Lassen, ONI Train Together

By Lt. j.g. Lauren Chatmas, USS Lassen Public Affairs

SOUTH CHINA SEA (NNS) -- Two acoustic intelligence (ACINT) specialists from the Office of Naval Intelligence, based out of Washington, D.C., embarked aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) to provide training on acoustic and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) areas, May 15.

The ACINT specialists will be onboard until early July to increase the capability of the ship's sonar team and help the command ensure future mission success.

"Acoustic intelligence specialists were truly force multipliers in providing real-time training for junior operators and contributing to optimally employing all sensors during our anti-submarine warfare events," said Cmdr. Robert Francis, Lassen's commanding officer. "Lassen is extremely fortunate to have the ACINTs on board to bring the entire crew up to its highest level of readiness."

ACINT is collection of acoustic signatures from waterborne sources, actively and passively picked up by a ship's sonar system. With the detection and analysis of these sounds, the ship is able to classify a contact as a ship, submarine, sonar, underwater weapon, or marine life.

The ACINT program was established during the Cold War Era in 1962, to develop subject matter experts to place on board underway submarines enhancing their intelligence capabilities. There have been only 254 qualified ACINTs since the conception of the program, including 54 surface warrior sonar technicians.

Today, ACINT specialists embark ships and submarines to provide support to commanding officers conducting real world operations and exercises. On board Lassen, they have devoted countless hours of formal training to the crew on acoustic and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) topics such as acoustic analysis, sound propagation, and sound silencing for sonar operators.

"Being an ACINT specialist is a privilege and an honor," said Senior Chief Sonar Technician Surface Justin Garlick, ACINT specialist supporting Lassen. "Underway supporting the mission and helping ships and their sonar teams perform at their peak is a very rewarding and remarkable experience. Seeing first-hand the technicians and crew of Lassen applying the lessons learned is the best part of this job."

Lassen, one of seven destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, is currently on patrol in the South China Sea conducting presences operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Blue Ridge Visits Allies In Sydney, Prepares For Joint Exercise

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Don Patton, USS Blue Ridge Public Affairs

SYDNEY (NNS) -- The U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrived in Sydney for a port visit further strengthening the relationship between the partner nations July 3.

While in Sydney, embarked U.S. 7th Fleet staff will conduct the U.S.-Australian biennial military exercise Talisman Sabre 2015, July 4-19. Blue Ridge will act as command and control for the exercise and provide communications support for U.S. 7th Fleet and Australian Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) staffs.

The Blue Ridge team consists of more than 900 crew members, including embarked U.S. 7th Fleet staff and the "Golden Falcons" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12.

During the visit, many service members will volunteer their off duty time, participating in community service events at two separate children's hospitals and one retirement home.

"Community service projects provide Sailors an opportunity to affect lives and leave a lasting impression on the nations they interact with," said Religious Programs Specialist 1st Class Brian Jewell, Blue Ridge's community service coordinator. "These events are important because they also give each nation a chance to view each other differently."

Blue Ridge's Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) office scheduled inter-navy basketball, volleyball and soccer games between Blue Ridge Sailors and Sailors from the Royal Australian Navy.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for us to engage in friendly competitions and to interact with Sailors from other countries," said Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 2nd Class Christopher Dugas, Blue Ridge's MWR sports coordinator.

"A lot of times when we pull into ports the Blue Ridge sports teams are looking forward to playing the home country's team," said Logistics Specialist 2nd Jennifer Thai, a Blue Ridge MWR representative. "Events like these encourage camaraderie between our service members."

MWR also provides Sailors an opportunity to explore Sydney and learn about the culture and history through tours, such as to the Sydney Opera House or the panoramic city tour taking Sailors to the Rock, the oldest village in Sydney.

"These tours give Sailors a chance to get away and see the different scenic sites that Sydney has to offer," said Thai. "It is very important to provide opportunities that they might not have taken advantage of on their own."

This port visit marks the first time Blue Ridge has been to Australia since its involvement in Talisman Sabre 2013, which took place in Cairns, Australia.

Blue Ridge has been forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan for 36 years and is currently on patrol, strengthening and fostering relationships within the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

Hobby keeps Airman 'fit to fight'

by Gina Randall
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

7/7/2015 - RAF MILDENHALL, England  -- Many Airmen keep themselves 'fit-to-fight' by working out in the gym before or after work. They may spend hours pounding the sidewalks jogging through their new neighborhood to get fit.

Tech. Sgt. Darell Rudo, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron NCO in charge of inspections from White Plains, New York, uses his passion and his hobby of Jiu Jitsu to stay physically and mentally ready for the mission. When he began his journey with martial arts in 2000, he didn't expect to get so much out of it.

"I took it out of curiosity," he said. "I wanted to see what it was about."

He knows he needs to keep up his fitness for work but wanted a more interesting way to keep fit.

"I don't like running," he stated. "So I took up judo and then later Jiu Jitsu, and ever since then I've been hooked on it."

As with anything in life, Ruda knew he needed to work hard to achieve his fitness goal, but like so many others serving in the military, the mission came first.

"I started with judo in 2000 and I did it on and off for about four years. But injuries and deployments derailed me from it," Ruda explained.

He took up Jiu Jitsu for fitness, but instead found many other benefits from investing hard work and dedication to the discipline.

"For me, it actually has a life lesson, because whatever stresses you have at work or at home, or if you're just having a bad day, you go and train and the only thing on your mind is how to survive. You're trying to push your will on someone and to submit him," he said. "But the other person is doing the same thing, so it's like human chess as you're constantly thinking about your next move. It's a mind game."

The Airman uses the skills he learns at training to help him both in the office and at home. Life in the military can be challenging with the sacrifices people make for their country, and Ruda finds his sport a good escape.

"There is never a perfect path in life. If I'm having a good day at work and somebody throws a curveball at me, I stress out," the New York native explained. "You train to relieve that stress. It helps you learn how to approach things. With Jiu Jitsu, when I go for a submission or defending, I try to find a way to ease the problem slowly one thing at a time. To me it's like life -- if you have a bad day, you train and just for a few hours you don't think about it. That problem that you have has gone. So when you go back to that problem to face it you have a clear, focused mind in order to tackle it."

The discipline is humbling for the Airman. He's currently a blue belt and got there through work and allowing his peers to see his potential.

"It's up to the professor when you get the next belt," Ruda explained. "We don't look for promotion to the next rank in Jiu Jitsu. We want the professor to give it to us rather than asking for it. If you ask for it, he'll prove you wrong that you are not ready."

To help him get ready the Airman practices with a local group and has the opportunity to expand his new family while stationed overseas, to make new friends with similar interests.

"I train in Cambridge and the professor is a British black belt who got his belt in Tokyo," he said.

While making new friends, he never forgets his military family and makes the most out of spending time with his fellow service members.

"There are six or seven Americans who train here," he said. "My professor was a crew chief in the Air Force. He tested me in my skill level. We have social media groups for all military branches to get involved with once we move bases and want to keep our hobby going."

While he reaps the rewards of the physical aspect, he never forgets the reason that first sparked his interest in this discipline.

"We are a close knit group," he said. "If we know you train, then somehow we become best friends right away."

4th EMS AGE: Ground power maintains air dominance

by Airman Shawna L. Keyes
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

7/7/2015 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C.  -- "No airpower without ground power"

This is the motto of the 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron's aerospace ground equipment Airmen. The AGE flight is comprised of more than 70 Airmen who provide maintenance through inspections and upkeep on equipment to support flightline operations.

"We provide the vital support to the flightline to sustain all operations that are out there," said Staff Sgt. Nicholas Burgess, 4th EMS AGE assistant floor lead. "We support anything maintainers need to maintain and test the aircraft while it's on the ground."

The flight is divided into three different sections. Crews one and two work in the main shop and perform maintenance and inspections on all the AGE equipment. The third is the servicing section, which has approximately 18 personnel, known as drivers, located on the flightline.

Each crew is responsible for doing their periodic inspections and completing any maintenance that may have come in. The majority of the Airmen from each section conduct inspections while about three Airmen work maintenance.

In total, the flight is responsible for more than 600 pieces of equipment and averages about 1,200 equipment dispatches, 100 maintenance actions and 100 phase inspections every month.

The AGE flight conducts inspections and maintenance on a variety of equipment, to include: generators, hydraulic test stands, fuel tank dollies, self-generating nitrogen carts, floodlights, bomb lifts, air compressors, maintenance stands, canopy cranes, and cabin leakage testers.

All AGE equipment is used to conduct maintenance, troubleshoot, test and load munitions on the aircraft and without it the jet would not be able to get off the ground, according to Burgess.

"We maintain and inspect all our equipment so the crew chiefs have working gear to perform maintenance on the jet," said Senior Airman Tyler Roberts, 4th EMS AGE technician. "It's my favorite part of the job being able to fix things that are broken and get them serviceable again."

The Airmen assigned to the servicing section, the drivers, are each assigned to an aircraft maintenance unit and work around the clock to provide support to the flightline. If a piece of equipment cannot be serviced on the flightline, it is brought back to the main shop where one of the two crews service the equipment.

"They have this perception of us that all we do is change oil and send equipment back out on the flightline," Burgess said. "It's much more in depth. We change pumps, engines, electrical trouble shooting; everything they do out there on the flightline we do in here on our equipment."

Tech. Sgt. Barrett Reed, 4th EMS AGE readiness NCO in charge, said AGE Airmen have to know a little bit of everything in this career field to be successful and keep the more than 90 F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing operational.

"We work on such a diverse amount of equipment from base to base, so we have to be able to adapt to get the mission done," Reed said. "If flightline personnel are unable to provide power, cool air, hydraulic servicing or testing's, these jets could not be repaired and literally would not fly. You take AGE out of the equation and the jets aren't getting off the ground."

Dry weather sparks severe fire danger across Inland Northwest

by Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

6/30/2015 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Wildfires cost an average of more than $3 billion nationwide every year and far outweigh the cost of a 50-cent firework over the Fourth of July weekend, with more than 100,000 wildfires burning an average of four to five million acres of land nationwide each year and up to nine million acres in recent years.

There are three conditions required for a wildfire to burn - fuel, oxygen and a heat source. Lightning, hot winds, fireworks and even the sun can all provide sufficient heat to spark a fire, but most are the result of human factors.

"A few weeks ago we responded to a small brush fire started by some kids playing with matches," said Master Sgt. Andres Steevens, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron assistant fire chief, who then explained education is the biggest way Team Fairchild can play a part. "We're hosting a fire prevention camp this week primarily for the kids, but the intent is that these kids' parents have a two-way conversation with their kids so everyone understands how they play a part in fire prevention."

Fireworks, exploding targets and other pyrotechnic devices are prohibited in all national forests in Oregon and Washington, banned on Fairchild Air Force Base and Clear Lake Resort, and in these Spokane County, Washington, cities: Spokane, Spokane Valley, Millwood, Cheney and Liberty Lake year-round, regardless of weather conditions or holidays.

Increased local restrictions following a burn ban issued by Spokane County will remain in effect until further notice for any unauthorized open burning, recreational fires and fireworks in Airway Heights and on all Washington Department of Natural Resources lands and regions east of the Cascade Mountains. Call the DNR burning hotline at 1-(800) 323-2876 for more information.

Deer Park employs specific date and time restrictions for the Fourth of July weekend, July 1 to 4, allowing fireworks from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, call the Spokane County Fire District 4 in Deer Park at (509) 467-4500. Medical Lake will also allow fireworks from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. only on July 4. The Medical Lake Fire Department cautions users of the risks associated with fireworks, especially during current drought conditions. Call the Medical Lake Fire Department at (509) 565-5022 for more information.

Steevens says it's up to each individual to prevent fires no matter where they are.

"We can have fun without being the cause of a thousand-acre fire," he said.

The National Weather Service in Spokane issued a Red Flag Warning Monday, June 29, citing that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly due to a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures with the potential for thunderstorms including abundant dry lightning.

"While all of us enjoy fireworks during the summer holidays, federal law prohibits their use on the National Forests," said Laura Jo West, the Colville National Forest supervisor in a news release dated June 24. "Fireworks represent a real threat to our forests especially with the hot, dry weather we have been experiencing."

West explained that the penalties for violating any fire restrictions is punishable as a misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment of not more than six months, or both. The U.S. Forest Service and Spokane County request forest and park visitors in areas approved for fires to ensure all fires are extinguished and cold to the touch before leaving them.

Inversely, according to a news release dated June 26, campfires are banned in all Washington state parks until further notice due to a Fire Ban Level 4 - EXTREME. Charcoal or wood fires are not allowed and, as a further precaution, gas and propane may be used for cook stoves only. The ban is part of a statewide effort to prevent human-caused wildfires. This ban includes camping and other forms of recreation at Riverside State Park such as the Bowl and Pitcher Campground in Spokane.

"As we celebrate our nation's independence this weekend, the Fairchild Fire Department asks you keep two things in mind," said Steevens. "First, local firework ordinances for specific cities can be found at most city halls across the nation. Second, our first responders and our brothers across the Pacific Northwest have been working tirelessly to control several wildland fires affecting our area."

"Please celebrate responsibly and help us educate our neighbors," he added.

If you see a fire, report it immediately by calling 9-1-1. Steevens said the quicker they know of an incident, the faster they can put the fire out.

"Fires don't just take a toll on the forests, but the first responders as well. Spend five minutes with any of the first responders after battling a wildland fire and you'll understand how important fire prevention really is."

According to Air Mobility Command's safety office, more than 8,000 people are injured by fireworks and grill fires each summer, and more than half of these injuries occur during the first week of July. Unfortunately, people aren't the only victims, Steevens said.

JB MDL declares best service members during ceremony

by Lance Cpl. Stanley Moy and Senior Airman Tara A. Williamson
Marine Aircraft Group-49 and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

6/30/2015 - JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- "Hard work. Dedication. Hard work. Dedication."

Marine Sgt. David Wilson, breathed heavily, flipping a tire during an obstacle course: "Hard work. Dedication," he shouted.

They are also two of the many qualities eight service members from the base recently showcased during the inaugural Joint Base Service Member of the Year Competition.

The two-day competition, May 14-15, featured seven events: an obstacle course designed by the Chiefs Mess, a multi-service physical fitness test, an urban orienteering course, a board appearance, a 100-point written exam, marksmanship qualification, and first aid administration.

June 30, the competitors found out who among them was truly the base's best service member of the year.

"With that many events, you know you're going to get the best service member to represent their service, and in the end, the joint base," said Command Sgt. Maj. Richard H. Anderson, Army Support Activity-Dix. "I think that all of the senior enlisted leaders are proud, I think all the services are proud, of what they're doing and what they're representing."

Holding the best score in the junior-enlisted category in six events - obstacle course, fitness test, board, written exam, marksmanship, and first aid - the 2015 junior enlisted Joint Base Service Member of the Year is Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Albert Martino, Marine Aircraft Group 49.

Winning by eight points in a close competition among NCOs and earning the highest physical fitness score, second highest score on urban orienteering and written exam, the 2015 senior enlisted Joint Base Service Member of the Year is Army Reserve Sgt. Darius Foster, a reservist with the 78th Training Division.

Both service members had less than two weeks to prepare for what would turn out to be more than they had expected.

"The most difficult physically was the Chiefs Mess obstacle course, definitely," said Martino, an Oxford, Pennsylvania native. "I got sick after it and it was hands down one of the toughest things I've ever had to do physically. It was 8 minutes of hell."

"The board is always nerve-wracking, you never know what's going to be thrown at you," Forster said, hailing from Rahway, New Jersey. He added that he had to study every day to brush up on his military knowledge.

Martino said he gained a lot of knowledge from studying for the test; rank structure, customs and courtesies, and going through the board process.

Both winners said that what got them through the challenging competition was the motivation coming from the other service members.

"You gain everything from the different services learning how they interact and how they work, and of course gaining more friends," Foster said.

"I believe that they're starting to build a comradery between one another - you can see they're patting each other on the back," said Anderson. "They're competitors against each other, but at the same time they respect each other and what they're doing."

Throughout the friendly rivalry all of the services supported each other; they all had each other's backs.

"More than anything I gained an appreciation for the other services," Martino said. "You tend to think your service is the best at anything, when you go up against other services in competition you get a feel for how strong they are and it brings you a little bit closer, as well."

"I enjoyed every bit of this competition," Foster added. "It was tiring, but it was worth the pain. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have taken part and would definitely recommend this for anybody who might be interested.

"This was amazing, I've never done anything like it," he continued. "Getting to meet all the other competitors and services and learn about everyone and be in that friendly rivalry environment was something I really enjoyed. I would love to do it again but I'd love to have another Marine be able to compete as well."

Martino thanked all the Marines in MAG-49 who supported him through the competition and pushed him to be a better Marine and Foster commended the 78th TD for all the support before and during the two-day event.

"This is a great competition, we're going to continue to make it better, probably add more events, and it will become something all of our service members here on the joint base look forward to," said Anderson.

Renovated Historic Building Reopens

by Senior Airman Sarah Hall-Kirchner
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

6/30/2015 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Construction of Building P-4 first began in September of 1940 as a 43-bed hospital at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. With the onset of World War II, it soon proved to be inadequate to meet the demands of the large number of wounded transiting through Scott Field. More than 60 new frame buildings were built to meet the demand, but P4 remained the base hospital until the new hospital, the current clinic, was built in 1958. Additions were made to the east and west wings five times between 1963 and 1978. Building P-4 has been used as office space as well as the headquarters for the 1405th Air Base Wing, the 23rd Air Force and, finally, the 18th Air Force.

The P-4 complex needed renovations to bring it up to many safety codes and the American's with Disabilities Act, and in 2011 a contract was awarded to bring the building up to standards, according to Don Peterson, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers resident engineer.

"It needed to become a world-class facility for the 18th Air Force Headquarters," he said. "We maintained the historical appearance of the building, consistent with guidance from the State Historic Preservation Office."

A contract was awarded to design and the construct all of the required renovations to P-4, part of which was to ensure the exterior portion of the building maintained its historical appearance.

"All of the windows on the east side of the building were retained and refinished," said Peterson. "All of the exterior brickwork was kept, to maintain its historical aspect."

Working to maintain P-4s historical integrity and to also balance bringing the building up to codes and standards was an opportunity that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the 375th Civil Engineer Squadron, the 18th Air Force and all of the contractors involved embraced.

"It was an important project, and it was an important project to complete," said Peterson. "It was an enjoyable project, through the challenges and successes, we enjoyed it. The project brought us together in order to cooperate and communicate."

Cheryl Majka, 375th CES chief of engineering, was in charge of all of the contracted construction for the P-4 complex renovations. The 375th CES programmed the work, obtained approval from the Secretary of the Air Force for the project, and worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to design and construct a total renovation of the historic facility.

Bringing the building up to code for seismic protections was the biggest challenge because the plan had to be reworked several times to meet the standards, said Majka.

"Seismic protection refers to additional structural bracing to reduce the risk of damage from earthquakes," she explained. "Scott lies in a major seismic zone due to the New Madrid fault line. There is a potential for a major earthquake in the region, so buildings are now built to reduce the impact of an earthquake and to protect the building occupants by not collapsing."

Peterson reiterated that the seismic protections were a challenge during the renovations.

"The most time consuming and complex aspect of bringing the building up to code was the seismic requirement," Peterson said. "Everything that we do has to comply with codes, so everything in the building was brought up to codes and ADA compliance, including the seismic codes."

Other codes that were met were the fire-safety code. The renovation provides firewalls to prevent potential fires from spreading to the other areas of the building. Stairwells provide much safer exits from the facility than before.

Completed in late May, the building had it's official ribbon cutting ceremony on June 29, 2015. Majka said that her favorite part of the renovation is not inside the building at all.

"My favorite part of the project is the courtyard behind the building," she said. "It will provide a unique and pleasing outdoor space that will add to the beauty and appeal of the historic district on Scott."

After more than three years of renovation, this historic structure is now once again home to 18th Air Force, the operational arm of Air Mobility Command, and the Air Force's largest numbered Air Force.