Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland selected to host AFIMSC headquarters

By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Command Information, / Published January 21, 2015

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, was selected as the host base for the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center (AFIMSC) Headquarters.

Air Force officials chose the installation after analyzing operational considerations, installation attributes, economic and environmental factors at four candidate locations.

“Following site surveys at the four candidate locations, we ultimately selected Joint Base San Antonio because almost 50 percent of AFIMSC's subordinate unit personnel currently reside at the installation,” said Timothy Bridges, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations. “In fact, two of AFIMSC's primary subordinate units will share the same building with the headquarters. We believe co-locating AFIMSC with a large percentage of its subordinate staff will allow the Air Force to harness operational synergy as the headquarters matures into full operational capability."

The Air Force expects the first personnel assigned to AFIMSC will begin reporting by summer 2015 with most of the staff expected to be in place by fall of 2016.

The decision culminates a deliberate process that included a review of environmental impacts. During detailed, on-the-ground-site surveys of each candidate base, a site survey team led by Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command evaluated the bases against operational requirements, potential impacts to existing missions, housing, infrastructure and manpower.

The site survey teams also developed cost estimates to bed down the center for each candidate base. The results of the surveys were briefed to the Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, who made the selection.

“The new AFIMSC aligns Air Force-wide installation support authorities, responsibilities and resources under one accountable commander. The consolidation will drive standardized processes, reduce overhead and drive down costs,” said Timothy K. Bridges, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Installations. “It makes good business sense to centralize installation support the way we already centralize other support functions such as science and technology, test and sustainment.”

AFIMSC, which reports to AFMC, will consolidate installation management functions currently being performed at every major command and will serve as the single intermediate-level headquarters for the delivery of installation support capabilities.

On Oct. 1, AFMC became the parent organization for several primary subordinate units (formerly field operating agencies) to include the Air Force Security Forces Center, Air Force Civil Engineer Center, Air Force Installation Contracting Agency, Air Force Financial Management Center of Expertise, Air Force Financial Services Center and the Air Force Services Activity. These entities are currently attached to AFIMSC (Provisional).

Hagel Discusses Alliance Progress With South Korean Counterpart

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2015 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo yesterday to discuss recent progress made in strengthening the alliance between their nations and improving deterrence against North Korean provocations and aggression, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said.

In a statement summarizing the call, Kirby said Hagel noted that the alliance between South Korea and the United States has grown ever stronger, based upon the shared interests and common values of both nations.

Hagel expressed appreciation regarding the recent signing of the Trilateral Information Sharing Arrangement Concerning the Nuclear and Missile Threats Posed by North Korea among the South Korean and Japanese Defense Ministries and the U.S. Defense Department, Kirby said.

Enhancing Deterrence to North Korean Threats

“Secretary Hagel thanked Minister Han for his leadership, noting that this arrangement will be crucial to enhancing deterrence of North Korean nuclear and missile threats,” the admiral said. “Secretary Hagel further expressed his hope that the three nations are able to build upon current momentum in the years ahead.”

Han conveyed his support for U.S. initiatives to hold North Korea responsible for its recent cyberattack on Sony Pictures Entertainment, the press secretary said, and Hagel thanked Han for the strong cooperation and coordination the United States has received from South Korea in responding to this issue.

Hagel reiterated U.S. defense commitments to South Korea and highlighted the importance of the alliance to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, in Asia and worldwide, Kirby added.

Face of Defense: Soldier’s Trade Supports Battalion’s Mission

By Army Sgt. Brandon Banzhaf

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

FORT HOOD, Texas, Jan. 22, 2015 – With a click of a striker, the mixture of two gases causes a large flame to ignite.

The tradesman holding the lit torch now possesses a tool that can cut through thick metal.

Army Cpl. Ian Sanchez, an allied trades specialist with 215th Brigade Support Battalion “Blacksmiths,” 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, spends his days working with heavy machinery, welding torches and buzz saws.

Sanchez’s office does not resemble a typical office space with a computer and a desk. It doesn’t even look like a garage with screwdrivers and lug nuts. His domain is a warehouse filled with welding torches, gas tanks, scrap metal and heavy machinery.

“Before I joined the Army, I was going to school and working to support my family,” he said. “I wanted to learn a trade that I can make a living with if I ever got out of the Army. I joined the Army because I needed a change, and now I feel like I can create anything.”

Safety Equipment

Before he sparks up a welding torch, Sanchez dons heavy-duty gloves, a welding jacket and the proper type of eye protection for the particular brand of torch he is using. “The eye protection is extremely important,” he said. “Looking directly into the light will burn your eyes by the UV radiation.” Because the arc produces ultraviolet rays, even its reflection could harm the naked eye, he explained.

Because the tools he works with produce a lot of sparks, his clothing is fire-resistant, he said. “It also protects my skin from the UV exposure,” he added.

With only three allied trade specialists in 215th BSB, the battalion welding shop is always busy with work orders and special projects that keep Sanchez and his co-workers running.

“Once we created six M4 weapon racks, and as soon as we got done, they wanted six more,” he said.

Also Aids in Vehicle Repair

Sanchez also assists in repairing faulty vehicles. “We spent two weeks working on a Wolverine,” he said. “We had a lot of work put in. We even had to make new brackets.”

The M104 Wolverine, or heavy assault bridge, is an armored bridge layer that can deploy an assault bridge that can support up to a 70-ton vehicle. Without the assistance from the blacksmith welders, equipment like this would have to be fixed by a contractor.

“Welders hold a special place within the sustainment organization,” said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Danny Richards, 215th BSB senior enlisted advisor. “Their specialized attention is needed to bring equipment back to life before it gets sent to an outside source. Their expertise saves us time and money, and we know how important that is.”

The brigade has only a handful of Wolverines, and the welding capability of his shop was able to return the vehicle back to the unit fully functioning.

“From welders and mechanics to fuelers and other maintainers in between, my soldiers have a key role in sustaining the line,” Richards said. “We look to these troops to ensure vehicles and equipment remain functional, which ultimately keeps all soldiers safe.”