USS Houston Visits Sasebo during Western Pacific Deployment

By Lt. Luis Luy, USS Houston Public Affairs

SASEBO, Japan (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Houston (SSN 713) arrived in Sasebo, Japan, for a visit as part of its deployment to the Western Pacific, Sept. 10.

The visit strengthens the already positive alliance between the U.S. and Japan through the crews' interaction with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

It also demonstrates the U.S. Navy's commitment to regional stability and maritime security in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

"Being in Sasebo is a phenomenal opportunity to further our relations with the Japanese Navy while expanding our positive presence in the region. The objective of this visit is not only to enhance our operational readiness but to experience and learn from the Japanese culture," said Cmdr. Scott McGinnis, USS Houston's commanding officer.

Houston is a fast attack submarine equipped with four torpedo tubes, two countermeasure tubes, and the ability to deploy and operate around the globe. Houston's design and crew spirit has earned recognition for being one of the fastest and fiercest vessels in the Pacific.

"Prior to arriving in Sasebo, Houston enhanced its tactical readiness by completing additional navigation and submarine operations training in addition to participating in the CARAT Singapore Exercise in July," said McGinnis. "Houston has been hard at work and is now ready to replenish her resources while also enjoying the exceptional cultural and entertainment opportunities this visit offers."

"Since departing Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, mighty warship Houston and her crew have been deployed to the 7th Fleet AOR demonstrating both the professionalism and perseverance of a proud Western Pacific asset," said Senior Chief Sonar Technician Paul McCrory, the chief of the boat aboard Houston. "My crew is looking forward to much deserved rest and an excellent port visit in Sasebo. We are also excited and grateful for the hospitality and the opportunity to experience Japanese culture and all Sasebo has to offer."

Many crewmembers are excited to experience the rich culture of Japan.

"I am looking forward to visiting Nagasaki and experiencing as much Japanese culture as possible," said Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Aaron Breemer.

Measuring 360 feet long and displacing 6,900 tons when submerged, Houston is one of the stealthiest submarines in the world. This submarine is capable of supporting a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, intelligence and surveillance and reconnaissance.

Houston is homeported out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and is the fourth U.S. Navy vessel to be named after the city of Houston, Texas. In commemoration of the heavy weight cruiser USS Houston (CA 30), most commonly known as the Ghost of the Java Coast, which was lost in the Battle of the Java Sea, Houston (SSN 713) was commissioned Sept. 25, 1982 and has starred in deployments, exercises and the famous submarine movie, The Hunt for Red October. Houston is the 132nd nuclear-powered submarine and the 20th of the Los Angeles class.

US Marines Deploy in Support of Southern Partnership Station-Joint High Speed Vessel 2015

By Lance Cpl. Carsen Turner, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs

TRUJILLO, Honduras (NNS) -- U.S. Marines assigned to the 8th Engineer Support Battalion, in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, are participating in Southern Partnership Station-Joint High Speed Vessel 2015 (SPS-JHSV 15) as part of the Adaptive Force Package (AFP) from July to October in Honduras and Guatemala.

These engineers provide mechanical support for motor transportation, produce purified water and aid in the development of buildings.

SPS-JHSV 15 is an annual U.S. Navy deployment to the Caribbean, Central and South American countries, fostering a lasting relationship with the host nations by promoting and enhancing regional stability and security through the sharing of experiences.

Deputy Commander SPS-JHSV 15, Lt. Col. Rudy Quiles, assigned to 4th Civil Affairs Group in Miami, said the most natural partner for the Navy is the U.S. Marine Corps.

"SPS has always been a joint operation," said Quiles. "Marines bring a lot of reach on the shore and beyond the shore to conduct security cooperation and humanitarian assistance. It was very important from the Navy's perspective to demonstrate that the Marines could employ this great tool that is the JHSV."

The Navy enlisted the help of 32 Marines from Camp Lejeune to support the SPS-JHSV15 mission. The Marine detachment is comprised of combat engineers, water purification specialists and a motor transportation mechanic.

"The Marines provide more manpower, complimentary engineering skills, water production - which is an effort to address a core grievance of the population, and above all, the ability to create a bridge between SPS and Special Purpose- Marine Air-Ground Task Force (SP- MAGTAF) Southern Command that is in the area permanently now," said Quiles.

"Those lines of communication between Marines from both units help bring resources, help bring other manpower and help bring air transportation capability to what SPS seeks to achieve."

Combat Engineer Sgt. Lore, assigned to 8th Engineer Support Battalion, in Camp Lejeune is the non-commissioned officer in charge of the deployed Marines.

"We were involved in the Yolanda School Project, where we put in a new septic system, repaired the bathroom and put a concrete pad around their bathroom," said Lore. "At the Juan Ramone School, we replaced the roof on their bathroom, repaired some desks, put a finish on them, painted the bathroom and put a fence around the outside."

The Marines also aided in construction projects at Santa Fe High School and replaced the roof, painted the building and built a gazebo. Marines worked on a road culvert, creek bed excavation- making it wider and built a culvert for a bridge. Water Purification Specialists purified 5,000 gallons of water for the local community using their Lightweight Water Purification System (LWPS).

"The school projects not only gave the children attending the school better facilities, but provided a foundation for future generations to build upon," said Lore. "The road culvert helped stop the flooding of the local houses next to the bed creek. The water purification system gave the local community much needed fresh water."

Combat Engineer Lance Cpl. Eckman, also assigned to 8th Engineer Support Battalion, has been in the Marine Corps for more than a year and is on his first deployment.

"For me, participating in the projects was very influential and hit home," said Eckman. "Being able to see the changes that it makes in the community - how happy it makes the kids, parents, teachers and everybody that was involved - made me feel really good and like I was actually doing my job as a Marine."

According to Eckman, at the closing ceremony for the projects he felt a sense of mission accomplishment, and saw the positive impact the deployment had on the community.

"I'd say this deployment is pretty awesome," said Eckman. "We have A/C, we have a tent, we have hot meals, and I'd say this is, for deployments, probably the best deployment that a Marine could get on."

The SPS-JHSV 15 mission continues to Puerto Barrios, Guatemala. A group of Marines travelled to Puerto Lempira and Mocoron airfield, Honduras, their mission is to support SP-MAGTAF in similar projects.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet support U.S. Southern Command's joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

Maintenance teams lock down points as Global Strike Challenge continues

by John Turner
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

9/9/2015 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Four of the 341st Missile Wing's five Global Strike Challenge 2015 intercontinental ballistic missile maintenance teams are in the spotlight this week as they enter the arena to wrench points away from similar teams at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, and F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming.

ICBM Maintenance competition events here Sept. 8-11 will evaluate the 341st Maintenance Group's GSC Electromechanical Team, Facilities Maintenance Team, Missile Handling Team, and Missile Communications Teams' mastery over career-specific tasks. Each missile maintenance element can score up to 300 points for the wing, with points deducted for errors and incomplete tasks after the time allotted. Each wing is evaluated at its home location. Final scores will be revealed in October.

"The 341st MXG is very proud of all the competitors and trainers and we're confident they will bring home some hardware," said 1st Lt. Jennifer Wendland, 341st Maintenance Operations Squadron training flight commander.

The EMT is comprised of Senior Airman Cameron Thoms, team chief; Senior Airman Joshua Wood, team member; and Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Scearce, alternate team member. Tech. Sgt. Alexander Hutchings and Senior Airman Ryan Smith are the team's trainers. Day to day, EMT is part of the 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron's generation flight and is responsible for the command and control of the Minuteman ICBM weapon system.

On the FMT is Senior Airman Robert Gilsbach, team chief; Staff Sgt. Paul Parzynski, team member; and Airman 1st Class Erick Alvarez-Pagan, alternate team member. Tech. Sgt. Michael Marshall and Staff Sgt. Kyle Namen are the team's trainers. The work center is responsible for the power and environmental control systems that support the Minuteman weapon system and is part of the 341st MMXS facilities flight.

The MHT is comprised of Tech. Sgt. Gary Pamplin, team chief; Senior Airman Brett Besserman, team member; Senior Airman Michael Beverly, team member; Senior Airman Christopher Blessing, team member; and Senior Airman Shaquille Stephens, alternate team member. Staff Sgts. Matthew Truitt and Andrew Wellman are the team's trainers. MHT is responsible for all third-stage operations of Minuteman maintenance including the removal, installation, transport and transfer of the missile's 68,000-pound booster. The work center is part of the 341st MMXS generation flight.

The MCT is Senior Airman Taylor Knox, team chief; Senior Airman Tripp McCool, team member; and Senior Airman Chris St. John, alternate team member. Staff Sgt. Joshua Rutledge and Senior Airman Travis Grimit are the team's trainers. Their work center is responsible for the maintenance and sustainment of nuclear command, control and communication systems for the Minuteman system. Day to day, the work center is part of the 341st MMXS facilities flight.

The group's fifth GSC team, from the 341st Munitions Squadron, was evaluated Sept. 2-4. The MUNS team competes annually while EMT, FMT, MHT and MCT each compete every two years, alternating biennially with four other teams from the 341st Missile Maintenance and 341st Maintenance Operations Squadrons.

Malmstrom's five maintenance teams were formally announced at the wing's official GSC 2015 kick-off event at the Grizzly Bend Aug. 28. Members have been training intensively in the weeks leading up to competition events, drilling in the evenings and over weekends to perfect their timing, awareness and team cohesion.

"The MXG teams have put in 45 days and approximately 495 hours of training," said Wendland. "As a result, they have received a tremendous amount of support from their peers and leadership."

Global Strike Challenge is the world's premier bomber, intercontinental ballistic missile and security forces competition. Through competition and teamwork at various locations throughout the country, the event looks to foster esprit de corps, recognize outstanding AFGSC personnel and teams and improve combat capabilities. More than 450 Airmen from across AFGSC, as well as the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command, Air Force Materiel Command and Air Combat Command will take part in Global Strike Challenge competitions at various locations throughout the country.

Edwards prepares for F-16 radar upgrade testing

412th Test Wing Public Affairs

9/9/2015 - EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.  -- As part of the F-16 Radar Modernization Program, a team from the 416th Flight Test Squadron is preparing to conduct flight testing of the Active Electronically Scanned Array, or AESA, radar on two 412th Test Wing aircraft from September 2015 through August 2016.

"Current F-16 mechanically-scan radars have limited target handling capacity because existing mechanical scanning methods are inherently slow and require large amounts of power in order to respond rapidly enough to deal with large numbers of high-speed maneuvering targets," said Jon Haser, 416th Flight Test Squadron Integrity Driven Quality Focused Project Support contractor.

Haser said the F-16 Radar Modernization Program, or RMP, is a risk mitigation effort designed to deliver fully developed AESA radars for integration on Foreign Military Sales and U.S. Air Force F-16 aircraft. AESA radars are known for their superior capability in comparison to current operational radars.

"In an era in which the numerical superiority of adversaries is expected to remain large, an electronic scanning radar can offset that advantage and provide increase lethality for the F-16," said Haser.

"With mechanically-scanned systems, antenna inertia and inflexibility prevent employment of optimum radar beam positioning patterns that can reduce reaction times and increase target capacity," said Haser. "With electronic scanning, the radar beams are positioned almost instantaneously and completely without the inertia, time lags and vibration of mechanical [radar] systems."

Additionally, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics selected Northrop Grumman Corp. to provide its Scalable Agile Beam Radar, or SABR: AN/APG-83 Fire Control Radar, as contractor-furnished equipment for Foreign Military Sales and potentially U.S. Air Force F-16 modernization programs.

"This RMP test program will consist of a Design Try-Out to help develop radar modes of the SABR and to evaluate the AN/APG-83 radar performance specified in the contract prior to integration efforts by Lockheed Martin," Haser said.

Although Haser said no U.S. Air Force F-16 aircraft programs have been identified to receive AESA radar upgrades, the RMP flight test efforts here will directly affect the AESA radar development for the F-16 Phoenix Rising Project for Taiwan, slated to begin at the end of 2015.

Wyoming Civil Air Patrol now part of Total Force

by Senior Airman Jason Wiese
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

9/10/2015 - F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- When conducting missions for the Air Force as its official auxiliary, the Civil Air Patrol is included in the Air Force's definition of the total force after a recent decision by Air Force leadership. CAP has provided 74 years of support to emergency services, aerospace education and cadet programs.

The Air Force updated Doctrine Volume 2, "Leadership," expanding the Air Force's descriptions of total force and Airmen to now consist of active-duty, Guard, Reserve, civilian and auxiliary members, that is, members of the CAP, which supplements the Air Force.

Historically, the broader term Airmen referred to uniformed and civilian members of the U.S. Air Force (officer or enlisted, regular, Reserve, or Guard) regardless of rank, component or specialty.

With this newest change, Air Force leaders will consider each part of the total force, including the auxiliary, when determining the most effective and efficient ways to complete the mission. CAP has approximately 57,000 volunteers and 550 aircraft assigned to more than 1,500 stateside units available or currently supporting non-combat missions on behalf of the Air Force.

"It feels really good to be recognized by the Air Force for all the things we do," said CAP Maj. Aaron Seng, CAP Cheyenne Squadron commander. "All of our interaction with the Air Force has been good, but there hasn't always been widespread recognition."

Wyoming's CAP units focus on search and rescue missions mostly, Seng said.

"Being able to save someone's life is a tremendous feeling," he said.

For their aerial missions, the Wyoming CAP has five Cessna 182s and 1 Cessna Turbo 206 at their disposal, said CAP Col. Harold "Ken" Johnston II, Wyoming Wing commander. Two of them, including the 206, have forward looking infrared cameras for nighttime operations.

"Last year, our folks saved five lives," Johnston said. "That's number-one in the nation [for CAP SAR]."

Nationwide, the auxiliary members -- who fly nearly 100,000 hours per year performing disaster relief, counterdrug, SAR, fighter interceptor training, aerial observation and cadet orientation flights -- will now be included in the total force and referred to as Airmen during the performance of official duties in recognition of their contributions to the Air Force.

"It's going to be interesting," said Johnston about the CAP's new designation as auxiliary Airmen.

Instead of resting on their laurels now that the CAP cadets and leaders are now considered Airmen, Johnston intends to use this distinction to improve their relations with the rest of the Total Force and find more areas to assist.

"What we do is provide volunteers who go out and perform services the military can do, but on a much more cost effective basis," he said.

Whereas each hour of flight for Blackhawk helicopters costs the taxpayer about $6,000, CAP Airmen flying Cessnas cost about $150 per hour, Johnston said. He hopes to be more integrated into military activities to ease the burden on taxpayers.

Another benefit of more widespread recognition of the CAP is its potential effect on youths. Seng said people often worry about the direction the children and teens of America are heading in, but being part of the CAP gives him a sense of hope because cadets volunteer to be part of CAP efforts, especially SAR ground teams.

"It's a great way to give back to the community and a great way to volunteer," Seng said. "Seeing cadets step up for their community, for their state, for their country -- it's an amazing thing."

22nd SFS Airmen train for dangerous scenarios

by Senior Airman Victor J. Caputo
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

9/10/2015 - MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Several visibly upset people throw rocks and other hard objects at a convoy of Humvees carrying 22nd Security Forces Squadron Airmen as it passes by.

As the convoy halts to remove a log blocking their path, an individual approaches the lead vehicle, and the gaggle they had just passed begins to close in on their flank.

A suicide vest is flashed in the front of the convoy, and intense small arms fire opens up from the rear, and the Defenders react without a second thought to secure their position.

A Defender goes down after being hit in the leg, and two of her wingmen begin to perform self-aid buddy care while the other Airmen engage the enemy combatants.

Once the enemy was subdued, the 22nd SFS Airmen then carried on with their mission, continuing down the road towards the McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, combat arms training and maintenance building and the next portion of their exercise.

Realistic scenarios like this firefight are a key aspect of the pre-deployment training that the 22nd SFS held for several Defenders scheduled to deploy in the near future.

"A lot of these people have never had that deployment experience to where they've been in convoys, troop movements or how to react to contact under fire in a deployed location," said Senior Airman Kyle Black, 22nd Security Forces Squadron unit trainer.

The three-day course consists of two days of classroom instruction, with in-depth discussions about what to expect in a deployed environment and how to properly handle different scenarios.

The final day is a field training exercise, where the class puts their skills to the test against other Airmen simulating enemy combatants in a variety of situations, ranging from patrols in vehicles to the extraction of high value targets from secure locations.

"[They did really well] being first-time deployers and only having two or three days to come together and work together as a team," Black said. "It really pushed a lot of people to step outside of their comfort zone and expand as leaders."

The 22nd SFS regularly conducts training exercises, but the focus is often centered on their ability to defend and secure McConnell, its assets and its personnel. The opportunity to provide the specific skills necessary before a possibly dangerous deployment is not something they take lightly.

"Our Defenders work tirelessly to secure and protect the base at home, and this training allows them to focus on a skill set more suited for a deployed environment," said Maj. Robert Clouse, 22nd SFS commander. "We want them to not only perform their duties to best of their abilities, but to also give them the tools to excel when facing dangerous scenarios down-range.  This ultimately develops team cohesion and enhances resiliency and survivability."

Suicide Prevention Month: How one person can make a difference

By Katie Lange, DoD News, Defense Media Activity / Published September 10, 2015

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) -- Thoughts of suicide are not necessarily something people explicitly announce to the world, which means loved ones often have no idea that their friend or family member is contemplating it. But there are signs and risk factors, and while somebody might think they can’t make a difference by themselves, that’s wrong. Experts say that’s sometimes all it takes.

That’s the point of the Power of 1 campaign, launched by the Defense Department and Department of Veterans Affairs in observance of Suicide Prevention Month.

“One smile, one conversation, one comment, one caring gesture toward somebody at risk can make a difference in their experience and perhaps instill hope and get them to help,” said Dr. Keita Franklin, the Defense Suicide Prevention Office director.

The number one thing to know: Suicide is preventable. Warning signs are just missed sometimes.

“Inevitably, we always know that somebody has told somebody that they were struggling,” Franklin said of her office’s research. “Unfortunately, that person may not have known the extent of the risk.”

To be better prepared, here are some of the signs you can look for:

- Expressing sadness often

- Anxiety and agitation

- Deteriorating physical appearances and neglect of personal welfare

- Sleeping all the time, or having trouble sleeping

- Withdrawing from friends and family

- Losing interest in hobbies; loss of appetite

- Performing poorly at work or school

- Dramatic and frequent mood changes

- Acting recklessly; showing violent, self-destructive behavior

- Expressing feelings of guilt, shame or failure

- Desperation – feeling like there’s no way out or no solution to the problem

- Giving away prized possessions

- Making out a will or otherwise getting his or her affairs in order

- Trying to secure weapons, pills or other things that can be used for harm

Common risk factors for suicide include relationship, financial or legal struggles.

It’s OK to not be OK

Franklin said a big part of suicide prevention in the military is making sure those at risk feel like they belong and are valued in their roles. That means making sure the at-risk person knows his or her chain of command cares and is willing to help – that it’s OK to not be OK.

“Leaders need to be able to convey to their units that people can bounce back from their stress issues and that they’re not always terminally broken,” Franklin said.

She said it’s important for at-risk people to know that getting help with mental health issues is a sign of strength, not weakness.

“It’s a big first step, and it can save a life, whether you’re the person at risk or the person helping the person at risk,” Franklin said.

She said service members are also provided peer-to-peer training that focuses on them looking for signs and risk factors and, more importantly, asking the question, “Are you thinking of killing yourself?”

“We won’t know if people are at risk until then,” Franklin said.

For more resources on how to support military members and veterans in crisis, visit Veteranscrisisline.net or the Defense Suicide Prevention Office website. Service members and veterans who need help can call the Military Crisis Line and speak to a counselor by dialing 800-273-TALK and pressing 1. If overseas, you can still get help by calling:

In Europe: 00800 1273 8255 or DSN 118*

In Korea: 0808 55 118 or DSN 118

In Afghanistan: 00 1 800 273 8255 or DSN 111

DOD statistics show that in 2014, there were 268 confirmed suicides among active-duty military members, 79 confirmed in the Reserves and 87 in the National Guard.