TOP STORY >> Cinder blocks and steel

By Airman 1st Class Scott Poe

19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Tucked away in the back of the Security Forces Squadron building, surrounded by steel and concrete in a small room with one-way windows and cold steel doors, is where Staff Sgt. Thomas Hodges, the 19th SFS noncommissioned officer-in-charge of confinement, spends his work day. 

Hodges is responsible for the inmates at Little Rock AFB. Each morning, when Hodges arrives, his first order of business is to review the live feed from the security cameras to look for anything out of the ordinary. After his initial inspection, he talks to the inmates to ensure their units have taken care of them and that they have everything they need. 

“I can’t be here every single day, every single moment, so the first thing I do is assess what happened while I was gone,” said Hodges. 

Hodges is a one-man show during normal duty hours. When he is off the clock, the 19th Security Forces desk sergeant keeps an eye out and is responsible for the inmates until Hodges returns.

As the NCOIC of confinement, Hodges stays ahead of the game by watching over current courts martial that have the possibility of confinement to better understand the characteristics of possible inmates.

“I like to find out as much information as I can, so I can understand why they are here and their personality,” said Hodges. “Instead of waiting until they are being in-processed to confinement, I like to go to their courts martial to try and figure out who they are, what they did and how they are going to react and behave in confinement.”

Inmates can be held for a few days or up to six months in confinement. When inmates are sentenced for longer than a month, Hodges feels he can make a difference.

“I feel like I actually get to make a difference here,” said Hodges. “I try to counsel the inmates and let them know about the resources they still have available to them. My favorite part of my job is being able to interact with them.”

One of the differences Hodges tries to make is to redirect the inmates’ intentions and goals to help them become better Airmen.

“I’m not just doing it for their benefit; I’m also doing it for society’s benefit,” said Hodges. “It’s a punishment to be here, but it’s also rehabilitation. It’s the confinement staff’s job to help the inmate become a productive member of society.”

Being the NCOIC of confinement is no easy job, but Hodges brings the determination, the drive and the military bearing necessary for the task. 

TOP STORY >> 314th AW impacts Israeli AF training

By Senior Airman Kaylee Clark

19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Little Rock Air Force Base is the home of C-130 aircraft, aircrew training, and also the home away from home for many international students.

The 314th Airlift Wing’s “Center of Excellence” hosts students from all over the world to learn the C-130 and its mission inside and out.

That training mission doesn’t stop at the base gate. In a case such as Maj. Kevin Coughlin’s, 48th Airlift Squadron flight commander and instructor pilot, he traveled far from the “Home of the Herk” to train Israeli aircrew members beyond the initial training level.

Coughlin was the only pilot from Little Rock AFB selected for the training mission, and was joined by three pilots stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The four pilots gathered at Ramstein Air Base to conduct course preparation before heading to Nevatim Israeli Air Force Base for the true test. 

The goal was to arm Israeli Air Force C-130J aircrews with the skills and knowledge required to employ the Coordinated Aircraft Positioning (CAP) system and Station Keeping Equipment (SKE) formation operation systems designed into their aircraft. 

“The radar’s capability allows them to fly in formation without seeing other aircraft,” said Coughlin. “With the technology on the C-130J and the added navigator to the Israeli Air Force C-130J crew it is easy to stay in the confines of the designated training area.”  

Once in country, the clock was ticking on the training program. Not only was the goal to get the IAF pilots’ knowledge broadened on the formation system, but the team was only given 11 days to complete the training.

The first two days of training involved classroom based instruction led by Coughlin and the three other instructor pilots. Additionally, after every lesson, the Israeli aircrew members were given a short quiz to ensure they understood the material presented in the lesson.

“It was very rewarding and humbling to see those guys excited to have us there,” said Coughlin. “During our first day there, the squadron commander said we want to be like you.”

As soon as the IAF pilots were up to speed, the training took to the air. Flying days started with mission planning with two sets of crews. 

“They did most of the planning; we were there to answer questions and provide guidance on how the mission should flow,” said Coughlin.  

After the briefings, two instructors flew with each of the two Israeli crews to execute the training sortie.  As a standing instructor pilot on the flight deck, it was Coughlin’s job to observe the flight and provide input and answer any questions they had enroute.  

Coughlin explained every mission could be a combat mission as the Israelis live and fly in a combat zone.

“Training at home station is very scripted. We simulate threats for the student, however we have actual airspace restrictions that we need to be cognizant of,” said Coughlin. “Training in Israel is much more restrictive given their location. The most challenging aspect of briefing and flying was they tended to speak in Hebrew when things got busy.” 

After 11 days of briefings, training and flying with the advanced formation system the IAF is up to par with the CAP and SKE. 

“It helped us learn,” said Coughlin. “Not only did we see their ability to fly SKE but also how they mission plan and brief. There was definitely learning on both ends.”

TOP STORY >> Little Rock’s downrange black-letter beast

By Airman 1st Class Mercedes Muro 

19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs 

Little Rock Air Force Base Airmen have accomplished another rare black-letter initial – this time it’s downrange. 

Little Rock AFB Airmen assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit in Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, gave C-130J 3145, a Little Rock AFB aircraft, black-letter initial status Nov. 12, 2014. 

Before and after a flight, crew chiefs inspect the aircraft with the form 781H. If the aircraft has a discrepancy before or after the flight, it is noted on the form with red ink. However, if the aircraft has zero discrepancies, then the form is initialed by the crew chief in black ink and the aircraft receives black-letter initial status.

A black-letter initial is considered to be so rare that some crew chiefs can go their entire career without seeing one.

“After all the years I have been wearing the uniform, this is the second-black letter initial I have witnessed,” said Chief Master Sgt. Bubba Beason, 455th EAMXS superintendent. “You hear of them, but you don’t really see them.” 

Although having an aircraft return from a flight with zero discrepancies can appear as a stroke of luck, it stands as a testament to the aircrew’s dedication to their aircraft.

“When I first found out that aircraft 3145 got a black-letter initial, I thought about all the hard work that had gone into that aircraft had finally paid off,” said Airman 1st Class Adam Zaremba, the 455th EAMXS dedicated crew chief who gave the aircraft black-letter initial status. “It’s a cool experience, but it’s just my job to fix the aircraft and make them the best they can be so aircrews can fly them and perform their mission without any problems.”

Although inspecting aircraft is part of the job, Zaremba and Senior Airman Ryan Hutchins, the 455th EAMXS assistant crew chief for aircraft 3145, know that they have played a huge part in acquiring a black-letter initial while deployed.

“It’s very special to accomplish such a feat in an environment that isn’t always favorable,” said Hutchins. “It’s more difficult to find time to fix discrepancies when the plane still has to accomplish flying missions.”

In addition to the time crunch, accomplishing a black-letter initial in a deployed environment is difficult because of the workload. However, the Little Rock Airmen assigned to the 455th EAMXS credit achieving this accomplishment by working together as a team. 

“All the hard work is done at the home station,” said Beason. “The isochronal stands, the fuel cell work, heavy maintenance, petroleum, oils and lubricants, the air tactical operations center, supply, schedulers, maintenance leadership and everyone else behind the scenes helped make this happen. It’s a team effort, and we are at the very end. The folks here, I believe, are the absolute best in the business.” 

Despite the harsh conditions at Bagram, the Little Rock AFB Airmen stationed there still strive for excellence. They are dedicated to accomplishing the mission both at home and afar to ensure rapid global mobility.

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TOP STORY >> Vanpooling makes cents

By Airman 1st Class Scott Poe

19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Commuting to and from Little Rock Air Force base every day can be a big burden on one’s budget depending on how far they travel each day. For example, based on the American Automobile Association estimates, the cost of owning a car can exceed $10,000 per year for a daily commute of 50 miles round trip per workday.

The vanpooling program is an alternative that allows 5 to 15 riders in a local area to share a ride to work. Instead of fighting traffic and stressing, as a passenger you can read, sleep, play on your phone, or do your hair and listen to music while on your way to and from work. 

Vanpooling not only saves money, it also ensures fewer vehicles are clogging the roads and less pollution from emissions to harm the environment.

In 2000, President Bill Clinton signed an executive order which implemented a transit benefit for federal employees — both military and civilian.  

The transit benefit provides a tax-free monthly payment of up to $130 via a debit card to an approved transportation provider. The only out-of-pocket expense for federal employees is an annual fee of $16.  

Some advantages of the vanpool program are:

• Saving money on gas and maintenance

• The only out of pocket expense will be a $16 annual program fee to the Arkansas State Employee Benefit Corporation

• Less pollution

• Fewer vehicles on the road

• Making friends 

Contractors can also participate in the vanpool but are not eligible for the transit benefit. Rather, they will be billed directly by the transportation provider. 

For further details or to sign up, contact either Lynn Shaw at (501) 987-8135 or Danny Mills at (501) 987-3510.

TOP STORY >> The Story of Aaron Downing: Behind the Purple Heart

By Airman 1st Class Mercedes Muro 

19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs 

A convoy rides through the streets of downtown Tikrit, Iraq, on July 28, 2007. Inside the lead vehicle, sits then Staff Sgt. Aaron Downing, a security forces Airman working with the Army 82nd Airborne, 89th Military Police Company. After a long day of training the Iraqi police, Downing and his team are headed back to Camp Speicher. 

The convoy weaves through the streets just like any other day of the week. The team is vigilant despite how routine the day seemed, however, they have no idea just what they are about to drive into. 

The vehicles briefly stop at the corner of Saddam Boulevard and Business One to make a left hand turn. The lead vehicle makes the turn and the rest follow. 

As the fourth vehicle makes the turn, Downing loses his memory. Moments later, he regains consciousness and emerges from the wreckage of the first vehicle with a ringing in his ears. He sees the vehicle; its entire engine department demolished from the blast. Before he has time to assess what just happened, adrenaline takes over. 

He jumps into action. 

“I directed the driver to move out of the kill zone 10 more feet before the engine gave out. There was some sporadic gunfire after we moved out of the kill zone,” said Downing. “That’s when I called for support over the radio.”

A truck arrives and Downing picks up a bulky tow bar and links it to the convoy lead. Once connected, the tow truck drags the shattered vehicle back to Camp Speicher. 

Once they arrive at the camp, Downing along with the rest of the team are evaluated for injuries. 

Downing later learns that his team was attacked by an improvised explosive device. Two 155 artillery rounds of 15 gallon cylinder propane were linked to a command wire that detonated three to four feet away from the convoy lead and totaled the engine compartment of the vehicle.

With his quick thinking and training, Downing was able to get his team back to safety.

“Even though I wasn’t in the right state of mind, training and muscle memory kicked in,” said Downing. “We did what we were trained to do, which was recovering the vehicle and assessing any wounded.” 

After the IED event in July of 2007, Downing was in the close proximity of nine more IED incidents. 

“I didn’t expect to be a part of that many IED events,” said Downing. “Honestly, you never know what you’re going to expect. You go into a deployment expecting the worst and hoping for the best.”

After his deployment to Iraq, Downing did two tours to Afghanistan.

Traumatic events within deployments, like IED blasts, can create a heavy emotional and physical toll on the body. To keep up with the demands of the mission, Downing found himself turning off his emotions.

“In certain points during deployments, you pretty much have to shut off your emotions,” said Downing. “You have to go numb to get the mission complete. It’s kind of mandatory.” 

Although he said shutting off emotions was easy, Downing has had some difficulty adapting back to the real world.

“The hard part is turning it back on when you get home,” said Downing. “Seven years after the fact, I’m still trying to do that. I’m not the least bit ashamed that I have sought help for post-traumatic stress disorder for seven years on and off.”

In between his deployments in 2007, 2009, 2012 and 2013, Downing has had to balance his treatment with his deployment requirements. 

“I couldn’t handle the thought of someone going in my place,” said Downing. “If something were to happen to someone whenever it was my time to go and fight, I don’t think I could live with myself. When it was my time to go, I went.” 

Seven years after his deployment to Iraq, Downing received a Purple Heart for his actions during his 2007 deployment in a ceremony Sept. 5, 2014, at Little Rock Air Force Base. Today, Downing, now master sergeant, works with the 19th Security Forces Squadron here as the weapons and tactics superintendent.

Although Downing has had many experiences in his military career, his perspective has changed thanks to help of his treatment. 

“It’s given me a different outlook on life,” said Downing. “It’s slowly helping me reconnect with my family and friends. It’s helping me from pushing people away. I’m learning a lot of coping techniques that help with functioning in society. Am I there? No. Will I ever be there? I don’t know. But, I’m hopeful. If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be continuing my treatment.” 

TOP STORY >> ‘The only disability in life is a bad attitude’

By Airman 1st Class Scott Poe

19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Continuously smiling, laughing and going out of his way to help people is what John Perry is most known for. He speaks college football as a second language and is said to be arguably the biggest University of Alabama fan. 

You can find Perry, an Army and Air Force Exchange Services Base Exchange senior store associate, at Little Rock Air force Base, actively searching for customers in need of assistance. 

Assistance is something all too familiar with Perry. 

He was born disabled, paralyzed from the neck down. 

Though physical limitations prevented him from enlisting in the military, Perry found a way to serve and has been doing so for the past 13 years.  

During those long days, Perry, who is also a passionate member and vocalist at his church, said he keeps a “can do, will do” attitude and remains motivated by his faith, family and friends. 

“My relationship with Jesus Christ is why I am able to do what I do,” he said. “[Jesus] helps me to get through. He helps me wake up and want to live life.”

Working at the Exchange, Perry said he’s honored to serve the people who serve the country and put their lives on the line every day. He said he has a simple, fail proof view on customer service.

“I try to please the customer,” he said. “I try to make sure they’re happy when they come in here. I make sure that when they leave, they’ve had a good experience. Most of all, I treat them the way I want to be treated.”

Perry’s personality is a magnet for creating friendships and loyal customers. Customers ask for him by name for product questions, college football banter, or just small talk. 

“I enjoy talking to the customers,” Perry said. “That is a big reason why I love working here. I get to know a lot of them, and they’ll come and talk to me about a lot of different things.”

In 2014 Perry was awarded the Department of Defense Outstanding Individual with a Disability Award. Perry was unable to make it to Washington D.C. to accept his award, so Maj. Gen. Joseph Ward, Exchange Deputy Director, made his way to Little Rock AFB, to recognize Perry in person. 

“It was a real honor to receive this award,” said Perry. “I didn’t know why I was being recognized, because I am just doing my job. It was a great day.”

Knowing he did not win the award by himself, he was quick to attribute his success to the great teamwork he has with his co-workers. 

“I wanted to tell my co-workers how much I appreciated them,” he said. “When I need something, they are always there to help me. They don’t mind going out of their way.”  

Perry’s strong personality and uplifting spirit towers over his disability. When seeing John Perry for the first time, the focus might be on his chair, but while talking to him, the chair disappears and a strong, happy, positive, confident man presents himself.