By Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz
Air Education and Training Command commander
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – Today, we are approaching nine years of sustained combat operations. Many could even argue that our Air Force has been involved in continuous combat operations since the original Gulf War in 1991. Even more challenging, today’s combat operations are being conducted while the rest of the nation fights its way through a recession, making resources extremely constrained. Such an environment demands a unique blend of innovation and intellect – looking for efficiencies at every corner in order to achieve our desired effect.
Sometimes it’s easy to focus on resourcing and new weapon systems as the “innovation,” the panacea for our challenges. Doing so, however, would cause us to overlook the most effective weapon at our disposal during such challenging times: the one between each of our ears. In many ways, investing in intellect, in our ability to out-think the enemy, is the most cost-efficient way to prepare for future uncertainty and to combat a clever foe.
There are those who say there are three types of intellect – and we fit into a different category depending on the situation. There are those who come up with the innovative idea, those who understand the idea and those who wouldn’t know a good idea if it hit them in the face. Now, my description of the last group may seem a bit harsh, and at times I’m sure we all feel like we’re out of our element, but the times where you find yourself in the last category are also the times where you’ll have the best opportunity for self-improvement.
You see, we each bring a unique set of skills, experiences and intellect to different situations. Although we would all like to be the “idea person,” the individual who always has the innovative ideas, not every situation or challenge is suited to their intellectual talents. These are the times when we can be most critical of ourselves and take advantage of the opportunity to improve. In today’s world, the easiest and quickest way to self-improve is to increase our individual levels of education.
Remember: Education is how we prepare ourselves for the uncertainty of tomorrow.
I know that increasing our education levels isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Thankfully, the Air Force helps with one of the limited resources we balance every day: money. Scholarship and tuition assistance programs help pay for many advanced degrees and education programs.
Another limited resource many people struggle with is time. Our challenge is making the time to find beneficial education programs and then the important part – completing them. After all, if it were easy, then time wouldn’t be an issue and everyone would have multiple degrees.
Think back five years ago, and then 10 years ago. Were you any busier then than you are now? Chances are no. Do you think you’ll be any less busy five or 10 years from now? Again, probably not. The truth is – you won’t be any less busy or have more time than you do right now.
Making a commitment to complete education and self-improvement programs may move other priorities to the side. When you’re weighing the relative importance of each, remember that education and self-improvement are activities that will help you no matter where life takes you. If you decide to stay in the Air Force, it will help better serve the nation. If you decide to shift into another career outside the Air Force, higher levels of education and study will help translate into increased pay and responsibilities.
Either way, you win and are better prepared to successfully handle the challenges that life throws at you – especially when you least expect it. In the end, the better prepared that you are, the better the chance you could be the “idea person.” Tomorrow’s challenges will certainly be bigger than those we face today. Our Air Force – and our nation – needs you to better prepare now.
Your investment in education and intellect is the best weapon to combat the uncertainty that tomorrow will bring. After all, we can’t afford not to.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
COMMENTARY>>Commander’s Action Line: Integrity versus speeding in base housing
I have a concern with excessive speeding that has been on-going for a while on Minnesota Circle and Mississippi Loop in housing. Many of us residents have gone as far as to talk to the drivers face-to-face to ask them to slow down because there are a lot of little children who wander into the street. For the most part, many of the drivers have been receptive to this.
Unfortunately, some drivers are not and one became quite verbal. She doesn’t even live in this area. I did file a written complaint with security forces. However, through written complaints, phone calls to security forces, request for the radar speed cart to be posted, nothing seems to be a deterrent. Additionally, there are no speed limit signs posted on Minnesota Circle or Mississippi Loop. Therefore, what measures need to be implemented to have speed limit signs posted on these streets? Can something be done to rectify the situation before it is too late? With school out of session, children are constantly playing in and around the streets. Thank you for your concern in this matter.
ANSWER:
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I believe this boils down to integrity - one of the Air Force’s core values. Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is looking, such as driving the speed limit in base housing. If you’re running late, the fix isn’t to speed in base housing. The fix is you need to plan better or leave earlier. It’s better to be a little late, than to rush and put others at risk.
You may have noticed that we stepped up patrols in the area, resulting in us issuing a couple of citations. We also placed a speed cart out for about three weeks as a visual reminder for people driving through the area.
Hunt Pinnacle, our housing privatization project owner, will be erecting speed limits signs in the areas you identified. The first will be at the Texas and Minnesota intersection, which will be up soon. Hunt Pinnacle will follow with signs on Minnesota and Missouri in the coming weeks.
As you may know, these signs are in addition to the ones existing at entrances to the base at both the Vandenburg Boulevard and Arnold Drive gates, as well as the one at the intersection of Arnold and Texas. Placing new signs within the housing areas should help improve driver awareness, and assist security forces in enforcing speed limits within housing. Thanks for helping us keep our streets safe.
Unfortunately, some drivers are not and one became quite verbal. She doesn’t even live in this area. I did file a written complaint with security forces. However, through written complaints, phone calls to security forces, request for the radar speed cart to be posted, nothing seems to be a deterrent. Additionally, there are no speed limit signs posted on Minnesota Circle or Mississippi Loop. Therefore, what measures need to be implemented to have speed limit signs posted on these streets? Can something be done to rectify the situation before it is too late? With school out of session, children are constantly playing in and around the streets. Thank you for your concern in this matter.
ANSWER:
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I believe this boils down to integrity - one of the Air Force’s core values. Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is looking, such as driving the speed limit in base housing. If you’re running late, the fix isn’t to speed in base housing. The fix is you need to plan better or leave earlier. It’s better to be a little late, than to rush and put others at risk.
You may have noticed that we stepped up patrols in the area, resulting in us issuing a couple of citations. We also placed a speed cart out for about three weeks as a visual reminder for people driving through the area.
Hunt Pinnacle, our housing privatization project owner, will be erecting speed limits signs in the areas you identified. The first will be at the Texas and Minnesota intersection, which will be up soon. Hunt Pinnacle will follow with signs on Minnesota and Missouri in the coming weeks.
As you may know, these signs are in addition to the ones existing at entrances to the base at both the Vandenburg Boulevard and Arnold Drive gates, as well as the one at the intersection of Arnold and Texas. Placing new signs within the housing areas should help improve driver awareness, and assist security forces in enforcing speed limits within housing. Thanks for helping us keep our streets safe.
COMMENTARY>>Commander’s Action Line: Integrity versus speeding in base housing
I have a concern with excessive speeding that has been on-going for a while on Minnesota Circle and Mississippi Loop in housing. Many of us residents have gone as far as to talk to the drivers face-to-face to ask them to slow down because there are a lot of little children who wander into the street. For the most part, many of the drivers have been receptive to this.
Unfortunately, some drivers are not and one became quite verbal. She doesn’t even live in this area. I did file a written complaint with security forces. However, through written complaints, phone calls to security forces, request for the radar speed cart to be posted, nothing seems to be a deterrent. Additionally, there are no speed limit signs posted on Minnesota Circle or Mississippi Loop. Therefore, what measures need to be implemented to have speed limit signs posted on these streets? Can something be done to rectify the situation before it is too late? With school out of session, children are constantly playing in and around the streets. Thank you for your concern in this matter.
ANSWER:
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I believe this boils down to integrity - one of the Air Force’s core values. Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is looking, such as driving the speed limit in base housing. If you’re running late, the fix isn’t to speed in base housing. The fix is you need to plan better or leave earlier. It’s better to be a little late, than to rush and put others at risk.
You may have noticed that we stepped up patrols in the area, resulting in us issuing a couple of citations. We also placed a speed cart out for about three weeks as a visual reminder for people driving through the area.
Hunt Pinnacle, our housing privatization project owner, will be erecting speed limits signs in the areas you identified. The first will be at the Texas and Minnesota intersection, which will be up soon. Hunt Pinnacle will follow with signs on Minnesota and Missouri in the coming weeks.
As you may know, these signs are in addition to the ones existing at entrances to the base at both the Vandenburg Boulevard and Arnold Drive gates, as well as the one at the intersection of Arnold and Texas. Placing new signs within the housing areas should help improve driver awareness, and assist security forces in enforcing speed limits within housing. Thanks for helping us keep our streets safe.
Unfortunately, some drivers are not and one became quite verbal. She doesn’t even live in this area. I did file a written complaint with security forces. However, through written complaints, phone calls to security forces, request for the radar speed cart to be posted, nothing seems to be a deterrent. Additionally, there are no speed limit signs posted on Minnesota Circle or Mississippi Loop. Therefore, what measures need to be implemented to have speed limit signs posted on these streets? Can something be done to rectify the situation before it is too late? With school out of session, children are constantly playing in and around the streets. Thank you for your concern in this matter.
ANSWER:
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I believe this boils down to integrity - one of the Air Force’s core values. Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is looking, such as driving the speed limit in base housing. If you’re running late, the fix isn’t to speed in base housing. The fix is you need to plan better or leave earlier. It’s better to be a little late, than to rush and put others at risk.
You may have noticed that we stepped up patrols in the area, resulting in us issuing a couple of citations. We also placed a speed cart out for about three weeks as a visual reminder for people driving through the area.
Hunt Pinnacle, our housing privatization project owner, will be erecting speed limits signs in the areas you identified. The first will be at the Texas and Minnesota intersection, which will be up soon. Hunt Pinnacle will follow with signs on Minnesota and Missouri in the coming weeks.
As you may know, these signs are in addition to the ones existing at entrances to the base at both the Vandenburg Boulevard and Arnold Drive gates, as well as the one at the intersection of Arnold and Texas. Placing new signs within the housing areas should help improve driver awareness, and assist security forces in enforcing speed limits within housing. Thanks for helping us keep our streets safe.
COMMENTARY>>Farewell, Team Little Rock
By Col. Greg Otey
19th Airlift Wing commander
It seems like just yesterday I received the flag of the 19th Airlift Wing from Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott, but in fact on Wednesday,
July 28, it was 18 months of command for the Otey family. It’s truly been a remarkable journey, and the remarkable journey is all attributable to the people who make up the 19th Airlift Wing Black Knights and Team Little Rock.
When I first took the command flag 18 months ago, I talked about commander’s intent and used the words Mission First, People Always, 19th Airlift Wing Excellence and having some fun along the way. As Black Knights you executed commander’s intent to perfection.
Our mission as Black Knights is to safely employ the world’s best C-130 Combat Airlifters. You are the best! Black Knight aviators, maintainers, support personnel, medical personnel, and all those who make up the 19th Airlift Wing staff display excellence in all you do every day. In July of 2009 you showed the rest of the world just how good Black Knights are by winning seven Air Mobility Command RODEO trophies and being named “Best C-130 Wing.” Out of those seven trophies, one made me smile just a little more than the others as you were named The Best Aerial Port Squadron, and you did it with an Aerial Port flight. With 16 U.S. and five foreign C-130 wings represented at the RODEO you hold the title “Best C-130 Wing in the World” until the next RODEO in 2011, and then you will be known as the Best Air Mobility Wing in the world after you win the entire competition.
The AMC RODEO was a relatively small display of your talent and capability, your true mettle was displayed as we led the standup of an Operation Enduring Freedom C-130J bare base in support of the president’s troop surge for Afghanistan. You continuously maintain two lead C-130 packages in support of Iraq and Afghanistan operations, providing 40 percent of the U.S. C-130 tactical airlift for the Central Command combatant commander. While you were doing this, you surged during Christmas to support European theater operations, and when an earthquake hit Haiti, Black Knights were some of the first to bring relief to that ravaged nation. Your mission excellence was topped off when you placed second out of 12 Air Mobility Command wings in the Commander In Chief’s Installation Excellence Award and garnered command recognition and $100,000 for quality of life improvements. Eligible for this competition for the first time in 15 years, you showed all of Air Mobility Command how Little Rock Air Force Base and its personnel best use the¬¬resources we have in support of our mission to produce C-130 Combat Airlift.
As part of your display of mission capability you were inspected and recognized numerous times over the past 18 months and with those inspections you continued your record of excellence. You earned an “Excellent” rating during our Unit Compliance Inspection and as part of that inspection received an “Outstanding” for the emergency management exercise–one of only two “Outstanding” ratings given out by the AMC Inspector General. You received pinnacle Logistics Compliance Assessment Program grades as the maintenance group and mission support group earned “Excellent” ratings. In your Air Traffic Evaluation you were graded 96-percent compliant, and your weather inspection was rated “Excellent” with 94-percent compliance. Recognition came to Black Knights numerous times at the Air Force level. You earned the Air Force Air Traffic Control Facility of the year, Air Force’s Command Post Best large unit of the year award and the Air Force’s Maintenance Effectiveness Squadron of the year.
The bottom line is you placed mission first with Black Knight excellence!
As you made the mission happen with excellence you ensured we took care of our No. 1 resource with People Always. From Airmen, to our civilian work force, to families and our great community, you enabled the mission by bettering our ability to provide for each other. You improved our ability to deploy, sustain, support and then reintegrate our Airmen and their families during deployments. We spent more than $230,000 to upgrade our mobility processing and reception building. You hit homeruns with our deployed family dinners as you recognized and supported those with the toughest job in the Air Force–families at home during a deployed spouse’s time away. We garnered $10 million to build a new 19th Security Forces Squadron building to give our defenders the quality place of operations they deserve. We combined CINC’s IEA $100,000 and money given to us from AMC to upgrade the entrance, access to and quality of our fitness center–helping our Airmen ensure they are fit to fight. You continue to improve our privatized housing as we were able to remove “Jurassic Park” and start new and renovated construction of our base housing. In conjunction with privatized housing, we have moved out on bettering the education opportunities for all children throughout the base community as we start a charter school for sixth to eighth grades to open in the fall of 2011.
A huge step in better education opportunities came when we broke ground on the new Joint Education Center. A one-of- a-kind joint venture between an Air Force base and its surrounding community, the people of Jacksonville raised $5 million dollars, which we combined with $9 million from the Air Force to build a $14 million Joint Education Center to be used by the community and the Air Force for continued education opportunities. The base’s community plays a large role in our ability to ensure People Always. Our Airmen and their families live in communities that understand the sacrifices Airmen make every day to ensure the freedoms sometimes taken for granted by others. It was only fitting that the our community was recognized as the best community in all of Air Mobility Command when they received the AMC Abilene Trophy–we truly have the best community partners in all of the Department of Defense.
As you executed mission excellence, took care of the people we did find a way to have some fun. In September of 2009 we honored the Air Force’s birthday where over 750 Airmen, their guests and community supporters gathered at the famed Peabody Hotel in Little Rock to celebrate 62 years of excellence and you even got to see the King, Elvis Presley, and the debut of Tech. Sgt. Jerry “Grandmaster” Graham–a good time was had by all! Thanks to the support and donations from our community we were able to celebrate our Team Little Rock RODEO victories and our CINC’s Installation Excellence top placing with parties and recognition for all. Under the leadership of Col. Ken Walters, we celebrated our heritage as Black Knights and ate and competed as medieval warriors–the maintenance group still owns the spirit sword! There were many other gatherings to celebrate, most led by our force support squadron warriors, that enabled us to ensure recognition and fun for all you do to provide our nation with C-130 Combat Airlift.
I want to close by saying thanks to our Team Little Rock partners. It has been an honor and pleasure to serve alongside Col. C.K. Hyde, 314th Airlift Wing commander; Col. Jim Summers, 189th Airlift Wing commander; and all our community supporters that help make the base a great place to command. To all Black Knight warriors and your families, thank you! It’s been an honor to serve with you all, and I am very proud to be your commander! We Are–Black Knights!
19th Airlift Wing commander
It seems like just yesterday I received the flag of the 19th Airlift Wing from Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott, but in fact on Wednesday,
July 28, it was 18 months of command for the Otey family. It’s truly been a remarkable journey, and the remarkable journey is all attributable to the people who make up the 19th Airlift Wing Black Knights and Team Little Rock.
When I first took the command flag 18 months ago, I talked about commander’s intent and used the words Mission First, People Always, 19th Airlift Wing Excellence and having some fun along the way. As Black Knights you executed commander’s intent to perfection.
Our mission as Black Knights is to safely employ the world’s best C-130 Combat Airlifters. You are the best! Black Knight aviators, maintainers, support personnel, medical personnel, and all those who make up the 19th Airlift Wing staff display excellence in all you do every day. In July of 2009 you showed the rest of the world just how good Black Knights are by winning seven Air Mobility Command RODEO trophies and being named “Best C-130 Wing.” Out of those seven trophies, one made me smile just a little more than the others as you were named The Best Aerial Port Squadron, and you did it with an Aerial Port flight. With 16 U.S. and five foreign C-130 wings represented at the RODEO you hold the title “Best C-130 Wing in the World” until the next RODEO in 2011, and then you will be known as the Best Air Mobility Wing in the world after you win the entire competition.
The AMC RODEO was a relatively small display of your talent and capability, your true mettle was displayed as we led the standup of an Operation Enduring Freedom C-130J bare base in support of the president’s troop surge for Afghanistan. You continuously maintain two lead C-130 packages in support of Iraq and Afghanistan operations, providing 40 percent of the U.S. C-130 tactical airlift for the Central Command combatant commander. While you were doing this, you surged during Christmas to support European theater operations, and when an earthquake hit Haiti, Black Knights were some of the first to bring relief to that ravaged nation. Your mission excellence was topped off when you placed second out of 12 Air Mobility Command wings in the Commander In Chief’s Installation Excellence Award and garnered command recognition and $100,000 for quality of life improvements. Eligible for this competition for the first time in 15 years, you showed all of Air Mobility Command how Little Rock Air Force Base and its personnel best use the¬¬resources we have in support of our mission to produce C-130 Combat Airlift.
As part of your display of mission capability you were inspected and recognized numerous times over the past 18 months and with those inspections you continued your record of excellence. You earned an “Excellent” rating during our Unit Compliance Inspection and as part of that inspection received an “Outstanding” for the emergency management exercise–one of only two “Outstanding” ratings given out by the AMC Inspector General. You received pinnacle Logistics Compliance Assessment Program grades as the maintenance group and mission support group earned “Excellent” ratings. In your Air Traffic Evaluation you were graded 96-percent compliant, and your weather inspection was rated “Excellent” with 94-percent compliance. Recognition came to Black Knights numerous times at the Air Force level. You earned the Air Force Air Traffic Control Facility of the year, Air Force’s Command Post Best large unit of the year award and the Air Force’s Maintenance Effectiveness Squadron of the year.
The bottom line is you placed mission first with Black Knight excellence!
As you made the mission happen with excellence you ensured we took care of our No. 1 resource with People Always. From Airmen, to our civilian work force, to families and our great community, you enabled the mission by bettering our ability to provide for each other. You improved our ability to deploy, sustain, support and then reintegrate our Airmen and their families during deployments. We spent more than $230,000 to upgrade our mobility processing and reception building. You hit homeruns with our deployed family dinners as you recognized and supported those with the toughest job in the Air Force–families at home during a deployed spouse’s time away. We garnered $10 million to build a new 19th Security Forces Squadron building to give our defenders the quality place of operations they deserve. We combined CINC’s IEA $100,000 and money given to us from AMC to upgrade the entrance, access to and quality of our fitness center–helping our Airmen ensure they are fit to fight. You continue to improve our privatized housing as we were able to remove “Jurassic Park” and start new and renovated construction of our base housing. In conjunction with privatized housing, we have moved out on bettering the education opportunities for all children throughout the base community as we start a charter school for sixth to eighth grades to open in the fall of 2011.
A huge step in better education opportunities came when we broke ground on the new Joint Education Center. A one-of- a-kind joint venture between an Air Force base and its surrounding community, the people of Jacksonville raised $5 million dollars, which we combined with $9 million from the Air Force to build a $14 million Joint Education Center to be used by the community and the Air Force for continued education opportunities. The base’s community plays a large role in our ability to ensure People Always. Our Airmen and their families live in communities that understand the sacrifices Airmen make every day to ensure the freedoms sometimes taken for granted by others. It was only fitting that the our community was recognized as the best community in all of Air Mobility Command when they received the AMC Abilene Trophy–we truly have the best community partners in all of the Department of Defense.
As you executed mission excellence, took care of the people we did find a way to have some fun. In September of 2009 we honored the Air Force’s birthday where over 750 Airmen, their guests and community supporters gathered at the famed Peabody Hotel in Little Rock to celebrate 62 years of excellence and you even got to see the King, Elvis Presley, and the debut of Tech. Sgt. Jerry “Grandmaster” Graham–a good time was had by all! Thanks to the support and donations from our community we were able to celebrate our Team Little Rock RODEO victories and our CINC’s Installation Excellence top placing with parties and recognition for all. Under the leadership of Col. Ken Walters, we celebrated our heritage as Black Knights and ate and competed as medieval warriors–the maintenance group still owns the spirit sword! There were many other gatherings to celebrate, most led by our force support squadron warriors, that enabled us to ensure recognition and fun for all you do to provide our nation with C-130 Combat Airlift.
I want to close by saying thanks to our Team Little Rock partners. It has been an honor and pleasure to serve alongside Col. C.K. Hyde, 314th Airlift Wing commander; Col. Jim Summers, 189th Airlift Wing commander; and all our community supporters that help make the base a great place to command. To all Black Knight warriors and your families, thank you! It’s been an honor to serve with you all, and I am very proud to be your commander! We Are–Black Knights!
TOP STORY > >Retiree performs outstanding volunteerism
A Little Rock Air Force Base retiree was this year’s recipient of the 2009 Air Force Volunteer Excellence Award.
Retired Chief Master Sgt. Donald Smith, has been a volunteer for the Retiree Activities office for more than five years, and has helped Little Rock Air Force Base in numerous ways.
The Air Force Volunteer Excellence Award was established to recognize federal civilians, family members, military retirees and federal retirees who perform outstanding volunteer community service of a sustained, direct and consequential nature.
The retired chief consistently assists retirees on matters pertaining to retirement affairs and Veterans Affairs disabilities. He helped active duty personnel into the ID card section when they were updating the CAC cards, and works scheduled and unscheduled shifts to ensure coverage and availability to more than 52,000 Arkansas military retirees and their family members.
He also maintains records on more than 61 retiree volunteers.
He doesn’t let all his work on the base keep him from doing other things in the nearby communities. He’s also a volunteer with the City of Vilonia Service as Co-Chairman for the Vilonia Sewer Department. There he puts in 20 hours a week to oversee the operation and personnel, and is currently overseeing a $2.6 million expansion of the sewer plant.
With all the work the retired chief is dedicated to, it isn’t a surprise that his demonstrated volunteerism sets the pace for others and has had a positive impact on the military and civilian population, retired members and their families on base, said Carolyn Craig-Sprow, 19th Force Support Squadron, volunteer manager.
Courtesy of the 19th Force Support Squadron
Retired Chief Master Sgt. Donald Smith, has been a volunteer for the Retiree Activities office for more than five years, and has helped Little Rock Air Force Base in numerous ways.
The Air Force Volunteer Excellence Award was established to recognize federal civilians, family members, military retirees and federal retirees who perform outstanding volunteer community service of a sustained, direct and consequential nature.
The retired chief consistently assists retirees on matters pertaining to retirement affairs and Veterans Affairs disabilities. He helped active duty personnel into the ID card section when they were updating the CAC cards, and works scheduled and unscheduled shifts to ensure coverage and availability to more than 52,000 Arkansas military retirees and their family members.
He also maintains records on more than 61 retiree volunteers.
He doesn’t let all his work on the base keep him from doing other things in the nearby communities. He’s also a volunteer with the City of Vilonia Service as Co-Chairman for the Vilonia Sewer Department. There he puts in 20 hours a week to oversee the operation and personnel, and is currently overseeing a $2.6 million expansion of the sewer plant.
With all the work the retired chief is dedicated to, it isn’t a surprise that his demonstrated volunteerism sets the pace for others and has had a positive impact on the military and civilian population, retired members and their families on base, said Carolyn Craig-Sprow, 19th Force Support Squadron, volunteer manager.
Courtesy of the 19th Force Support Squadron
Thursday, July 22, 2010
COMMENTARY>>Vehicle operators deliver vital supplies downrange
By Tech Sgt. Lindsey Maurice
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA – While most people lie asleep in their beds, he must remain awake and vigilant. Hands grasping the steering wheel of the 18-wheeler carrying vital supplies for fellow troops downrange, his eyes are intent on the road ahead. He knows the importance of his mission and getting there safely and on time.
This is just another day in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility for Airman 1st Class Victor Despradel, 586th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, 70th Medium Truck Detachment vehicle operator, and his fellow “combat truckers” who conduct the line haul mission in and out of Iraq.
Airman Despradel, a native of the Dominican Republic, deployed from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., spends his days downrange transporting cargo, armor and supplies to and from forward operating bases in Iraq from an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, as well as providing security for foreign national truck drivers delivering cargo.
“We risk our lives here driving over some of the most dangerous roads in the world,” he said. “The supplies we deliver are critical to front-line warfighters. It’s important that we keep the FOBs supplied. Without convoys moving cargo between FOBs, it would be hard for the military to perform its mission.”
Those days downrange that Airman Despradel is on the road usually run long, some missions spanning over a period of days.
“[Mission days] start with a truck inspection and communications check,” he said. “Then I pick up the necessary supplies for the team, receive an intelligence brief, gear up and get a safety brief before heading out. Outside the wire we must remain alert and vigilant on the road. Once we reach our destination we refuel and upload or download cargo.”
As with all jobs in the U.S. Air Force, Airman Despradel said his has its perks and challenges.
“I really enjoy driving on convoys and doing well at my job,” he said. “It gives me satisfaction knowing I am making the job easier for my teammates. The most challenging aspect though is going outside the wire and expecting the unexpected to happen – looking out for improvised explosive devices and knowing something can happen at any time to you or one of your teammates.”
Serving on his second deployment here as part of the line haul mission, Airman Despradel said he is glad he volunteered for a second tour.
“I like doing this mission and feel excited because I volunteered to do it,” he said. “I know I’m supporting our country and we are making Iraq a better place. It gives me a sense of pride. I see how I fit into the big picture.”
The three-year Air Force veteran said he has learned a lot of lessons during his time in the Air Force and through his deployments with the combat truckers.
“You have to be more than a team player in this job and treat your coworkers like you treat your family because [they are your family] downrange,” he said. “You also have to have a lot of patience and work how you train so you’re prepared for anything.”
As Airman Despradel’s squadron title changes from 586th ELRS to the 387th ELRS as part of the 586th Air Expeditionary Group’s deactivation later this month, his team will continue to execute the mission moving forward. In that continuing spirit, he offers his fellow Airmen and combat truckers a few words of wisdom as their mission rolls on.
“Keep a positive attitude and respect your job and fellow Airmen,” he said.
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA – While most people lie asleep in their beds, he must remain awake and vigilant. Hands grasping the steering wheel of the 18-wheeler carrying vital supplies for fellow troops downrange, his eyes are intent on the road ahead. He knows the importance of his mission and getting there safely and on time.
This is just another day in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility for Airman 1st Class Victor Despradel, 586th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, 70th Medium Truck Detachment vehicle operator, and his fellow “combat truckers” who conduct the line haul mission in and out of Iraq.
Airman Despradel, a native of the Dominican Republic, deployed from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., spends his days downrange transporting cargo, armor and supplies to and from forward operating bases in Iraq from an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, as well as providing security for foreign national truck drivers delivering cargo.
“We risk our lives here driving over some of the most dangerous roads in the world,” he said. “The supplies we deliver are critical to front-line warfighters. It’s important that we keep the FOBs supplied. Without convoys moving cargo between FOBs, it would be hard for the military to perform its mission.”
Those days downrange that Airman Despradel is on the road usually run long, some missions spanning over a period of days.
“[Mission days] start with a truck inspection and communications check,” he said. “Then I pick up the necessary supplies for the team, receive an intelligence brief, gear up and get a safety brief before heading out. Outside the wire we must remain alert and vigilant on the road. Once we reach our destination we refuel and upload or download cargo.”
As with all jobs in the U.S. Air Force, Airman Despradel said his has its perks and challenges.
“I really enjoy driving on convoys and doing well at my job,” he said. “It gives me satisfaction knowing I am making the job easier for my teammates. The most challenging aspect though is going outside the wire and expecting the unexpected to happen – looking out for improvised explosive devices and knowing something can happen at any time to you or one of your teammates.”
Serving on his second deployment here as part of the line haul mission, Airman Despradel said he is glad he volunteered for a second tour.
“I like doing this mission and feel excited because I volunteered to do it,” he said. “I know I’m supporting our country and we are making Iraq a better place. It gives me a sense of pride. I see how I fit into the big picture.”
The three-year Air Force veteran said he has learned a lot of lessons during his time in the Air Force and through his deployments with the combat truckers.
“You have to be more than a team player in this job and treat your coworkers like you treat your family because [they are your family] downrange,” he said. “You also have to have a lot of patience and work how you train so you’re prepared for anything.”
As Airman Despradel’s squadron title changes from 586th ELRS to the 387th ELRS as part of the 586th Air Expeditionary Group’s deactivation later this month, his team will continue to execute the mission moving forward. In that continuing spirit, he offers his fellow Airmen and combat truckers a few words of wisdom as their mission rolls on.
“Keep a positive attitude and respect your job and fellow Airmen,” he said.
COMMENTARY>>Commit to training
By Maj. Dennis Higuera
314th Maintenance Operations Squadron commander
Training is an investment. Most, if not all of us, have heard that statement. But how many of us really believe it and are committed to it?
Undoubtedly, training provides clear benefits to organizations. For employees, training improves skills, which improves job performance, leading to higher job satisfaction. For business, studies have shown that training yields a return on investments, with yields increasing as investments increase. More importantly, exceptional training programs give organizations a competitive advantage, which is certainly true for the Air Force.
Yes, we all believe in training because of the distinct benefits it provides. But it’s easy to support training when times are good. How about when times get tough, as they are now? We continue to accomplish multiple missions around the world. As Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, points out in CSAF Vector 2010, “... nearly 40,000 American Airmen are deployed to 263 locations across the globe.” Furthermore, we face shrinking manpower as force shaping draws us down to congressional mandated levels, leaving fewer people to accomplish those same missions. On top of that, we face tightening budgets. In the future (and the future is now), we will have less time and money to meet our missions. Tough times such as these really test our commitment to training.
Often an organization’s commitment to training weakens as they look to cut costs and expand available man hours. We can not let that happen. We must continue to develop our force in order to maintain our competitive advantage and win today’s and tomorrow’s fight. Effective, relevant training leads to those competitive advantages required to defeat our adversaries. CSAF Vector 2010 warns of a very challenging future as the number and severity of threats increase, demanding we “constantly adapt in order to remain strong.” Effective, relevant training improves our ability to adapt, providing the competitive advantage we need to remain strong and be successful, now and in the future.
As an organization, the Air Force is committed to training. But organizational commitment doesn’t exist without commitment from each of us because effective, relevant training is a person-to-person process.
So how committed are you to training? Are you willing to take the time to perform a thorough turnover of a program rather than just handing your replacement the continuity book and saying, “it’s all in there?” Are you willing to determine how to use mistakes as training opportunities rather than just fix it and get on with it? Are you willing to track upgrade and ancillary training to ensure your people are properly trained on time? Are you willing to use dwindling unit funds to pay for your people to attend training courses? Are you willing to set your work aside in order to explain a task or CDCs to a new 3-level, even if you’re not his or her immediate supervisor?
As individuals and as an organization, we must continue to demonstrate our commitment to training in order to maintain the best air and space force in the world.
314th Maintenance Operations Squadron commander
Training is an investment. Most, if not all of us, have heard that statement. But how many of us really believe it and are committed to it?
Undoubtedly, training provides clear benefits to organizations. For employees, training improves skills, which improves job performance, leading to higher job satisfaction. For business, studies have shown that training yields a return on investments, with yields increasing as investments increase. More importantly, exceptional training programs give organizations a competitive advantage, which is certainly true for the Air Force.
Yes, we all believe in training because of the distinct benefits it provides. But it’s easy to support training when times are good. How about when times get tough, as they are now? We continue to accomplish multiple missions around the world. As Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, points out in CSAF Vector 2010, “... nearly 40,000 American Airmen are deployed to 263 locations across the globe.” Furthermore, we face shrinking manpower as force shaping draws us down to congressional mandated levels, leaving fewer people to accomplish those same missions. On top of that, we face tightening budgets. In the future (and the future is now), we will have less time and money to meet our missions. Tough times such as these really test our commitment to training.
Often an organization’s commitment to training weakens as they look to cut costs and expand available man hours. We can not let that happen. We must continue to develop our force in order to maintain our competitive advantage and win today’s and tomorrow’s fight. Effective, relevant training leads to those competitive advantages required to defeat our adversaries. CSAF Vector 2010 warns of a very challenging future as the number and severity of threats increase, demanding we “constantly adapt in order to remain strong.” Effective, relevant training improves our ability to adapt, providing the competitive advantage we need to remain strong and be successful, now and in the future.
As an organization, the Air Force is committed to training. But organizational commitment doesn’t exist without commitment from each of us because effective, relevant training is a person-to-person process.
So how committed are you to training? Are you willing to take the time to perform a thorough turnover of a program rather than just handing your replacement the continuity book and saying, “it’s all in there?” Are you willing to determine how to use mistakes as training opportunities rather than just fix it and get on with it? Are you willing to track upgrade and ancillary training to ensure your people are properly trained on time? Are you willing to use dwindling unit funds to pay for your people to attend training courses? Are you willing to set your work aside in order to explain a task or CDCs to a new 3-level, even if you’re not his or her immediate supervisor?
As individuals and as an organization, we must continue to demonstrate our commitment to training in order to maintain the best air and space force in the world.
TOP STORY > >Cancer survivor takes on challenge of open road
By Maj. Belinda Petersen
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – A C-130 Hercules flight engineer with more than 700 deployed flying hours who is also a cancer survivor is riding his bike 4,000 miles across the U.S.
Senior Airman Brian Petras from the 50th Airlift Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base is participating in the Sea to Shining Sea ride hosted by World T.E.A.M. Sports and sponsored by State Farm.
The team of 20 riders is composed of primarily wounded, ill, or injured servicemembers cycling across the U.S. The ride started in San Francisco, Calif., and will end at Virginia Beach, Va., July 24.
Last year, Airman Petras was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that usually occurs near the joints of the arm or leg. In Airman Petras’ case, it was found in his right foot.
Because this kind of cancer can spread easily, Airman Petras’ leg was amputated below the knee.
After his amputation Aug. 24, 2009, Airman Petras went through several months of chemotherapy, received a prosthetic leg and began rehabilitation.
“That was pretty rough,” Airman Petras said. “The chemo pretty much knocked me out. I felt sick. I could barely take care of myself. Luckily, I was able to get a prosthetic and walk around without crutches and still do certain things, but I was still really tired.”
In January, Airman Petras went to the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio for rehabilitation.
“It specializes in care for amputees and burn victims,” he said. “It’s mostly guys coming from Iraq and Afghanistan that are there.
“That place helped put things in perspective because here’s me with a below-the-knee amputation, rehabbing and getting done in three months and there are guys who’ve been there for years,” Airman Petras said. “They’re missing both of their legs, they’re missing (legs) above the knee, they’re missing arms and hands, or 90 percent of their body is burned. My coming in there is like a scratch; it’s not a big deal at all.”
There, Airman Petras met Staff Sgt. Marc Esposito, who was also at the CFI for injuries sustained in Afghanistan. They decided to take up the Sea to Shining Sea challenge together.
The Sea to Shining Sea team is cycling through deserts, climbing as high as 11,000 feet over mountains, and sometimes traveling more than 100 miles in one day. Along with Airman Petras and Sergeant Esposito, other Air Force riders include Scott Bilyeu, Christopher Frost and Kevin Sullivan.
“For most people, disabled or not, this is a physically and mentally impossible challenge,” said Melissa McKinley, State Farm’s public relations specialist for the team. “But for Airman Petras, it is an opportunity to prove to himself and others that he can still do everything he could before.”
“At first, I wanted to prove to the Air Force that I can still do my job without any problem,” Airman Petras said, “but during this experience, it became something more. The amazing people I have met on the team have inspired me, and now I want to be an inspiration to others and let them know that they can do anything they put their mind to.”
“Medical science has really changed lives and perceptions of disabilities,” he said. “With prosthetics, you can live a normal life and do the same things you did before. And I want to show others they can still serve their country.”
Airman Petras commended team sponsors for their support during the coast-to-coast ride.
“They have been there every step of the way, providing us with water breaks, helping with logistics and route planning, and rallying folks to turn out to cheer us on,” he said.
“The coolest part of this experience is seeing different individuals coming together as one team, adapting to the challenge, staying flexible and overcoming obstacles,” Sergeant Esposito said. “Just like in the special ops world, we can’t go into a mission without every single person coming together as a team.”
“The best part of the ride is seeing the joy on everyone’s faces,” Airman Petras said. “Hopefully this experience will show you can still be passionate about what you love to do.”
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – A C-130 Hercules flight engineer with more than 700 deployed flying hours who is also a cancer survivor is riding his bike 4,000 miles across the U.S.
Senior Airman Brian Petras from the 50th Airlift Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base is participating in the Sea to Shining Sea ride hosted by World T.E.A.M. Sports and sponsored by State Farm.
The team of 20 riders is composed of primarily wounded, ill, or injured servicemembers cycling across the U.S. The ride started in San Francisco, Calif., and will end at Virginia Beach, Va., July 24.
Last year, Airman Petras was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that usually occurs near the joints of the arm or leg. In Airman Petras’ case, it was found in his right foot.
Because this kind of cancer can spread easily, Airman Petras’ leg was amputated below the knee.
After his amputation Aug. 24, 2009, Airman Petras went through several months of chemotherapy, received a prosthetic leg and began rehabilitation.
“That was pretty rough,” Airman Petras said. “The chemo pretty much knocked me out. I felt sick. I could barely take care of myself. Luckily, I was able to get a prosthetic and walk around without crutches and still do certain things, but I was still really tired.”
In January, Airman Petras went to the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio for rehabilitation.
“It specializes in care for amputees and burn victims,” he said. “It’s mostly guys coming from Iraq and Afghanistan that are there.
“That place helped put things in perspective because here’s me with a below-the-knee amputation, rehabbing and getting done in three months and there are guys who’ve been there for years,” Airman Petras said. “They’re missing both of their legs, they’re missing (legs) above the knee, they’re missing arms and hands, or 90 percent of their body is burned. My coming in there is like a scratch; it’s not a big deal at all.”
There, Airman Petras met Staff Sgt. Marc Esposito, who was also at the CFI for injuries sustained in Afghanistan. They decided to take up the Sea to Shining Sea challenge together.
The Sea to Shining Sea team is cycling through deserts, climbing as high as 11,000 feet over mountains, and sometimes traveling more than 100 miles in one day. Along with Airman Petras and Sergeant Esposito, other Air Force riders include Scott Bilyeu, Christopher Frost and Kevin Sullivan.
“For most people, disabled or not, this is a physically and mentally impossible challenge,” said Melissa McKinley, State Farm’s public relations specialist for the team. “But for Airman Petras, it is an opportunity to prove to himself and others that he can still do everything he could before.”
“At first, I wanted to prove to the Air Force that I can still do my job without any problem,” Airman Petras said, “but during this experience, it became something more. The amazing people I have met on the team have inspired me, and now I want to be an inspiration to others and let them know that they can do anything they put their mind to.”
“Medical science has really changed lives and perceptions of disabilities,” he said. “With prosthetics, you can live a normal life and do the same things you did before. And I want to show others they can still serve their country.”
Airman Petras commended team sponsors for their support during the coast-to-coast ride.
“They have been there every step of the way, providing us with water breaks, helping with logistics and route planning, and rallying folks to turn out to cheer us on,” he said.
“The coolest part of this experience is seeing different individuals coming together as one team, adapting to the challenge, staying flexible and overcoming obstacles,” Sergeant Esposito said. “Just like in the special ops world, we can’t go into a mission without every single person coming together as a team.”
“The best part of the ride is seeing the joy on everyone’s faces,” Airman Petras said. “Hopefully this experience will show you can still be passionate about what you love to do.”
Thursday, July 15, 2010
COMMENTARY>>Fitness center breaks ground for renovations
By Merri Beall
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The wing kicked off a three-phase project July 9 to renovate the fitness center, which will help better support airmen, families and retirees.
Col. Greg Otey, 19th Airlift Wing commander, perhaps said it best, “Today we broke ground on a project in support of the best resources we have: our people.”
The men and women of Team Little Rock earned the resources for this renovation garnering $100,000 for their runner-up finish for the Air Mobility Command Commander-in-Chief’s Installation Excellence Award. By showcasing the best use of resources to support the mission, the base impressed Gen. Raymond Johns, Air Mobility Command commander, to the tune of an additional $500,000 grant to finish the fitness center renovation.
The first phase includes new landscaping around the front entrance, consisting of ornamental trees and flower beds - building on to the theme of what Colonel Otey calls “The Natural Base in the Natural State.”
The plans for the new entryway are to replace the current vestibule doors, creating a canopy over a patterned brick-and-concrete sidewalk. Along with trees and flower beds, benches will line the sidewalks. Also included is a sitting and stretching pad in the parking lot entrance median to connect the gym with the parking lot. The construction on the entrance is expected to be completed in December.
The men’s and women’s showers located inside the fitness center will also receive an upgrade. Individual shower stalls will be added in the men’s and women’s locker rooms, and the men’s steam room will be replaced with a dry sauna. The renovations will provide a leak-free, durable and energy-efficient facility. The repairs to the showers are scheduled for completion in January 2011.
The third phase includes the construction of roughly 2,350 feet of new sidewalk and lighting. This will include area lighting, grading, existing soil compaction, four inches of aggregate base and concrete finishing. The community-use sidewalk section of the renovations should be completed in October.
For the men and women of Team Little Rock, these improvements mean a safer and more convenient walk to the fitness center.
“Team Little Rock [members] worked hard to secure the resources through [their] dedication and effort,” said Col. George Coggins, 19th Mission Support Group Commander, referring to the AMC’s second place IEA that provided $100,000 for the projects.
These improvements will help connect the installation and people, further cultivating the sense of community on the base, Colonel Coggins added.
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The wing kicked off a three-phase project July 9 to renovate the fitness center, which will help better support airmen, families and retirees.
Col. Greg Otey, 19th Airlift Wing commander, perhaps said it best, “Today we broke ground on a project in support of the best resources we have: our people.”
The men and women of Team Little Rock earned the resources for this renovation garnering $100,000 for their runner-up finish for the Air Mobility Command Commander-in-Chief’s Installation Excellence Award. By showcasing the best use of resources to support the mission, the base impressed Gen. Raymond Johns, Air Mobility Command commander, to the tune of an additional $500,000 grant to finish the fitness center renovation.
The first phase includes new landscaping around the front entrance, consisting of ornamental trees and flower beds - building on to the theme of what Colonel Otey calls “The Natural Base in the Natural State.”
The plans for the new entryway are to replace the current vestibule doors, creating a canopy over a patterned brick-and-concrete sidewalk. Along with trees and flower beds, benches will line the sidewalks. Also included is a sitting and stretching pad in the parking lot entrance median to connect the gym with the parking lot. The construction on the entrance is expected to be completed in December.
The men’s and women’s showers located inside the fitness center will also receive an upgrade. Individual shower stalls will be added in the men’s and women’s locker rooms, and the men’s steam room will be replaced with a dry sauna. The renovations will provide a leak-free, durable and energy-efficient facility. The repairs to the showers are scheduled for completion in January 2011.
The third phase includes the construction of roughly 2,350 feet of new sidewalk and lighting. This will include area lighting, grading, existing soil compaction, four inches of aggregate base and concrete finishing. The community-use sidewalk section of the renovations should be completed in October.
For the men and women of Team Little Rock, these improvements mean a safer and more convenient walk to the fitness center.
“Team Little Rock [members] worked hard to secure the resources through [their] dedication and effort,” said Col. George Coggins, 19th Mission Support Group Commander, referring to the AMC’s second place IEA that provided $100,000 for the projects.
These improvements will help connect the installation and people, further cultivating the sense of community on the base, Colonel Coggins added.
COMMENTARY>>Fitness center breaks ground for renovations
By Merri Beall
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The wing kicked off a three-phase project July 9 to renovate the fitness center, which will help better support airmen, families and retirees.
Col. Greg Otey, 19th Airlift Wing commander, perhaps said it best, “Today we broke ground on a project in support of the best resources we have: our people.”
The men and women of Team Little Rock earned the resources for this renovation garnering $100,000 for their runner-up finish for the Air Mobility Command Commander-in-Chief’s Installation Excellence Award. By showcasing the best use of resources to support the mission, the base impressed Gen. Raymond Johns, Air Mobility Command commander, to the tune of an additional $500,000 grant to finish the fitness center renovation.
The first phase includes new landscaping around the front entrance, consisting of ornamental trees and flower beds - building on to the theme of what Colonel Otey calls “The Natural Base in the Natural State.”
The plans for the new entryway are to replace the current vestibule doors, creating a canopy over a patterned brick-and-concrete sidewalk. Along with trees and flower beds, benches will line the sidewalks. Also included is a sitting and stretching pad in the parking lot entrance median to connect the gym with the parking lot. The construction on the entrance is expected to be completed in December.
The men’s and women’s showers located inside the fitness center will also receive an upgrade. Individual shower stalls will be added in the men’s and women’s locker rooms, and the men’s steam room will be replaced with a dry sauna. The renovations will provide a leak-free, durable and energy-efficient facility. The repairs to the showers are scheduled for completion in January 2011.
The third phase includes the construction of roughly 2,350 feet of new sidewalk and lighting. This will include area lighting, grading, existing soil compaction, four inches of aggregate base and concrete finishing. The community-use sidewalk section of the renovations should be completed in October.
For the men and women of Team Little Rock, these improvements mean a safer and more convenient walk to the fitness center.
“Team Little Rock [members] worked hard to secure the resources through [their] dedication and effort,” said Col. George Coggins, 19th Mission Support Group Commander, referring to the AMC’s second place IEA that provided $100,000 for the projects.
These improvements will help connect the installation and people, further cultivating the sense of community on the base, Colonel Coggins added.
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The wing kicked off a three-phase project July 9 to renovate the fitness center, which will help better support airmen, families and retirees.
Col. Greg Otey, 19th Airlift Wing commander, perhaps said it best, “Today we broke ground on a project in support of the best resources we have: our people.”
The men and women of Team Little Rock earned the resources for this renovation garnering $100,000 for their runner-up finish for the Air Mobility Command Commander-in-Chief’s Installation Excellence Award. By showcasing the best use of resources to support the mission, the base impressed Gen. Raymond Johns, Air Mobility Command commander, to the tune of an additional $500,000 grant to finish the fitness center renovation.
The first phase includes new landscaping around the front entrance, consisting of ornamental trees and flower beds - building on to the theme of what Colonel Otey calls “The Natural Base in the Natural State.”
The plans for the new entryway are to replace the current vestibule doors, creating a canopy over a patterned brick-and-concrete sidewalk. Along with trees and flower beds, benches will line the sidewalks. Also included is a sitting and stretching pad in the parking lot entrance median to connect the gym with the parking lot. The construction on the entrance is expected to be completed in December.
The men’s and women’s showers located inside the fitness center will also receive an upgrade. Individual shower stalls will be added in the men’s and women’s locker rooms, and the men’s steam room will be replaced with a dry sauna. The renovations will provide a leak-free, durable and energy-efficient facility. The repairs to the showers are scheduled for completion in January 2011.
The third phase includes the construction of roughly 2,350 feet of new sidewalk and lighting. This will include area lighting, grading, existing soil compaction, four inches of aggregate base and concrete finishing. The community-use sidewalk section of the renovations should be completed in October.
For the men and women of Team Little Rock, these improvements mean a safer and more convenient walk to the fitness center.
“Team Little Rock [members] worked hard to secure the resources through [their] dedication and effort,” said Col. George Coggins, 19th Mission Support Group Commander, referring to the AMC’s second place IEA that provided $100,000 for the projects.
These improvements will help connect the installation and people, further cultivating the sense of community on the base, Colonel Coggins added.
COMMENTARY>>Are we giving back to the community?
By Col. Kirk Lear
314th Airlift Wing vice commander
My wife and I were reflecting this week on the Abilene Trophy, and the greater Little Rock Air Force Base community winning this prestigious award back in April. We’re on our second tour here in central Arkansas, having called Jacksonville home from 1993 to 1998, and we completely understand why the selection group chose to recognize our community as providing the best support to an Air Mobility Command base.
We see it everywhere - mayors and other civilian dignitaries at every base event (as well as frequently funding some of these events), Jacksonville’s voter-approved $5 million contribution to building the new Joint Education Center and, quite simply, surrounding towns and people who are very appreciative of their military and those of us who serve. We’re welcomed in local churches, schools, businesses, and neighborhoods and intertwined in the fabric of daily life in Jacksonville, Cabot, Sherwood, Lonoke and every other town around us. They have made a point of practicing hospitality and opening their arms to us. At every level, the Little Rock AFB communities have invested in us and our success.
My wife’s talk with me hinged on this point: how well do we Airmen, in turn, invest back into our community? Are we “giving back” to the community? Are we volunteering and serving--not just attending--in our neighborhoods and churches and schools? Are we leaving these communities “better than we found them,” as we so often aspire to do in our individual jobs in our squadrons?
A recent local editorial, for example, suggested if all those who were concerned about our public schools made a point volunteering just a few hours a month, our service would change the schools . . . and change us, as well.
It’s true to say that any community is only as good as its citizens. For those of us in the military, our legal citizenship may be in the state where we grew up, or perhaps where we last served, but our current citizenship is here in central Arkansas, whether we live on the base or in the communities that envelope it.
There are numerous opportunities where we Airmen can “plug in” and “give back” and “leave it better than we found it” - schools, service organizations, neighborhood or church leadership, and more. Our community here - the best one of a baker’s dozen in Air Mobility Command - needs us just as much as we need them.
Perhaps Herman Melville said it best, “We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men.”
314th Airlift Wing vice commander
My wife and I were reflecting this week on the Abilene Trophy, and the greater Little Rock Air Force Base community winning this prestigious award back in April. We’re on our second tour here in central Arkansas, having called Jacksonville home from 1993 to 1998, and we completely understand why the selection group chose to recognize our community as providing the best support to an Air Mobility Command base.
We see it everywhere - mayors and other civilian dignitaries at every base event (as well as frequently funding some of these events), Jacksonville’s voter-approved $5 million contribution to building the new Joint Education Center and, quite simply, surrounding towns and people who are very appreciative of their military and those of us who serve. We’re welcomed in local churches, schools, businesses, and neighborhoods and intertwined in the fabric of daily life in Jacksonville, Cabot, Sherwood, Lonoke and every other town around us. They have made a point of practicing hospitality and opening their arms to us. At every level, the Little Rock AFB communities have invested in us and our success.
My wife’s talk with me hinged on this point: how well do we Airmen, in turn, invest back into our community? Are we “giving back” to the community? Are we volunteering and serving--not just attending--in our neighborhoods and churches and schools? Are we leaving these communities “better than we found them,” as we so often aspire to do in our individual jobs in our squadrons?
A recent local editorial, for example, suggested if all those who were concerned about our public schools made a point volunteering just a few hours a month, our service would change the schools . . . and change us, as well.
It’s true to say that any community is only as good as its citizens. For those of us in the military, our legal citizenship may be in the state where we grew up, or perhaps where we last served, but our current citizenship is here in central Arkansas, whether we live on the base or in the communities that envelope it.
There are numerous opportunities where we Airmen can “plug in” and “give back” and “leave it better than we found it” - schools, service organizations, neighborhood or church leadership, and more. Our community here - the best one of a baker’s dozen in Air Mobility Command - needs us just as much as we need them.
Perhaps Herman Melville said it best, “We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men.”
COMMENTARY>>Creed...Never leave an Airman behind
By Capt. Tom Hail
19th Medical Group
The Wingman concept is an integral part of our Air Force identity and ideals. When one of our own is struggling we are reminded by our creed to, “... never leave an Airman behind.” I’ve seen firsthand how Airmen have overcome overwhelming difficulties because of the support they received from their units, peers and families. Unfortunately, I’ve also seen the struggle of some Airmen who feel like no one is looking out for them - they sometimes become hopeless and have thoughts of suicide. Fortunately, there are better options for them than giving up. That’s where our faithfulness to live the Airman’s Creed makes a difference.
Offering help to someone who is distressed can be uncomfortable. Yet, we do it because it’s the right thing to do. To assist each of us in living by our creed, I have distributed Ask, Care, Escort cards and posters throughout the base. If you haven’t received an ACE card, ask your unit first sergeant for one. ACE stands for the three simple actions you can take to help your fellow Airman in need of support. Saving a life on the battlefield is a rare privilege that few get to experience, saving the life of your wingman on base is an opportunity we have available more often than we might think.
19th Medical Group
The Wingman concept is an integral part of our Air Force identity and ideals. When one of our own is struggling we are reminded by our creed to, “... never leave an Airman behind.” I’ve seen firsthand how Airmen have overcome overwhelming difficulties because of the support they received from their units, peers and families. Unfortunately, I’ve also seen the struggle of some Airmen who feel like no one is looking out for them - they sometimes become hopeless and have thoughts of suicide. Fortunately, there are better options for them than giving up. That’s where our faithfulness to live the Airman’s Creed makes a difference.
Offering help to someone who is distressed can be uncomfortable. Yet, we do it because it’s the right thing to do. To assist each of us in living by our creed, I have distributed Ask, Care, Escort cards and posters throughout the base. If you haven’t received an ACE card, ask your unit first sergeant for one. ACE stands for the three simple actions you can take to help your fellow Airman in need of support. Saving a life on the battlefield is a rare privilege that few get to experience, saving the life of your wingman on base is an opportunity we have available more often than we might think.
TOP STORY > >Air Force wounded warrior rides from coast to coast
By Maj. Belinda Petersen
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – A combat controller, who last year was laying in a hospital fighting for his life, is now riding his bicycle across America as part of his rehabilitation and to inspire other wounded warriors.
Along with 19 of his teammates, including one from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., Staff Sgt. Marc Esposito from the 21st Special Tactics Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C, is participating in the Sea to Shining Sea ride. The bike trek across America started at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and will end in Virginia Beach, Va., July 24.
“The goal of the ride is to honor the courage of (servicemembers), recognize the strength of the American spirit and challenge perceptions of how we view athletes,” said Melissa McKinley, a public relations specialist for the event.
But before Sergeant Esposito could even get back on his bike, he spent almost a year in hospitals where he underwent several surgeries and extensive rehabilitation.
“In May 2009, I was operating in Afghanistan as a combat controller in support of an Army special operations team,” Sergeant Esposito said. “We were going after the bad guys when we hit an (improvised explosive device). Everyone in the vehicle was thrown out. I was inthe rear of the vehicle, where the concentrated blast came from. I was instantly left unconscious and catapulted from the vehicle.
“When the special operations medical technician found me, he said I was on fire, had no heartbeat and wasn’t breathing,” he said. “My legs and back were broken, and a lot of my teeth were smashed. I also suffered a traumatic brain injury.”
And now, thanks to the tremendous care and support he received from the medical community and his squadron, Sergeant Esposito is riding his bicycle 4,000 miles through deserts, mountain passes, big cities and small towns.
“It is so inspirational to see Marc and his teammates helping each other all along the way,” Ms. McKinley said. “After conquering a hill, Marc will ride back down so he can ride along with someone who needs the encouragement to make it up the hill. That’s how Marc is; he always wants to help others.”
“I want to help others understand that there is life after an injury or illness,” Sergeant Esposito said. “When something traumatic happens, you feel like your life has been turned upside down. Everything is at a standstill. But you have to get back into life by doing what you love and loving what you do.”
That’s the message he and his teammates are inspiring in others as they ride across America, meeting people at water stops, restaurants, historical landmarks and military bases.
“They are changing people’s lives as they go through small towns,” Ms. McKinley said.
When the team reaches Washington, D.C., Sergeant Esposito wants to visit servicemembers at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the same place he spent several months enduring painful surgeries and not knowing what his future held.
Sergeant Esposito remembers how wonderful it was to have visitors when he was a patient at WRAMC.
“I want to give back by talking to the young troops and letting them know to never give up,” Sergeant Esposito said. “I want to (instill) in them that they can do it as long as they put their minds to it.”
“And an inspiration he is,” said Senior Airman Brian Petras, a flight engineer from the 50th Airlift Squadron, who is also participating in the Sea to Shining Sea ride. “We met at the Center for the Intrepid while we were both going through rehabilitation, and we have inspired each other.”
“By doing the Sea to Shining Sea ride, we want to prove that we are still an asset to our great country, that we are still very capable and can continue to serve,” Airman Petras said.
Along with Sergeant Esposito and Airman Petras, other Air Force riders include Christopher Frost, Kevin Sullivan and Scott Bilyeu.
The team rides anywhere from 30 miles to 120 miles in one day, averaging 77 miles a day. In two months, team members will only rest 11 days.
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – A combat controller, who last year was laying in a hospital fighting for his life, is now riding his bicycle across America as part of his rehabilitation and to inspire other wounded warriors.
Along with 19 of his teammates, including one from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., Staff Sgt. Marc Esposito from the 21st Special Tactics Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C, is participating in the Sea to Shining Sea ride. The bike trek across America started at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and will end in Virginia Beach, Va., July 24.
“The goal of the ride is to honor the courage of (servicemembers), recognize the strength of the American spirit and challenge perceptions of how we view athletes,” said Melissa McKinley, a public relations specialist for the event.
But before Sergeant Esposito could even get back on his bike, he spent almost a year in hospitals where he underwent several surgeries and extensive rehabilitation.
“In May 2009, I was operating in Afghanistan as a combat controller in support of an Army special operations team,” Sergeant Esposito said. “We were going after the bad guys when we hit an (improvised explosive device). Everyone in the vehicle was thrown out. I was inthe rear of the vehicle, where the concentrated blast came from. I was instantly left unconscious and catapulted from the vehicle.
“When the special operations medical technician found me, he said I was on fire, had no heartbeat and wasn’t breathing,” he said. “My legs and back were broken, and a lot of my teeth were smashed. I also suffered a traumatic brain injury.”
And now, thanks to the tremendous care and support he received from the medical community and his squadron, Sergeant Esposito is riding his bicycle 4,000 miles through deserts, mountain passes, big cities and small towns.
“It is so inspirational to see Marc and his teammates helping each other all along the way,” Ms. McKinley said. “After conquering a hill, Marc will ride back down so he can ride along with someone who needs the encouragement to make it up the hill. That’s how Marc is; he always wants to help others.”
“I want to help others understand that there is life after an injury or illness,” Sergeant Esposito said. “When something traumatic happens, you feel like your life has been turned upside down. Everything is at a standstill. But you have to get back into life by doing what you love and loving what you do.”
That’s the message he and his teammates are inspiring in others as they ride across America, meeting people at water stops, restaurants, historical landmarks and military bases.
“They are changing people’s lives as they go through small towns,” Ms. McKinley said.
When the team reaches Washington, D.C., Sergeant Esposito wants to visit servicemembers at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the same place he spent several months enduring painful surgeries and not knowing what his future held.
Sergeant Esposito remembers how wonderful it was to have visitors when he was a patient at WRAMC.
“I want to give back by talking to the young troops and letting them know to never give up,” Sergeant Esposito said. “I want to (instill) in them that they can do it as long as they put their minds to it.”
“And an inspiration he is,” said Senior Airman Brian Petras, a flight engineer from the 50th Airlift Squadron, who is also participating in the Sea to Shining Sea ride. “We met at the Center for the Intrepid while we were both going through rehabilitation, and we have inspired each other.”
“By doing the Sea to Shining Sea ride, we want to prove that we are still an asset to our great country, that we are still very capable and can continue to serve,” Airman Petras said.
Along with Sergeant Esposito and Airman Petras, other Air Force riders include Christopher Frost, Kevin Sullivan and Scott Bilyeu.
The team rides anywhere from 30 miles to 120 miles in one day, averaging 77 miles a day. In two months, team members will only rest 11 days.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
COMMENTARY>>Air Force takes steps to prevent suicides
By Master Sgt. Russell P. Petcoff
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
WASHINGTON – The Air Force vice chief of staff testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee June 22 to address steps the service is taking to stem the rising suicide numbers.
Gen. Carrol H. “Howie” Chandler, in testimony alongside the other service vice chiefs and the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, noted that the Air Force officials have been addressing the problem with their suicide prevention program and total force resiliency program.
Additionally, General Chandler said the service is re-emphasizing the wingman culture.
“The Air Force initiated the total force resiliency program in February of this year to holistically address the root causes of suicide,” the general said. “The Air Force program reflects a broad-based approach to supporting Airmen and their families, recognizing that physical, mental and emotional health are critical to quality of life and readiness of the force.”
The Airman Resiliency Program is a three-tier program, with different intensity approaches at each level, said Lt. Col. Catherine A. Bobenrieth, the chief of the mental health branch at the Air Force Medical Operations Agency, San Antonio.
Tier one targets and tracks Airmen who have been exposed to potentially traumatic events during deployment, she said. Airmen will undergo team debriefings, education and reintegration activities.
Tier two addresses groups identified as higher-than-average risk that may need a targeted training or intervention, Colonel Bobenrieth said. It includes pre- and post-deployment training.
Tier three is available to all Airmen and features voluntary services available on bases through the Airman and Family Readiness centers and chapel services, she said. It also includes computer-based suicide prevention training.
General Chandler noted in his testimony that the Air Force approach is multi-faceted.
“Airman resiliency and the Air Force Suicide Prevention Program are complementary efforts that rely on leadership engagement, immediate family involvement and wingman support as key components,” he said.
“There is no substitute for Airmen knowing their subordinates and knowing coworkers well enough to recognize changes in attitude, behavior and personality, and then intervene when something is not right,” the general said.
“In May, the Air Force chief of staff directed a service-wide ‘Wingman Day’ to reinforce the significance and role of every Airman as mutually supportive, critical components in suicide prevention and resilience,” General Chandler said.
Wingman Stand Down 2010 addressed suicides and motor vehicle fatalities. The Air Force’s top commissioned and enlisted Airmen addressed the issue of suicides in a memorandum they released announcing the stand down.
“The loss of any Airman is a concern for us all and demands our renewed and steady focus on preventing these tragedies,” said Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy in their joint memorandum. “We must redouble our efforts to identify those at risk from suicide and get them the support that they need to regain hope and balance in their lives.”
General Chandler said suicides affect Airmen from throughout all Air Force specialty codes and it takes Airmen up and down the chain to tackle this problem.
“While no segment of the Air Force is immune to suicide, there are knownhigh-risk populations and known common risk factors, like relationship problems, legal issues, financial troubles, and history of mental health diagnosis,” General Chandler said. “The Air Force recognizes suicide as a public health concern that requires active and persistent involvement from commanders, supervisors, and peers, also referred to as wingmen, at all levels of the organization.”
Colonel Bobenrieth said the goal of Air Force officials is to let all Airmen know there’s help available and to get folks who need help in touch with people and programs that can help.
“A suicide is the terrible loss of a promising life,” Colonel Bobenrieth said. “It is very disruptive to the lives of family and friends, and the entire Air Force community.
“And many of them are preventable,” the colonel said.
As of June 22, there have been 27 suicides in the Air Force for calendar year 2010.
At the Wingman Stand Down, Airmen received “ACE” cards and identified who their wingman will be on cards each will carry, according to Colonel Bobenrieth.
ACE stands for ask-care-escort:
Ask your wingman – directly asking a distressed wingman if he or she is having thoughts of killing him or herself.
Care for your wingman – take control of the situation; listen to a wingman and understand his or her situation; remove any items that can cause harm.
Escort your wingman – never leave your wingman alone; escort him or her to someone in the chain of command, a mental health care provider, a chaplain, or a medical care provider; call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-TALK (8255) to speak with a counselor.
A recent American Forces Press Service story featured how a widow is dealing with her husband’s suicide.
Kim Ruocco’s husband, Marine Corps Maj. John Ruocco, committed suicide Feb. 6, 2005, after battling depression. She stressed the importance of ACE in a June 11 story titled “Survivor shares story to combat troop suicides.”
“I tell the troops to practice ACE - ask, care, escort,” she said. “You can never leave a person who is in that much pain alone.
You can’t say, ‘I’ll call you tomorrow.’ Grab their arm and escort them to help.”
Many victims of suicide communicated their intentions in advance, Colonel Bobenrieth said.
The colonel said thoughts of suicide generally manifest themselves in some form.
There are several warning signs Airmen should be aware of if their wingman exhibits them, she said.
They include:
Unusual or sudden changes in behavior
Decreased work performance
Disciplinary problems
Financial problems
Accidents or deaths of loved ones
Relationship difficulties at work and at home
Spouse and/or child abuse
Alcohol or drug misuse
Social isolation
Moodiness or irritability
Depression, feelings of hopelessness or thoughts of suicide.
There are positive actions people can take to address someone’s suicidal behavior, Colonel Bobenrieth said.
“There are several protective factors,” the colonel said. “They include having close relationships with family, friends and your battle buddy or wingman, maintaining a social support network, and having an ongoing relationship with health and mental health care providers.
“It’s also important to have an understanding of coping and problem-solving skills, and reasons for living,” the colonel said.
“Two other important protective factors are cultural and religious beliefs that value life and discourage suicide.”
To assist Airmen with information about dealing with suicide, Colonel Bobenrieth pointed out the Air Force’s suicide prevention website at http://www.af.mil/suicideprevention.asp. The site features a variety of tools and links to sites about dealing with suicide.
“This is an important Web site to have handy,” Colonel Bobenrieth said. “You never know when you might need it.”
The Senate Armed Services committee hearing also addressed traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. Often called “invisible wounds of war,” the testimony by the witnesses noted that the issues are inextricably linked.
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
WASHINGTON – The Air Force vice chief of staff testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee June 22 to address steps the service is taking to stem the rising suicide numbers.
Gen. Carrol H. “Howie” Chandler, in testimony alongside the other service vice chiefs and the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, noted that the Air Force officials have been addressing the problem with their suicide prevention program and total force resiliency program.
Additionally, General Chandler said the service is re-emphasizing the wingman culture.
“The Air Force initiated the total force resiliency program in February of this year to holistically address the root causes of suicide,” the general said. “The Air Force program reflects a broad-based approach to supporting Airmen and their families, recognizing that physical, mental and emotional health are critical to quality of life and readiness of the force.”
The Airman Resiliency Program is a three-tier program, with different intensity approaches at each level, said Lt. Col. Catherine A. Bobenrieth, the chief of the mental health branch at the Air Force Medical Operations Agency, San Antonio.
Tier one targets and tracks Airmen who have been exposed to potentially traumatic events during deployment, she said. Airmen will undergo team debriefings, education and reintegration activities.
Tier two addresses groups identified as higher-than-average risk that may need a targeted training or intervention, Colonel Bobenrieth said. It includes pre- and post-deployment training.
Tier three is available to all Airmen and features voluntary services available on bases through the Airman and Family Readiness centers and chapel services, she said. It also includes computer-based suicide prevention training.
General Chandler noted in his testimony that the Air Force approach is multi-faceted.
“Airman resiliency and the Air Force Suicide Prevention Program are complementary efforts that rely on leadership engagement, immediate family involvement and wingman support as key components,” he said.
“There is no substitute for Airmen knowing their subordinates and knowing coworkers well enough to recognize changes in attitude, behavior and personality, and then intervene when something is not right,” the general said.
“In May, the Air Force chief of staff directed a service-wide ‘Wingman Day’ to reinforce the significance and role of every Airman as mutually supportive, critical components in suicide prevention and resilience,” General Chandler said.
Wingman Stand Down 2010 addressed suicides and motor vehicle fatalities. The Air Force’s top commissioned and enlisted Airmen addressed the issue of suicides in a memorandum they released announcing the stand down.
“The loss of any Airman is a concern for us all and demands our renewed and steady focus on preventing these tragedies,” said Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy in their joint memorandum. “We must redouble our efforts to identify those at risk from suicide and get them the support that they need to regain hope and balance in their lives.”
General Chandler said suicides affect Airmen from throughout all Air Force specialty codes and it takes Airmen up and down the chain to tackle this problem.
“While no segment of the Air Force is immune to suicide, there are knownhigh-risk populations and known common risk factors, like relationship problems, legal issues, financial troubles, and history of mental health diagnosis,” General Chandler said. “The Air Force recognizes suicide as a public health concern that requires active and persistent involvement from commanders, supervisors, and peers, also referred to as wingmen, at all levels of the organization.”
Colonel Bobenrieth said the goal of Air Force officials is to let all Airmen know there’s help available and to get folks who need help in touch with people and programs that can help.
“A suicide is the terrible loss of a promising life,” Colonel Bobenrieth said. “It is very disruptive to the lives of family and friends, and the entire Air Force community.
“And many of them are preventable,” the colonel said.
As of June 22, there have been 27 suicides in the Air Force for calendar year 2010.
At the Wingman Stand Down, Airmen received “ACE” cards and identified who their wingman will be on cards each will carry, according to Colonel Bobenrieth.
ACE stands for ask-care-escort:
Ask your wingman – directly asking a distressed wingman if he or she is having thoughts of killing him or herself.
Care for your wingman – take control of the situation; listen to a wingman and understand his or her situation; remove any items that can cause harm.
Escort your wingman – never leave your wingman alone; escort him or her to someone in the chain of command, a mental health care provider, a chaplain, or a medical care provider; call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-TALK (8255) to speak with a counselor.
A recent American Forces Press Service story featured how a widow is dealing with her husband’s suicide.
Kim Ruocco’s husband, Marine Corps Maj. John Ruocco, committed suicide Feb. 6, 2005, after battling depression. She stressed the importance of ACE in a June 11 story titled “Survivor shares story to combat troop suicides.”
“I tell the troops to practice ACE - ask, care, escort,” she said. “You can never leave a person who is in that much pain alone.
You can’t say, ‘I’ll call you tomorrow.’ Grab their arm and escort them to help.”
Many victims of suicide communicated their intentions in advance, Colonel Bobenrieth said.
The colonel said thoughts of suicide generally manifest themselves in some form.
There are several warning signs Airmen should be aware of if their wingman exhibits them, she said.
They include:
Unusual or sudden changes in behavior
Decreased work performance
Disciplinary problems
Financial problems
Accidents or deaths of loved ones
Relationship difficulties at work and at home
Spouse and/or child abuse
Alcohol or drug misuse
Social isolation
Moodiness or irritability
Depression, feelings of hopelessness or thoughts of suicide.
There are positive actions people can take to address someone’s suicidal behavior, Colonel Bobenrieth said.
“There are several protective factors,” the colonel said. “They include having close relationships with family, friends and your battle buddy or wingman, maintaining a social support network, and having an ongoing relationship with health and mental health care providers.
“It’s also important to have an understanding of coping and problem-solving skills, and reasons for living,” the colonel said.
“Two other important protective factors are cultural and religious beliefs that value life and discourage suicide.”
To assist Airmen with information about dealing with suicide, Colonel Bobenrieth pointed out the Air Force’s suicide prevention website at http://www.af.mil/suicideprevention.asp. The site features a variety of tools and links to sites about dealing with suicide.
“This is an important Web site to have handy,” Colonel Bobenrieth said. “You never know when you might need it.”
The Senate Armed Services committee hearing also addressed traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. Often called “invisible wounds of war,” the testimony by the witnesses noted that the issues are inextricably linked.
COMMENTARY>>Air Force: A privilege, not a right!
By Chief Master Sgt. Mark D. Marson
314th Airlift Wing command chief
“What you have chosen to do for your country, by devoting your life to the service of your country, is the greatest contribution any man can make!” – John F. Kennedy
Have you ever stopped and reflected on why someone would join an organization where the ultimate sacrifice could be the giving of one’s life?
Recent Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom casualty numbers depict roughly 5,480 Americans have given their life in the defense of this great country and its ideals. Each time I ask a room full of Airmen why they joined the Air Force,
I usually get a wide range of responses such as educational benefits, travel and taking care of one’s family. However, the one constant response that seems to come from every Airman I have spoken with has been simple and profound, “A chance to serve my country.”
It’s all too clear that serving in today’s Air Force is a privilege, not a right. Less than two percent of all Americans between the ages of 18-44 are serving on active duty and not everyone who wants to serve actually gets the opportunity. The Air Force is experiencing the highest retention rate in 15 years and has become a lean organization made up of those who are truly the “best of the best.” Airmen serving today are some of the most highly skilled and highly trained individuals ever to wear the uniform.
However, it’s not the training that makes us the greatest Air Force in the world, but our diversity. It is the ability to bring together a team of individuals from all corners of the world and mold them into a highly dedicated and efficient weapon system.
Ours is a model based on Core Values the defines our foundation, unifies the force and ties us to the great warriors and public servants of the past. From the Tuskegee Airmen to Esther Blake (first female enlistee), Capt. John Walmsley Jr. (posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the North Korean conflict) to 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton (Security Forces) who gave his life on Sept. 8, 2009 while training Iraqi police in Bagdad; each shared the same privilege--the privilege of knowing that no matter where we are in the world and no matter what the situation might be, our life can be trusted in someone else’s hands.
Recently, a wise first sergeant pointed out to me a simple fact: even though the uniform has changed over time, the basic core principles grounded within the Air Force still remain the same. We are all part of a calling, the Profession of Arms, and have come together to ensure the freedoms for those who wish to be free. We must never forget we stand on the shoulders of brave men and women who have served before us and simultaneously lay the foundation for those who will serve after us.
So why do we belong to an organization where the ultimate sacrifice could be the giving of one’s life? It’s simple: because we are servant professionals who understand freedom isn’t free. Never forget why you serve … why you put on the uniform, why you do what you do each and every day. We don’t do it for the praise or glory, but simply the privilege of adding our names to the list of many great Americans who have gone before us.
314th Airlift Wing command chief
“What you have chosen to do for your country, by devoting your life to the service of your country, is the greatest contribution any man can make!” – John F. Kennedy
Have you ever stopped and reflected on why someone would join an organization where the ultimate sacrifice could be the giving of one’s life?
Recent Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom casualty numbers depict roughly 5,480 Americans have given their life in the defense of this great country and its ideals. Each time I ask a room full of Airmen why they joined the Air Force,
I usually get a wide range of responses such as educational benefits, travel and taking care of one’s family. However, the one constant response that seems to come from every Airman I have spoken with has been simple and profound, “A chance to serve my country.”
It’s all too clear that serving in today’s Air Force is a privilege, not a right. Less than two percent of all Americans between the ages of 18-44 are serving on active duty and not everyone who wants to serve actually gets the opportunity. The Air Force is experiencing the highest retention rate in 15 years and has become a lean organization made up of those who are truly the “best of the best.” Airmen serving today are some of the most highly skilled and highly trained individuals ever to wear the uniform.
However, it’s not the training that makes us the greatest Air Force in the world, but our diversity. It is the ability to bring together a team of individuals from all corners of the world and mold them into a highly dedicated and efficient weapon system.
Ours is a model based on Core Values the defines our foundation, unifies the force and ties us to the great warriors and public servants of the past. From the Tuskegee Airmen to Esther Blake (first female enlistee), Capt. John Walmsley Jr. (posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the North Korean conflict) to 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton (Security Forces) who gave his life on Sept. 8, 2009 while training Iraqi police in Bagdad; each shared the same privilege--the privilege of knowing that no matter where we are in the world and no matter what the situation might be, our life can be trusted in someone else’s hands.
Recently, a wise first sergeant pointed out to me a simple fact: even though the uniform has changed over time, the basic core principles grounded within the Air Force still remain the same. We are all part of a calling, the Profession of Arms, and have come together to ensure the freedoms for those who wish to be free. We must never forget we stand on the shoulders of brave men and women who have served before us and simultaneously lay the foundation for those who will serve after us.
So why do we belong to an organization where the ultimate sacrifice could be the giving of one’s life? It’s simple: because we are servant professionals who understand freedom isn’t free. Never forget why you serve … why you put on the uniform, why you do what you do each and every day. We don’t do it for the praise or glory, but simply the privilege of adding our names to the list of many great Americans who have gone before us.
COMMENTARY>>Air Force: A privilege, not a right!
By Chief Master Sgt. Mark D. Marson
314th Airlift Wing command chief
“What you have chosen to do for your country, by devoting your life to the service of your country, is the greatest contribution any man can make!” – John F. Kennedy
Have you ever stopped and reflected on why someone would join an organization where the ultimate sacrifice could be the giving of one’s life?
Recent Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom casualty numbers depict roughly 5,480 Americans have given their life in the defense of this great country and its ideals. Each time I ask a room full of Airmen why they joined the Air Force,
I usually get a wide range of responses such as educational benefits, travel and taking care of one’s family. However, the one constant response that seems to come from every Airman I have spoken with has been simple and profound, “A chance to serve my country.”
It’s all too clear that serving in today’s Air Force is a privilege, not a right. Less than two percent of all Americans between the ages of 18-44 are serving on active duty and not everyone who wants to serve actually gets the opportunity. The Air Force is experiencing the highest retention rate in 15 years and has become a lean organization made up of those who are truly the “best of the best.” Airmen serving today are some of the most highly skilled and highly trained individuals ever to wear the uniform.
However, it’s not the training that makes us the greatest Air Force in the world, but our diversity. It is the ability to bring together a team of individuals from all corners of the world and mold them into a highly dedicated and efficient weapon system.
Ours is a model based on Core Values the defines our foundation, unifies the force and ties us to the great warriors and public servants of the past. From the Tuskegee Airmen to Esther Blake (first female enlistee), Capt. John Walmsley Jr. (posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the North Korean conflict) to 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton (Security Forces) who gave his life on Sept. 8, 2009 while training Iraqi police in Bagdad; each shared the same privilege--the privilege of knowing that no matter where we are in the world and no matter what the situation might be, our life can be trusted in someone else’s hands.
Recently, a wise first sergeant pointed out to me a simple fact: even though the uniform has changed over time, the basic core principles grounded within the Air Force still remain the same. We are all part of a calling, the Profession of Arms, and have come together to ensure the freedoms for those who wish to be free. We must never forget we stand on the shoulders of brave men and women who have served before us and simultaneously lay the foundation for those who will serve after us.
So why do we belong to an organization where the ultimate sacrifice could be the giving of one’s life? It’s simple: because we are servant professionals who understand freedom isn’t free. Never forget why you serve … why you put on the uniform, why you do what you do each and every day. We don’t do it for the praise or glory, but simply the privilege of adding our names to the list of many great Americans who have gone before us.
314th Airlift Wing command chief
“What you have chosen to do for your country, by devoting your life to the service of your country, is the greatest contribution any man can make!” – John F. Kennedy
Have you ever stopped and reflected on why someone would join an organization where the ultimate sacrifice could be the giving of one’s life?
Recent Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom casualty numbers depict roughly 5,480 Americans have given their life in the defense of this great country and its ideals. Each time I ask a room full of Airmen why they joined the Air Force,
I usually get a wide range of responses such as educational benefits, travel and taking care of one’s family. However, the one constant response that seems to come from every Airman I have spoken with has been simple and profound, “A chance to serve my country.”
It’s all too clear that serving in today’s Air Force is a privilege, not a right. Less than two percent of all Americans between the ages of 18-44 are serving on active duty and not everyone who wants to serve actually gets the opportunity. The Air Force is experiencing the highest retention rate in 15 years and has become a lean organization made up of those who are truly the “best of the best.” Airmen serving today are some of the most highly skilled and highly trained individuals ever to wear the uniform.
However, it’s not the training that makes us the greatest Air Force in the world, but our diversity. It is the ability to bring together a team of individuals from all corners of the world and mold them into a highly dedicated and efficient weapon system.
Ours is a model based on Core Values the defines our foundation, unifies the force and ties us to the great warriors and public servants of the past. From the Tuskegee Airmen to Esther Blake (first female enlistee), Capt. John Walmsley Jr. (posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the North Korean conflict) to 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton (Security Forces) who gave his life on Sept. 8, 2009 while training Iraqi police in Bagdad; each shared the same privilege--the privilege of knowing that no matter where we are in the world and no matter what the situation might be, our life can be trusted in someone else’s hands.
Recently, a wise first sergeant pointed out to me a simple fact: even though the uniform has changed over time, the basic core principles grounded within the Air Force still remain the same. We are all part of a calling, the Profession of Arms, and have come together to ensure the freedoms for those who wish to be free. We must never forget we stand on the shoulders of brave men and women who have served before us and simultaneously lay the foundation for those who will serve after us.
So why do we belong to an organization where the ultimate sacrifice could be the giving of one’s life? It’s simple: because we are servant professionals who understand freedom isn’t free. Never forget why you serve … why you put on the uniform, why you do what you do each and every day. We don’t do it for the praise or glory, but simply the privilege of adding our names to the list of many great Americans who have gone before us.
TOP STORY > >4 LR aircrews part of largest ever JFEX formation
By Capt. Joe Knable
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Four Little Rock Air Force Base aircrews took part in the largest formation ever assembled for a Joint Forcible Entry Exercise June 22 and 23 at Pope Air Force Base and Fort Bragg, N.C.
The herculean formation of 18 Air Force cargo airplanes featuring 10 C-130s and eight C-17s from various Air Force bases showcased the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division’s ability to gain operational access to denied terrain through massive airdrop.
JFEX is the primary tool for the XVIII Airborne Corps (the Army’s largest warfighting organization) and the 82nd Airborne Division’s brigades to transfer real-world contingency operations and become a worldwide response force, according to Air Force officials.
“Within 18 hours of notification, the 82nd Airborne Division strategically deploys, conducts forcible entry parachute assault and secures key objectives for follow-on military operations in support of U.S. national interests,” according to the 82nd Airborne Division mission statement.
Crews trickled in Monday in time for the opening mass joint Army-Air Force briefing. Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, opened the exercise by highlighting its importance to participants. In the two days of massive formation airdrops, the aircrews would be dropping the 3rd Brigade Combat Team and the Global Response Team--the team that was dropped into Haiti. The impact of having a mass airdrop over the drop zone in a short amount of time can’t be overemphasized, General Helmick said. “When the enemy sees this, it has a tremendous effect … When you put U.S. boots on the ground dropped by U.S. Air Force personnel, you send one heck of a signal.”
Combat Airlift is integral to Army paratroopers, said General Helmick.
“One of the things we’ve tried to do since our last exercise is to really try to market this (joint) capability (between the Army and Air Force) … Every time we do one of these things I learn something from you guys, the Air Force … You would not believe how important a loadmaster is to a paratrooper. Loadmasters are critical for us (who jump).”
The coordination for this massive production started long before the exercise kicked off, however.
The Army and Air Force begin planning and discussing requirements for the exercise about two months before the exercise begins, said Capt. Michael Kissinger, a pilot from Little Rock AFB’s 50th Airlift Squadron and a planner for this JFEX. Then, one week prior to the exercise, more planners (like Captain Kissinger) arrive. The elaborate planning involves airspace requirements, load plans, maintenance schedules, timing of launching jets and even airplane parking planning according to which chalks of paratroopers will be loaded onto the airplanes.
Planning such a massive formation with two different types of aircraft is quite complex, said Captain Kissinger. “You have to balance procedures and performance capabilities of two different aircraft to complete one cohesive airdrop.” This planning is different for C-130s and C-17s. Differences between the airframes include different airspeeds, slow down profiles, escapes from the drop zone and what comprises a standard element. The standard element for C-17s is three ships, while the standard for C-130s is only two. Yet this was all worked out carefully and the formationflew both days without incident, the captain said.
For every crewmember of one 1962-model C-130E crew from Little Rock AFB’s 53rd Airlift Squadron, this was either their first or second JFEX and a chance to do something they’ve never done before.
“It was pretty exciting,” said Capt. Jason Robinson, the crew’s copilot. “It takes all the training we do and puts it to the test. It’s great to see all these little pieces fit together.”
The first night, the crew, led by aircraft commander Maj. Lars Johnsen, led a flight of four C-130s to drop many of the 1,117 paratroopers the formation would drop. Major Johnsen’s crew dropped 60 members of the 82nd Airborne Division.
As General Helmick said, the loadmasters have a key role with getting the paratroopers out the door safely and accurately.
“It’s awesome,” said Airman 1st Class Gregory Izzi, one of the crew’s two loadmasters. “It’s one of my favorite things I do as a loadmaster.”
On the second night of the massive formation, Major Johnsen’s crew led a two-ship flight carrying two 9,700-pound armor plated HUMVEEs. The loadmasters made the split-second decision not to drop the load when they saw something drop behind the HUMVEEs.
In a training environment, said Staff Sgt. Grant Lane, the crew’s senior loadmaster, it’s not worth risking damage to the plane or the cargo. This would have been the first time these armor-plated HUMVEEs were airdropped.
The fact the load wasn’t dropped doesn’t mean that the training wasn’t worthwhile, said Capt. Brian Shea, the crew’s instructor-navigator. The aircrews still planned and flew the formation, the ground crew loaded the vehicles, and the Soldiers prepared the drop zone, all of which was valuable experience.
This JFEX was also a showcase and proving ground for cutting-edge airlift technology, such as ITV, or In-Transit Visibility, which enables the forces to “Know exactly where the cargo is so the Army doesn’t have to come looking for it,” said Col. Dean Bridger, 818th Contingency Response Group commander.
Crews during the exercise also made use of dropsondes, devices that are dropped on a first pass and relay information back to a box on top of the bundle, which steers the load to the dropsondes when the load is dropped on a subsequent pass.
Forcible entry has been a key tool for decades now and will continue to be for future operations, officials said.
“Every U.S. combat operation since 1981, except Kosovo, included a forcible entry mission. Recent relief operations in Haiti reaffirmed the need for a rapidly deployable Contingency Response Corps even though the parachute option was not utilized.
We remain trained and ready to deploy on short notice when required,” according to the XVIII Airborne Corps Web site.
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Four Little Rock Air Force Base aircrews took part in the largest formation ever assembled for a Joint Forcible Entry Exercise June 22 and 23 at Pope Air Force Base and Fort Bragg, N.C.
The herculean formation of 18 Air Force cargo airplanes featuring 10 C-130s and eight C-17s from various Air Force bases showcased the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division’s ability to gain operational access to denied terrain through massive airdrop.
JFEX is the primary tool for the XVIII Airborne Corps (the Army’s largest warfighting organization) and the 82nd Airborne Division’s brigades to transfer real-world contingency operations and become a worldwide response force, according to Air Force officials.
“Within 18 hours of notification, the 82nd Airborne Division strategically deploys, conducts forcible entry parachute assault and secures key objectives for follow-on military operations in support of U.S. national interests,” according to the 82nd Airborne Division mission statement.
Crews trickled in Monday in time for the opening mass joint Army-Air Force briefing. Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, opened the exercise by highlighting its importance to participants. In the two days of massive formation airdrops, the aircrews would be dropping the 3rd Brigade Combat Team and the Global Response Team--the team that was dropped into Haiti. The impact of having a mass airdrop over the drop zone in a short amount of time can’t be overemphasized, General Helmick said. “When the enemy sees this, it has a tremendous effect … When you put U.S. boots on the ground dropped by U.S. Air Force personnel, you send one heck of a signal.”
Combat Airlift is integral to Army paratroopers, said General Helmick.
“One of the things we’ve tried to do since our last exercise is to really try to market this (joint) capability (between the Army and Air Force) … Every time we do one of these things I learn something from you guys, the Air Force … You would not believe how important a loadmaster is to a paratrooper. Loadmasters are critical for us (who jump).”
The coordination for this massive production started long before the exercise kicked off, however.
The Army and Air Force begin planning and discussing requirements for the exercise about two months before the exercise begins, said Capt. Michael Kissinger, a pilot from Little Rock AFB’s 50th Airlift Squadron and a planner for this JFEX. Then, one week prior to the exercise, more planners (like Captain Kissinger) arrive. The elaborate planning involves airspace requirements, load plans, maintenance schedules, timing of launching jets and even airplane parking planning according to which chalks of paratroopers will be loaded onto the airplanes.
Planning such a massive formation with two different types of aircraft is quite complex, said Captain Kissinger. “You have to balance procedures and performance capabilities of two different aircraft to complete one cohesive airdrop.” This planning is different for C-130s and C-17s. Differences between the airframes include different airspeeds, slow down profiles, escapes from the drop zone and what comprises a standard element. The standard element for C-17s is three ships, while the standard for C-130s is only two. Yet this was all worked out carefully and the formationflew both days without incident, the captain said.
For every crewmember of one 1962-model C-130E crew from Little Rock AFB’s 53rd Airlift Squadron, this was either their first or second JFEX and a chance to do something they’ve never done before.
“It was pretty exciting,” said Capt. Jason Robinson, the crew’s copilot. “It takes all the training we do and puts it to the test. It’s great to see all these little pieces fit together.”
The first night, the crew, led by aircraft commander Maj. Lars Johnsen, led a flight of four C-130s to drop many of the 1,117 paratroopers the formation would drop. Major Johnsen’s crew dropped 60 members of the 82nd Airborne Division.
As General Helmick said, the loadmasters have a key role with getting the paratroopers out the door safely and accurately.
“It’s awesome,” said Airman 1st Class Gregory Izzi, one of the crew’s two loadmasters. “It’s one of my favorite things I do as a loadmaster.”
On the second night of the massive formation, Major Johnsen’s crew led a two-ship flight carrying two 9,700-pound armor plated HUMVEEs. The loadmasters made the split-second decision not to drop the load when they saw something drop behind the HUMVEEs.
In a training environment, said Staff Sgt. Grant Lane, the crew’s senior loadmaster, it’s not worth risking damage to the plane or the cargo. This would have been the first time these armor-plated HUMVEEs were airdropped.
The fact the load wasn’t dropped doesn’t mean that the training wasn’t worthwhile, said Capt. Brian Shea, the crew’s instructor-navigator. The aircrews still planned and flew the formation, the ground crew loaded the vehicles, and the Soldiers prepared the drop zone, all of which was valuable experience.
This JFEX was also a showcase and proving ground for cutting-edge airlift technology, such as ITV, or In-Transit Visibility, which enables the forces to “Know exactly where the cargo is so the Army doesn’t have to come looking for it,” said Col. Dean Bridger, 818th Contingency Response Group commander.
Crews during the exercise also made use of dropsondes, devices that are dropped on a first pass and relay information back to a box on top of the bundle, which steers the load to the dropsondes when the load is dropped on a subsequent pass.
Forcible entry has been a key tool for decades now and will continue to be for future operations, officials said.
“Every U.S. combat operation since 1981, except Kosovo, included a forcible entry mission. Recent relief operations in Haiti reaffirmed the need for a rapidly deployable Contingency Response Corps even though the parachute option was not utilized.
We remain trained and ready to deploy on short notice when required,” according to the XVIII Airborne Corps Web site.
TOP STORY > >4 LR aircrews part of largest ever JFEX formation
By Capt. Joe Knable
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Four Little Rock Air Force Base aircrews took part in the largest formation ever assembled for a Joint Forcible Entry Exercise June 22 and 23 at Pope Air Force Base and Fort Bragg, N.C.
The herculean formation of 18 Air Force cargo airplanes featuring 10 C-130s and eight C-17s from various Air Force bases showcased the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division’s ability to gain operational access to denied terrain through massive airdrop.
JFEX is the primary tool for the XVIII Airborne Corps (the Army’s largest warfighting organization) and the 82nd Airborne Division’s brigades to transfer real-world contingency operations and become a worldwide response force, according to Air Force officials.
“Within 18 hours of notification, the 82nd Airborne Division strategically deploys, conducts forcible entry parachute assault and secures key objectives for follow-on military operations in support of U.S. national interests,” according to the 82nd Airborne Division mission statement.
Crews trickled in Monday in time for the opening mass joint Army-Air Force briefing. Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, opened the exercise by highlighting its importance to participants. In the two days of massive formation airdrops, the aircrews would be dropping the 3rd Brigade Combat Team and the Global Response Team--the team that was dropped into Haiti. The impact of having a mass airdrop over the drop zone in a short amount of time can’t be overemphasized, General Helmick said. “When the enemy sees this, it has a tremendous effect … When you put U.S. boots on the ground dropped by U.S. Air Force personnel, you send one heck of a signal.”
Combat Airlift is integral to Army paratroopers, said General Helmick.
“One of the things we’ve tried to do since our last exercise is to really try to market this (joint) capability (between the Army and Air Force) … Every time we do one of these things I learn something from you guys, the Air Force … You would not believe how important a loadmaster is to a paratrooper. Loadmasters are critical for us (who jump).”
The coordination for this massive production started long before the exercise kicked off, however.
The Army and Air Force begin planning and discussing requirements for the exercise about two months before the exercise begins, said Capt. Michael Kissinger, a pilot from Little Rock AFB’s 50th Airlift Squadron and a planner for this JFEX. Then, one week prior to the exercise, more planners (like Captain Kissinger) arrive. The elaborate planning involves airspace requirements, load plans, maintenance schedules, timing of launching jets and even airplane parking planning according to which chalks of paratroopers will be loaded onto the airplanes.
Planning such a massive formation with two different types of aircraft is quite complex, said Captain Kissinger. “You have to balance procedures and performance capabilities of two different aircraft to complete one cohesive airdrop.” This planning is different for C-130s and C-17s. Differences between the airframes include different airspeeds, slow down profiles, escapes from the drop zone and what comprises a standard element. The standard element for C-17s is three ships, while the standard for C-130s is only two. Yet this was all worked out carefully and the formationflew both days without incident, the captain said.
For every crewmember of one 1962-model C-130E crew from Little Rock AFB’s 53rd Airlift Squadron, this was either their first or second JFEX and a chance to do something they’ve never done before.
“It was pretty exciting,” said Capt. Jason Robinson, the crew’s copilot. “It takes all the training we do and puts it to the test. It’s great to see all these little pieces fit together.”
The first night, the crew, led by aircraft commander Maj. Lars Johnsen, led a flight of four C-130s to drop many of the 1,117 paratroopers the formation would drop. Major Johnsen’s crew dropped 60 members of the 82nd Airborne Division.
As General Helmick said, the loadmasters have a key role with getting the paratroopers out the door safely and accurately.
“It’s awesome,” said Airman 1st Class Gregory Izzi, one of the crew’s two loadmasters. “It’s one of my favorite things I do as a loadmaster.”
On the second night of the massive formation, Major Johnsen’s crew led a two-ship flight carrying two 9,700-pound armor plated HUMVEEs. The loadmasters made the split-second decision not to drop the load when they saw something drop behind the HUMVEEs.
In a training environment, said Staff Sgt. Grant Lane, the crew’s senior loadmaster, it’s not worth risking damage to the plane or the cargo. This would have been the first time these armor-plated HUMVEEs were airdropped.
The fact the load wasn’t dropped doesn’t mean that the training wasn’t worthwhile, said Capt. Brian Shea, the crew’s instructor-navigator. The aircrews still planned and flew the formation, the ground crew loaded the vehicles, and the Soldiers prepared the drop zone, all of which was valuable experience.
This JFEX was also a showcase and proving ground for cutting-edge airlift technology, such as ITV, or In-Transit Visibility, which enables the forces to “Know exactly where the cargo is so the Army doesn’t have to come looking for it,” said Col. Dean Bridger, 818th Contingency Response Group commander.
Crews during the exercise also made use of dropsondes, devices that are dropped on a first pass and relay information back to a box on top of the bundle, which steers the load to the dropsondes when the load is dropped on a subsequent pass.
Forcible entry has been a key tool for decades now and will continue to be for future operations, officials said.
“Every U.S. combat operation since 1981, except Kosovo, included a forcible entry mission. Recent relief operations in Haiti reaffirmed the need for a rapidly deployable Contingency Response Corps even though the parachute option was not utilized.
We remain trained and ready to deploy on short notice when required,” according to the XVIII Airborne Corps Web site.
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Four Little Rock Air Force Base aircrews took part in the largest formation ever assembled for a Joint Forcible Entry Exercise June 22 and 23 at Pope Air Force Base and Fort Bragg, N.C.
The herculean formation of 18 Air Force cargo airplanes featuring 10 C-130s and eight C-17s from various Air Force bases showcased the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division’s ability to gain operational access to denied terrain through massive airdrop.
JFEX is the primary tool for the XVIII Airborne Corps (the Army’s largest warfighting organization) and the 82nd Airborne Division’s brigades to transfer real-world contingency operations and become a worldwide response force, according to Air Force officials.
“Within 18 hours of notification, the 82nd Airborne Division strategically deploys, conducts forcible entry parachute assault and secures key objectives for follow-on military operations in support of U.S. national interests,” according to the 82nd Airborne Division mission statement.
Crews trickled in Monday in time for the opening mass joint Army-Air Force briefing. Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, opened the exercise by highlighting its importance to participants. In the two days of massive formation airdrops, the aircrews would be dropping the 3rd Brigade Combat Team and the Global Response Team--the team that was dropped into Haiti. The impact of having a mass airdrop over the drop zone in a short amount of time can’t be overemphasized, General Helmick said. “When the enemy sees this, it has a tremendous effect … When you put U.S. boots on the ground dropped by U.S. Air Force personnel, you send one heck of a signal.”
Combat Airlift is integral to Army paratroopers, said General Helmick.
“One of the things we’ve tried to do since our last exercise is to really try to market this (joint) capability (between the Army and Air Force) … Every time we do one of these things I learn something from you guys, the Air Force … You would not believe how important a loadmaster is to a paratrooper. Loadmasters are critical for us (who jump).”
The coordination for this massive production started long before the exercise kicked off, however.
The Army and Air Force begin planning and discussing requirements for the exercise about two months before the exercise begins, said Capt. Michael Kissinger, a pilot from Little Rock AFB’s 50th Airlift Squadron and a planner for this JFEX. Then, one week prior to the exercise, more planners (like Captain Kissinger) arrive. The elaborate planning involves airspace requirements, load plans, maintenance schedules, timing of launching jets and even airplane parking planning according to which chalks of paratroopers will be loaded onto the airplanes.
Planning such a massive formation with two different types of aircraft is quite complex, said Captain Kissinger. “You have to balance procedures and performance capabilities of two different aircraft to complete one cohesive airdrop.” This planning is different for C-130s and C-17s. Differences between the airframes include different airspeeds, slow down profiles, escapes from the drop zone and what comprises a standard element. The standard element for C-17s is three ships, while the standard for C-130s is only two. Yet this was all worked out carefully and the formationflew both days without incident, the captain said.
For every crewmember of one 1962-model C-130E crew from Little Rock AFB’s 53rd Airlift Squadron, this was either their first or second JFEX and a chance to do something they’ve never done before.
“It was pretty exciting,” said Capt. Jason Robinson, the crew’s copilot. “It takes all the training we do and puts it to the test. It’s great to see all these little pieces fit together.”
The first night, the crew, led by aircraft commander Maj. Lars Johnsen, led a flight of four C-130s to drop many of the 1,117 paratroopers the formation would drop. Major Johnsen’s crew dropped 60 members of the 82nd Airborne Division.
As General Helmick said, the loadmasters have a key role with getting the paratroopers out the door safely and accurately.
“It’s awesome,” said Airman 1st Class Gregory Izzi, one of the crew’s two loadmasters. “It’s one of my favorite things I do as a loadmaster.”
On the second night of the massive formation, Major Johnsen’s crew led a two-ship flight carrying two 9,700-pound armor plated HUMVEEs. The loadmasters made the split-second decision not to drop the load when they saw something drop behind the HUMVEEs.
In a training environment, said Staff Sgt. Grant Lane, the crew’s senior loadmaster, it’s not worth risking damage to the plane or the cargo. This would have been the first time these armor-plated HUMVEEs were airdropped.
The fact the load wasn’t dropped doesn’t mean that the training wasn’t worthwhile, said Capt. Brian Shea, the crew’s instructor-navigator. The aircrews still planned and flew the formation, the ground crew loaded the vehicles, and the Soldiers prepared the drop zone, all of which was valuable experience.
This JFEX was also a showcase and proving ground for cutting-edge airlift technology, such as ITV, or In-Transit Visibility, which enables the forces to “Know exactly where the cargo is so the Army doesn’t have to come looking for it,” said Col. Dean Bridger, 818th Contingency Response Group commander.
Crews during the exercise also made use of dropsondes, devices that are dropped on a first pass and relay information back to a box on top of the bundle, which steers the load to the dropsondes when the load is dropped on a subsequent pass.
Forcible entry has been a key tool for decades now and will continue to be for future operations, officials said.
“Every U.S. combat operation since 1981, except Kosovo, included a forcible entry mission. Recent relief operations in Haiti reaffirmed the need for a rapidly deployable Contingency Response Corps even though the parachute option was not utilized.
We remain trained and ready to deploy on short notice when required,” according to the XVIII Airborne Corps Web site.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
COMMENTARY>>Base now Facebook friendly
“I’m a fan.” That’s what the base’s public affairs staff hopes military members on base and supporters outside the base’s gates will say to the base’s June 18 launch of its Facebook page.
The page offers base leaders a new avenue to connect and communicate with Airmen and their families as well as friends and family members around the world. It’s also a great way for Little Rock AFB members to receive updates for upcoming events on base and share the C-130 Combat Airlift story.
“There are so many Little Rock Air Force Base people doing great things in our community and around the world,” said Arlo Taylor, 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs media relations chief. “Facebook offers a great way to share their stories, as well as the Air Force mission, with friends and family outside the base gate and across the globe.”
Social media has changed the way the world communicates.
“Young kids today want information at their fingertips, and they want it now. They don’t want to wait until Friday’s base paper comes out,” said Bob Oldham, the base’s chief of public affairs. “We owe them information as fast as that information can be made available. We’re doing that right now with our public Web page, but social media allows us to deliver information to a specific audience that has said they want that information. Social media is another tool in our toolkit to reach our intended audiences.”
For those with Facebook accounts, search for “Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.” or click the Facebook icon at the top of the base’s official Web page, www.littlerock.af.mil, to see the latest happenings in the Little Rock Air Force Base community.
(Courtesy of the 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs)
The page offers base leaders a new avenue to connect and communicate with Airmen and their families as well as friends and family members around the world. It’s also a great way for Little Rock AFB members to receive updates for upcoming events on base and share the C-130 Combat Airlift story.
“There are so many Little Rock Air Force Base people doing great things in our community and around the world,” said Arlo Taylor, 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs media relations chief. “Facebook offers a great way to share their stories, as well as the Air Force mission, with friends and family outside the base gate and across the globe.”
Social media has changed the way the world communicates.
“Young kids today want information at their fingertips, and they want it now. They don’t want to wait until Friday’s base paper comes out,” said Bob Oldham, the base’s chief of public affairs. “We owe them information as fast as that information can be made available. We’re doing that right now with our public Web page, but social media allows us to deliver information to a specific audience that has said they want that information. Social media is another tool in our toolkit to reach our intended audiences.”
For those with Facebook accounts, search for “Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.” or click the Facebook icon at the top of the base’s official Web page, www.littlerock.af.mil, to see the latest happenings in the Little Rock Air Force Base community.
(Courtesy of the 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs)
COMMENTARY>>A Republic if you can keep it
by Col. Charles K. Hyde
314th Airlift Wing Commander
“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor” –Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
“We hold these truths to be self evident.” These words started the Declaration of Independence, which began a new experiment in government. A government not based on divine right, theocratic edict, a cult of personality or the power of the state, but on ideals and the consent of the governed. It’s these radical ideals – freedom, equality and democracy – which form the foundation of the greatest force for good the world has ever known: the United States of America.
Since its founding, our nation has been a light for those who long for freedom, who desire to worship according to the dictates of their conscience and who seek the opportunity that is limited only by their individual work ethic and adventure. Our nation, along with many freedom-loving partners, defeated global fascism and communism and gave freedom and hope to hundreds of millions of people around the world. Our nation, although far from perfect, still stands as a beacon to all those denied the basic rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Unfortunately, freedom, equality and democracy have been the bane of evil people and regimes who stand opposed to those who champion their ideal. The United States, the most generous nation on earth, is hated by those who despise our values and whose malevolent demands that others live according to the yoke of their ideology. We continue to face ideologies every bit as evil and destructive as Nazism and communism were before them, and freedom requires vigilance and continuous defense.
After our nation’s freedom had been won, Benjamin Franklin was asked what type of government the constitutional convention had contrived. He responded, “A Republic, if you can keep it.” I don’t know how Mr. Franklin characterized the threats to our new nation – internal dissension, economic viability or external powers – but I do know that the defense of freedom will prevail over the ideologies of hate if we, like our founding fathers, mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.
On this Independence Day weekend, I’m grateful for those who continue to keep our republic safe by serving in the defense of her ideals. May God bless the United States.
314th Airlift Wing Commander
“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor” –Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
“We hold these truths to be self evident.” These words started the Declaration of Independence, which began a new experiment in government. A government not based on divine right, theocratic edict, a cult of personality or the power of the state, but on ideals and the consent of the governed. It’s these radical ideals – freedom, equality and democracy – which form the foundation of the greatest force for good the world has ever known: the United States of America.
Since its founding, our nation has been a light for those who long for freedom, who desire to worship according to the dictates of their conscience and who seek the opportunity that is limited only by their individual work ethic and adventure. Our nation, along with many freedom-loving partners, defeated global fascism and communism and gave freedom and hope to hundreds of millions of people around the world. Our nation, although far from perfect, still stands as a beacon to all those denied the basic rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Unfortunately, freedom, equality and democracy have been the bane of evil people and regimes who stand opposed to those who champion their ideal. The United States, the most generous nation on earth, is hated by those who despise our values and whose malevolent demands that others live according to the yoke of their ideology. We continue to face ideologies every bit as evil and destructive as Nazism and communism were before them, and freedom requires vigilance and continuous defense.
After our nation’s freedom had been won, Benjamin Franklin was asked what type of government the constitutional convention had contrived. He responded, “A Republic, if you can keep it.” I don’t know how Mr. Franklin characterized the threats to our new nation – internal dissension, economic viability or external powers – but I do know that the defense of freedom will prevail over the ideologies of hate if we, like our founding fathers, mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.
On this Independence Day weekend, I’m grateful for those who continue to keep our republic safe by serving in the defense of her ideals. May God bless the United States.
COMMENTARY>>Commander’s Action Line: Surcharges at dining hall
Question: Based on information I have read, retirees shouldn’t be charged a surcharge for eating at the dining hall under the test program. Am I wrong? I enjoy eating at the dining hall on weekends, but the 30-percent surcharge I was charged is a bit much.
Answer: You’re referring to the Food Transformation Initiative that our base and five others will be going through in the very near future. FTI is scheduled to start here on or around Oct. 1, but until then, we’re still using the legacy a la carte feeding system, which allows customers to choose what they want to eat and only pay food costs on those items along with a 33-percent surcharge at the register.
All cash-paying customers, except dependants of E-4 and below and non-profit youth organizations such as Boy and Girl Scouts of America and Junior ROTC cadets, pay this operating surcharge cost and will continue to do so until FTI officially starts up its operations.
These surcharge operating costs are used to help offset the costs for the mess attendant contract and the replacement of equipment. The information about FTI is correct when it says customers won’t pay an added surcharge on top of the menu price because the menu price will cover the costs of food and all operating costs, which will equate to what FTI calls the market price.
Thank you again for your question, because this gave us another opportunity to clear up some confusion that may exist with other customers as well. Combat Airlift!
Answer: You’re referring to the Food Transformation Initiative that our base and five others will be going through in the very near future. FTI is scheduled to start here on or around Oct. 1, but until then, we’re still using the legacy a la carte feeding system, which allows customers to choose what they want to eat and only pay food costs on those items along with a 33-percent surcharge at the register.
All cash-paying customers, except dependants of E-4 and below and non-profit youth organizations such as Boy and Girl Scouts of America and Junior ROTC cadets, pay this operating surcharge cost and will continue to do so until FTI officially starts up its operations.
These surcharge operating costs are used to help offset the costs for the mess attendant contract and the replacement of equipment. The information about FTI is correct when it says customers won’t pay an added surcharge on top of the menu price because the menu price will cover the costs of food and all operating costs, which will equate to what FTI calls the market price.
Thank you again for your question, because this gave us another opportunity to clear up some confusion that may exist with other customers as well. Combat Airlift!
TOP STORY > >Aviation fuel savings: AMC leading the charge
by Laura McAndrews
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. – Air Mobility Command has the largest fleet of the biggest airframes in the Air Force and they are the Department of Defense’s largest aviation fuel customer consuming 28 percent of DODs energy use, but AMC is leading the charge in making energy a consideration in everything they do.
During the third annual Air Force Energy Forum in May Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton stressed the importance of being efficient while being effective.
“With the need to deliver fuel, supplies and warfighting capabilities to remote, austere and landlocked places like Afghanistan, reducing the amount of energy our force requires becomes even more important,” said Ms. Conaton.
“By its very nature, the AMC mission requires a lot of fuel,” said Maj. Gen. Brooks Bash, AMC director of operations. “This command provides the strategic airlift, aeromedical evacuation and air refueling to support the warfighter, and we do this while also ensuring we’re able to provide aid and support for humanitarian operations whenever disaster strikes.”
AMC aircraft fly 66 percent of the missions flown in the U.S. Central Command’s Area of Responsibility. Since 9-11, AMC’s airlifters have delivered more than 5 million tons of cargo 14 million passengers, refuelers have offloaded 11 billion pounds of fuel, and aeromedical evacuation experts have conducted more than 151,000 patient movements.
And they’re working around the clock finding ways to become more efficient.
As of June 8, the Mobility Air Forces have implemented 11 fuel efficiency initiatives with projected yearly fuel consumption reductions of 65.3 million gallons at a cost avoidance of $184.1 million. Twelve additional initiatives have been identified, and once implemented, the command will reduce fuel consumption an additional 51.1 million gallons at a cost avoidance of $144.1 million, for a total yearly reduction of 116.4 million gallons at a cost avoidance of $328.2 million. (Note: The dollar figures are based on the current price of $2.82 per gallon for JP-8 fuel.)
Initiatives already in place include: reducing aircraft weight of non-mission essential items and working with foreign countries to fly more fuel efficient routes.
“[These are all] smart, simple, effective ways to conserve energy,” added Ms. Conaton.
In the last fiscal year the Air Force spent nearly $8.5 billion on fuel, mostly for aircraft.
“Every dollar we spend on energy is one less dollar that we have to spend on Airmen, their readiness and their weapon systems,” said Ms. Conaton. “All of us in government are charged with being good stewards of tax payer dollars. We need to be able to demonstrate to ourselves, to Congress and to the American people that our energy dollars are being spent in the most effective manner possible.”
“AMC will endeavor to reduce our demand for energy by enabling the creativity and good ideas of all Airmen,” said General Bash. “We are embracing the Air Force’s motto to make energy conservation a consideration in all we do.”
“I applaud the AMC Airmen for providing a critical capability to the joint effort while pursuing creative methods to boost fuel efficiency,” said Ms. Conaton.
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. – Air Mobility Command has the largest fleet of the biggest airframes in the Air Force and they are the Department of Defense’s largest aviation fuel customer consuming 28 percent of DODs energy use, but AMC is leading the charge in making energy a consideration in everything they do.
During the third annual Air Force Energy Forum in May Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton stressed the importance of being efficient while being effective.
“With the need to deliver fuel, supplies and warfighting capabilities to remote, austere and landlocked places like Afghanistan, reducing the amount of energy our force requires becomes even more important,” said Ms. Conaton.
“By its very nature, the AMC mission requires a lot of fuel,” said Maj. Gen. Brooks Bash, AMC director of operations. “This command provides the strategic airlift, aeromedical evacuation and air refueling to support the warfighter, and we do this while also ensuring we’re able to provide aid and support for humanitarian operations whenever disaster strikes.”
AMC aircraft fly 66 percent of the missions flown in the U.S. Central Command’s Area of Responsibility. Since 9-11, AMC’s airlifters have delivered more than 5 million tons of cargo 14 million passengers, refuelers have offloaded 11 billion pounds of fuel, and aeromedical evacuation experts have conducted more than 151,000 patient movements.
And they’re working around the clock finding ways to become more efficient.
As of June 8, the Mobility Air Forces have implemented 11 fuel efficiency initiatives with projected yearly fuel consumption reductions of 65.3 million gallons at a cost avoidance of $184.1 million. Twelve additional initiatives have been identified, and once implemented, the command will reduce fuel consumption an additional 51.1 million gallons at a cost avoidance of $144.1 million, for a total yearly reduction of 116.4 million gallons at a cost avoidance of $328.2 million. (Note: The dollar figures are based on the current price of $2.82 per gallon for JP-8 fuel.)
Initiatives already in place include: reducing aircraft weight of non-mission essential items and working with foreign countries to fly more fuel efficient routes.
“[These are all] smart, simple, effective ways to conserve energy,” added Ms. Conaton.
In the last fiscal year the Air Force spent nearly $8.5 billion on fuel, mostly for aircraft.
“Every dollar we spend on energy is one less dollar that we have to spend on Airmen, their readiness and their weapon systems,” said Ms. Conaton. “All of us in government are charged with being good stewards of tax payer dollars. We need to be able to demonstrate to ourselves, to Congress and to the American people that our energy dollars are being spent in the most effective manner possible.”
“AMC will endeavor to reduce our demand for energy by enabling the creativity and good ideas of all Airmen,” said General Bash. “We are embracing the Air Force’s motto to make energy conservation a consideration in all we do.”
“I applaud the AMC Airmen for providing a critical capability to the joint effort while pursuing creative methods to boost fuel efficiency,” said Ms. Conaton.
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