Airman keeps serving after overcoming rare cancer

By Airman 1st Class Cassandra Whitman, 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published January 10, 2016

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFNS) -- (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series. These stories focus on individual Airmen, highlighting their Air Force story.)

"Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back." -- Maximus

This quote from the movie “Gladiator” rings powerful and true to Tech. Sgt. LaPaul Williams, who said, "I don't believe death is to be feared."

Williams, a 5th Air Support Operations Squadron fighter duty technician stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans affects the lower back and is typically seen in people under the age of 18 and over the age of 45. Williams was 29.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans looks like a bump on the back, then is grows and starts to get taller and pink at the top, Williams explained.

"I thought it was nothing," he said. "I thought it was just a bump."

Williams returned from a TDY to Hawaii and went to the doctor to check on the growing bump. The doctor informed him there was nothing he could do and sent him to a dermatologist. The dermatologist decided that surgery to remove the bump would be best.

On Oct. 17, 2014, Williams headed in for surgery. His wife, Chineka, was with him the entire time. Everything was going as planned. He was making light of the situation, joking with the intern who was learning how to cut a person’s back open, commenting on the giant needle they used to numb his back.

Williams said once they cut most of it out, the doctor stopped and made a statement that there was something wrong.

"Its tumors," the doctor said. "I don't know what kind, but there are tumors deeper in your back."

They had to have the tumors X-rayed and looked at, so they sewed Williams up and went from there.

Once they confirmed the dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, Williams told his family.

"The afternoon I told my parents, as most mothers would be, she was freaked out," Williams said. "We're a very close-knit Christian family. They asked if I was alright, if I needed them here."

Williams’ wife was there supporting him every step of the way.

"I don't sit down," Williams said. "She would tell me to rest, but I was a pain in the butt."

Williams said he wasn't scared with his diagnosis. He was a little shocked, but he wanted to know what he did to cause it and how he could fix it. The doctor told Williams there was nothing he could have done to prevent it. Williams was extremely hopeful during the entire ordeal.

In November, Williams said they needed to remove more of the tumors. They cut a diamond shape out of his back to remove them.

For six weeks, he had a tube from his back to his chest as his back was healing from the fluid that was being drained. He healed quicker than normal.

Because of the nature of William's job, he was immediately moved off duty and sent to see if he was allowed to stay in the Air Force. But, Williams said he had an extremely supportive Air Force family.

His supervisor, peers and commander were all hopeful for him, offering their support through it all. They let him know if there was anything he needed, he just had to ask.

"They didn't bother me or limit me," Williams said of his chain of command. "They watched my back and let me take care of myself."

During his diagnosis, Williams said his family helped him most. They never looked at Williams with sad eyes, or blamed anything or anyone for what happened. They told him they would help him get through it, if he needed anything to call and they would stop and make time for him.

"There are a lot of things you can buy and replace," Williams said. "But time spent with a person is something you can't. When people decide to use some of their time for you, it's humbling."

Williams also said a positive attitude was key to facing this type of diagnosis.

"Positive thoughts have absolute results when it comes to healing," Williams said. "Those who are hopeful and have positive thoughts regardless of the situation, they turn out the best."

In December, Williams was in remission.

He said there is always a chance for the cancer to come back, and if it does, it will be worse and more aggressive. He still goes to the doctor every six months to make sure it hasn't returned, and that will continue for the rest of his life.

"I understand I am playing on borrowed time," Williams said. "I'm still able to serve, and I'm thankful for that. I'm still ranking up and making friends. Anything that's worth it is worth the effort."

Williams' advice to those who are still battling is to do whatever it takes to get positive, because it can change your reality.

"I have your back," he said. "If you need to call me, call me. We'll talk about life. Even if that means talking at 1, 2 or 3 in the morning, I'll be up. I'll make some tea and we'll sit down and talk about it."

Williams said to those who are supporting someone fighting this battle, encourage them. Encouragement will make the difference.

"The most important thing is it's not about the condition, it's about the people around you," he said.

U.S. Conducts B-52 Bomber Overflight in South Korea

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, January 10, 2016 — A U.S. B-52 bomber from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, conducted a low-level flight in the vicinity of Osan, South Korea, in response to a recent nuclear test by North Korea, according to a U.S. Pacific Command news release issued yesterday.

The B-52 was joined by South Korean F-15 fighter aircraft and U.S. F-16 fighter aircraft, the release said.

"This was a demonstration of the ironclad U.S. commitment to our allies in South Korea, in Japan, and to the defense of the American homeland," said Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., Pacom commander. "North Korea's nuclear test is a blatant violation of its international obligations. U.S. joint military forces in the Indo-Asia-Pacific will continue to work with all of our regional allies and partners to maintain stability and security."

The bilateral flight mission demonstrates the strength of the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea and the resolve of both nations to maintain stability and security on the Korean Peninsula, the release said.

Headquartered in Hawaii, Pacom is responsible for all U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps forces over half the earth's surface, stretching from the waters off the west coast of North America to the western border of India, and from Antarctica to the North Pole.

The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range strategic bomber and part of the command's continuous bomber presence in the Indo-Asia-Pacific. Upon completion of the flight over South Korea, the B-52 returned to Guam, the release said.

Outgoing Southcom Commander Outlines Mission

By Lisa Ferdinando DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, January 8, 2016 — The role of U.S. Southern Command is unique among the combatant commands, Southcom’s outgoing commander said at a Pentagon news conference today.

Marine Corps Gen. John F. Kelly, who is retiring after more than four decades of service, shared his thoughts on Southcom’s mission.

Southcom is responsible for all Defense Department security cooperation in the 45 nations and territories of Central and South America and the Caribbean Sea, an area of 16 million square miles.

"It's all about broadening and deepening partnerships down there, to say the least," Kelly said. "I will tell you that the partners we have in Latin America and the Caribbean like the United States and want to be associated with the United States."

Kelly added there are few countries that "didn’t get the memo" about democracy and human rights, but added that "some of that is even turning around."

Southcom works with allies in the region to deliver advice, education and assistance, Kelly said. Other priorities are countering transnational organized crime, counterterrorism, drug interdiction, building partner capacity response, and detainee operations.

Drug Interdiction Important Mission

"We've had a tremendous year of interdiction of cocaine," the general said. "The way we've partnered with various nations has allowed us to interdict ...191 metric tons of cocaine, and that's after it left Latin America."

The No. 1 partner in fighting drug trafficking is Colombia, Kelly told reporters. He said Colombia interdicted hundreds of metric tons of cocaine before the drugs left the country, and eradicated tens of thousands of coca plantation bushes and hundreds of cocaine labs.

The United States needs to stay involved in the process of helping Colombia, he said.

"Let's not throw away a success story,” he added. “We have to stand and continue Plan Colombia, in my opinion, for another 10 years."

Proud of Service Members Serving at Guantanamo

Kelly also outlined detainee operations at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, another Southcom mission.

"My mandate from the president, through the secretary of defense, is to make sure that we're in accordance with all laws and regulations that the detainees as long as they are down there are treated well, treated humanely, and well taken care of medically and otherwise," he said.

"We do that superbly. I'm very, very, very proud of my soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines that are at Guantanamo that execute this mission as well as they do," he said.

Gold Star Father

The sacrifices of his own service are not the only ones Kelly has endured. His son, Marine Corps 1st Lt. Robert Kelly, was killed in action in 2010 in Afghanistan.

"It doesn’t matter how they die,” he said. “To lose a child, ... I can't imagine anything worse than that. When you lose one in combat, in my opinion, there's a pride that goes with it. … He didn’t have to be there doing what he was doing. He wanted to be there. He volunteered."

When Gold Star families ask him if it was worth it, the general said, he tells them that what is important is that the person who died thought it was worth it. "That's the only opinion that counts," he said.

Those who choose to serve, whether in the military or as police or federal agents, are "special people" who are doing what they wanted to do, and are with the people they wanted to be with when they lost their lives, Kelly said.

"Gold Star families are special, to say the least," he said.

The one thing the families would ask, he said, is that "the cause for which their son or daughter fell be carried through to a successful end."

Navy Vice Adm. Kurt W. Tidd, assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff, will receive his fourth star and succeed Kelly as Southcom commander Jan. 14.