By Staff Sgt. Jessica Condit
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Team Little Rock observed Military Family Appreciation Day on Nov. 16 with a giant celebration featuring games, competitions and family-friendly fun.
Base families braved the elements despite the light drizzle of rain and chilly weather in a fun-filled day of free food, face painting, pageants and challenges to include a dating game for couples.
This event, hosted by the Airman and Family Readiness Center, also showcased the broad range of helping organizations available to military families.
Base security forces and fire responders gave children a chance to see the tools emergency responders use to help keep the base safe.
Master Sgt. Kimberly Euton, 19th Force Support Squadron Readiness noncommissioned officer in charge, says that events like these build strong relationships for families. It also helps equip families for tough times such as deployments.
“The Air Force and Team Little Rock recognizes the importance of family unity,” says Euton. “Creating opportunities for families to enjoy spending time together and building stronger bonds increases the strength that needs to be present in order to help military families stay together, even when they are thousands of miles away.”
Thursday, November 21, 2013
TOP STORY>>Vehicle Management Flight keeping the Rock moving
By Staff Sgt. Caleb Pierce
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The 19th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle management flight keeps Little Rock Air Force Base’s mission going, not only on the ground, but they also aid in keeping the aircraft in the air.
The mission of the vehicle management flight is to provide safe and serviceable vehicles for three commands and 28 tenant units with more than 430 vehicles assigned to Little Rock AFB. The flight also assists some off-base agencies and units that are TDY.
To complete their mission, they perform a number of services that range from the smallest of tasks to large projects.
“We are a one-stop shop; anything that is available downtown at any of your mechanic shops or dealers, we offer, from changing light bulbs, engine oil and filters to replacing engines and transmissions,” said Tech. Sgt. Joseph Isaac, a 19th LRS vehicle management flight foreman.
In maintaining the ground mission, they affect the airlift mission too.
The flight maintains and ensures vehicles such as forklifts, fire trucks, aircraft loaders, aircraft tow vehicles, aircraft refueling vehicles and busses are operating safely to load cargo, move passengers, transport aircrew members, and move supply parts to aircraft maintenance, ensuring mission essential levels are met for each specific function.
While performing and maintaining the mission, they also have an initiative to “go green” that uses alternative items, primarily with fluids.
“We are charged with finding green initiative alternative items using recycled or re-refinedengine oils, hydraulic fluids, transmission fluids, recycled anti-freeze and re-treaded tires,” Isaac said. “All the stuff we have to have is in our green procurement operating instruction. We are making a difference here at 19th LRS vehicle management.”
Vehicle management not only makes a difference to the base mission, but the flight is also filled with experienced Airmen and civilian Airmen who want to pass on the information to those that are there now.
“I’ve been doing this 28 years,” said Mike Reid, a 19th LRS vehicle management flight work leader. “I try to make sure that they [new Airmen] get the best education and experience that they can out of this place.”
Ensuring they get the best training and education helps in completing the mission here, as well as downrange.
“All base units are dependent of vehicle management members performing their jobs to ensure the joint mission of the base is executed to MAJCOM standards,” said Maj. Michelle Whitfield, 19th LRS commander. “They are critical and they make it happen; they are the heroes.”
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The 19th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle management flight keeps Little Rock Air Force Base’s mission going, not only on the ground, but they also aid in keeping the aircraft in the air.
The mission of the vehicle management flight is to provide safe and serviceable vehicles for three commands and 28 tenant units with more than 430 vehicles assigned to Little Rock AFB. The flight also assists some off-base agencies and units that are TDY.
To complete their mission, they perform a number of services that range from the smallest of tasks to large projects.
“We are a one-stop shop; anything that is available downtown at any of your mechanic shops or dealers, we offer, from changing light bulbs, engine oil and filters to replacing engines and transmissions,” said Tech. Sgt. Joseph Isaac, a 19th LRS vehicle management flight foreman.
In maintaining the ground mission, they affect the airlift mission too.
The flight maintains and ensures vehicles such as forklifts, fire trucks, aircraft loaders, aircraft tow vehicles, aircraft refueling vehicles and busses are operating safely to load cargo, move passengers, transport aircrew members, and move supply parts to aircraft maintenance, ensuring mission essential levels are met for each specific function.
While performing and maintaining the mission, they also have an initiative to “go green” that uses alternative items, primarily with fluids.
“We are charged with finding green initiative alternative items using recycled or re-refinedengine oils, hydraulic fluids, transmission fluids, recycled anti-freeze and re-treaded tires,” Isaac said. “All the stuff we have to have is in our green procurement operating instruction. We are making a difference here at 19th LRS vehicle management.”
Vehicle management not only makes a difference to the base mission, but the flight is also filled with experienced Airmen and civilian Airmen who want to pass on the information to those that are there now.
“I’ve been doing this 28 years,” said Mike Reid, a 19th LRS vehicle management flight work leader. “I try to make sure that they [new Airmen] get the best education and experience that they can out of this place.”
Ensuring they get the best training and education helps in completing the mission here, as well as downrange.
“All base units are dependent of vehicle management members performing their jobs to ensure the joint mission of the base is executed to MAJCOM standards,” said Maj. Michelle Whitfield, 19th LRS commander. “They are critical and they make it happen; they are the heroes.”
TOP STORY>>'Tis the season for safety
By Airman 1st Class Harry Brexel
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
It’s that most wonderful time of the year again! The holidays are a time filled with great food, presents and good times. Unfortunately , the season can also bring a Grinch-like influx of fire hazards, burglaries and vehicle accidents. Here are some statistics and tips to help you take care of yourself, your family and your Wingman.
Fire Safety
National statistics show that the amount of home fires increase around the holidays. Luckily, Little Rock Air Force Base does not mirror national statistics when it comes to holiday fire hazards.
According to the Chief Joseph Willet, the 19th Civil Engineer Squadron assistant chief of fire prevention Little Rock, “This is primarily due to the very aggressive fire prevention program and the attentiveness of the base populace to keeping fire safety a priority in their day-to-day activities.”
According to the National Fire Protection Association, each year, one out of every 66 reported Christmas tree fires resulted in a death. Small steps can be taken to prevent such catastrophes:
1. Be aware that real trees burn much quicker than fake ones.
2. When setting up a tree, try not to overload it with decorative lights.
3. Also make sure to not place candles or space heaters near your tree.
Cooking fires, particularly turkey fryers, can be just as dangerous as tree fires, according to Chief Willet.
“The use of fryers for cooking turkey is another fire concern and dangerous at best,” he said. “Safety in the use of these fryers cannot be stressed enough.”
Home break-ins
Another major concern around this time of year is burglaries. Police agencies see spikes in car and home break-ins around this time every year, according to national crime statistics. Little Rock Air Force Base Airmen and their families are not immune from crime.
Base crime prevention experts stress the importance of being aware and attention to detail when combating crime during the holidays.
“Lock your doors; don’t set patterns,” said Staff Sgt. Ian Becker, 19th Security Forces. “Thieves know a lot of people will be out of town. Try not to leave your home unattended when possible. Have a friend or neighbor collect your mail and newspapers.”
Something as taking out the trash could provide a treasure of information for crooks, he said.
“Leaving boxes in front of your house tells thieves what you’ve just bought,” he said. “Be aware, and don’t give criminals opportunity for crime.”
On the road
Another safety concern around the holidays is car accidents. When it comes to vehicle accidents, there are three main preventable causes: distracted driving, drunk driving and driving tired.
The 19th Airlift Wing chief of safety stresses the importance of thinking ahead and proper planning when taking to the highway during this busy travel season.
“The holidays are a time when people visit their families,” Lankford said. “It’s important to have a plan and to not drive tired. Texting or distracted driving is also very dangerous. Impaired driving is always a major concern, but especially around the holidays. Always have a designated driver.”
“In all of these instances, a plan can help save your life,” he said.
The program Airmen Against Drunk Driving operates 365 days a year, 24/7 and offers a ride to Airmen of all ranks. Call AADD at 501-987-AADD (2233).
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
It’s that most wonderful time of the year again! The holidays are a time filled with great food, presents and good times. Unfortunately , the season can also bring a Grinch-like influx of fire hazards, burglaries and vehicle accidents. Here are some statistics and tips to help you take care of yourself, your family and your Wingman.
Fire Safety
National statistics show that the amount of home fires increase around the holidays. Luckily, Little Rock Air Force Base does not mirror national statistics when it comes to holiday fire hazards.
According to the Chief Joseph Willet, the 19th Civil Engineer Squadron assistant chief of fire prevention Little Rock, “This is primarily due to the very aggressive fire prevention program and the attentiveness of the base populace to keeping fire safety a priority in their day-to-day activities.”
According to the National Fire Protection Association, each year, one out of every 66 reported Christmas tree fires resulted in a death. Small steps can be taken to prevent such catastrophes:
1. Be aware that real trees burn much quicker than fake ones.
2. When setting up a tree, try not to overload it with decorative lights.
3. Also make sure to not place candles or space heaters near your tree.
Cooking fires, particularly turkey fryers, can be just as dangerous as tree fires, according to Chief Willet.
“The use of fryers for cooking turkey is another fire concern and dangerous at best,” he said. “Safety in the use of these fryers cannot be stressed enough.”
Home break-ins
Another major concern around this time of year is burglaries. Police agencies see spikes in car and home break-ins around this time every year, according to national crime statistics. Little Rock Air Force Base Airmen and their families are not immune from crime.
Base crime prevention experts stress the importance of being aware and attention to detail when combating crime during the holidays.
“Lock your doors; don’t set patterns,” said Staff Sgt. Ian Becker, 19th Security Forces. “Thieves know a lot of people will be out of town. Try not to leave your home unattended when possible. Have a friend or neighbor collect your mail and newspapers.”
Something as taking out the trash could provide a treasure of information for crooks, he said.
“Leaving boxes in front of your house tells thieves what you’ve just bought,” he said. “Be aware, and don’t give criminals opportunity for crime.”
On the road
Another safety concern around the holidays is car accidents. When it comes to vehicle accidents, there are three main preventable causes: distracted driving, drunk driving and driving tired.
The 19th Airlift Wing chief of safety stresses the importance of thinking ahead and proper planning when taking to the highway during this busy travel season.
“The holidays are a time when people visit their families,” Lankford said. “It’s important to have a plan and to not drive tired. Texting or distracted driving is also very dangerous. Impaired driving is always a major concern, but especially around the holidays. Always have a designated driver.”
“In all of these instances, a plan can help save your life,” he said.
The program Airmen Against Drunk Driving operates 365 days a year, 24/7 and offers a ride to Airmen of all ranks. Call AADD at 501-987-AADD (2233).
Thursday, November 14, 2013
TOP STORY>>Little Rock remembers Veterans Day
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
“They fell, but o’er their glorious grave
floats free the banner of the cause they died to save.”
— Francis Marion Crawford
Veterans Day, formally known as Armistice Day, is a day instituted to honor all war veterans living and deceased.
Nov. 11, 1918, the Allied Forces and Germany signed an armistice agreement for the cessation of WWI. After the Second World War, Nov. 11 has since been celebrated as Armistice or Remembrance Day in the British Commonwealth of Nations and as Veterans Day in the U.S.
Little Rock Air Force Base, along with its community partners, recognized the contribution of war veterans, who displayed courage and patriotism in the face of danger during their service at the Veterans Day Retreat Ceremony on Nov. 7.
The ceremony began at 4 p.m. with the 19th Airlift Wing Commander, Col. Patrick Rhatigan, taking accountability for the wing and thanking Team Little Rock and the community for gathering to honor 22 million service members who fought and are still fighting in war, at home and abroad.
The 314th Airlift Wing commander and guest speaker for the ceremony, Col. Scott Brewer, started his speech with, “On the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month, the guns fell silent.”
He said, that day, known as Armistice Day, is reserved to honor all service members dead, wounded and alive. Brewer elaborated on the rather large history of war, dating back to biblical days with Cain and Abel. He stated that with 9/11 and other numerous recent attacks, there is still work to be done.
“No matter how far you look down the timeline, there’s far too much hate,” said Brewer. “Veterans and their families know that all too well.”
Brewer ended his speech saying though there’s sure to be more wars; we will always remember the valor of the veterans and the freedom they fight for.
As the ceremony closed, the base Honor Guard retired the colors at 4:30 p.m., and Col. Rhatigan released the formation.
“They fell, but o’er their glorious grave
floats free the banner of the cause they died to save.”
— Francis Marion Crawford
Veterans Day, formally known as Armistice Day, is a day instituted to honor all war veterans living and deceased.
Nov. 11, 1918, the Allied Forces and Germany signed an armistice agreement for the cessation of WWI. After the Second World War, Nov. 11 has since been celebrated as Armistice or Remembrance Day in the British Commonwealth of Nations and as Veterans Day in the U.S.
Little Rock Air Force Base, along with its community partners, recognized the contribution of war veterans, who displayed courage and patriotism in the face of danger during their service at the Veterans Day Retreat Ceremony on Nov. 7.
The ceremony began at 4 p.m. with the 19th Airlift Wing Commander, Col. Patrick Rhatigan, taking accountability for the wing and thanking Team Little Rock and the community for gathering to honor 22 million service members who fought and are still fighting in war, at home and abroad.
The 314th Airlift Wing commander and guest speaker for the ceremony, Col. Scott Brewer, started his speech with, “On the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month, the guns fell silent.”
He said, that day, known as Armistice Day, is reserved to honor all service members dead, wounded and alive. Brewer elaborated on the rather large history of war, dating back to biblical days with Cain and Abel. He stated that with 9/11 and other numerous recent attacks, there is still work to be done.
“No matter how far you look down the timeline, there’s far too much hate,” said Brewer. “Veterans and their families know that all too well.”
Brewer ended his speech saying though there’s sure to be more wars; we will always remember the valor of the veterans and the freedom they fight for.
As the ceremony closed, the base Honor Guard retired the colors at 4:30 p.m., and Col. Rhatigan released the formation.
TOP STORY>>ID card scans start at Commissary
By Arlo Taylor
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The base commissary started scanning customer IDs on Thursday during checkouts as part of a new Defense Commissary Agency procedures.
The store's approximately 32,000 monthly customers will simply show their ID and have it scanned at checkout to establish their eligibility.
The program will also help improve the commissary benefit for all patrons by keeping up patron usage, officials said.
"Commissary customers are long used to presenting their DOD ID cards to cashiers to verify eligibility for the commissary benefit," said Manuel Othon, Little Rock Commissary Store Director.
"Now we're able to verify eligibility by scanning the bar code on the back of the ID cards, which is more effective than a visual inspection to ensure customer eligibility of commissary benefits."
By scanning the ID at checkout, DeCA will no longer need to maintain any personal information on customers in its computer systems, such as the system used for customers who write checks. Cross-referenced with other DOD data, the scan data will give DeCA data by military service, along with customer demographics that does not identify specific personal data of an individual.
This data will eventually help the agency identify shopping needs and preferences - information that is essential in today's retail business environment. It will also allow more accurate reporting to the military services on commissary usage.
"The data will give us a better grasp of our store's customer profile in a way that mere product movement data can't," Othon said. "For example, just knowing the average age and household size of our customer base, gives our buyers and operators great insight into the types of products and services our customers are interested in, and that's more than product movement can tell us."
The demographic information DeCA will use is strictly limited to: card ID number, rank, military status, branch of service, age, household size and ZIP codes of residence and duty station. DeCA will not be using any personal information such as names, addresses or phone numbers.
"The methods, processes and information we'll use will not compromise our customers' privacy – they can be sure of that," said Joseph H. Jeu, DeCA director and CEO. "We're putting technology to work to better understand our customers and ensure the commissary benefit continues to remain relevant to them now and in the future."
For more information on ID card scanning, go to http://www.commissaries.com/documents/contact_deca/faqs/id_card_scanning.cfm.
TOP STORY >>Team Little Rock celebrates military families on Saturday
By Cheri Dragos-Pritchard
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Little Rock Air Force Base is set to celebrate Month of the Military Family from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday at the Warfit Pavilion here.
November is designated by presidential proclamation as Month of the Military Family to honor the commitment and sacrifices made by the families of our Nation’s service members.
“This event is for the families,” said Sharon Thompson, Airmen and Family Readiness Center chief. “Handing out fliers doesn’t make an event successful, participation does. We want all families to attend, especially the families who are new to this life style. We want to help connect them to others who know what it’s about and make them feel welcome. Most of all, we want all family members to know they are appreciated.”
Master Sgt. Kimberly Euton, A&FRC readiness noncommissioned officer, is the event coordinator and has organized several activities for the day.
“The theme of the event is, The Military Family Showcased – Little Rock Style,” Euton said. “It features games and activities designed to show the strength and diversity of our military families.”
Euton went on to mention some of the prizes participants can possibly win. There will be $500, $300 and $100 Visa gift cards given away as well as trophies. She said participants must be present to win.
Events include:
Dating Game for Couples
Good Times-In It to Win It
Ultimate Fitness Challenge
Trivia Pursuit Scavenger Hunt
Littlest Warrior Pageant (Pre-registration required)
We’ve Got Talent Contest (Pre-registration required)
Holiday Arts and Crafts
Static Displays
Child Seat Safety Clinic
Extreme Basketball/Weight Lifting
FREE Lunch /Refreshments
Live Radio Broadcast
This event also benefits homebound and disabled Veterans. Guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items (i.e., cans of corn, green beans, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes) with them to donate upon arrival at the event. The donations will be used to cook a Thanksgiving meal for local homebound and disabled Veterans.
The Saturday event is one small piece to a larger celebration for military families. The 2013 proclamation for the observance says, “Throughout our Nation’s history, an unbroken chain of patriots has strengthened us in times of peace and defended us in times of war. Yet the courageous men and women of the United States military do not serve alone. Standing alongside them are husbands and wives, parents and children, sisters and brothers. During Military Family Month, we celebrate the families who make daily sacrifices to keep our Nation whole, and we remember a most sacred obligation -- to serve them as well as they serve us.”
Col. Patrick Rhatigan, 19th Airlift Wing and installation commander, supports the event to celebrate families and reflected the intent of the proclamation in the Nov. 4 edition of the Herk Call newsletter.
“No two families are exactly alike, but we each have someone who loved us and sacrificed to raise us,” said Rhatigan. “We owe much to our families — the ones we come from, and, for many of us, the ones we’re raising now. We perform at our best when our families are taken care of, so it’s appropriate we recognize those who support us every day.”
For more information on the event, contact the A&FRC at 501-987-6801.
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Little Rock Air Force Base is set to celebrate Month of the Military Family from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday at the Warfit Pavilion here.
November is designated by presidential proclamation as Month of the Military Family to honor the commitment and sacrifices made by the families of our Nation’s service members.
“This event is for the families,” said Sharon Thompson, Airmen and Family Readiness Center chief. “Handing out fliers doesn’t make an event successful, participation does. We want all families to attend, especially the families who are new to this life style. We want to help connect them to others who know what it’s about and make them feel welcome. Most of all, we want all family members to know they are appreciated.”
Master Sgt. Kimberly Euton, A&FRC readiness noncommissioned officer, is the event coordinator and has organized several activities for the day.
“The theme of the event is, The Military Family Showcased – Little Rock Style,” Euton said. “It features games and activities designed to show the strength and diversity of our military families.”
Euton went on to mention some of the prizes participants can possibly win. There will be $500, $300 and $100 Visa gift cards given away as well as trophies. She said participants must be present to win.
Events include:
Dating Game for Couples
Good Times-In It to Win It
Ultimate Fitness Challenge
Trivia Pursuit Scavenger Hunt
Littlest Warrior Pageant (Pre-registration required)
We’ve Got Talent Contest (Pre-registration required)
Holiday Arts and Crafts
Static Displays
Child Seat Safety Clinic
Extreme Basketball/Weight Lifting
FREE Lunch /Refreshments
Live Radio Broadcast
This event also benefits homebound and disabled Veterans. Guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items (i.e., cans of corn, green beans, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes) with them to donate upon arrival at the event. The donations will be used to cook a Thanksgiving meal for local homebound and disabled Veterans.
The Saturday event is one small piece to a larger celebration for military families. The 2013 proclamation for the observance says, “Throughout our Nation’s history, an unbroken chain of patriots has strengthened us in times of peace and defended us in times of war. Yet the courageous men and women of the United States military do not serve alone. Standing alongside them are husbands and wives, parents and children, sisters and brothers. During Military Family Month, we celebrate the families who make daily sacrifices to keep our Nation whole, and we remember a most sacred obligation -- to serve them as well as they serve us.”
Col. Patrick Rhatigan, 19th Airlift Wing and installation commander, supports the event to celebrate families and reflected the intent of the proclamation in the Nov. 4 edition of the Herk Call newsletter.
“No two families are exactly alike, but we each have someone who loved us and sacrificed to raise us,” said Rhatigan. “We owe much to our families — the ones we come from, and, for many of us, the ones we’re raising now. We perform at our best when our families are taken care of, so it’s appropriate we recognize those who support us every day.”
For more information on the event, contact the A&FRC at 501-987-6801.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
COMMENTARY>>Hagel: Six priorities shape future defense institutions
By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (AFNS) — In the months since the 2012 defense strategic guidance first reflected a new budget reality, Pentagon officials and military leaders have been working on the department's longer-term budget and strategy, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said here Nov. 5.
In the keynote address before the Center for Strategic and International Studies' Global Security Forum, Hagel said a needed realignment of missions and resources is being undertaken across the department that will require significant change across every aspect of the enterprise.
"I have identified six areas of focus for our budget and strategic planning efforts going forward," the secretary said.
"Working closely with the service secretaries, service chiefs, combatant commanders and DOD leaders," he added. "These six priorities will help determine the shape of our defense institutions for years to come."
The priorities include institutional reform, force planning, preparing for a prolonged military readiness challenge, protecting investments in emerging capabilities, balancing capacity and capability across the services, and balancing personnel responsibilities with a sustainable compensation policy.
During his first weeks in office, Hagel said, he directed a Strategic Choices and Management Review that over several months identified options for reshaping the force and institutions in the face of difficult budget scenarios.
"That review pointed to the stark choices and tradeoffs in military capabilities that will be required if sequester-level cuts persist, but it also identified opportunities to make changes and reforms," Hagel said.
"Above all, it underscored the reality that DOD still possesses resources and options," he said. "We will need to more efficiently match our resources to our most important national security requirements. We can do things better, we must do things better, and we will."
Addressing the six priorities that will shape future defense efforts, the secretary began with a continued a focus on institutional reform.
Coming out of more than a decade of war and budget growth, he said, there is a clear opportunity and need to reshape the defense enterprise, including paring back the world's largest back office. This summer, Hagel announced a 20-percent reduction in headquarters budgets across the department, beginning with the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
"Our goal is not only to direct more of our resources to real military capabilities and readiness," Hagel said, "but to make organizations flatter and more responsive to the needs of our men and women in uniform."
The second priority is to re-evaluate the military force-planning construct -- the assumptions and scenarios for which U.S. military forces organize, train and equip themselves.
"I've asked our military leaders to take a very close look at these assumptions (and) question these past assumptions, which will also be re-evaluated across the services as part of the (Quadrennial Defense Review)," the secretary said. "The goal is to ensure they better reflect our goals and the shifting strategic environment, the evolving capacity of our allies and partners, real-world threats, and the new military capabilities that reside in our force and in the hands of our potential adversaries."
Hagel said the third priority will be to prepare for a prolonged military readiness challenge. In managing readiness under sequestration, he added, the services have protected the training and equipping of deploying forces to ensure that no one goes unprepared into harm's way. This is the department's highest responsibility to its forces, the secretary said, and yet already, "we have seen the readiness of non-deploying units suffer as training has been curtailed, flying hours reduced, ships not steaming and exercises canceled."
The Strategic Choices and Management Review showed that sequester-level cuts could lead to a readiness crisis, and unless something changes, Hagel said, "we have to think urgently and creatively about how to avoid that outcome, because we are consuming our future readiness now."
The fourth priority will be protecting investments in emerging military capabilities -- especially space, cyber, special operations forces, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, the secretary said.
"As our potential adversaries invest in more sophisticated capabilities and seek to frustrate our military's traditional advantages, including our freedom of action and access ... around the world," he said, "it will be important to maintain our decisive technological edge."
The fifth priority is balance across the services in the mix between capacity and capability, between active and reserve forces, between forward-stationed and home-based forces, and between conventional and unconventional warfighting capabilities, Hagel said.
"In some cases we will make a shift, for example, by prioritizing a smaller, modern and capable military over a larger force with older equipment," he said. "We will also favor a globally active and engaged force over a garrison force."
The services will look to better leverage the reserve components, with the understanding that part-time units in ground forces can't expect to perform at the same levels as full-time units, at least in the early stages of a conflict. In other cases, the services will seek to preserve balance, for example, by controlling areas of runaway cost growth, the secretary said.
The sixth priority is personnel and compensation policy, which Hagel said may be the most difficult issue.
"Without serious attempts to achieve significant savings in this area, which consumes roughly now half the DOD budget and increases every year, we risk becoming an unbalanced force, one that is well-compensated but poorly trained and equipped, with limited readiness and capability," he said.
Going forward, the department must make hard choices in this area to ensure that the defense enterprise is sustainable for the 21st century, the secretary said.
Hagel said Congress must permit meaningful reforms as it reduces the defense budget, and the department needs Congress as a willing partner in making tough choices to bend the cost curve on personnel, while meeting its responsibilities to its people.
"Even as we pursue change across the Department of Defense, the greatest responsibility of leadership will always remain the people we represent, our men and women in uniform, their families, and our dedicated civilian workforce," the secretary said.
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (AFNS) — In the months since the 2012 defense strategic guidance first reflected a new budget reality, Pentagon officials and military leaders have been working on the department's longer-term budget and strategy, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said here Nov. 5.
In the keynote address before the Center for Strategic and International Studies' Global Security Forum, Hagel said a needed realignment of missions and resources is being undertaken across the department that will require significant change across every aspect of the enterprise.
"I have identified six areas of focus for our budget and strategic planning efforts going forward," the secretary said.
"Working closely with the service secretaries, service chiefs, combatant commanders and DOD leaders," he added. "These six priorities will help determine the shape of our defense institutions for years to come."
The priorities include institutional reform, force planning, preparing for a prolonged military readiness challenge, protecting investments in emerging capabilities, balancing capacity and capability across the services, and balancing personnel responsibilities with a sustainable compensation policy.
During his first weeks in office, Hagel said, he directed a Strategic Choices and Management Review that over several months identified options for reshaping the force and institutions in the face of difficult budget scenarios.
"That review pointed to the stark choices and tradeoffs in military capabilities that will be required if sequester-level cuts persist, but it also identified opportunities to make changes and reforms," Hagel said.
"Above all, it underscored the reality that DOD still possesses resources and options," he said. "We will need to more efficiently match our resources to our most important national security requirements. We can do things better, we must do things better, and we will."
Addressing the six priorities that will shape future defense efforts, the secretary began with a continued a focus on institutional reform.
Coming out of more than a decade of war and budget growth, he said, there is a clear opportunity and need to reshape the defense enterprise, including paring back the world's largest back office. This summer, Hagel announced a 20-percent reduction in headquarters budgets across the department, beginning with the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
"Our goal is not only to direct more of our resources to real military capabilities and readiness," Hagel said, "but to make organizations flatter and more responsive to the needs of our men and women in uniform."
The second priority is to re-evaluate the military force-planning construct -- the assumptions and scenarios for which U.S. military forces organize, train and equip themselves.
"I've asked our military leaders to take a very close look at these assumptions (and) question these past assumptions, which will also be re-evaluated across the services as part of the (Quadrennial Defense Review)," the secretary said. "The goal is to ensure they better reflect our goals and the shifting strategic environment, the evolving capacity of our allies and partners, real-world threats, and the new military capabilities that reside in our force and in the hands of our potential adversaries."
Hagel said the third priority will be to prepare for a prolonged military readiness challenge. In managing readiness under sequestration, he added, the services have protected the training and equipping of deploying forces to ensure that no one goes unprepared into harm's way. This is the department's highest responsibility to its forces, the secretary said, and yet already, "we have seen the readiness of non-deploying units suffer as training has been curtailed, flying hours reduced, ships not steaming and exercises canceled."
The Strategic Choices and Management Review showed that sequester-level cuts could lead to a readiness crisis, and unless something changes, Hagel said, "we have to think urgently and creatively about how to avoid that outcome, because we are consuming our future readiness now."
The fourth priority will be protecting investments in emerging military capabilities -- especially space, cyber, special operations forces, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, the secretary said.
"As our potential adversaries invest in more sophisticated capabilities and seek to frustrate our military's traditional advantages, including our freedom of action and access ... around the world," he said, "it will be important to maintain our decisive technological edge."
The fifth priority is balance across the services in the mix between capacity and capability, between active and reserve forces, between forward-stationed and home-based forces, and between conventional and unconventional warfighting capabilities, Hagel said.
"In some cases we will make a shift, for example, by prioritizing a smaller, modern and capable military over a larger force with older equipment," he said. "We will also favor a globally active and engaged force over a garrison force."
The services will look to better leverage the reserve components, with the understanding that part-time units in ground forces can't expect to perform at the same levels as full-time units, at least in the early stages of a conflict. In other cases, the services will seek to preserve balance, for example, by controlling areas of runaway cost growth, the secretary said.
The sixth priority is personnel and compensation policy, which Hagel said may be the most difficult issue.
"Without serious attempts to achieve significant savings in this area, which consumes roughly now half the DOD budget and increases every year, we risk becoming an unbalanced force, one that is well-compensated but poorly trained and equipped, with limited readiness and capability," he said.
Going forward, the department must make hard choices in this area to ensure that the defense enterprise is sustainable for the 21st century, the secretary said.
Hagel said Congress must permit meaningful reforms as it reduces the defense budget, and the department needs Congress as a willing partner in making tough choices to bend the cost curve on personnel, while meeting its responsibilities to its people.
"Even as we pursue change across the Department of Defense, the greatest responsibility of leadership will always remain the people we represent, our men and women in uniform, their families, and our dedicated civilian workforce," the secretary said.
TOP STORY>>Intramural Basketball: 314th AMXS squeaks out its season opener
By Airman 1st Class Cliffton Dolezal
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The 314th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron left victorious, Tuesday night, winning the intramural basketball season opener with a score of 44-40 over the 19th Force Support Squadron Nov. 5, 2013, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.
The 19th FSS started off strong forcing three turnovers within the first three minutes of the game. They then struck first after capitalizing on a turnover forced by Malik Royal, who dished it up the court to a wide-open Jelani Burrell for an easy layup.
The 19th FSS, once in control of the game with a 16-7 lead, was asked by their coach to slow it down and control the clock, during a 2nd quarter timeout taken by the 314th AMXS, however the 314th AMXS had other plans.
The 314th AMXS came out of the timeout with something to prove. After dominating the boards and out shooting the 19th FSS, 10 to 3, they started to crawl back into the game. The momentum took a huge shift to the 314th AMXS side when number 5 of the 314th AMXS, Quintin Williams, took a charge while Royal stampeded down the baseline, leading to a three pointer made by Randy Hubbard, a 314th AMXS player, however the FSS managed to hold onto the lead, taking a 18-14 point lead into the half.
After exchanging buckets in another close quarter of basketball, the 314th AMXS managed to close the gap going into the 4th quarter only down by two.
Freethrows were critical to the 314th AMXS if they were to have any chance of a victory. The 19th FSS took several penalties in the 4th quarter, both, putting the 314th AMXS in the bonus as well as giving the 314th AMXS an opportunity to take the lead on the line, with only 4:35 left on the game clock. Williams knocked down both of his freethrows giving the 314th their first lead of the game.
Once they took the lead the 314th didn’t look back. Frustration set in on the FSS side of the ball, who seemed to be trying to overcompensate for their lack of scoring in the second half, forcing bad passes and missing wide-open opportunities to score.
The 314th AMXS went on to win, 44-40, and has high hopes to finish well this season.
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The 314th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron left victorious, Tuesday night, winning the intramural basketball season opener with a score of 44-40 over the 19th Force Support Squadron Nov. 5, 2013, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.
The 19th FSS started off strong forcing three turnovers within the first three minutes of the game. They then struck first after capitalizing on a turnover forced by Malik Royal, who dished it up the court to a wide-open Jelani Burrell for an easy layup.
The 19th FSS, once in control of the game with a 16-7 lead, was asked by their coach to slow it down and control the clock, during a 2nd quarter timeout taken by the 314th AMXS, however the 314th AMXS had other plans.
The 314th AMXS came out of the timeout with something to prove. After dominating the boards and out shooting the 19th FSS, 10 to 3, they started to crawl back into the game. The momentum took a huge shift to the 314th AMXS side when number 5 of the 314th AMXS, Quintin Williams, took a charge while Royal stampeded down the baseline, leading to a three pointer made by Randy Hubbard, a 314th AMXS player, however the FSS managed to hold onto the lead, taking a 18-14 point lead into the half.
After exchanging buckets in another close quarter of basketball, the 314th AMXS managed to close the gap going into the 4th quarter only down by two.
Freethrows were critical to the 314th AMXS if they were to have any chance of a victory. The 19th FSS took several penalties in the 4th quarter, both, putting the 314th AMXS in the bonus as well as giving the 314th AMXS an opportunity to take the lead on the line, with only 4:35 left on the game clock. Williams knocked down both of his freethrows giving the 314th their first lead of the game.
Once they took the lead the 314th didn’t look back. Frustration set in on the FSS side of the ball, who seemed to be trying to overcompensate for their lack of scoring in the second half, forcing bad passes and missing wide-open opportunities to score.
The 314th AMXS went on to win, 44-40, and has high hopes to finish well this season.
TOP STORY>>Sugar, spice and everything iced
By Airman 1st Class Harry Brexel
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The story of Alyssa Wurtz and Jacie Adams began in Alaska back in 2011. The two were dependents whose husbands were stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. They met by chance. Alyssa was searching for a dog, and Jacie’s dog just had puppies.
“Jacie didn’t want to sell her puppy at first, but she came around eventually. When Jacie and I met, it was almost like love at first sight,” Alyssa joked.
Alyssa and Jacie’s friendship only grew stronger. Despite their differences, Alyssa being a New Yorker and Jacie a Louisianan, the two still found that they had a lot in common. For instance, they were both new mothers who shared a passion for baking. For Alyssa, it was even in her blood. As she stated, “My grandfather was a pastry chef.”
“We saw other baking companies in Alaska and realized that it was something we could do, and do better. So we gave it a shot. We made a lot of cakes at first. But we realized that cakes took too long to make and decorate, so we decided to bake just cupcakes instead,” Alyssa added.
Starting their business, Cake Creations AK, was not easy at first. But the two made it work, even while on a limited senior airman’s budget. As their small business grew, more opportunities came about for the women.
“One day on Facebook I saw a casting call for ‘Cupcake Wars’,” said Alyssa. She responded to it on a whim. Cupcake Wars is a popular baking competition show on the Food Network.
“We never thought they would pick us, but they did. We were so happy,” said Alyssa. Out of the plethora of entries, the two women had made it. They boarded a plane and took the trip to Los Angeles. It was their first television appearance, and they could not have been more excited.
“Unfortunately Jacie had a last minute emergency and wasn’t able to make it to the show. My sister filled in for Jacie, but she’s not really a baker,” Alyssa said. The judges seemed to notice too, as the pair was eliminated in the first round for their candied yam cupcake.
Alyssa and Jacie stayed optimistic, despite the mishap on Cupcake Wars. The two are resilient, as many Air Force wives have to be. Their resilience would come into play again, as more complications were to come.
“My husband and I got orders,” said Alyssa. “We were leaving Alaska for Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. I cried a little,” she admitted.
Around the same time Alyssa’s husband got his orders, Jacie and her husband also received orders. The couple was leaving Alaska for Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Despite being sent across North America, Alyssa and Jacie wanted to keep their business alive.
The women weren’t the only ones who believed in Cake Creations AK either. The Food Network contacted them again for a second chance at Cupcake Wars.
“They saw something in us,” Alyssa said. “We obviously accepted the offer, and went back for a second chance. We would be together this time too.” The two mothers made the trips from Nevada and Arkansas to Los Angeles.
“We did much better the second time,” Alyssa said. The judges were blown away by their Mimosa cupcakes during the first round. But ultimately in the second round, their root beer float cupcakes just didn’t cut it for one of the judges, and they were eliminated.
Although they didn’t win, the two television appearances were still something to brag about. Their business blossomed as cupcake requests poured in. The two still get recognized in public for their appearance on the Food Network.
“We kind of have a cult following now,” said Alyssa.
“I even moved to Arkansas for our business. It helps that my husband is so supportive. He is now in the process of switching to the Guard, so that he can come to Little Rock as well.” Jacie said.
Alyssa and Jacie have recently changed the name of their business from Cake Creations AK to Sugarbelles’ Cupcakes. They claim their business is unrivaled in the Little Rock metropolitan area. The two say that their cupcakes aren’t expensive either. Their business is so successful now, that the two mothers often work up to six days a week.
“We have a lot to look forward to in the future, especially considering that my husband just got home from a six-month deployment,” Alyssa said.
Jacie went on to say, “We’ve recently hired our friend, Samantha Magallanez, as our first employee. Our next venture is a storefront location.”
In the meantime, they are sticking to catering events and individual requests. Sugarbelles’ Cupcakes offers up to 130 different varieties of homemade cupcakes and can be reached through their Facebook page: CakeCreationsAK.
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The story of Alyssa Wurtz and Jacie Adams began in Alaska back in 2011. The two were dependents whose husbands were stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. They met by chance. Alyssa was searching for a dog, and Jacie’s dog just had puppies.
“Jacie didn’t want to sell her puppy at first, but she came around eventually. When Jacie and I met, it was almost like love at first sight,” Alyssa joked.
Alyssa and Jacie’s friendship only grew stronger. Despite their differences, Alyssa being a New Yorker and Jacie a Louisianan, the two still found that they had a lot in common. For instance, they were both new mothers who shared a passion for baking. For Alyssa, it was even in her blood. As she stated, “My grandfather was a pastry chef.”
“We saw other baking companies in Alaska and realized that it was something we could do, and do better. So we gave it a shot. We made a lot of cakes at first. But we realized that cakes took too long to make and decorate, so we decided to bake just cupcakes instead,” Alyssa added.
Starting their business, Cake Creations AK, was not easy at first. But the two made it work, even while on a limited senior airman’s budget. As their small business grew, more opportunities came about for the women.
“One day on Facebook I saw a casting call for ‘Cupcake Wars’,” said Alyssa. She responded to it on a whim. Cupcake Wars is a popular baking competition show on the Food Network.
“We never thought they would pick us, but they did. We were so happy,” said Alyssa. Out of the plethora of entries, the two women had made it. They boarded a plane and took the trip to Los Angeles. It was their first television appearance, and they could not have been more excited.
“Unfortunately Jacie had a last minute emergency and wasn’t able to make it to the show. My sister filled in for Jacie, but she’s not really a baker,” Alyssa said. The judges seemed to notice too, as the pair was eliminated in the first round for their candied yam cupcake.
Alyssa and Jacie stayed optimistic, despite the mishap on Cupcake Wars. The two are resilient, as many Air Force wives have to be. Their resilience would come into play again, as more complications were to come.
“My husband and I got orders,” said Alyssa. “We were leaving Alaska for Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. I cried a little,” she admitted.
Around the same time Alyssa’s husband got his orders, Jacie and her husband also received orders. The couple was leaving Alaska for Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Despite being sent across North America, Alyssa and Jacie wanted to keep their business alive.
The women weren’t the only ones who believed in Cake Creations AK either. The Food Network contacted them again for a second chance at Cupcake Wars.
“They saw something in us,” Alyssa said. “We obviously accepted the offer, and went back for a second chance. We would be together this time too.” The two mothers made the trips from Nevada and Arkansas to Los Angeles.
“We did much better the second time,” Alyssa said. The judges were blown away by their Mimosa cupcakes during the first round. But ultimately in the second round, their root beer float cupcakes just didn’t cut it for one of the judges, and they were eliminated.
Although they didn’t win, the two television appearances were still something to brag about. Their business blossomed as cupcake requests poured in. The two still get recognized in public for their appearance on the Food Network.
“We kind of have a cult following now,” said Alyssa.
“I even moved to Arkansas for our business. It helps that my husband is so supportive. He is now in the process of switching to the Guard, so that he can come to Little Rock as well.” Jacie said.
Alyssa and Jacie have recently changed the name of their business from Cake Creations AK to Sugarbelles’ Cupcakes. They claim their business is unrivaled in the Little Rock metropolitan area. The two say that their cupcakes aren’t expensive either. Their business is so successful now, that the two mothers often work up to six days a week.
“We have a lot to look forward to in the future, especially considering that my husband just got home from a six-month deployment,” Alyssa said.
Jacie went on to say, “We’ve recently hired our friend, Samantha Magallanez, as our first employee. Our next venture is a storefront location.”
In the meantime, they are sticking to catering events and individual requests. Sugarbelles’ Cupcakes offers up to 130 different varieties of homemade cupcakes and can be reached through their Facebook page: CakeCreationsAK.
TOP STORY>>U.S., Israel hone their partnership thanks to C-130J
By 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The Center of Excellence here at the 314th Airlift Wing, Little Rock Air Force Base is renowned for its C-130 training program, which instructs Airmen from the United States and 46 allied nations around the globe.
In true international partnership, three Israeli Air Force students graduated from the J-model Course on Oct. 29 and returned to Israel in order to train their countrymen and stand up their country’s first C-130J flying squadron.
“The relationships we’ve made here will help our country greatly,” said Lt. Col. Uri Shaki, inbound Commander of the Israeli Air Force 103rd Airlift Squadron. “We’re grateful for the training and friendships we’ve made here. We know this will be a long lasting relationship.”
Israel’s decision to upgrade their C-130 airplanes from the older E and H “legacy” models to the newer J models triggered the 314th AW’s newest training partners, said Shaki. Israel plans to employ the C-130J in similar fashion as the United States.
“Our mission back home will be similar to the ones here,” said Capt. Itamar Lavi, pilot for the IAF 103rd flying squadron. “Our main mission will be airdrop support and delivering supplies.”
The three-person crew spent more than four months at The Rock for their training, which included three phases: basic qualification, tactical employment, and flightline training. This tiered approach enabled the crew to learn the basic flight characteristics of the C-130J and quickly progress in understanding aspects of employment while training in world-class simulators.
The final phase culminated in hands-on flight training at the 48th Airlift Squadron where they practiced each procedure and maneuver.
The training was terrific, the crew said, noting that the simulators could be vexing.
Lavi said the simulator is a good thing because it builds confidence and helps one correct mistakes before flying an actual C-130.
Both the Israeli crew and the local instructors agreed the training was beneficial to members of both nations. “I’ve flown with Israelis previously,” said Maj. Jeremy Wagner, 314th Airlift Wing pilot instructor. “There was never a question of whether these guys could fly. It’s been great to help equip these guys with a program to train others. The opportunity to share what we know and give them the tools to teach has been amazing.”
“You can’t amount them (benefits of training here),” said Lavi. “Everything we learned here from American instructors has been great.”
“Training here, we feel that we are amongst friends,” said Shaki. “We learned a lot professionally of course, but we also learned a lot from the people here and about the Air Force. There was always something to learn; high and low level things. We built a strong relationship. We feel the people here want us to succeed.”
“By inviting aircrew members from countries like Israel to train with us, not only do we develop rapport with peers from other nations, but we are building a partnership capacity that allows us to develop, guide and sustain relationships for mutual benefit and security,” said Maj. Eric McEwen, 714th Training Squadron international military student training officer.
McEwen said the mission of building international partnerships involves a lot of teamwork, highlighted by the many Airmen it takes to keep the C-130 mission flying.
“We couldn’t do it without our civilian employees here in the 714th TRS, our contracted partners that work for Lockheed Martin at JMATS, as well our flight instructors in the 48th Airlift Squadron and our maintenance troops from the 314th AMXS that keep the planes in the air,” he said.
The crew stated that it is an honor to be the first fully trained and qualified C-130J crew in Israel. Each of them are proud of the opportunity they’ve been given.
“This is a big challenge,” said Maj. Royi Day, Commander of Navigators for the 103rd Flying Squadron. “Changes like these can take dozens of years. It’s a special feeling to be the first ones to learn this skill and teach our countrymen. This has a once-in-a-lifetime feel to it.”
The Israelis enjoyed their time at the base and in the local community, which they had a chance to explore, even witnessing a Razorbacks game several weeks ago.
“I love it here,” said Lavi. “It’s so relaxed and the nature is beautiful. We honestly didn’t know what to expect. We had traveled to the United States before, but only in better known places on the east and west coast. We were surprised in a good way here.”
“Our stay has been great here,” said Shaki. “It’s a great place for families for those of us, like me, who’ve had their wife and kids here. The people are warm and friendly. We have to thank the base for their hospitality and warmth.”
After their evaluation flight, the fully qualified C-130J pilots and navigator will return to Israel and begin the task of building their own training program for future Israeli C-130J crewmembers. The relationship between the IAF and the USAF is poised to continue, with Israeli loadmasters beginning C-130J training here soon and the country scheduled to receive its first J models next April. It’s a relationship that both the Israeli crew and the FTU instructors at the 314th hope to continue.
“We’ve enjoyed it so much, having them here,” said Wagner. “The training is mutually beneficial.”
“We look forward to working with the people here in the future, as we continue to develop our C-130J squadron,” said Shaki. “The people here have helped us so much; not just professionally but personally, we have learned so much and can’t wait to come back.”
The Center of Excellence here at the 314th Airlift Wing, Little Rock Air Force Base is renowned for its C-130 training program, which instructs Airmen from the United States and 46 allied nations around the globe.
In true international partnership, three Israeli Air Force students graduated from the J-model Course on Oct. 29 and returned to Israel in order to train their countrymen and stand up their country’s first C-130J flying squadron.
“The relationships we’ve made here will help our country greatly,” said Lt. Col. Uri Shaki, inbound Commander of the Israeli Air Force 103rd Airlift Squadron. “We’re grateful for the training and friendships we’ve made here. We know this will be a long lasting relationship.”
Israel’s decision to upgrade their C-130 airplanes from the older E and H “legacy” models to the newer J models triggered the 314th AW’s newest training partners, said Shaki. Israel plans to employ the C-130J in similar fashion as the United States.
“Our mission back home will be similar to the ones here,” said Capt. Itamar Lavi, pilot for the IAF 103rd flying squadron. “Our main mission will be airdrop support and delivering supplies.”
The three-person crew spent more than four months at The Rock for their training, which included three phases: basic qualification, tactical employment, and flightline training. This tiered approach enabled the crew to learn the basic flight characteristics of the C-130J and quickly progress in understanding aspects of employment while training in world-class simulators.
The final phase culminated in hands-on flight training at the 48th Airlift Squadron where they practiced each procedure and maneuver.
The training was terrific, the crew said, noting that the simulators could be vexing.
Lavi said the simulator is a good thing because it builds confidence and helps one correct mistakes before flying an actual C-130.
Both the Israeli crew and the local instructors agreed the training was beneficial to members of both nations. “I’ve flown with Israelis previously,” said Maj. Jeremy Wagner, 314th Airlift Wing pilot instructor. “There was never a question of whether these guys could fly. It’s been great to help equip these guys with a program to train others. The opportunity to share what we know and give them the tools to teach has been amazing.”
“You can’t amount them (benefits of training here),” said Lavi. “Everything we learned here from American instructors has been great.”
“Training here, we feel that we are amongst friends,” said Shaki. “We learned a lot professionally of course, but we also learned a lot from the people here and about the Air Force. There was always something to learn; high and low level things. We built a strong relationship. We feel the people here want us to succeed.”
“By inviting aircrew members from countries like Israel to train with us, not only do we develop rapport with peers from other nations, but we are building a partnership capacity that allows us to develop, guide and sustain relationships for mutual benefit and security,” said Maj. Eric McEwen, 714th Training Squadron international military student training officer.
McEwen said the mission of building international partnerships involves a lot of teamwork, highlighted by the many Airmen it takes to keep the C-130 mission flying.
“We couldn’t do it without our civilian employees here in the 714th TRS, our contracted partners that work for Lockheed Martin at JMATS, as well our flight instructors in the 48th Airlift Squadron and our maintenance troops from the 314th AMXS that keep the planes in the air,” he said.
The crew stated that it is an honor to be the first fully trained and qualified C-130J crew in Israel. Each of them are proud of the opportunity they’ve been given.
“This is a big challenge,” said Maj. Royi Day, Commander of Navigators for the 103rd Flying Squadron. “Changes like these can take dozens of years. It’s a special feeling to be the first ones to learn this skill and teach our countrymen. This has a once-in-a-lifetime feel to it.”
The Israelis enjoyed their time at the base and in the local community, which they had a chance to explore, even witnessing a Razorbacks game several weeks ago.
“I love it here,” said Lavi. “It’s so relaxed and the nature is beautiful. We honestly didn’t know what to expect. We had traveled to the United States before, but only in better known places on the east and west coast. We were surprised in a good way here.”
“Our stay has been great here,” said Shaki. “It’s a great place for families for those of us, like me, who’ve had their wife and kids here. The people are warm and friendly. We have to thank the base for their hospitality and warmth.”
After their evaluation flight, the fully qualified C-130J pilots and navigator will return to Israel and begin the task of building their own training program for future Israeli C-130J crewmembers. The relationship between the IAF and the USAF is poised to continue, with Israeli loadmasters beginning C-130J training here soon and the country scheduled to receive its first J models next April. It’s a relationship that both the Israeli crew and the FTU instructors at the 314th hope to continue.
“We’ve enjoyed it so much, having them here,” said Wagner. “The training is mutually beneficial.”
“We look forward to working with the people here in the future, as we continue to develop our C-130J squadron,” said Shaki. “The people here have helped us so much; not just professionally but personally, we have learned so much and can’t wait to come back.”
CLASSIFIEDS>>12-6-13
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE COMBAT AIRLIFTER CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT will take ads by phone from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday 982-9421, or you may mail your ad to 404 Graham Rd., Jacksonville, Ark. 72078. You may also e-mail them to combatairlifterclassifieds@arkansasleader.com Deadline to advertise in Friday's issue is 5 p.m. Tuesday.
HORSES
HORSES: LUCKY Acres Boarding Stable, TLC for your horse, box stalls and paddocks, clean pastures, indoor and outdoor arenas, riding instruction and training program. Dressage our specialty. (501) 988-2458.
PETS
FOR ADOPTION: puppy needs a good home, black Polly mix, female. Call Jacksonville Animal Shelter for information. 982-2916.
FREE TO loving home, 2 cats, male & female, 2 yrs. old, current on shots & sterilized. (717) 405-2310.
AUTOS/ACCESSORIES
2006 TOYOTA Tundra Access Cab, black ext. w/gray int., V6, auto., A/C, 45k orig. miles, orig. paint, new tires/mags, Clifford alarm, Rhino Liner, Fit Rider bed cover, warranty, $16,000. (501) 580-1160.
2012 DODGE Charger SE, auto., V6, chrome wheels, leather interior, $19,983. 1-866-639-5337.
2011 JEEP Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4x4, auto., V6, leather, hard top, $28,634. 1-866-639-5337.
2008 PONTIAC Vibe, auto, 4-cyl., all power, 38,00 miles, $12,915. 1-866-639-5337.
2010 NISSAN Altima 2.5s, auto., 4-cyl., certified 7 yr./100,000 mile warranty, $14,517. 1-866-639-5337.
2012 CHRYSLER 200 S, auto, V6, alloys, sunroof, $16,330. 1-866-639-5337.
2008 FORD Mustang, auto., V6, leather, 47k miles, $14,140. 1-866-639-5337.
2009 FORD Focus SE, auto., 4-cyl., all power, $11,180. 1-866-639-5337.
2011 NISSAN Rogue SV, auto., 4-cyl., alloys, certified 7 yr./100,000 mile warranty, $18,302. 1-866-639-5337.
2006 TOYOTA Avalon, auto., V6, leather, sunroof, alloys, $15,040. 1-866-639-5337.
1991 CHEVY C/K 1500, lifted, 139,000 miles, new tires, remote start, no issues, great condition, $6,700. Pics. avail. Call/text (716)316-3420.
HEADLIGHTS FOR Nissan Titan, clear w/no damage, perfect condition, $60. Pics. avail. Call/text (716)316-3420.
2009 FORD Flex SEL, maroon w/white top, seats 7, 84k miles, priced below BB, $13,500. (501) 533-3225.
LAST CHECK stub delivers your new vehicle. Sales tax included. Free warranty. Build your credit - will report to credit bureau. Contact Terry Glenn @ (501) 801-6100, ext. 108 or (501) 266-2296.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
2011 HARLEY Davidson Street Glide, sedona orange, 9k miles, lots of extras, garage kept, $18,000. (910) 551-5218.
2007 BAYLINER 185BR 18' ski boat, many extras included, $9,800. (501) 650-5098.
ITEMS FOR SALE
GOLF CART trailer, $500. (501) 605-6892.
WASHER & dryer, both work perfect, no issues, can deliver, $350 obo. Call/text (716) 316-3420, Jax.
(2) 10" Kicker subs in box, brand new, barely used, $250 obo. Pics. avail. Call/text (716)316-3420.
CARPET, NEUTRAL color w/pad, 3 pieces, (2) 10.5x13, (1) 13.5x15.5, nice, no smoking or pets, $125. (501) 796-8174.
FURNITURE
MATCHING COUCH & chair, good condition, green, blue, burgundy & cream plaid, $200 obo.; solid oak entertainment center, holds up to 27" TV, good condition, $150 obo.; Can deliver within 50 miles of Cabot area for full asking price. Pics. avail. Call/Text (501) 941-8063.
HOUSES FOR RENT
Sherwood/Jacksonville areas. Beautiful 2, 3 & 4 Bedroom Mobile Homes. Large lots, in quiet safe park, close to LRAFB. Clean, quiet, & safe park. $425-$650 plus deposit. (501) 835-3450.
DECEMBER SPECIAL, $100 deposit! Jacksonville: mobile home in park. 3 bedroom/2 bath. $500-$575 per month. 501-744-4668.
DECEMBER SPECIAL, $100 deposit! Beebe: mobile home subdivision, 3 bedroom/2 bath on 1/2 acre lot, $550 per month. 501-744-4668.
Jax: $100 deposit, 1 bedroom camper in mobile home park, all utilities paid except propane. $350 per month. (501) 744-4668.
SHERWOOD, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2-car garage, fireplace, deck, convenient location, $1,050 per month, $750 deposit. Available 11/1. (501) 425-6610.
MOBILE HOME for rent, 2 bedroom, 2 bath, fenced, double carport on 2 acres. 3 1/2 miles from LRAFB. $400 month, $200 deposit. (501) 837-8061.
2 BEDROOM duplex, 3 miles north of LRAFB, full brick, super insulated, all appliances, dishwasher, washer/dryer, yard maintenance. Small pets (inside only!) $650. (501) 988-2929.
WARD: 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2-car garage, 1300 sq. ft., close to 67/167 access & 15 minutes to base. Pets allowed with deposit, $900 month with 1st & last month's rent due at signing. (501) 590-9719.
CABOT: 3 bedroom, 2 bath, hardwood floors, 2-car garage, $850 month, $600 deposit, no pets, 1 year lease. (501) 231-5903.
SHERWOOD: FSBO, Stonehill subdivision, 1930 sq. ft., 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2-car garage, covered deck, fenced-in backyard, new stainless range, dishwasher & microwave, $182,900. (501) 960-6301.
2 BEDROOM, 1 bath house for rent near main gate of base. $800 month. (501) 213-6013 or (501) 831-0686.
Briefs>>12-6-13
Golf course closed until Monday
The Golf Course will be closed today through Sunday. To preserve the course, golf staff members have placed covers on the greens due to the freezing temperatures. The driving range will remain open since the golf ball dispenser is machine operated.
Medical Group closures planned
The 19th Medical Group will be closed on the following dates.
Noon to 4:30 p.m., Dec. 18 for training;
Dec. 25, in observance of Christmas;
Dec. 26, in observance of an AMC holiday, and Jan. 1 for New Year's Day.
Tax Center volunteers needed
The Tax Center is currently requesting volunteers for the upcoming 2013 tax season. If you are interested in becoming a Tax Center volunteer or have any questions about the VITA program, please call Capt. Timothy Bennett or Airman 1st Class Blake Johnson at the Legal Office at (501) 987-7886.
The Little Rock Air Force Base Tax Center will open its doors Feb. 4, 2014, for the 2013 tax season. During the 2012 tax season, the Little Rock AFB Tax Center completed 1,303 tax returns for Team Little Rock, resulting in refunds totaling $1.4 million.
All of these savings were made possible by volunteers who kept the Tax Center functioning. Tax Center volunteers are trained through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, receiving valuable education on completion of federal and state tax returns.
At the conclusion of the VITA training, volunteers qualify as certified tax preparers, a crucial skill for managing their own financial affairs. Whether answering phones or completing returns, volunteers are instrumental in meeting the tax filing needs for hundreds of active duty, reservists, dependents, and retirees from the surrounding area.
Training is tentatively scheduled for the week of Dec. 16.
Ordering CCAF transcripts
If you are ordering Community College of the Air Force transcripts, CCAF is experiencing technical difficulties. Two available options are:
1) Mail a letter to CCAF requesting a transcript which also will need to include your full name, the last four of your SSN, your Date of Birth, and the address you wish your transcript to be sent to. NOTE: Ensure the letter is physically SIGNED by the member to release their record. The address to CCAF is:
Community College of the Air Force
100 South Turner Blvd.
Maxwell AFB, Gunter Annex AL 36114-3011
2) Credentials, INC. does overnight and regular delivery using their service called TranscriptPLUS for a fee.
This service can be found at https://www.credentials-inc.com/cgi-bin/dvcgitp.pgm?ALUMTRO012308.
CCAF progress report available
The Student Degree Plan allows CCAF students immediate information, degree program status, degree requirements and student records. Members can obtain their CCAF Progress Report on their AF Virtual Ed Center.
Upcoming family-advocacy classes scheduled Dec. 9
The next 1-2-3 Magic parenting class will be Dec. 9 from 1 - 4 p.m. at the Family Advocacy office. Call 501-987-7377 for registration. Dad's 101 is a partenting class for new dads taught by dads and will be Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Family Advocacy Office. Call 501-987-7377 for registration.
TRICARE and new health care reform impact explained
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) is designed to expand access to health care coverage, by lowering costs, improving quality while expanding care coordination for all Americans. PPACA requires all citizens to have health insurance or other health care coverage that meets the definition of minimum essential coverage (MEC) by Jan. 1, 2014. People who do not meet MEC will be required to pay a fee when filing their 2014 tax returns.
TRICARE programs, to include Prime, Standard, Prime Remote, TRICARE Reserve
Select, TRICARE Young Adult, and TRICARE Retired Reserve meet the requirements of MEC as long as you maintain your TRICARE enrollment. You can access information on these programs at www.tricare.mil. However, there are two very small populations that do not meet the requirements of MEC under TRICARE: those receiving care for line of duty only related conditions and those that are only eligible to receive care in military treatment facilities.
Beneficiaries are required to maintain DEERS information at the Military Personnel Element, since DEERS determines your eligibility for TRICARE.
DEERS will be the source of information that will be accessed to validate that you and your family members have health care coverage that meets the definition of MEC.
The bottom line is PPACA will not impact TRICARE beneficiaries with the exception of an extra letter or two delivered to your home and the additional box to check on tax forms every year. If you need more information on this program please visit www.tricare.mil/aca.
The Golf Course will be closed today through Sunday. To preserve the course, golf staff members have placed covers on the greens due to the freezing temperatures. The driving range will remain open since the golf ball dispenser is machine operated.
Medical Group closures planned
The 19th Medical Group will be closed on the following dates.
Noon to 4:30 p.m., Dec. 18 for training;
Dec. 25, in observance of Christmas;
Dec. 26, in observance of an AMC holiday, and Jan. 1 for New Year's Day.
Tax Center volunteers needed
The Tax Center is currently requesting volunteers for the upcoming 2013 tax season. If you are interested in becoming a Tax Center volunteer or have any questions about the VITA program, please call Capt. Timothy Bennett or Airman 1st Class Blake Johnson at the Legal Office at (501) 987-7886.
The Little Rock Air Force Base Tax Center will open its doors Feb. 4, 2014, for the 2013 tax season. During the 2012 tax season, the Little Rock AFB Tax Center completed 1,303 tax returns for Team Little Rock, resulting in refunds totaling $1.4 million.
All of these savings were made possible by volunteers who kept the Tax Center functioning. Tax Center volunteers are trained through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, receiving valuable education on completion of federal and state tax returns.
At the conclusion of the VITA training, volunteers qualify as certified tax preparers, a crucial skill for managing their own financial affairs. Whether answering phones or completing returns, volunteers are instrumental in meeting the tax filing needs for hundreds of active duty, reservists, dependents, and retirees from the surrounding area.
Training is tentatively scheduled for the week of Dec. 16.
Ordering CCAF transcripts
If you are ordering Community College of the Air Force transcripts, CCAF is experiencing technical difficulties. Two available options are:
1) Mail a letter to CCAF requesting a transcript which also will need to include your full name, the last four of your SSN, your Date of Birth, and the address you wish your transcript to be sent to. NOTE: Ensure the letter is physically SIGNED by the member to release their record. The address to CCAF is:
Community College of the Air Force
100 South Turner Blvd.
Maxwell AFB, Gunter Annex AL 36114-3011
2) Credentials, INC. does overnight and regular delivery using their service called TranscriptPLUS for a fee.
This service can be found at https://www.credentials-inc.com/cgi-bin/dvcgitp.pgm?ALUMTRO012308.
CCAF progress report available
The Student Degree Plan allows CCAF students immediate information, degree program status, degree requirements and student records. Members can obtain their CCAF Progress Report on their AF Virtual Ed Center.
Upcoming family-advocacy classes scheduled Dec. 9
The next 1-2-3 Magic parenting class will be Dec. 9 from 1 - 4 p.m. at the Family Advocacy office. Call 501-987-7377 for registration. Dad's 101 is a partenting class for new dads taught by dads and will be Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Family Advocacy Office. Call 501-987-7377 for registration.
TRICARE and new health care reform impact explained
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) is designed to expand access to health care coverage, by lowering costs, improving quality while expanding care coordination for all Americans. PPACA requires all citizens to have health insurance or other health care coverage that meets the definition of minimum essential coverage (MEC) by Jan. 1, 2014. People who do not meet MEC will be required to pay a fee when filing their 2014 tax returns.
TRICARE programs, to include Prime, Standard, Prime Remote, TRICARE Reserve
Select, TRICARE Young Adult, and TRICARE Retired Reserve meet the requirements of MEC as long as you maintain your TRICARE enrollment. You can access information on these programs at www.tricare.mil. However, there are two very small populations that do not meet the requirements of MEC under TRICARE: those receiving care for line of duty only related conditions and those that are only eligible to receive care in military treatment facilities.
Beneficiaries are required to maintain DEERS information at the Military Personnel Element, since DEERS determines your eligibility for TRICARE.
DEERS will be the source of information that will be accessed to validate that you and your family members have health care coverage that meets the definition of MEC.
The bottom line is PPACA will not impact TRICARE beneficiaries with the exception of an extra letter or two delivered to your home and the additional box to check on tax forms every year. If you need more information on this program please visit www.tricare.mil/aca.
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