F-35 arrival ignites memories for retired fighter pilot

by Staff Sgt. Luther Mitchell Jr.
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

12/5/2014 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- F-15 pilot training began at Luke Air Force Base 40 years ago. With the arrival of the F-35, one retired fighter pilot reflects on his time as an F-15 Strike Eagle test pilot at Luke and his vision for the future of the Air Force.

"The F-15 was a great advancement in technology and performance in every respect," said retired Col. Richard Toliver, author and motivational speaker. "We made a quantum-jump with the F-15 in 1973. Today, young pilots are flying the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter. As a retired fighter pilot, I'm delighted to see our country continue to advance in technology to ensure our young men and women are provided the best equipment and capabilities to do the mission of the Air Force and the country."

Toliver began his career during the Civil Rights Movement, a turbulent time in American history. He received his commission from Tuskegee University, Alabama, and trained with the original Tuskegee Airmen.

He served two combat tours piloting the F-4 Phantom II during the Vietnam War and returned home to begin fighter weapons school, eventually becoming one of very few African American instructor pilots for the F-4.

During his time in Vietnam, Toliver learned that America was lacking in air power and yearned for a way to improve America's warfighting capabilities.

"It didn't take long flying combat missions to realize we were woefully short of aircraft performance and weapons against the Russians," Toliver said. "So when I came home from Vietnam in 1973, I got involved in testing and development to improve our capabilities."

Toliver's reputation as a fighter pilot and instructor while stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, earned him a spot on a six-man team that was sent to Luke AFB to begin testing the Air Force's newest fighter jet of its time -- the F-15.

"My combat record, experience and qualifications made me competitive, and I was one of six pilots selected to test the F-15 out of 5,700 pilots," Toliver said. "Being an African American was significant to being part of the F-15 training program at Luke."

Toliver is glad that Luke continues to be a home for ensuring America's freedom by training the world's greatest fighters.

"The requirement for the precise, effective application of power hasn't changed and this is what the F-35 will enable the young men and women of tomorrow to do," Toliver said. "We need to be able to meet the threat, whatever it is, and the key is having second-to-none capabilities in aircraft, equipment and people."

Toliver's career has been about serving his country and making sure Americans are ready to win future wars, he said. Knowing your past is also part of knowing where you are going, and this has been part of his career and his vision for Luke's future.

"We have done this at Luke for many generations, going back to World War II," he said. "There is a great history here at Luke. There is so much to gain in knowing the experience of those who paved the way before you. It motivates you, encourages you and helps you along."

Toliver is still part of the Luke family and has been invited on base as a motivational speaker. He is the author of two books and was at the presentation of the Red Tail aircraft by the 944th Fighter Wing during the Tuskegee Airmen convention. He recently spoke as a guest speaker for a graduating class of pilots at the 309th Fighter Squadron.

Toliver's formula for success is simple.

"When these young men and women leave here they have to be cocky in their minds, confident and believe that they can take on the world," he said. "They should think 'I have the best aircraft in the world, the best training and experience, and I am ready to go' because that is what ultimately wins when it's time to fight."

Luke changes refueling truck color, mitigates F-35 shutdowns

by Staff Sgt. Luther Mitchell Jr.
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

12/5/2014 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- The 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron recently added a new fuel truck to its fleet designed to improve mission effectiveness and safety on the flightline.

It's not really a new fuel truck, but an old fuel truck with its tank painted white. Affectionately called "Big Green" by LRS Airmen, the new white tank requires a little getting used to. The reason for the white paint job? It will keep fuel in the tankers cooler.

"We painted the refuelers white to reduce the temperature of fuel being delivered to the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter," said Senior Airman Jacob Hartman, 56th LRS fuels distribution operator. "The F-35 has a fuel temperature threshold and may not function properly if the fuel temperature is too high, so after collaborating with other bases and receiving waiver approval from AETC, we painted the tanks white."

The positive benefits the 56th LRS hopes for is no delay in aircraft take-offs, maintaining mission sorties and ensuring pilots meet training requirements.

"It ensures the F-35 is able to meet its sortie requirements," said Chief Master Sgt. Ralph Resch, 56th LRS fuels manager. "We are taking proactive measures to mitigate any possible aircraft shutdowns due to high fuel temperatures in the future."

The squadron adopted the idea after it was first implemented at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

In the summer months here at Luke, temperatures can reach beyond 110 degrees. Painting the tanks white now will help prevent fuel stored in the tanks from over-heating, but LRS Airmen have a long-term goal for the future.

"This is the short-term goal to cool the fuel for the F-35, however, the long-term fix is to have parking shades for the refuelers," Resch said.

What makes the white paint so special? It is solar polyurethane enamel that reflects the heat of the sun's rays. Interestingly, after dropping off the first truck to be painted, the 56th LRS learned it is not the color that reflects the heat, but the second reflective coating.

With this new information, the 56th LRS is working to see if they can paint the trucks green and still see a reduction in fuel temperatures.

"The painting process is a two-part process, and the second part is the reflective process," said Master Sgt. Joseph Maurin, 56th LRS fuels distribution NCO in charge. "The painter said it did not have to be a white color, so we are going to send one of the four vehicles to get painted green, if possible. We will then compare temperatures between the green and white trucks."

Luke's refuelers are also deployable. A white fuel truck would stick out like a sore thumb down range, so the 56th LRS is hopeful the tanks can be painted green and still keep fuel temperatures down.

"These trucks are deployable and the F-35 is too, so having an olive drab truck in a forward location is a lot better than having a white truck," Resch said.

The 56th LRS has been approved to paint four trucks at a cost of $3,900 per truck. It takes about a week to complete a truck.

Even though the trucks might stand out in the yard amongst the Airmen, it hasn't affected the way the 56th LRS does business.

"We still do business the same here," Maurin said. "However, because we are used to calling our refueler Big Green, the white tank has been difficult to get used to."

Chief serves beyond active-duty

by Staff Sgt. Staci Miller
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

12/5/2014 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- John Burden retired as a chief master sergeant more than 18 years ago, but he never stopped serving his country and community.

"As I was parking at the Veteran's Association clinic, I saw a gentleman across the street get out of an old rickety van," Burden said. "He was an amputee on crutches and struggling to get his old beat-up wheelchair out of the back."

Burden parked and immediately walked over to help a fellow veteran.

"To be honest, his wheelchair belonged inside of a garbage can," Burden said. "I said to him, 'Wouldn't you like to have a better wheelchair?' He looked at me and told me there was no way he could afford a new one. So, I told him I knew I guy who could help him out."

Burden is the Disabled American Veteran's northern district commander for the state of Arizona, overseeing eight chapters and serving more than 12,000 veterans.

At the time, he had eight wheel chairs in his garage, donated to the DAV to give to needy veterans. A few days later, Burden and a fellow DAV chapter member drove to the veteran's house.

"We knocked on his door and presented him with his new wheelchair," Burden said. "He really caught me off guard when he started crying. As tough as I think I am, I might have shed a tear with him."

The DAV is an all-volunteer organization which receives no government funding.

"I got compensated that day, right here," Burden said as he pointed to his heart. "That's why I do the things I do. I get passionate about taking care of folks."

A 30-year veteran, he began his military career September of 1966. During the height of the Cold War, he spent three years at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, before being stationed at Luke Air Force Base as an aircraft fuel systems specialist. He spent less than a year here before moving on to his next duty station.

Thereafter, he served in Ohio, Arkansas, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Maine, Nebraska, Germany and California.

He finished his career at the Air Force Space Command Headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Burden retired in 1996 as a command chief master sergeant with 16 years of first sergeant experience.

"Being a first sergeant was a great thing," Burden said. "Being able to help people makes my day."

He moved back to Arizona 12 years later.

"I fell in love with the Valley back in the 60s," he said. "I always knew I would eventually move back."

His community involvement to his adopted state is vast. At Luke, he is a legislative trustee for the Air Force Sergeants Association, Chapter 1260, and a member of the Western Maricopa County Association of Realtors, which helps keep veterans aware of housing issues. He also works as a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker in Surprise where he specializes in active retirement living communities.

"Working in real estate gives me another way to help the military," Burden said. "It gives me insight into the housing industry and allows me to help as members move in and out of the community."

All of Burden's efforts haven't gone unnoticed.

He was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in recognition of his service to his fellow veterans and community members Oct. 24.

"I always say it comes down to these three words -- service before self," he said.

Nellis Airman powered by innovation

by Airman 1st Class Mikaley Towle
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

12/5/2014 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Last December, certain variants of the F-16 Fighting Falcon had their ejection seat's oxygen system modified, which created a new requirement for oxygen bottle testing.

This new change improved overall pilot safety, but also brought with it a hefty price tag -- which inspired one Nellis AFB Airman to submit an idea to the Airmen Powered by Innovation program.

While on the job, Master Sgt. Shane Sneary, 57th Maintenance Group Air Force Repair Enhancement Program manager, noticed the ejection seat's oxygen bottles were being replaced when they were due for testing because the base did not have the capability to conduct the test -- which occurs approximately every five years -- at a price tag of $1,400 to $1,800 each, so he sought out a Las Vegas-based company to help keep the bottles serviceable much longer.

"Most Air Force bases don't have the capability to afford this test, but this is considerably cheaper than the alternative of buying a new bottle," Sneary said. "My idea has the potential to save a few hundred thousand dollars every five years. This affects us locally because we were waiting on the manufacturer to supply us with the bottles, but it took a while due to the long wait time.

"I've implemented a second process at Nellis AFB," he continued, "that allows us to stockpile freshly tested bottles so that when they're due, the unit can just come and get a freshly tested bottle and not have to wait that extra time."

As Nellis AFB's AFREP manager, Sneary's job is to help maintenance units on the flightline fulfill their mission needs by repairing inoperable aircraft parts, so he's no stranger to saving the Air Force money.

"Sneary's Regulated Emergency Oxygen System, or REOS, bottle idea submission will provide substantial savings in the F-16 Fighting Falcon, Block 50 model maintenance costs," said Sean McCully, 99th Force Support Squadron Airmen Powered by Innovation program manager.

"His proactive approach, thorough research and coordination with the Air Combat Command and F-16 Fighting Falcon engineers led to the approval of testing the REOS bottles," said McCully. "Individuals like Sneary conceiving money-saving ideas continue to support the Air Force's Airmen Powered by Innovation program."

Sneary is one of many Airmen who have submitted ideas they think will help save the Air Force money.

"I think the API is a great program that provides the opportunity for Airmen at every level to submit their ideas," said Sneary. "I think it's important because my idea was very small, though now it has an effect on the entire Air Force. That just goes to show that any Airman can submit a small idea and it can turn into something very big. Every little change matters and it has a great effect on the mission."

The API program came online in April this year and has received and reviewed more than 2,400 ideas. The program's aim is to turn Airmen's ideas into real cost savings for the Air Force.

According to Air Force News Services, "Airmen Powered by Innovation, or API, will replace three existing Air Force 'good idea' programs - the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness, Productivity Enhancing Capital Investment, and Best Practices programs - and expand the role of Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century."

Face of Defense: ‘Trees for Troops’ Spreads Holiday Cheer

By Army Sgt. Daniel Schroeder

5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash., Dec. 5, 2014 – Every year around the holidays, some families experience added stress. Maybe because of visiting relatives, finding the last gift, or cooking for dozens. But for some on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, one stress that is avoided is the buying of a Christmas tree.

Service members and their families arrived at the Northwest Adventure Center on North Fort here to claim a free Christmas tree during this year’s “Trees for Troops” event Dec. 3.

Trees Bring Holiday Cheer

The program is designed to bring holiday cheer to military families by providing a free tree, symbolizing a touch of home, to deployed soldiers and help their families share memories of Christmas, said Laura Lad, director of Outdoor Recreation at the Northwest Adventure Center.

“It felt good to get a Christmas tree,” said Air Force Airman 1st Class Taylor Walker, 627th Airbase Group. “The pressure of paying for a tree is gone so now I can get more into the holiday spirit by decorating it.”

For the families who did not receive a tree on Dec. 3, they received a voucher to come back on Dec. 10 when the next shipment of trees is scheduled to arrive. After the families redeem their vouchers and receive their tree, the remaining trees will be available to any family in the pay grades of E-1 to E-5.

National Program

“Trees for Troops” became a national program in 2005 when the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, a charitable organization of the National Christmas Tree Association, unified the individual programs of tree growers and state Christmas Tree Associations. The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation partnered with the FedEx Corporation to ship the Christmas trees from the tree growers and have them delivered to military bases.

Walker was one of hundreds of service members who experienced the joy of a free Christmas tree. If the service member was not available to claim a tree for his or her family, military spouses could pick up the tree with their own ID card.

“This program is awesome,” said Haley Rodriguez, a military spouse who arrived with her daughter to pick up their tree. “They made it convenient for the spouse to come and pick up the tree when the soldier couldn’t. It also helped take of some stress off of trying to buy a tree.”

Troop Morale Booster

Through the cool, brisk air, Rodriguez, Walker and hundreds others left with a free tree and smiling faces.

“It felt great to give trees to the troops,” Lad said. “The program has been going strong for 11 years at the Northwest Adventure Center and longer with the [Morale, Welfare and Recreation office]. Not only is this a great morale booster, but [it’s] a great way to show appreciation for what the soldiers do every day.”

Last year, the base received approximately 800 trees from the program, which were all gone in two and a half days. This year, the base will have more than 1,000 trees to provide to service members.

“The Christmas tree is a symbol to gather around during Christmas,” Rodriguez said. “It wouldn’t feel like home without a Christmas tree; it brings it all together.”

PMEL vital to AF mission

by Senior Airman Grace Lee
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

12/5/2014 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- To begin training the world's greatest F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter pilots here at Luke, working jets are necessary. To have jets that work, Airmen who are maintenance and repair experts are needed to take care of the jets. Airmen who fix the jets need tools that are in working order, and that's where precision measurement equipment laboratory Airmen step in.

"We calibrate equipment for just about everyone on base, not just for maintenance," said Tech. Sgt. Javario Mathis, 56th Component Maintenance Squadron PMEL section chief. "Basically, if the job takes any type of quantitative measurement or reading, they usually have equipment that's calibrated by us. For example, when you go stand on the scale for your physical fitness test, you know that number is accurate because we calibrated that scale."

The types of tools PMEL calibrates include those that work in the areas of fuel flow, air flow, pressure, torque, force and voltage, Mathis said.

PMEL Airmen also calibrate torque wrenches, pressure gauges, weights, as well as the scales Office of Special Investigations uses to weigh evidence.

To ensure all equipment is calibrated efficiently, PMEL has three primary sections.

"The first section is the physical dimensional section, which does measurements including linear, pressure, torque, force and optics measurements," Mathis said.

"The second is the direct current and low frequency section, which deals with voltage, current or electricity. The last is the wave-form analysis and signal generation section, which handles anything that creates or measures a signal."

PMEL Airmen have many tools or "standards" they use to ensure everything is accurately calibrated.

"The standards we use are four times more accurate than our customer's equipment," Mathis said. "Our standards are also traceable back to the Air Force Primary Standards Laboratory and to the National Institute of Standards and Technology."

Without PMEL the Air Force mission could not go on.

"Say maintainers are pressurizing the tires on an F-35 to make sure they're inflated properly, if the pressure gauge they're using isn't calibrated correctly, it can cause the tire to be overinflated which can cause blowouts," said Senior Airman Jacob Gagnon, 56th CMS PMEL journeyman. "We are vital to the Air Force mission because we impact almost every type of equipment that is used to get the mission done."

Airborne brigade welcomes new commander

by Army Staff Sgt. Daniel Love
4/25th IBCT Public Affairs

12/5/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Army Col. Scott Green assumed command of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division from the outgoing commander, Col. Matthew McFarlane, during a change-of-command ceremony Nov. 26 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

Army Maj. General Michael Shields, U.S. Army Alaska commanding general, described the conditions in which McFarlane took control of the brigade.

"This was a brigade built for war," Shields said. "The Spartans had just returned from their third deployment in only seven years of existence. His mission was to reset, rebuild and refocus a team freshly returned from combat in Afghanistan. He's done that and more. It is now the most operational, versatile, and active unit in the Army."

Shields listed 14 places among four continents in which the brigade operated in the last year.

"The Spartans are truly ambassadors for our nation, building trust and reassurance across the Pacific," Shields said. "Under [McFarlane's] leadership, the 4th of the 25th was continuously marked by excellence. Your energetic style of leadership allowed this brigade to exceed all expectations over the past two years."

McFarlane thanked all the leaders in the 4/25, from top to bottom.

"I loved serving in the Spartan Brigade because of the people," McFarlane said. "The very special people of all ranks, of all types, of various backgrounds with a sense of service to their country. You are the reason I love to serve. Not only do you make our military better every day, you have made me a better person. For that, I am grateful."

Lastly, McFarlane thanked his wife, Kelly, for her lifelong commitment and continued support.

McFarlane gave the incoming commander and his wife, Karla, his best wishes as he stepped away and relinquished command of the brigade.
McFarlane will take the position of executive officer of U.S. Army Forces Command in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Green took a moment to address the 4/25 IBCT's paratroopers and their families and friends.

"As I look across this formation I'm reminded what the Spartan king, Agesilaus, said when he was asked why Sparta had no walls in a time when cities used walls for defense," Green said. "He pointed to his men in full armor and replied, 'These are the walls of Sparta.' Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and among the many things I'm thankful for, I'm immensely thankful to have the opportunity to serve as your commander and I'm honored to stand in your ranks."

The ceremony concluded a series of change-of-command ceremonies hosted within the brigade during the last several days, which saw four of its battalion's receive new commanders.

The brigade will continue to focus its attention on fulfilling its mission as the only airborne brigade in the Pacific Theater.

Air Force makes strides in combating sexual assault

By Staff Sgt. Torri Ingalsbe, Air Force Public Affairs Agency, Operating Location – P

Published December 04, 2014

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Eight-hundred fewer Active-Duty Airmen experienced some form of unwanted sexual contact in fiscal year 2014 than in fiscal 2012, and 500 more Airmen reported the crime over the same period.

This data was part of a report provided to the President, Dec. 2, that summarizes the progress the Department of Defense and all the services have made in eliminating sexual assault in the DOD over the past three years.

“The increase in the reporting shows us that victims are more comfortable coming forward, and believe they will get the services they need to recover from the trauma” said Maj. Gen. Gina Grosso, the director of Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response.

A sexual assault report does not automatically trigger an investigation. Victims who choose to file a restricted report can get the care to help them cope with the crime, and the sexual assault response coordinator will assist them in getting any desired assistance. Unrestricted reports also provide care and assistance to a victim, while automatically launching a criminal investigation by The Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Victims can always seek care from a medical provider without triggering any kind of report.

“We strongly believe in victim’s choice,” Grosso said. “Victims always have voice and choice when seeking care after an assault. We want all victims to get the help they want and need and should never be pressured into filing one kind of report over another.”

She attributes the decrease in prevalence and increase in reporting to the culture change within the Air Force toward sexual assault, particularly at the commander level.

“Leadership involvement at every level the past three years has resulted in fewer sexual assault incidents and more victims reporting the crime,” Grosso said. “However, we still have work to do.”

Providing a robust sexual assault response system will continue to be a focus moving forward, but Grosso also wants to take a new approach to prevent sexual assault, emphasizing it’s everyone’s responsibility: individual Airmen, peer groups, leadership at all levels, installation-level programs and Air Force-wide programs working together to eliminate the crime.

“We’re starting the new year with a week-long prevention summit in January,” she explained. “We’re pairing Airmen from the field with primary prevention research experts to develop new prevention tools that will drive us to our vision of an Air Force free from sexual assault.”

Another focus area the general wants to address is social and professional retaliation that victims have reported.

“We have training modules this year designed to address communication and training to foster victim empathy,” Grosso said. “This needs to happen at all levels – from the peer group, to the first-line supervisors, with commanders taking the lead.”

Grosso shared that she is often asked if the Air Force’s vision is attainable and she unequivocally says yes. She believes Airmen join the Air Force to be a part of something that’s important for the Nation’s defense and have a set of values they want to live by.

“I believe we can absolutely create an Air Force free from sexual assault because there is no important task for the nation that Airmen cannot achieve,” she said.