493rd FS awarded Raytheon Trophy

by Senior Airman Erin O'Shea
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

6/2/2015 - ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England  -- On the night of May 29, RAF Lakenheath's 493rd Fighter Squadron, also known as the Grim Reapers, was awarded the Raytheon Trophy after being named the top fighter squadron in the U.S. Air Force.

Gen. Frank Gorenc, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, and Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, 3rd Air Force and 17th Air Expeditionary Air Force commander, along with many 493rd FS affiliates, attended the ceremony.

"It's great to be here with all of you in this squadron, because I know you're carrying that legacy forward," Gorenc said.

The Grim reapers were awarded the trophy for the fourth time in 2014 for their ability to remain forward, ready, now, during an operationally demanding year.

"I'm enormously satisfied with our Air Force tonight because we have committed ourselves as an air force to a vision and core values that we really stick to," Gorenc said.  "As a result of our commitment to that vision and our core values, what's been happening all across USAFE and AFAFRICA is a readiness level and an attitude that is defined by forward, ready, now."

One of their most significant accomplishments was their rotation supporting the Icelandic Air Policing mission, followed by a quick response to Lithuania.

The Reapers produced 2,856 hours of alert, flew 480 alert lines, 221 armed over-watch sorties and 22 active air scrambles out of Lithuania to intercept 31 Russian Federation air force aircraft when they threatened and sometimes even violated Baltic airspace.

"You guys kept your readiness up," Gorenc said. "You volunteered and were given the task to go to Iceland to do air surveillance and transition very quickly into air policing in the Baltics for the NATO mission."

According to a previous article written when the squadron was named the 2014 Raytheon award winner, Lt. Col. Lendy Renegar, who commanded the squadron through much of the award period, said the Reapers deployed 195 days straight in split locations. He said he couldn't emphasize enough, the total force it took to accomplish those missions.

Gorenc's closing speech served as a time for the squadron to reflect on their accomplishments throughout the year, which were clearly highlighted during his remarks.

"Once again, we have proof the world can change rapidly, and whenever that change happens, invariably, the solution falls onto air power," Gorenc said.

"This team's efforts in 2014, and this trophy, reaffirm the importance of the air-superiority mission in Europe and that Europe-based forces are essential," Renegar said. "We could not have responded this fast from the (United) States."

Gorenc's final words concluded with a motto all USAFE Airmen are familiar with and abide by on a daily basis.

"We're forward, we're ready, and we're ready now," he said. "That's what we do."

Click the link below for the initial article on the squadron's accomplishments during 2014.

AFA honors Air National Guard members

by Staff Sgt. John E. Hillier
Air National Guard Readiness Center

6/3/2015 - JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- The Air Force Association's D.W. Steele Sr. Memorial Chapter hosted the 13th Annual AFA Salute to the Air National Guard recognizing personnel assigned to the National Guard Bureau during a ceremony June 1 at the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel in Arlington, Virginia.

This year, the AFA honored 16 members of the ANG staff across a broad range of specialties for their dedication and outstanding contributions of the success of the ANG and the overall Air Force mission.

The members honored were:

· Senior Master Sgt. Adrianne Schulz, office of the director of the ANG
· Julia Deck, command staff
· Lt. Col. Kenneth Lozano, National Guard Bureau
· Master Sgt. Damaris Cannon, financial management
· Darryl Ford, safety
· Lt. Col. Stephanie Nelson, office of the Air Surgeon
· Master Sgt. Robin Obst, office of the chaplain
· Master Sgt. Alicia Archie, human resources
· Master Sgt. Erika Rabidoux, manpower, personnel and services
· Maj. David Hewlett, intelligence surveillance, and reconnaissance
· Senior Master Sgt. Jennie Aruda, air, space and information operations
· JoLynn Uplinger, logistics
· Maj. Benjamin Califf, plans and requirements
· Matthew Tarry, communications
· Senior Master Sgt. Jeffrey Coles, installations and mission support
· Lt. Col. Donne Kang, analysis and assessment

"Our honorees tonight support the 105,400 members of the Air National Guard and what they do globally and at home," said Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III, director of the Air National Guard. "I'm very proud of what they do day in and day out."

Clarke went on to discuss the wide variety of missions the ANG accomplishes across the world within a typical day, and the vital role that Air National Guard Readiness Center staff play in supporting them.

"The ones who are being recognized tonight are the ones who make that [support] happen," said Clarke. "All the policy, resource allocation, all the packages - they're the grease that makes it all work, along with the Air Force."

The AFA is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association that promotes a dominant Air Force and a strong national defense, and honors Airmen and our Air Force heritage.

D-M Airmen selected for U.S. Military All-Stars baseball team

by By Airman 1st Class Chris Massey
355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

6/3/2015 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- A D-M Airmen athlete was chosen to represent the U.S. Air Force for the U.S. Military All-Stars baseball team.

Senior Airman Russell LewisPablo, 25th Operational Weather Squadron weather forecaster and resource protection specialist, is one of five Airmen who will be playing for the team.

"I feel extremely blessed to get the opportunity to play for the U.S. Military All-Stars, not only to represent the Air Force, but represent the military as a whole," said LewisPablo.  "It brings the different services together as one group, playing as a team and representing our country as opposed to just our respective services."

Service members apply by filling out an online application complete with biography, statistics and player history.

In years past, players would travel to one location to try out.  This year, players were able to try out via video correspondence.

LewisPablo, who is also a member of the D-M Mustangs baseball team, received help from a teammate to create a video of him taking batting, infield and outfield practice.

He was contacted by the U.S. Military All-Stars coaching staff shortly after submitting the video and was told he had made the team.

This will be his first year competing with the U.S. Military All-Stars.  As a utility infielder, he primarily plays first and second base, however he is willing to play anywhere he is needed.

Players are granted permissive temporary duty assignments to play, but must pay their own way for uniforms, travel, lodging and meals.  The team website is set up to allow for donations that go towards the players' expenses.

The team reports to spring training in Lacy, Washington, June 7-11.

They will play 15 games throughout June against independent league teams in Washington and Oregon during their first tour of the season.

Each player wears a jersey that corresponds with a particular military event.

LewisPablo will be wearing "Guam" with the number "44" representing the Second Battle of Guam in 1944.  He is especially proud to wear the jersey that ties to his heritage, being that his father is a native of Guam.

Before each game, a pregame ceremony will be held featuring the folding of the American flag.

"It's a very select group of guys that do it every year and it is really more than just baseball," LewisPablo said.  "It gets communities involved, it gets veterans in the local areas involved and it fosters a lot of spirit out there."

AFNIC personnel recognized with 7 Federal Executive Board awards

by Warren Neary
Air Force Network Integration Center

6/2/2015 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill.  -- Members from the Air Force Network Integration Center received recognition in seven categories in the Greater St. Louis Federal Executive Board Excellence in Government "America at Its Best" Awards recently at the Orlando Gardens in St. Louis.

"We are very proud and honored to see our AFNIC professionals recognized for their exceptional service and contributions with the Greater St. Louis FEB awards," said Col. Amy Arwood, AFNIC Commander. "It is a testament to their dedication and hard work for the Air Force and in our community."

The AFNIC award recipients included:

· Nick Weizman- First place in the 2014 Combined Federal Campaign Representative, Union Partnership category
· Maj. Angel Nelson - First place in the Excellence in Government Individual
· Award, Administrative Level 1 Category
· Alyce Brown - First Place in the Excellence in Government Individual Award,
· Community Service Level II Category
· Rich Aldridge - First Place in the Excellence in Government Individual Award,
· Leadership Level I Category
· Stephen Breidert - Second Place in the Excellence in Government Individual
· Award, Professional Level I Category
· Paul Frazier - First Place in the Excellence in Government Individual Award,
· Supervision Level 1 Category
· Roger Reinhardt, Gary Anderson, Kenneth Katzer, Franklin Lee, Matthew Modic, and Cedric Mitchell - First Place in the Excellence in Government Team Award, Professional Team Level 1 Category

"I found it very satisfying and [it] validates what we do is important," said Cedric Mitchell, AFNIC Supervisory Computer Engineer. "We take real pride in our mission in providing senior leader communications, and then being recognized, it doesn't get better than that."

"I was happy, very happy to receive this award," said Nicholas Weizman, AFNIC Facility Manager. "It is nice to be recognized for what you do, especially for my work as a union representative over the last three years."

The annual awards event coincides with the National Public Service Recognition Week during the first week of May each year, and the awards program recognizes outstanding employees from federal, postal, and military agencies for their efforts, leadership, and/or initiative. The program encourages excellence and innovation in government, helps call public attention to the broad range of services federal employees provide, reinforces pride in federal service, and is an important form of recognition for federal employees in the St. Louis area.

The Air Force Network Integration Center serves as the Air Force cyberspace technical center of excellence for enterprise engineering and integration. In collaboration with Headquarters Air Force Space Command, 24th Air Force and the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, AFNIC supports the nation's warfighter by providing data-driven, decision-quality information and technical expertise required to design, develop and deploy air, space and cyberspace systems and capabilities into/onto the Air Force network and shape the AF provisioned portion of the Joint Information Environment.

Carter Gets Aerial View of Strait of Malacca

By Marine Corps Cpl. Ryan Mains

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit

PAYA LEBAR AIR BASE, Singapore, June 3, 2015 – Defense Secretary Ash Carter and his staff flew with U.S. Marines aboard an MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft to get a bird’s-eye view of the Strait of Malacca off the coast of Singapore, May 29.

Carter’s visit to Singapore and the flight to observe one of the world’s busiest and most important shipping lanes was part of his 10-day trip in the Asia-Pacific region.

Singapore Summit Meeting

In Singapore, Carter attended the 14th International Institute for Strategic Studies Asia Security Summit, known as the Shangri-La Dialogue. At the summit he met with important leaders in the defense and security community and spoke about the United States’ advocacy for equality in economic opportunity.

“The United States wants a future in which an Indonesian fisherman, an energy executive from Malaysia, an entrepreneur from Singapore, a small business owner from California or a Chinese business woman, just to name a few, have the security and opportunity to rise and prosper,” Carter said at the summit.

The highlight for the Marines was the opportunity to fly Carter aboard an MV-22B Osprey to survey the strait.

‘The Marines Did an Outstanding Job’

“The Marines did an outstanding job,” said Marine Corps Maj. Brian Psolka, the operations officer for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

“We were able to accomplish the mission,” Psolka said, by enabling Carter to obtain an aerial view of the Strait of Malacca as hundreds of ships were passing through the waterway.

The Marines worked around the clock to get the aircraft ready for the flight.

“I feel that as a crew, we couldn’t have performed any better,” said Marine Corps Sgt. Charles Covington, an Osprey crew chief with VMM-265 (Rein.), 31st MEU.

“The pilots were on top of everything,” Covington added.

Unique Aircraft

Utilizing the Osprey’s airplane mode, the Marines were able to take off and fly Carter to the Strait of Malacca in a timely manner. Then converting to helicopter mode, the Secretary of Defense was given a better view of the ship-congested waters.

“I don’t think there would have been any other aircraft we could have used,” said Covington, who hails from Sykesville, Maryland.

“There are no other aircraft out there that could have pulled off this mission in the timely manner that we did,” he added.

Secretary’s Facebook Page

Carter discussed the flight on his Facebook page, which he launched after he returned with the Marines.

“Hi, I'm Ash, Secretary of Defense,” Carter wrote. “I am here in Singapore and today I got to fly with some of the best pilots in the military aboard a MV-22 Osprey as we flew over one of the most important waterways in the world.

“I am launching this page today, after my first 100 days in office, so that I can highlight all the great things our people do and talk to you about the force of the future,” the secretary continued. “Let's start the conversation.”

ANG Airman receives Air Force Safety Hall of Fame Award

by Senior Airman Jonathan Wooden
150th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

6/3/2015 - ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- The Air Force Safety Center awarded Chief Master Sergeant Frederick Glass, Air National Guard's Chief of Occupational Safety and Career Field Manager, the Air Force Safety Hall of Fame Award during the Mishap Prevention Workshop in Albuquerque May 12, 2015. He is the first ever ANG Enlisted member to be inducted into the United States Air Force Safety Hall of Fame.

Glass is the 15th enlisted military member to receive the Hall of Fame award, which recognizes individuals who have made singularly unique contributions to safety in general and the USAF Mishap Prevention Program in particular.

This prestigious award has only been given 77 times since its inception in 1977. The achievements of these individuals have noticeably enhanced the Air Force's mishap prevention program as a sustained superior safety performance, both now and in the future.

Glass is responsible for the management of the mishap prevention programs that support 89 Air National Guard Wings, and the 50 states, territories and the District of Columbia which compose the Air National Guard. For Glass, what makes one a safety professional is a willingness to share one's experience with those who seek his or her help? Being a safety professional can change the way one thinks about solutions for problems that may arise in a unit. This mindset can offer individuals another way of thinking on how one approaches daily tasks. This notion is a type of "thinking outside the box" and becomes a creative way to developing ideas that help units with mishap prevention.

"If we do our job really well, most people will never know what we did," said Glass. "We do not do what we do for recognition by any organization, military or civilian, however being recognized by your peers in your profession across an entire country is an extraordinary moment and a huge honor for all. It's a very humbling experience and on a personal note, validates all the hard work, time and effort we put into our AF/ANG Mishap Prevention Programs across the entire nation."

Fightin' Fifty-Fifth welcomes new commander

55th Wing Public Affairs

6/3/2015 - OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The members of Fightin' Fifty-Fifth said farewell to their former commander and welcomed a new one during a change of command ceremony June 1 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.

U.S. Air Force Col. Marty Reynolds took command of the 55th Wing, the largest wing in Air Combat Command, from U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Gregory Guillot during the time-honored military ceremony inside the Bennie Davis Maintenance Facility.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John N.T. Shanahan, 25th Air Force commander, was the presiding official of the ceremony. He said while nothing at all, other than time in the seat, can properly prepare someone to take command of the wing's mission due to its scope, scale, complexity, challenges and opportunities, there's no doubt Reynolds is the perfect choice.

"Marty has long, deep roots in this wing going back to 2001 when he was a Compass Call pilot and this will be the third time he's worked for me," Shanahan said. "So trust me when I say that you are fortunate to have him."

Reynolds transitions to the wing from the 55th Electronic Combat Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, where he served as commander from June 2013 to May 2015. The 55th ECG is one of the wing's six groups.

"Marty's record is tremendous," Shanahan said, "and he's the right leader at the right time for this wing."

Reynolds is a 1992 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and an evaluator pilot with more than 2,100 flying hours in the EC-130E/H, C-130E/H, T-38 and T-37.

"To the outstanding Airmen of the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth, I cannot describe how excited I am to be here today," Reynolds said. "The depth, breath and impact of this wing across the globe is simply amazing."

Throughout his career, Reynolds has served in a multitude of roles within the 55th Wing community, compiling nearly ten years of service with the 55th ECG.

"I've been a part of the 55th Wing since 2001, but this will be the first time my family and I will actually live and serve here," he said. "I have big shoes to fill and I promise you my family and I are fully committed to you and your families."

Guillot leaves the wing for Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, where he will serve as the director of strategy, plans and programs for Pacific Air Forces A5/8.

"Despite an unrelenting operations tempo, unparalleled fiscal constraints and a global sphere of control for this wing that is simply daunting, Greg's leadership has been instrumental to this wing's success," Shanahan said.

Shanahan awarded Guillot with the Legion of Merit during the ceremony as a result of his leadership of the wing since June 2013.

"As a testament to his terrific leadership during his time in command, the wing has earned astounding recognition at every level -- 26 numbered Air Force-level awards, 76 Air Combat Command awards and eight Air Force awards -- all culminating with the Meritorious Unit Award," Shanahan said.

"It's been a true honor leading this wing," Guillot said.  "I look forward to watching your future successes and I will always be proud to be associated with you and the 55th Wing."

Guillot closed by thanking the Airmen of the 55th for the dedication and told them they're in good hands with Reynolds.

"His ties to the wing are very strong and you're all very lucky to have him," he said.
As commander of the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth, Reynolds is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping six groups and 32 squadrons around the world.

Women’s AF history expands with new four-star

By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Command Information, Staff Sgt. Carlin Leslie / Published June 02, 2015

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- In Air Force history a legacy has been written, by women, for women. The walls of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial are filled with stories of historic and iconic women from all U.S. military services that have served the nation.

History has once again been written. Those halls now hold a new story as Lt. Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, military deputy, was promoted to the rank of general, effective June 8. She is now the third female four-star general in Air Force history, following in the footsteps of remarkable women who paved the way.

“This is a great day for Ellen and (her) family (and) from my perspective it is a great day for the United States Air Force,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III. “(Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James) and I expect an awful lot out of our four-star generals in the Air Force. We expect that they be able to defend the nation. We expect them to protect the institution and we expect them to lead, inspire and nurture the Airmen and families who give our institution life. We are extremely confident that Pawlikowski will do all those things.”

Pawlikowski entered the Air Force in 1978 through the ROTC program at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and became the first female officer to receive a commission from that program. She went on to attend the University of California at Berkeley, and received a doctorate in chemical engineering in December 1981, and entered the active-duty Air Force in April 1982.

Through the guidance and honorable love of her mother, late husband, family, friends and Airmen she has led, Pawlikowski said there are three statements that define her.

“In the words of my mother, ‘Just do the best no matter how hard it is, no matter how menial you think it is, just do the best that you can; and never quit,’” Pawlikowski said. “And from my late husband, the message of ‘Do the right thing even when it’s hard’ resonates within me.

“Madam secretary, (Gen. Welsh,) you know you have my commitment and promise that I guarantee you that I will do the best that I can,” Pawlikowski continued. “I will never, ever quit and I will do the right thing even when it’s hard, because that’s who I am.”

The career of Pawlikowski has ranged from a variety of technical management, leadership and staff positions including command at the wing and center levels.

Continuing her career as a leader, Pawlikowski will assume command this summer as the head of Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

As she stood on the stage of the Woman’s Memorial, in the presence of so many men and women who have defined history, Pawlikowski said she truly felt like she was standing on the shoulders of giants.

'New Horizons’ Readies U.S. to Deploy, Conduct Joint Operations

By Terri Moon Cronk

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, June 2, 2015 – About 100 Army, Air Force and Marine Corps engineering and medical personnel began exercise New Horizons in the Honduras yesterday, Pentagon Spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren told reporters today.

The exercise, conducted in conjunction with the U.S. Embassy and Honduran government, will train military civil engineers and medical professionals for future deployments and joint operations, Warren said.

U.S. Southern Command has conducted the annual joint and combined humanitarian assistance exercise since the mid-1980s, according to the exercise website.

In addition to valuable deployment training, the exercise also provides important relationship building opportunities with partner nations, according to the website.

School, Water Wells to Be Built

This year, service members will work alongside Hondurans to construct a school and two water wells in the Colón district of Honduras, Warren said.

“Medical personnel also will conduct information exchanges with the Honduran minster of defense regarding vector-borne disease surveillance efforts,” he noted.

The effort is the first of a three-phase project to partner with Honduras to help eradicate malaria in the Colón district, Warren added.

“Air Force medical personnel also will work with the Honduran Ministry of Health and Trujillo Hospital officials to perform general and orthopedic surgeries throughout the exercise,” he said.