. Navy Sept. 11, 2001 and credits men like the ones being honored for inspiring him to enlist.

After the arrival ceremony, the four veterans participated in a press conference. They spoke of their experiences and answered questions from the audience. Many people said they were impressed that four men in their 90s could make such a long, exhausting trip, to which Stratton simply replied, "Everybody has to be someplace."

This year marks the 73rd anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. It is also be the final year the USS Arizona Reunion Association will hold an official reunion. On Dec. 7, the survivors will mark the occasion by holding a ceremony aboard the USS Arizona Memorial when they will pour a "final toast" to their shipmates.

The four survivors said they were confident that they would have another reunion in the future, official or not.

"I don't think this will be our last one," said Conter. "We still have some time to go."