Flying high: Strike Eagle pilot reaches elite milestone

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

8/6/2015 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C.  --  For F-15E Strike Eagle aircrew at the 4th Fighter Wing, flying through the skies is a part of their lifestyle. However, for Lt. Col. Paul Hibbard, 333rd Fighter Squadron instructor pilot, the clouds are almost like a second home.

On July 22, Hibbard surpassed the 3,000-hour mark in the F-15E, joining an elite group of fighter aviators.

"It's quite an honor," Hibbard said. "Not many fighter pilots accumulate that many flight hours and experience."

Hour one began more than two decades ago when he started his career as an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot on Feb. 9, 1995, as a student in the first Basic Course held at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

"My first couple of hours in the Strike Eagle were exhilarating," Hibbard said. "What an amazing machine. The simulator and ground briefs prepared us for all of the procedures we would execute, but nothing prepares you for the kick in the pants, the g-forces and the mind-racing visuals of a flight in an F-15E. Over time, I've grown accustomed to the physical demands, but the joys of dominating the aerial environment haven't faded."

Following initial training, Hibbard explained he had a unique experience to be assigned to four different F-15E operational squadrons.

Hibbard has flown with the 494th FS at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, the 389th FS in Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, and the 335th FS at Seymour Johnson AFB. He's also spent time at the 90th FS at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, when F-15Es were assigned there.

"I've participated in operations or exercises supporting our National Military Objectives in over 21 nations throughout four continents," Hibbard said. "While amazing and rewarding, I wouldn't call it exceptional. Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and DoD civilians are making the amazing possible every day in places more far-flung than I ever experienced. They are the exceptional ones."

Hibbard has flown more than 1,550 sorties and deployed seven times throughout his Strike Eagle career. During that time, he learned no one is perfect, including himself.
"I don't want to be known as the guy with 1,000, 2,000, or 3,000 hours," Hibbard said. "Credentials don't mean much to me. Demonstrated performance was always, and remains, my benchmark, and that is only as good as your last sortie."

Upon landing from the sortie that took him over the mark, Hibbard's family and friends joined him on the ramp to celebrate his achievement. He said he was especially appreciative that his family was allowed out because they don't get to participate in a lot of what he does.

"So few Strike Eagle aircrew reach this milestone, and I didn't get there on my own," he said. "My wife of 22 years has supported me the whole way (as well as) all the unsung Airmen doing their best to make this milestone possible."

As an instructor pilot, Hibbard is charged with training new Strike Eagle aviators during the qualification course. His commander, Lt. Col. Frederick Haley, said having someone with Hibbard's expertise provides an added benefit to those on hour one in the aircraft.

"There are only two other actively flying F-15E pilots who have achieved this rare milestone," said Lt. Col. Frederick Haley, 333rd FS commander. "The 333rd Fighter Squadron is fortunate to have an officer of such tremendous talent and rare experience committed to developing the next generation of Strike Eagle warriors."

Now a member of this elite Strike Eagle club, Hibbard plans to continue passing down his knowledge and expertise to all the younger pilots that come through his classroom.

"I can tell you the 3,000th hour didn't feel very different from the 2,000th or 1,000th hour, but it feels a lot different from that first hour," Hibbard said. "I look forward to being able to continue to fly the Strike Eagle for as long as the Air Force will allow me."

Warfighter of the Week: Senior Airman Kyle Streets

by Tech. Sgt. Heather R. Redman
12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs

8/6/2015 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB, Ariz.  -- Senior Airman Kyle Streets, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) personnel security manager, was recognized as the Warfighter of the Week, July 27, 2015.

Streets was born into a military lifestyle and by the time he graduated high school he already knew that he wanted to continue in his parents' footsteps. 

"Being an Army brat I knew how well the United States military takes care of their personnel and all of the opportunities that it could afford me in the future," said Streets. "I especially loved how the Air Force treats its members; for me there was no second option."

Since his enlistment three years ago, Streets has been working in the administration career field.

"Currently I coordinate personnel security issues with Defense Intelligence Agency, Headquarters USAF, Headquarters Air Combat Command, U.S. Southern Command, as well as the Air Force Adjudication Facility to monitor the status of over 1,300 sensitive information billets for 12th AF (AFSOUTH) and base-wide personnel," said Streets. "Without my job, 12th AF (AFSOUTH) wouldn't be able to handle the classified material needed to complete their day-to-day missions."

Street's supervisor believes that he is a model Airman who others should strive to emulate.

"Airman Streets is a great asset to the 12th AF (AFSOUTH) team," said Staff Sgt. Alicia Ekstrom, non-commissioned officer in charge of personnel security. "He is responsible for helping me manage the second largest personnel security section in ACC."

"He has done so much as an Airman 1st Class and developed so many amazing skills that I believe he is the standard that his peers should strive for. I nominated him for this opportunity to show him how much his work is appreciated," said Ekstrom.

From the age of six, Streets has dreamed of flying.  Joining the Air Force is the first step to seeing his dreams come true.

"I've always wanted to be a pilot," said Streets.  "When I was six my uncle taxied me around the hangar in his Cessna for my birthday, from then I knew I wanted to be in the sky. "I'm honored that I have the privilege of being called an American Airman. The Air Force provides so many opportunities for me to make my dreams come true."
By continuing his education, Streets plans on making his dreams of becoming a pilot come true.

"In five years, I see myself graduated from school with my bachelors and on my way to either Officer Training School or headed to Flight School," said Streets. "Not everybody gets to follow their dream in life, but I have the opportunity to make it happen thanks to the Air Force."

With his plan already laid out, there is nothing holding Streets back from reaching his personal and professional goals.

"I fully expect to see Airman Streets follow his dreams of becoming an officer and a pilot," Ekstrom said. "I see him following his dreams and making the Air Force a career.

Warfighter of the Week is an opportunity for the Airmen throughout 12th AF (AFSOUTH) to share their story. The Warfighter of the Week initiative aligns with the 12th AF (AFSOUTH) commander's priority of creating a work environment where someone knows you both professionally and personally. These outstanding Airmen are selected by their directors based on their contributions to the Air Force's mission.

Comprehensive Airman Fitness on the go

by Airman 1st Class Luke Hill
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

8/7/2015 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) -- The Wingman Toolkit, an outreach and communication tool designed to ensure Airmen have quick and easy access to the latest Comprehensive Airman Fitness programs and resources, now has a mobile app available to download.

The app provides resources to improve mental, physical, social and spiritual fitness, all at the touch of a finger.

"The toolkit provides resources like videos, stories and testimonies that help Airmen improve CAF," said Jeffrey Maiette, a 2nd Bomb Wing community support coordinator. "It also has tools that help Airmen implement CAF concepts into their daily activities. They can track physical training workouts and scores, set up spiritual reminders that help keep a positive mindset and it even has tools that help track sleep patterns."

Many Airmen are already taking advantage of the toolkit's many resources.

"For me, the best feature is the 'count your blessings' portion of the app," said Master Sgt. Joshua Copeland the 2nd Communication Squadron information technology project manager. "It provides a place to document all the great things that happen over the course of the day and gives me time to reflect back on why it was good and who helped make it good. I use this feature several times a day as good things happen."

Airmen are also seeing benefits in their personal and professional life.

"The app has reminder options you can set," said Senior Master Sgt. Jeremy Shay, the Air Force Global Strike Command fabrication functional manager. "I have pop-ups set for after the end of the duty day. I use this as a way to help me refocus on my family and the things they look to me for after a long day of work. The app has definitely helped me not bring the stress I feel from impending changes into my daily interactions with my wife and daughter."

Overall, CAF concepts can result in more resilient Airmen, which means they can accomplish the mission more effectively.

"CAF isn't about a program, it's about a lifestyle," Maiette said. "This new app gives Airmen a genuine hands-on way to apply CAF concepts and empowers them to follow through on things they've learned through CAF."

Fisher House receives additional rooms

by Airman Christopher R. Morales
JBER Public Affairs

8/6/2015 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- A dedication for the Fisher House Annex was hosted at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Warrior Transition Unit July 28 in honor of the 22 new rooms providing shelter for service members and family in need of medical attention.

The WTU provided a wing of its building due to the high demand for shelter for families with a member hospitalized on base.

"The people occupying these new rooms are active duty and their adult family members; parents, spouses, and high-risk pregnancies," said Jenny Hall, Alaska Fisher House manager.

"The original Fisher House is used for our families with children and the veteran population."

The Alaska Fisher House serves all branches of the military; Reservists, Guardsmen, retirees, veterans, and their family members, as it has for the past three years.

Coast Guard Commander David Landro, from U.S. Coast Guard Base Kodiak, and his wife were given a room during the last two months of her pregnancy.

He was not able to be with her in the beginning, so she lived at the Fisher House without any family for a time - but she was not alone.

"It was nice to know the staff was there, like a home, and not only that, but the other people staying as well," Cmdr. Landro said. "There was a bond; they were all friends with each other.

"When the time came, finding a hotel, particularly for a family, was very expensive and difficult," he said. "We were able to go to the Fisher House as a family and take care of ourselves in a comfortable situation."

Spc. Cory Kaldwell, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, a food service specialist at Fort Wainwright, came to the JBER hospital for surgery.

"We came here July 1, and my surgery was planned for July 7, but was pushed back until July 21," Kaldwell said.

"We thought we were going to lose the room and everything, but were reassured the Fisher House would hold the room for us."

"So far everything has been better than great, actually better than being at home," Kaldwell said. "Having the house here is completely convenient."

Kaldwell is staying in the new Fisher House rooms recovering from surgery and has a couple more surgeries to go.

In the meantime, he is taken care of not by only the staff, but also his husband.

"This helps him and it makes it easier for me to take care of him because we have everything here, even food," said Alex Ivanov, Kaldwell's husband.

The Fisher House is a non-profit organization, which functions on donations, contributions and volunteers.

"Volunteer support from our community is very important; whether it be from people hosting meals, donating things like bottled water and toothpaste, or simply time to help out," Hall said.

"We need all those things, and because we are a separate location we're going to need double the help."

606th ACS conducts training to maintain readiness

by Senior Airman Dylan Nuckolls
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

8/5/2015 - SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Airmen of the 606th Air Control Squadron commenced mobile deployment training July 27, 2015, at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

The squadron's weeklong training included pallet building, five-ton driver training, tow training and tent setup.

This specific training aims to ensure the 606th ACS can load their equipment, transport it to austere locations and build work centers from the ground up to accomplish the mission.

"Right now, we're making sure we're a mobile unit--that's our first step in training," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Aaron Gibney, 606th ACS commander. "Next, we're going to make sure we are ready to provide tactical command and control."

According to U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Michael Wester, 606th ACS chief enlisted manager, the training the squadron is doing is to help Airmen be better prepared to meet mission taskers.

Additionally, he added that all this training while keeping their local mission going would not be possible without every Airman in the squadron.

"The Airmen continue to impress me and amaze me," Wester said. "Anytime you are in a training environment, you face challenges, and that is what training is for. But what impresses me about these Airmen is they identify the challenges and come up with solutions and continue to find ways to execute the mission."

The 606th ACS is a self-sustaining squadron consisting of maintenance, supply and approximately 19 other specialties. The unit provides daily command and control to the 480th Fighter Squadron in addition to the occasional control of E-3A Sentry AWACS from NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, and visiting aircraft from around the U.S. Air Forces in Europe scope of operations.

Getting a rock-solid grip with the ORC

by Airman Christopher R. Morales
JBER Public Affairs

8/6/2015 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Sometimes life may have you between a rock and a hard place. When climbing, that hard place is the ground. The only thing stopping anyone from reaching the top is oneself ... or the end of the rope, whichever breaks first.

The Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Outdoor Recreation Center offers outdoor rock-climbing trips which provide tips and proper technique in all their activities.

"The reason rock climbing is available this year is because we have two people who are expert climbers," said Dave Mazur, a guide with the ORC. "All of our guides have a lot of experience, and [are] trained in outdoor and wilderness medical procedures and first response."

Mazur said there are a lot of trails along the Seward Highway making trips like these very accessible to JBER residents, yet these other options to explore won't be available without more customers taking advantage of the program.

One of these spots is Boy Scout Rock in the McHugh Creek State Recreational Area of Chugach State Park along the Seward Highway, the focus of most of the trips which has climbs ranging from beginner to more advanced trails.

"You can come here with climbing history and still be challenged," Mazur said.

"We are hoping to grow this Outdoor Adventure program every year and by doing that we need to offer more stuff and give military members and their families a chance to see Alaska at a great price with a great group of people."

Karl Lavtar, guide with the ORC, instructs the participants on proper terminology, climbing basics and tips.

The ORC provides a harness, helmet and shoes fitted prior to the trip, though participants can bring their own.

Other necessities are available as well such as a first-aid kit, climbing rope and anchors.

"There are bolts anchored in Boy Scout Rock with hangers, which are checked manually throughout the season," Lavtar said.

The ORC supplies webbing to better fortify the anchor, so if one component were to give out, the anchor doesn't slip away.

Another handy tool is chalk.

"We do have a chalk bag. We use chalk if the rock is a little wet or your hands get sweaty," Lavtar said.

Lavtar provides climbing tips, so beginning climbers start with a firm grounding.

"You should use your legs a lot and your hands for more balancing," Lavtar said. "Sometimes you have to pull all your weight up with your arms. But if you use only your upper body, you will overwork them really quick.

"When climbing, you want to have your hips closer to the wall," Lavtar said."It's always good to have three points of contact and take small steps.

"If you're using more muscle, you want to be efficient."

"Come on out, support the rock climbing as well as other trips. They are geared for anybody and you don't have to have experience at all," Mazur said.

"We have different challenge levels for those who are more experienced and everything we do is challenge-by-choice. The goal is to have fun, allow you to do something and  see Alaska for a little bit."

Just like any event, the ORC wouldn't be on these trips if people didn't participate.

Not only do the trips provide a few hours of meeting new people, but a chance to see Alaska from a new perspective - like atop a big rock.

3 SES, Schriever host Fight Back 5K

by Staff Sgt. Debbie Lockhart
50th Space Wing Public Affairs

8/5/2015 - SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- As the fog rolled in to the field surrounding the Schriever Air Force Base Fitness Center, so did the Airmen. Friends, family and co-workers came together July 30, to run a 5K and show their support for Lt. Col. Zachary Owen, 3rd Space Experimentation Squadron commander, in his fight against cancer.

"It would be impossible to work with Lt. Col. Owen for any amount of time and not detect the passion he has for endurance events like squadron runs, trail runs, the Manitou Incline or mountain hikes," said Capt. Kenneth Grosselin, 3 SES chief of weapons and tactics. "Because of this passion, a 5K felt like one of the most powerful and accessible ways Team 5-0 could show our solidarity with Lt. Col. Owen and his family."

Owen was diagnosed with melanoma on July 22, but the cancer had metastasized and spread to his liver and pancreas. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, Melanoma "is the most dangerous form of skin cancer," but the Airmen assigned to the 3 SES and Schriever Air Force Base are convinced Owen can beat it.

Approximately 282 Airmen took part in the Fight Back 5K at Schriever Air Force Base, however two additional 5Ks were held at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico and on the East Coast in the National Capital Region.

"[The run] was unbelievable," said Ginet Owen, Owen's wife. "We were blown away by the support Schriever continues to give us. It was very humbling."

The turnout for the Fight Back 5K surpassed everyone's expectations.

"We expected a large contingent from 3 SES and the 4th Space Operations Squadron, but there were members from across the larger Schriever/Peterson community," said Grosselin.

After the run, Airmen were given the opportunity to record a special video greeting to lift the spirits of Owen while receiving treatment in the hospital.

"He loved [the videos]," said Ginet. "It was the first time we've really seen him laugh in weeks. It meant a lot to all of us."

Owen's family said the medication and treatments are starting to work and his health is starting to improve.

"For today, we're just happy he's doing better," said Ginet. "We would love to say thank you to everyone who ran, who filmed and edited the video and everyone who has expressed their concern and love for us."

Those wishing to send their regards to the Owen family can do so through Lt. Col. Chris Todd, 3rd Space Operations Squadron commander.

World War II Airman's Remains Identified

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2015 – The remains of a serviceman, missing since World War II, have been identified and are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors, said the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in a DoD news release issued today.

U.S. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Stephen V. Biezis of Chicago, will be buried Aug. 14, in Arlington National Cemetery, according to the release. His co-pilot, 1st Lt. James F. Gatlin of Jacksonville, Florida, was buried Jan. 30, in Bushnell, Florida.

On Dec. 23, 1944, Biezis and his crew of five were assigned to the 575th Bombardment Squadron, 391st Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force and were deployed to Germany, the release said. Biezis was the co-pilot of a B-26C Marauder that crashed after being struck by enemy fire while on a bombing mission against enemy forces near Ahrweiler, Germany. Biezis, Gatlin and three other crew members were reported killed in action. His remains were not recovered during the war.

One of the crew members parachuted from the aircraft but was captured and held as a prisoner of war by German forces, the release said. Following his release, he reported to U.S. officials that he had no knowledge of the fate of the remaining crewmen.

Following the war, the American Graves Registration Command conducted investigations on the loss of Biezis and his crew and successfully located the crash site, near Manderscheid and Bettenfeld, the release said. The remains of two crewmen were recovered.

On May 27, 1999, a U.S. team investigating World War II losses in Germany visited a crash site near Bettenfeld, according to the release. Two German nationals had researched the crash site and showed the team artifacts that were found and turned over remains collected from the site. Those remains were identified as Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Joe R. Sanchez, 20, of Los Nietos, Calif. He was accounted for in March 2011, and returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

Between 2011 and 2014, the Department of Defense teams traveled to Bettenfeld and conducted operations at the crash site, the release said.

To identify Biezis’ remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used forensic identification tools to include mitochondrial DNA, which matched his sister and cousin, according to the release.

Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died. Today, more than 73,000 are unaccounted for from the conflict, the release said.

Air Force moves to replace AWACS radio system

by Justin Oakes
66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

8/4/2015 - HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Massachusetts -- The AWACS Communication and Network Upgrade program office here is conducting market research in an effort to replace the existing tactical radio system on E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft.

Recently, the Hanscom-based team issued a request for information to assess potential commercial sources able to produce, install and modify components that will be compatible with the new multifunctional information distribution system/joint tactical radio system, known as MIDS/JTRS.

The current legacy tactical radio system on Block 40/45 AWACS will be replaced by the MIDS/JTRS to support Link 16 enhancements -- some of which have been mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration by 2020.

The Link 16 Network is used by several Armed Services, and facilitates communication between other aircraft and ground forces. Beyond radio command and control communication, Link 16 allows for images and real-time video to pass among users.

In addition to federal regulations, diminishing manufacturing sources also drives the Air Force's decision to update the AWACS communication system.

"The current radio is 20-30 years old, and finding replacement parts becomes increasingly more difficult as time goes on," said Steven Clark, CNU program manager. "We have to replace the existing radio box, but we'll also be modernizing the terminal and adding new capabilities."

Some of the increased capabilities of the new unit include crypto modernization; frequency remapping; Concurrent Multi-Netting 4, or CMN4; concurrent contention reception; enhanced throughput and dynamic network management.

With CMN-4, for example, on-board battle managers will be able to monitor and receive messages on four different channels while transmitting through one dedicated line.

"The more information feeding into our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft simultaneously, the better," Clark said. "Battle managers will have better situational awareness and access to a larger pool of information."

As far as the installation itself, "it's not as simple as removing one radio and replacing it with another," Clark said. "Factors such as size, weight, power, connectivity and available products all have to be taken into consideration."

While the CNU program is still in its infancy, it is gaining momentum quickly.

Program officials anticipate a request for proposal sometime during the second quarter of fiscal 2016, with a contract award goal in early fiscal 2017.

"We're moving forward and taking the necessary steps to ensure a successful and expedited modernization to the AWACS radio system," Clark said.

Airmen help base 'weather' any storm

by Senior Airman John Nieves Camacho
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

8/6/2015 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Multiple displays of surrounding weather conditions fill monitors throughout the room. Screens and documents are flooded with combined acronyms and numbers - a cryptic language only a specialist can decipher.

Amidst the colorful display of precipitation, wind and climate forecasts, short spouts of data are verbally exchanged to accomplish the mission.

"Issue a weather advisory and inform our forecasters of the changes."

"Roger. I'll continue to monitor models and satellite imagery, as well."

The Airmen of the 4th Operations Support Squadron weather flight work diligently, 365 days a year, to stay ahead of Mother Nature and keep the people and aircraft of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base safe.

"The weather flight directs and coordinates weather watches, warnings and advisories," said Master Sgt. Adam Bolen, 4th OSS weather flight chief. "This ensures the safety of flights and enables the resource protection of (12,000) base personnel and families, as well as over $9 billion in Defense Department assets."

Airmen constantly monitor weather patterns spanning North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Gathering information such as temperature, wind speed, cloud movement and precipitation levels, Airmen are able provide accurate information to the base populace.

"We look at satellite feeds, (as well as) various radar and computer modeling websites," said Senior Airman Megan Blankenship, 4th OSS weather forecaster. "On any given day, we monitor around 15 to 20 different sources and products that we analyze and interpret to produce just one forecast for the airfield or a flying mission."

The weather flight is comprised of 17 individuals across three sections: staff, airfield services and mission services. The staff section handles administrative duties, while the airfield services section focuses on monitoring the weather above and within five nautical miles of the airfield. Mission services acts as the liaison between aircrew members and the weather flight by delivering forecasts for operations outside the immediate area.

"Briefing aircrew prior to flight is my favorite part of the job," said Staff Sgt. Robert Catron, 4th OSS weather forecaster. "We integrate with them in the fighter squadron, build trust and rapport and see all of our work culminate together."

By providing accurate forecasts, the weather flight has their hand in defending more than half of the Air Force's F-15E Strike Eagles. With so much of the mission taking place in the skies, their efforts ultimately assist in enabling more than 19,000 flying hours per year.

"Other jobs could get more difficult if there was no weather flight," Blankenship said. "We help save the Air Force money by forecasting inclement weather and advising leadership on potential hazards, which ultimately protects the lives of many aircrew members and billions of dollars in assets."

Bolen described his Airmen as "vigilant guardians" and said their work is above reproach.

"Few Airmen are tied to the mission of both the 4th Fighter Wing and the 916th Air Refueling Wing like my Airmen," Bolen added. "The selflessness and default to action attitude they express every day is a tribute to the dedication of all of my weather forecasters."

Thanks to the accuracy and brevity of the weather flight's information, so far in 2015, no aircraft or traffic incidents installation involving inclement weather have occurred.

"I love working as a weather forecaster for the Air Force," Catron said. "Our situational awareness is always at its peak. The work may get hectic at times, but we do what it takes to get the mission done. When weather is at its worst, I'm at my best."

Face of Defense: Fuels Airman Knows How to Support Jets, Lead People

By Air Force Airman 1st Class Lynette Rolen

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

OKINAWA, Japan, Aug. 6, 2015 – Kadena Air Base is home to an array of aircraft designed to perform a variety of missions -- from cargo transportation to air superiority -- but none of those missions are accomplished without the support of ground crew.

That support includes airmen from the 18th Component Maintenance Squadron, like Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas Lewellen. He and his fellow fuel systems experts help ensure the jets take to the sky.

"To work on an aircraft, especially an aircraft that you know is going to do a mission … and then see a pilot instantly step into it and take off -- to make the mission happen, that is absolutely the best," Lewellen said.

Fast Learner

Lewellen has worked on aircraft throughout his nine years in the Air Force -- mostly F-15 Eagles, but plenty of others, too. When new aircraft were added to his shop, his superiors noticed how quickly Lewellen adapted.

"Within one day of a training course, he was already out on a KC-135 [Stratotanker] and was troubleshooting," said Tech. Sgt. Daniel Little, an assistant section chief at the 18th CMS aircraft fuel systems repair facility, who said he has known Lewellen for just over one year. "He’s the tip of the spear."

Noncommissioned officers, though, aren't just charged with mastering their technical jobs. As leaders, it’s imperative they impart their knowledge to the next generation. That's a skill in which Lewellen takes pride.

"I’m a firm believer in actually leading, showing them how to do it, leading them through it, and then letting them show you what they have done the next time the task needs to happen," Lewellen said. "Just telling them to do something would be supervising or managing -- not leading."

Value of Approachability

As his airmen complete their tasks, Lewellen said he provides them with feedback. He said he believes in using positive feedback in order to keep up their morale and in maintaining an interest in the overall well-being of his airmen. He also said he wants to be approachable about issues not related to the shop environment.

"I’ve never had a supervisor who asked me every single day how I’m doing," said Senior Airman Elizabeth Melton, a fuels systems journeyman with the 18th CMS. "He lets me know that it’s an open-door policy and that if I ever have a problem, I know that I can go to him. I know that it’s okay to tell him if anything’s wrong. I know he’ll help me if I need to be helped."

Career Mentorship

In addition to his concern about the success of his airmen’s personal lives, Lewellen said he cares about their professional success, too. He encourages his airmen to try their best at progressing in their careers.

"It makes me feel better whenever I can take a brand-new airman out of [technical] school and mold them and then later … see them doing great things," Lewellen said. "Quarterly awards, annual awards, below-the-zone [promotion] -- it’s not only rewarding for them, but it’s rewarding for a supervisor also, because you help that process."

Lewellen said he's worked with Melton for four years and recently became her boss. She said he sets an example for what it means to be a great supervisor.

"He wants to see you succeed and vice-versa. When we succeed, he succeeds," Melton said. "He’s just a great all-around supervisor –- one of the best I’ve ever had, definitely. He is a rock star."