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Convoy Airmen face challenging duties

by Staff Sgt. Ryan Hansen
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

8/17/2006 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- For more than two years Airmen have been driving convoys for the Army on some of the most dangerous roads in the world.

From their Army camp to the border of southern Iraq and to the most northern reaches of a country roughly the size of California, members of the 586th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron put their lives on the line every day for the mission.

More than 300 Airmen are assigned to either the 70th or 424th Medium Truck Detachments. They deliver critical resupply items daily to forward deployed troops. Since January 2005, transporters have driven more than 5.8 million miles in Iraq.

"I have an incredible amount of respect for what our troops do," said Lt. Col. Jeanne Hardrath, 586th ELRS commander, who is deployed from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. "They're highly motivated and take great pride in what they do everyday."

Airmen arrived here for their six-month rotation after attending a combat skills training course at Camp Bullis, Texas, which included live-fire training at Fort Hood, Texas, and a validation course at Fort Sill, Okla. The two months of training, although long and physically demanding, was necessary. There they learned the skills they would need to accomplish the mission under the Army leadership.

"The training was very intense and hard," said Tech. Sgt. Greg Ryan, a convoy commander with the 424th MTD, who is deployed from Scott Air Force Base, Ill. "To go through something that ... was like basic training all over again. But it was very important."

The courses not only gave these Airmen invaluable training, it also helped them build a bond with each other. By the time they hit the area of responsibility, they were a tightly knit unit. This is key because at some point they will have to rely on one another in a combat situation.

"Our lives depend on each other out here," said Amn. Kyle Young, a vehicle operator with the 70th MTD, who is deployed from Fairchild AFB, Wash. "We're like a big family. When you're out on the road for weeks with each other, we'll have little feuds and stuff, but it's just tough love. We'd do anything for each other."

Convoy missions are not like your typical family road trips. They take days to plan, hours to load and weeks to complete. A short mission can last anywhere from one to two weeks while a long mission can take three weeks.

The person ultimately responsible for getting the supplies to their destination is the convoy commander, which is typically a master or technical sergeant. Not only is he or she charged with getting cargo down range, but they are also responsible for the lives of more than 50 people.

"When you think about a convoy commander ... they have an awesome amount of responsibility," said Chief Master Sgt. Tony Killion, detachment chief for the 70th MTD, also deployed from Scott AFB. "They're responsible for the lives of about 15 crew members, another 30 civilian truck drivers and the gun trucks' crews."

A typical set-up for a convoy is what Airmen here call a "five and two." This includes seven up-armored, heavy-duty, long-haul trucks spread out among the civilian tractor-trailers. Two of the vehicles, known as "bobtails," bookend the convoy.

"I make sure the convoy stays intact and that everything is going smoothly," said Tech. Sgt. Rob Wilson, an assistant convoy commander with the 424th MTD deployed from Scott AFB.

Airmen and their convoys travel 12 to 20 hours a day. Keeping these trucks running smoothly on austere road conditions require dedicated maintenance troops to provide upkeep on the vehicles and every convoy that goes outside the wire includes one dedicated maintainer.

"Keeping these vehicles in working order can be pretty tough," said Staff Sgt. Thomas Kessler, a vehicle maintenance troop with the 424th MTD, who is deployed from Sembach Air Base, Germany. "We don't typically work on these types of trucks back home because they're Army vehicles, so we got some hands-on training when we first get here. We run them pretty hard, but we do the best we can."

Both detachments drive their convoys at night to offset the desert heat and minimize the dangers on the road.

"An attack is always in the back of my mind," said Tech. Sgt. Eric Lyke, a convoy commander with the 70th MTD, who is deployed from Kirtland AFB, N.M. "But my guys would rather be out there on the road doing the mission instead of here waiting for one."

In addition to keeping 30-plus vehicles together and safe on a 500-mile convoy, Airmen also find it a challenge to get quality sleep.

"The tents at the (forward operating bases) are old and incredibly hot during the day," said Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Malenic, detachment chief for 424th MTD, who is deployed from Eielson AFB, Alaska. "After a long night on the road you just want to catch some sleep, but the heat is almost unbearable."

Recently, the Army and Air Force started a joint project to improve the worst of these forward locations for the convoys. They're currently sourcing and relocating new tents, air conditioning units and mattresses.

After two years of performing convoy missions the two services have gained a mutual respect for each other's role.

"(The Air Force is) proud to do the mission, and they should be because they do a great job," said Army Lt. Col. Bill Thewes, Joint Logistics Task Force 57 commander, who has tactical control of the 586th ELRS. "Our overall objective is to make them feel like they're part of our team and to make sure they have everything they need to do the job."

Falcons eye 'Return to Dominance'

by Wayne Amann
U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs

8/17/2006 - U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) -- The Air Force football team broke out new uniforms for its annual media day following their first fall practice last week. The players told reporters the 2006 season will be the Falcons' "Return to Dominance."

"Their motto sends a great message to me," Air Force head coach Fisher DeBerry said. "We've dominated the service academies in the past, and that's their attitude. This is a spirited, together, hungry team that's on a mission."

The Air Force has won the Commander-in-Chief's trophy 16 times, compared to a combined 14 by Army and Navy.

The team's mission is to erase the memory of back-to-back losing seasons. The 5-6 and 4-7 records were the first consecutive sub-.500 campaigns in DeBerry's 22 years on the bluesuiters' sideline. Navy won the CIC Trophy both years.

"We've put the last two years behind us. The players are resolved to do something about that," DeBerry said. "We've been among the top teams in the country in winning percentage, so our players know expectations are always high at the academy. The team has taken it on as a group responsibility. Everyone is accountable. I like our leadership, not just the captains."

Senior defensive end Gilberto Perez, senior cornerback Chris Sutton, senior offensive guard Curtis Grantham and junior quarterback Shuan Carney were elected team captains by a vote of teammates and coaches.

Carney enters his third season as the Falcons' signal caller determined to correct the mistakes that haunted Air Force in 2005. The Falcons dropped four games by a total of just 10 points a year ago.

"I expect to do what we did last year offensively without turning the ball over," Carney told the media. "We had a lot of pre-snap penalties on second down that put us in bad situations, third and long. We weren't able to capitalize on third down, especially in the red zone. If we stop shooting ourselves in the foot, there's no reason we can't go 12-0."

For Carney and the Falcons to reach those heights they have to improve a minus six turnover ratio and a third down conversion rate of 42 percent (64 for 151).

The Falcons averaged 30 points per game last year thanks to 247 yards per game rushing and 171 yards passing. Although the top two pass catchers, Jason Brown and Greg Kirkwood, graduated in May, senior Vic Thompson expects to keep the air in the Air Force attack.

"I learned a lot playing behind those guys last year," the 6-foot, 190-pound Thompson said. "I'm a playmaker, and I'm going to fill that job with moves after the catch. We'll stretch defenses."

Playmakers will be counted on by defensive coordinator Richard Bell to shore up a unit that gave up an average of nearly 429 yards and 32 points per game in 2005.

"We've picked out guys that can make a difference for us," Bell said. "We'll put them in positions to make big plays for us. We're going to play to the strength of our players. Perez is one of many."

Perez's big play ability earned him pre-season recognition. The Tampa, Fla., native was named to the first-team all Mountain West Conference squad, and is on the watch list for the 2006 Lott Trophy, given to college football's impact player of the year.

"I'm honored to be on the list, but right now it's all about the season," said Perez, whose 9.5 tackles for losses led Air Force a year ago. "I'm only as good as my team. If they do well, good things will happen. We're getting this team back on track."

The road back kicks off Sept. 9 against perennial Southeastern Conference power Tennessee in Knoxville.

"I can't wait," said junior free safety Bobby Giannini, who was among the MWC leaders with three interceptions last season. "Going to Tennessee, playing in front of more than 105,000 people is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Then having potentially the No. 1 team (Notre Dame on Nov. 11) come to our place would be phenomenal. It's not just about playing some of the biggest programs in college football, it's knowing we have a chance to shock the nation."

With 11 of Air Force's 12 games televised on various networks, more than any schedule in school history, the country will get a steady diet of the Falcons' new blue uniforms with silver numerals and lettering.

"It's great exposure. I hope we're not saturating TV with too much college football," DeBerry quipped. "It's like eating steak every night. After a while you don't crave it. If you have it now and then, it keeps the appetite whet."

Time will tell if the Falcons "Return to Dominance" is more than a media sound bite.

Air Force recruiting meeting its goal for 7th year

8/17/2006 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- The Air Force is on track to make its recruiting goal this year, marking the seventh consecutive year the service has brought in the right number and mix of new Airmen.

To date, 25,645 people have enlisted in the Air Force and entered active duty in fiscal 2006. That puts the Air Force on pace to send 30,750 men and women to basic training and technical schools to fill jobs in more than 150 areas.

In response to the Air Force's force shaping, fiscal 2007 recruiting goals have been reduced by 9 percent compared to fiscal 2006 goals, but the drive is still on to bring in quality Airmen.

"The Air Force is still hiring a mix of people in all of its career fields," said Chief Master Sgt. Edward Vargas, Air Force Recruiting Service Operations Division superintendent.

From October through September 2007, the Air Force will seek 27,760 high school graduates or the equivalent, ages 17 to 28, to join its enlisted ranks and 482 college graduates to join the officer corps.

There are more than 200 enlisted career field openings from which to choose. Security forces, mechanics, administration and electronics are the most plentiful career opportunities for 2007, with about 10,200 available positions. Hard-to-fill enlisted career fields include air and ground linguists and special tactics, such as combat controller, survival instructor and pararescueman.

"These career fields are doing extremely well," Chief Vargas said. "We're finding the right mix at the right time."

The officer career fields with the most available positions are pilot, combat systems officer (navigator), air battle management and electrical engineering. Chaplain and medical fields remain hard to fill.

For more information about Air Force careers, visit www.airforce.com. The interactive Web site offers links to enlisted and officer career information, a chat line and a recruiter locator service.

AETC preparing for reduced civilian authorizations

8/17/2006 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- Air Education and Training Command officials are looking at ways to streamline organizations to smaller, more agile forces and organizational structures to reduce the effect of reductions in the civilian workforce next spring.

The Air Force plans to reduce its civilian workforce strength by 2,000 positions during fiscal 2007 as a result of Program Budget Decision 720.

"This is not just an AETC effort. Every command and organization in the Air Force is transforming to a smaller, leaner and more capable force all while engaged in combat operations." said Col. Greg Patterson, the AETC A1 Manpower and Personnel director. "Part of this is driven by our Air Force's urgent need to modernize our fighter and mobility aircraft."

The colonel said the people portion of the budget equation is one of the few places left to attain large, long-term financial changes.

"It's a very delicate balance between ensuring we are taking care of our people while we strive to generate savings in a constrained budget environment as we try to recapitalize the Air Force," Colonel Patterson said.

"I want our civilian workforce to know we are very concerned about the impacts of any force reductions within the command," said Gen. Bill Looney, AETC commander. "We are going to work with every individual and hope to find viable options and opportunities to make this work for us and our Air Force."

"This will not be an easy process, or one without pain," he said. "We have recently determined the overall number of positions our command is going to lose. Now, we are concentrating on finding the most efficient, least painful approach to implementing those reductions."

Colonel Patterson said AETC should pass the number of authorization reductions to the wings shortly.

"At that time, we will be able to discuss the options available for us to provide support to all affected employees," he said.

Colonel Patterson said some of the possible support options include the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority, Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay and placement via the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program.

Noting that any reduction in the number of civilian authorizations can potentially lead to a reduction in force, Colonel Patterson said, "Using the programs we have available and in place, we believe we can minimize any impact on our civilian work force.

"It's important that folks work with us as we go through these reductions, and we'll make every effort to keep everyone informed as we reach key milestones."

Guardian Challenge

http://www.af.mil/news/story_print.asp?storyID=123025288

8/17/2006 - -- Tech. Sgt. Brian Johnson fires at targets during the Guardian Challenge marksmanship competition at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., on Aug. 15. Sergeant Johnson is the 50th Security Forces Squadron team leader at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jason Ridder)

Mission accomplished for Airmen on project team

by Staff Sgt. Stacy Fowler
506th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

8/17/2006 - KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- A project team working on Iraqi Air Force Comp Air 7SLX aircraft have completed their mission in record time -- doing a complete overhaul of four aircraft in 41 days instead of the planned 130.

The aircraft, designed to be unarmed, is used to patrol oil pipelines and other infrastructure targeted by insurgents. Several of the aircraft were presented to the Iraqi Air Force by the United Arab Emirates in 2004. A crash in May 2005 which killed one Iraqi and four Airmen prompted the Iraqi government to ask for help in flight-testing the aircraft. That's when the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., entered the picture.

The project began in February when the team at Edwards AFB stripped down the first aircraft, learned everything they could while repairing it, and rebuilt it.

Following several major modifications to the aircraft, including installing a new set of wings, a new engine and propeller and installing a prototype air conditioning system, the team spent a month flight testing the aircraft to determine its flying qualities. The team then removed the wings from the aircraft and packed it and their parts, tools and equipment in a C-17 Globemaster III for a deployment to Iraq in June to work on four more aircraft.

The Comp Air 7SLX, or CA7, project team, comprised 16 members from Edwards AFB; Robins AFB, Ga.; Hill AFB, Utah; and Tinker AFB, Okla. They spent almost one and a half months preparing, stripping down, rebuilding and testing the four aircraft here.

"Because of this team's ability to think outside the box when confronted with something they've never seen before, combined with their great technical ability and drive, we were able to beat the standard by 89 days," said Chief Master Sgt. Bill Ludwig, the CA7 team's maintenance supervisor.

"These guys are some of the best in the Air Force," the chief said. "They never said die and never said quit."

The advance team arrived June 9, and prepared each aircraft for complete restructuring by stripping everything: skin, mechanics, wires, anything that wasn't part of the airframe itself.

"We completely gutted these aircraft when we first got here," said Tech. Sgt. Jamie Brown, CA7 crew chief. "We made skeletons of four aircraft in four days so that when the rest of the team got here we could get straight to work and build new aircraft from the ground up."

But there were some challenges no one on the team could predict until they began getting elbow-deep, sometimes literally, into their work.

"We had never seen this airframe before when they first brought it to Edwards," Sergeant Brown said. "We had no tech data to work off of. We learned how to build the other four by building the first one in the states. But even then we had to become jack of all trades to get the mission done. Everyone became a crew chief, from making controls for the cockpit to working sheet metal for the firewall between the engine and the pilot."

The first challenge: no continuity in most of the parts, wires and problems between the aircraft themselves.

"This team discovered things that were unique to each aircraft," said Lt. Col. Michael Pelletier, CA7 team leader. "If we found something on one aircraft, we wouldn't find it on any of the others. These weren't 'boiler plate' scenarios, because each aircraft was different. You'd have the same parts, but they would be in different places on each aircraft."

Besides rebuilding four aircraft from scratch, the team here had to deal with other challenges as well, such as the desert heat and being on the end of a long logistics trail for parts and equipment. But the team overcame the first hurdle by working at night while it was cooler, and worked around the second hurdle through advanced planning and ingenuity.

"Out here, once it gets past 100 degrees, it's just another kind of hot; we had to go to night shifts most of the time so we could get a lot more work done," said Tech. Sgt. Bobby Saenz, CA7 electrician. "We'd still be pretty warm at night, but we could still get a lot of our tasks done without worrying about people dropping from the heat."

Another issue the team had to deal with was the occasional rocket and mortar attack.

"Those certainly made life interesting," said Staff Sgt. Eric Nanni, CA7 air conditioning technician. "We were in the middle of working one night when we got attacked, so we all had to drop everything and grab our protective gear."

Then there were even more challenges such as trying to conduct test flights in a combat environment, planning details of the test flights, and a tricky matter of trying to fix parts with a fiberglass resin that would dry within five to 10 minutes in the heat, even at 2 a.m.

But these challenges did not deter the team as they slashed their assignment time and were able to return to their home bases.

A-10 check

http://www.af.mil/news/story_print.asp?storyID=123025303

8/17/2006 - -- Tech. Sgt. Carl Clark (left) and Master Sgt. Dan Abrams perform an altimeter check on an A-10 Thunderbolt II at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, on Aug. 17. They are deployed from the Air Force Reserve Command's 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Orville F. Desjarlais Jr.)

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Aug. 17

8/17/2006 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Aug. 17.

In Afghanistan Aug. 16, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Musah Qal'eh. The A-10s expended a Guided Bomb Unit-12 on the extremists' location, ending the engagement.

In a separate engagement near Musah Qal'eh, A-10s and Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists. The A-10s conducted passes, expending cannon rounds and precision-guided 500-pound bombs on the extremists' locations, ending the engagement.

Air Force B-1 Lancers also provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Asadabad, Khowst and Qalat.

Additionally, six Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 24 close-air-support missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. These missions included support to coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Al Taji. F-15E Strike Eagles provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Tall Afar.

Both F-15Es and F-16s provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Baquba.

Additionally, 12 Air Force, Navy and Royal Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq .

In total, coalition aircraft flew 46 close air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

On Aug. 15, Air Force rescue and medical crews on HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters flew three medical evacuation missions in support of OEF. Two coalition military members with injuries requiring urgent care were evacuated as a result of these missions.

Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. They flew 160 airlift sorties, delivered 450 tons of cargo and transported 3,650 passengers. This included more than 21,600 pounds of troop resupply airdropped in eastern Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada and Japan flew in support of either OIF or OEF.

On Aug. 15, U.S., French and Royal Air Force tankers flew 40 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.5 million pounds of fuel.

Arctic Thunder

http://usmilitary.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=usmilitary&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.af.mil

8/17/2006 - -- A heritage flight with a P-51 Mustang, F-15 Eagle, F-22 Raptor and A-10 Thunderbolt II fly over the crowd at the Arctic Thunder air show at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, on Aug. 12. The two-day event drew nearly 136,000 visitors. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Jonathan Steffen)

Wingmanship evident at Guardian Challenge

by Staff Sgt. Don Branum
50th Space Wing Public Affairs

8/17/2006 - SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPN) -- Victory matters to the 50th Security Forces Squadron's Guardian Challenge team -- a fact they proved Aug. 16 on a scorching obstacle course run.

But when one of their own injured himself on the course, the team showed that wingmanship matters to them even more.

As Staff Sgt. Scott Willis dismounted from one of the obstacles on the course he heard his ankle pop. He pressed on, but couldn't keep pace with his teammates.

That's when Tech. Sgt. Brian Johnson and Airmen 1st Class Devin Stapelman and David Simmonds turned around to keep pace with him.

"Sergeant Johnson said we needed to finish as a team," Airman Stapelman said. "We worked together to get this far."

Throughout the last leg of the course, a grueling one-mile run through soft dirt on an obstacle course 6,000 feet above sea level, the 50th SFS team stayed at Sergeant Willis' side.

"They carried me through the last couple of turns," Sergeant Willis said. "Then I just ran in (the last stretch)."

"He stuck it out," Airman Stapelman said. "He had the heart and energy to push through and get the job done."

Viper Lance pilots trade rides

Maj. Mike Dunkel provides a rundown of controls in an F-16 Fighting Falcon cockpit for 1st Lt. Lates Catalin at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, on Aug. 11, during Viper Lance 2006. Lieutenant Catalin is a MiG-21 pilot in the Romanian air force. Major Dunkel is an F-16 pilot with the 22nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Capt. Michael Cumberworth)

http://usmilitary.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=usmilitary&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.af.mil

by Senior Airman Eydie Sakura
22nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron Public Affairs

8/17/2006 - MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIR BASE, Romania (AFPN) -- Among the sounds of jets starting their engines and Romanian air force maintainers prepping their aircraft for departure, an American fighter pilot climbing into the back seat of a MiG-21 Lancer was a rare sight on the flightline here Aug. 11.

Pilots from the 22nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron here for Exercise Viper Lance 2006 have the opportunity to ride shotgun in Romanian fighters during the exercise.

"My flight in the backseat of a Lancer is a good opportunity to look at different aircraft and it's a real privilege and an honor," said 1st Lt. Coleman McDonald, a 22nd EFS F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot. "I want to see what they see from their cockpit, and view a new angle of understanding against our adversaries."

After Romania joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the mid-1990s, the Romanian air force and their MiGs became allies with the United States.

The overarching goal of the mission here is to forge ties with the Romanian air force, but the day-to-day mission is training, said Lt. Col. Matt Chesnutt, 22nd EFS commander.

MiG-21 and F-16 pilots are flying integrated formations to conduct basic fighter maneuvers, dissimilar air combat training and air-to-ground strike missions with the Romanians acting as fighter escorts for the F-16s, the commander said.

"The exercise and training are running smoothly," Lieutenant McDonald said. "I'm impressed with their flying program here."

The flying mission here has been around for decades. The MiG-21 aircraft has a '60s-era body, but has newer avionics such as modern radar, communication and weapons systems.

"The F-16 is a much more advanced aircraft, however, (the MiGs) have some avionics that are similar to ours," Lieutenant McDonald said. "It was interesting to experience the differences in performance and handling as well."

Romanian air force MiG-21 pilot 1st Lt. Lates Catalin also shared the experience of swapping air frames, taking what he called an extraordinary ride in the back seat of the F-16 with Maj. Mike Dunkel, a 22nd EFS pilot.

"The F-16 is a superior aircraft from all points of view," Lieutenant Catalin said. "I'm impressed with the skills of the pilots. They are very well trained."

This was not the first time a foreign fighter pilot sat in the back seat of a MiG-21 on the flightline here. Romanian air force Warrant Officer Third Class Sorin Burdusel said he has flown pilots from countries including England and the Czech Republic since the signing of the NATO "Partnership for Peace" treaty and the 1998 "Cooperative Change" exercises.

"We started flying pilots from other countries about six years ago for various exercises," the MiG-21 mechanic said. "But this exercise here is the first time American pilots have climbed into my aircraft."

Exercise Viper Lance 2006 marks the first time for U.S. Air Force F-16 pilots to train in Romania. The exercise runs through Aug. 25.

Space Command focuses on tailoring mission with new triad

8/17/2006 - SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) -- Strategic deterrence, securing the space domain and recapitalizing on a lesser budget are among the priorities for the Air Force Space Command commander.

In keeping with the theme, "Global missions... meeting the challenge," Gen. Kevin P. Chilton spoke on the future of Air Force space missions at the 9th Annual Space and Missile Defense Conference and Exhibition in Huntsville, Ala., taking place Aug. 14 to 17.

A new triad of offensive capabilities, defensive capabilities and a responsive defense infrastructure are enabled by persistent global command and control, intelligence and agile planning systems, General Chilton said.

This significantly expands the command's role, he said.

"The United States still has enemies that must be deterred," General Chilton said. "That deterrence needs to be tailored. Our charge is to provide the president with a wider, more flexible range of options. Strategic deterrence is our first line of defense," General Chilton said.

But, with $12 billion less available in the next five years Dr. Ronald M. Sega, under secretary of the Air Force, and Lt. Gen. Michael A. Hamel, commander of Space and Missile Systems Center, are working toward a back to basics and block development approach to acquisition.

This is done by "remaining committed to dramatically reducing the time to bring technology to the warfighter (and) ... mitigating risk across the entire space portfolio," the general said.

"As Dr. Sega likes to call it -- our 'crawl before you walk' and 'walk before you run' strategy," General Chilton said.

The general said unrealistic estimates of technology maturity and system complexity combined with insufficient management have led to schedule slips and cost increases. The "evolutionary" block development approach will allow the command to gradually introduce technology, promoting those capabilities into demonstrations and then ultimately operational programs.

"This is not new. It's a tried and true recipe for success," General Chilton said. "We know how to do this, if we follow the recipe," he said. "The solution lies in our ability to work together."

Raptor crews

http://usmilitary.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=usmilitary&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.af.mil

8/17/2006 - -- Senior Airman Rafael Hernandez inspects the fin assembly for an AIM-120 missile during a weapons load inspection at Langley Air Force Base, Va., on Aug. 15. Airman Hernandez is a weapons load crew member with the 27th Aircraft Maintenance Unit.(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Rogers)

Line coach suspended from Air Force football team

8/17/2006 - U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) -- Air Force offensive line coach Pete Hurt has been suspended indefinitely by the Air Force Academy Athletic Association pending investigation of alleged violations of his contract. The violations involve alleged inappropriate striking of a player during practice.

The suspension begins immediately. Fullbacks' coach Paul Hamilton has assumed Hurt's role as offensive line coach in his absence. Offensive coordinator Chuck Petersen is coaching the fullbacks, whom he previously coached.

Director of Athletics Dr. Hans Mueh has launched an immediate internal inquiry into the situation.

Hurt is in his second season as offensive line coach at the academy. He came to Air Force from Clinton High School in Clinton, Miss., where he was head football coach and athletic director from 2002 to 2004. Before that, Hurt was the head coach at Division I-AA Samford from 1994 to 2001 where he accumulated a 42-39-1 record.

Medical records nearer to going electronic

8/17/2006 - SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) -- Medical troops throughout the Air Force soon will be using the Department of Defense's global electronic health record system to keep track of patient records.

The Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application, known as AHLTA, is the largest system of its kind, defense officials said. The system will go online at the military's 800 clinics and 70 hospitals by the end of December, officials said.

At Yokota Air Base, Japan, hospital members will start training to use the system in mid-September. They will be ready to use it at the end of October.

After a year of sorting, documenting and filing often-heavy medical records the old way, Senior Airman Michaela Simms cannot wait for the change to take place. A year of doing the job has taken its toll.

"It takes lot to try and reach up to the top (of a shelf) and bend down to file medical records and locate someone's paperwork," the Airman said.

The electronic system has the potential to serve more than 9 million servicemembers, retirees and their families, defense officials said. Once on line, some 60,000 military healthcare professionals around the globe can access medical records.

The long term vision is to be able to update digital medical records from the first care provided patients on the battlefield to their stateside care facilities, defense officials said. They expect that to be possible within the next three years.

'Natural Fire' provides assistance to African nations

by Master Sgt. John Lasky
Air Force Print News

8/17/2006 - SERERE, Uganda (AFPN) -- Three East African nations and the United States are participating in Natural Fire 2006, a multilateral training exercise that is providing medical, veterinary and engineering civil assistance.

The exercise includes approximately 1,000 servicemembers from the United States, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. This is the first time since 2000 that the four countries have participated in Natural Fire.

"This presents a great opportunity for us to learn and be prepared for a disaster response and provide real-world humanitarian support," and Maj. David Westover, public affairs officer for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. "We'll be sharing as much as we're learning. This is a great opportunity to work together."

Marine reservists from the 6th Engineer Support Brigade in Battlecreek, Mich., will work with the Ugandan force to repair a children's ward, clinic kitchen, nun's residence and community center, and erect a perimeter fence around the clinic.

"The fence will help us control the human and animal traffic walking through the clinic and the nun's ward used for storage," said Dr. Calvin Epidu, chief medical officer at Serere Hospital.

Doctors are expecting to see 2,000 patients in three days in Soroti Division. Nine Air National Guard doctors, nurses, medical technicians and pharmacists from units across America will work with their Ugandan Defense Force counterparts prescribing medicines, eyeglasses and injections, and advising on referrals.

"We're here to build a strategic relationship with Uganda. The medical staff is learning to treat tropical diseases and we're sharing our knowledge on disaster preparedness," said Dr. (Col.) William Walters of the Tennessee Air National Guard.

American forces hope to make this type of training opportunity and humanitarian support more commonplace.

"Hopefully, this can be expanded, maybe even annually," Colonel Walters said. "It's a win-win situation for everybody."

That's all for this day.

Meanwhile take care and have a good day,

Scottish Lady
_________________

Sgt/USAF 1972-1977
Company Staff officer M.S.T.
Alpha CO.

May your dreams of life and the dawn of time be safe for everyone.

Hi one and all,

Munitions Airmen make bombs built to order

Airman 1st Class Joseph Lewis checks the tension of the tail assembly on a Guided Bomb Unit-38. The munitions flight attaches components to the same general purpose bombs used in Vietnam, turning them into modern precision weapons. Airman Lewis is from the Ohio Air National Guard's 180th Fighter Wing in Perrysburg. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kerry Solan-Johnson)

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by Senior Airman James Croxon
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

8/18/2006 - BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- Hitting a two-meter target with 2,000 pounds of high explosives while traveling hundreds of miles an hour takes sophisticated weapons aboard aircraft flown by talented pilots. But, before these munitions can be used they must be inspected, tested, built, loaded and delivered to the aircraft.

That is the job of Airmen assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron Munitions Flight here.

"Most people think bombs come out of the box ready to go on the aircraft," said Master Sgt. Robert Franks, the NCO in charge of the precision munitions section.

"They don't realize munitions are shipped as components and need to be built according to the air tasking orders we get from the combined air operations center," said Sergeant Franks, who is deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

Building smart weapons, munitions that can to be delivered to a target through various means, begins with breaking out components from the various storage facilities used by the flight. According to Chief Master Sgt. George Graham, the munitions flight chief, the flight stocks components and places orders for replacements before on-hand quantities reach critical levels.

"We're like the Iraq branch of a department store chain," said Chief Graham, deployed from Eglin AFB, Fla. "We order our stock from the Southwest Asia distribution center, and it is airlifted here. Some of these components have been in the inventory for decades, but they're maintained so well that I wouldn't be surprised to see Vietnam-era components in use today."

According to Senior Master Sgt. William Witherington, there can be anywhere from 10 to 20 different configurations for one kind of bomb, depending on the needs of the warfighter. It takes five to 30 minutes to build a munition from scratch.

During the assembly, the fuses are set, which determine how and when the munitions go off once released by the aircraft.

"The fuses can set off the explosive at various times from release, on impact or even a certain time after impact," said Staff Sgt. Ray Traylor, a munitions Airman deployed from the Arkansas Air National Guard's 188th Fighter Wing at Fort Smith. "We can set a 2,000-pound bomb to go off after it breaks through a bunker."

When munitions are fired or destroyed because of damage, they are updated in the Air Force database. Chief Graham said they can tell when a component was purchased by the Defense Department, when it was installed on a munition and the tail number of the aircraft that used it. The database is updated within an hour after the munition is expended, giving officials important operational data in a timely manner.

The most rewarding part of the job for ammo Airmen is having their work put to use by pilots.

"When aircraft come back without munitions it really gives me a sense of accomplishment," said Airman 1st Class Joseph Lewis, deployed from the Ohio Air National Guard's 180th Fighter Wing in Perrysburg. "Knowing that pilots used the munitions we made and they worked makes me feel like a key player in the war."

Balad Airman receives American Legion award

Senior Airman Edward Slavik is the Air Force recipient of the American Legion Spirit of Service Award. The award annually recognizes an outstanding performer from each branch of the armed forces. Airman Slavik is assigned to 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at Balad Air Base, Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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by Senior Airman Kerry Solan-Johnson
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

8/18/2006 - BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- An award ceremony today in Salt Lake City will recognize an Airman for his dedication to improve his community. That Airman will spend his day 7,000 miles away performing force protection duties.

Senior Airman Edward Slavik of the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron is the Air Force recipient of the American Legion Spirit of Service Award. The award annually recognizes an outstanding performer from each branch of the armed forces for his or her off-duty volunteer service to the local community.

"Airman Slavik's record of achievement and selfless contributions are impressive and make him highly deserving of this award," wrote Maj. Gen. Tony Przybyslawski, the Air Force Personnel Center commander, in his note to Gen. Duncan McNabb, the Air Mobility Command commander.

In the past year, Airman Slavik volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, South Carolina Aquarium, Charleston County Parks and Recreation and other organizations near Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. He is assigned to the 437th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels flight there.

"(Volunteering) has been a great way to meet people and broaden my horizons," the St. Clairsville, Ohio, native said. "It makes asking 'What did I do today?' more interesting."

Though Airman Slavik cannot attend the ceremony, he taped a message to be played when his commander accepts the award for him.

Airman Slavik said he was honored to even be nominated for the award, but the award does not compare to the satisfaction of helping others.

Unit fires first live air-to-air missiles in South Korea

An F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot fires one of the first air-to-air missiles launched by a South Korean-based F-16 on Aug. 16. The live fire is part of a process for implementing a weapon system evaluation program for jets assigned to Kunsan Air Base, Korea. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)

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by Capt. J.P. Lage
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

8/18/2006 - KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFPN) -- With the call "Fox 2," pilots here employed AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on Aug. 16 for the first time in the history of 7th Air Force in Korea, serving as the driving force behind implementing a weapon system evaluation program here.

The initiative by the 80th Fighter Squadron here to shoot live, heat-seeking AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles serves as a means for evaluating fighter assets in South Korea.

"Typically the way a unit does this is (to) deploy to a weapon system evaluation program, or WSEP," said Lt. Col. Al Wimmer, 80th FS commander, about Combat Archer conducted at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.

Spearheading the initiative was Lt. Col. Dan Tippett, the 80th FS director of operations.

"The significance of this event is threefold," Colonel Tippett said. "First, due to logistics issues and fiscal constraints in PACAF, (Republic of Korea)-assigned jets don't have the opportunity to deploy back to the U.S. for Combat Archer. As a result, we have no ability to verify the integrity of our air-to-air weapon systems here. This missile shoot program gives us the ability to test our systems."

The purpose of the programs is to "evaluate the man, the machine and the weapon to see how well we're doing and whether we are ready to go into combat," Colonel Wimmer said.

The jets assigned to the 80th FS have never deployed to WSEP because of obligations in the 7th AF theater of operations, the colonel said.

"This program also gives my fighter pilots the experience of actually employing an air-to-air missile, which also occurs primarily at Combat Archer. Without such an experience, the first time a pilot fires a live missile would be in combat," Colonel Tippett said. "Accomplishing this in a training environment first alleviates any surprises or anxiety of shooting an actual missile."

Every fighter squadron in 7th AF participated in the week's historic flying. A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from Osan provided targets, dropping illumination flares that hang under parachutes that give the missiles something to guide on.

"This has been about a 10-month process from inception to this point," Colonel Wimmer said. "We hope this will be recurring."

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Aug. 18

8/18/2006 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Aug. 18.

In Afghanistan Aug. 17, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for coalition troops ambushed and taking small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire from Taliban extremists near Moqor. The A-10s conducted passes, expending cannon rounds and ending the engagement.

A-10s and French Air Force M-2000s provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Asadabad. The A-10s conducted passes, expending cannon rounds, Guided Bomb Unit-12s and general-purpose 500-pound bombs on the extremists' positions, ending the engagement.

Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Musah Qal'eh. The GR-7s conducted passes, expending rockets, an enhanced Paveway II 1,000-pound bomb and a 1,000-pound freefall bomb on the enemy positions, ending the engagement.

In a separate engagement near Musah Qal'eh, an Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support to coalition troops in taking small-arms and mortar fire. The B-1 expended a GBU-31 on the enemy mortar position, ending the engagement.

Royal Air Force GR-7s also provided close-air support to coalition forces near Kandahar.

Additionally, eight U.S., French and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 26 close-air-support missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. These missions included support to coalition and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

In Iraq, 13 Air Force, Navy and Royal Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 44 close-air-support missions for OIF. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. They flew 160 airlift sorties, delivered 370 tons of cargo and transported 3,080 passengers.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada and Japan flew in support of either OIF or OEF.

On Aug. 16, U.S., French and Royal Air Force tankers flew 40 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.4 million pounds of fuel.

Maintainers keep jets healthy, safe during Viper Lance

Senior Airman Ben Polichnowski unscrews a bolt on an F-16 Fighting Falcon external wing tank Aug. 18 during Exercise Viper Lance 2006 at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania. Airman Polichnowski is a crew chief with the 22nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Eydie Sakura)

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by Senior Airman Eydie Sakura
22nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron Public Affairs

8/18/2006 - MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIR BASE, Romania (AFPN) -- While most participants involved in Exercise Viper Lance 2006 here call it a day at sunset, the workday is just beginning for maintainers on the night shift.

Of the more than 250 Airmen here for the air-to-air and air-to-ground training exercise, roughly 170 support the maintenance mission.

Viper Lance 2006 is an air-to-air and air-to-ground training scenario with the Romanian air force and their MiG-21 pilots. The exercise marks the first time Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons pilots have trained in the country.

"Our mission is the same here as it is everywhere," said. Capt. Bill Reynolds, 22nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron officer in charge of maintenance. "We support (flying) operations, and we provide safe and reliable aircraft."

To make sure the mission runs smoothly, Airmen work three shifts to orchestrate the successful launch and recovery of the F-16 Fighting Falcons.

During the summer months, many maintainers prefer the night shift to avoid the heat and sun, the captain said. With temperatures reaching into the 90s each day here, the setting sun comes as a welcome relief for the maintainers who work into the night.

"Generally the night crews work the harder problems if the day team cannot get it fixed," he said. "They have the time, opportunity and tools to fix the jets since the day crews deal more with the launch and recovery of the aircraft."

Among the maintenance Airmen here, support technicians monitor the accountability and serviceability of tools and equipment.

"We have about 750 various tools and pieces of equipment that we're responsible for, but at home we manage thousands of tools. We only bring what we need," said Staff Sgt. Carissa Robles, a 22nd EFS support technician on nights. "We issue the tools to the crew chiefs, avionics or whomever needs them, and it's our responsibility to make sure everything's in good condition and ready for them to use."

Senior Airman Joshua Hood, a 22nd EFS electrical and environmental systems specialist, depends on the tools and equipment the support team provides. His job is to make sure the F-16's air conditioning, steering, landing gear and electrical systems are functional. Airman Hood has found no matter where his shop is located, the mission, quality of the work and people are no different.

"I had no idea the caliber of the troops we have at the (22nd EFS) until I started deploying to these exercises," Airman Hood said. "The attitudes of maintainers never falter; the mission is to always do whatever you need to do to get the jets in the air."

Captain Reynolds agreed, and said he sees a lot of integration between those on the flightline and back-shop troops.

"They are a solid team on and off duty," the captain said. "They are spending a lot of time together, and we are focused on one thing here -- the mission."

When to say 'uncle'

Commentary by Lt. Col. Dieter Bareihs
18th Fighter Squadron commander

8/18/2006 - EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFPN) -- The Air Force recently reduced the number of its active-duty Airmen in order to meet the congressionally mandated end strength of 359,700. The cuts continue as the Air Force intends to separate an additional 40,000 members.

In the course of these cuts, a popular mantra was "do more with less" as the amount of work remained constant, yet there were less people to accomplish it.

In fact, the amount of work has actually increased. Gone are the days when temporary duty orders magically appeared and Airmen had one or two additional duties. Three or four additional duties are the norm, and computer-based training rules the day.

Since its inception, "do more with less" has evolved into "do less with less." Recently, the phrase "do what you can with what you have" has become commonplace. As a new commander, this phrase not only makes the most sense, but more importantly, it provides guidance -- to the commander as well as the youngest Airman.

As the Air Force continues to reduce members, leveraging people for technology, it is not only important for Airmen at all levels to "do what they can with what they have," but also to know when to say "uncle."

For many of us, the importance of mission accomplishment is ingrained in our psyche. However, we cannot forget about our people. No one likes telling his supervisor something can't be done, yet that is exactly what needs to happen. Most Air Force people I've met in my 17-year career have been type-A personalities. If you let them, they will try to do more with less.

They will work 12-plus hours a day in order to get everything done, but will wear themselves out while doing so. In the end, the mission will suffer. In doing what we can with what we have, supervisors and commanders must determine what must be done in order for the mission to go on and what they cannot do because of limited resources. They then must provide corresponding guidance to their Airmen. In turn, Airmen must inform the supervisor or commander when they are unable to accomplish all that is being asked of them.

Integrity is a core value. Informing our supervisors what can and can't be accomplished and the consequences of completing one task over another demonstrates integrity. Hiding things from our supervisors does not. Conversely, crying uncle only to avoid doing work (or maybe difficult work) is also a breach of integrity.

How do commanders and supervisors differentiate between work that won't get done and work that can't get done? Leadership. Know your people. Decide what and when to elevate to the next level in the chain of command and when to handle the situation.

The only way to ensure senior Air Force leadership knows the level of "pain" being experienced in the field is to communicate accurately up the chain of command. If we as Airmen try to do more with less, senior leadership may assume that all is well, when that may not be the case at all.

Do what you can with what you have. Maintain your integrity and keep your leadership informed.

COMUSAFE concludes Russian visit

Gen. Tom Hobbins views various Russian aircraft weapons with Gen. Maj. Aleksandr Kharchevsky following his flights on the MiG-29 Fulcrum and SU-27 Flanker at Lipetsk Air Base, Russia, on Aug. 15. General Hobbins is the U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander and General Kharchevsky is the chief of the 4th Center for Combat Use and Flight Training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Jay Sabia)

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by Capt. Elizabeth Culbertson
U.S. Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs

8/18/2006 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFPN) -- Improved relations and future operational cooperation between U.S. and Russian air forces was the goal of a four-day visit to Russia by the commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

Gen. Tom Hobbins, who visited Moscow and Lipetsk Air Base Aug. 14 to 17, said the military-to-military relationship building was important because of the potential to work and fly together in the future.

"Ultimately what I'd like to see is a common air picture, open to NATO nations and the Russian Federation, so that we have a deep appreciation and understanding of what each of us is looking at," General Hobbins said.

During his trip, the general visited the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, where he was briefed on the state of U.S.-Russian relations by senior members of the embassy staff. He also visited the 4th Center for Combat Use and Flight Training at Lipetsk AB, where he received a base tour and had the opportunity to fly in an SU-27 Flanker and MiG-29 Fulcrum. He also toured Moscow's Victory Park, a museum and monuments dedicated in 1995 to the 50th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

"It was a great opportunity for General Hobbins to build a relationship with these two senior Air Force leaders based around aviation and military issues," said Hunter Hustus, political adviser to General Hobbins. "They discussed common areas of concern between the Russian Federation and the U.S. Air Force."

First Lt. John Morash, who accompanied as the general's interpreter, visited Russia dozens of times in his former position as a Russian interpreter and arms inspector at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and was impressed with his first trip to a Russian tactical fighter base.

"I've spent a lot of time in Russia and across the former Soviet Union working with their military on arms control-related programs and treaties. Most of the time, I was at bomber, submarine or missile bases," he said. "After racking up over 50 trips in the former Soviet Union, Lipetsk was the cleanest and best-kept base I've seen to date."

As far as future visits and engagements, Mr. Hustus said the possibilities are vast.

"We were trying to find areas where we could cooperate and work together for interoperability," he said. "This trip did identify and open the dialogue on a few areas where we share a common interest and could work together in the future."

One possibility for future cooperation, said General Hobbins, is flying together in a coalition aimed at humanitarian operations.

Overall, Lieutenant Morash said the trip was a success.

"The reason for the trip was to get to know each other and establish a foundation for flying together as wingmen in the future -- mission accomplished," he said.

Guardian Challenge teams reach finish line

by 1st Lt. Angelic Dolan
Guardian Challenge Public Affairs

8/18/2006 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPN) -- Climbing, jumping, swinging from ropes and running in the summer heat, the Guardian Challenge 2006 security forces teams competed in the obstacle course portion of the competition at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., on Aug. 16.

Teams prepared for the past several months to be physically fit enough to cross the course finish line, the competition's final event. The away teams arrived early to get acclimated to the elevation.

All of the security forces members worked as a team leaving no man behind, often carrying each other to the end.

The obstacle course tested team members' strengths as they negotiated a modified obstacle course, followed by a run that tested their endurance.

"Running after the obstacle course was definitely the most challenging part of the course," said Airman 1st Class Tom Donahue, 91st Space Wing at Minot AFB, N.D.

Security forces members were cheered on by their commanders and supporters as they crossed the finish line.

"I am proud of my 61st Security Forces members," said Maj. Allan Sacdalan, 61st SFS commander at Los Angeles AFB, Calif. "They have demonstrated vital security forces skills and accomplished the mission. One team, one fight."

Red Flag

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8/18/2006 - -- Capt. Jeremy Ryan and Tech. Sgt. Mike Johanns conduct final preflight inspections on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Red Flag 06-02 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., on Aug. 15. U.S. and coalition servicemembers are participating in the exercise that concludes today. Captain Ryan is a pilot and Sergeant Johanns is a crew chief with the Iowa Air National Guard's 132nd Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Bob Sommer)

Kansas ANG home of newest intelligence center

8/18/2006 - MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. (AFPN) -- Kansas became home to "America's newest intelligence center," the largest intelligence processing center in the Air National Guard, on Aug. 16.

The state-of-the-art Distributed Ground System intelligence facility at McConnell Air Force Base will be the permanent home to the Kansas ANG's 161st Intelligence Squadron. The 161st IS, a part of the 184th Air Refueling Wing, has been performing the DGS mission at other locations worldwide since 2003.

With the addition of this full-spectrum, high-tech intelligence center, those same Guardsmen will now be able to serve locally while still supporting the fight on terror globally.

"This is more good news for Kansas, and we should all be proud of the Kansas Air Guard's ability to step up and meet the challenge to serve yet once again," said Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

"No other unit in the nation has proven itself more adaptive to change and more capable of quickly developing high-level capabilities important to America's defense," said Kansas Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting. "This ribbon-cutting is a testament to the hard work, skill and tenacity of the members of the 184th."

"This intelligence center and the Kansas Guardsmen that will work in it are absolutely critical to America's ability to win the war on terror," said Col. Randy Roebuck, 184th ARW commander.

The DGS mission provides intelligence processing, exploitation and dissemination designed to supply actionable intelligence in near-real-time.

"In a dangerous and chaotic world, it's comforting to know we have the best people with the best equipment in the best facility, working day and night to protect America and our troops," Colonel Roebuck said.

The new facility is the first of its kind to be specifically designed for the most modern DGS intelligence equipment available.

Arnold AFB supports DOD assured fuels initiative

by Philip Lorenz III
Arnold Engineering Development Center Public Affairs

8/18/2006 - ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. (AFPN) -- The Arnold Engineering Development Center is taking a leading role in supporting the Department of Defense's assured fuels initiative, which aims to steer the military away from its reliance on foreign oil.

A team from the center took its technical expertise and specialized equipment on the road to assist the Air Force in fielding time-critical alternative fuel testing at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.

"We had been asked to provide exhaust gas analysis for the TF33, the engine powering the B-52 Stratofortress," said Paul Jalbert, an Aerospace Testing Alliance emissions system engineer at AEDC who was among those assisting with the tests at Tinker.

"We were asked to quantify the exhaust gas emissions from that engine when it was burning baseline JP-8 fuel and when it was burning a 50 percent blend of synthetic Fischer-Tropsch fuel and JP-8. We were looking for the differences in those emissions from the same engine from two different fuels," Mr. Jalbert said.

ATA is the support contractor at AEDC, and is a joint venture between Jacobs Sverdrup, Computer Sciences Corp. and General Physics Corp.

The AEDC team's continuous sweep emission measurement system provided conclusive evidence that there were no significant differences in either atmospheric emissions or engine performance with the JP-8/Fischer-Tropsch blend fuel from the straight JP-8 fuel. The test results will help to support the Air Force's plans to test fly a B-52 powered in part by the blend of the synthetic fuel and JP-8 later this year.

The urgency behind the Air Force's motivation to test Fischer-Tropsch, which is derived from natural gas, was driven largely by the same concerns shared by industry and consumers with the nation's high dependence on foreign oil, according to Don Gardner, ATA's Technology and Analysis Branch lead on the project. A limited supply of available Fischer-Tropsch fuel also meant the team doing the work had to perform the measurements and data quality checks in near-real time to complete the test matrix.

In 2004, the team at AEDC had first demonstrated the continuous sweep emissions measurement system as a means to reduce the cost of emission measurements by reducing the amount of time required to obtain them.

This system includes a water-cooled probe rake assembly that sweeps back and forth across the engine nozzle exit in approximately two minutes. This allows the engineers to measure a full cross-section of the exhaust gas emissions from the engine in a relatively short period of time. The gases are drawn through probes and flow through heated lines to fast-response gas analyzers.

"The analyzers were located about 80 feet away from the engine," Mr. Jalbert said. "We pull in the exhaust gas samples as well as ambient air samples because we want to be able to separate what came out of the back of the engine from any pollution or contamination that may have entered the front of the engine. We try to quantify all of the exhaust gases that are either considered to be aircraft pollution or indications of aircraft engine performance.

The probe rake traverses continually behind the engine collecting exhaust gas samples. Those samples are processed by analyzers, which look for things like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

"The data set is analyzed and processed by computer so that within a three-and-half-minute time period from the start of each rake traverse, we can provide our customers with a complete digital representation of what the exhaust plume looked like," Mr. Jalbert said.

The test was a collaborative effort between representatives from AEDC, the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and Tinker AFB, Okla.

Baghdad boom

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8/18/2006 - -- Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith commands a detonation of explosives on a range adjacent to Baghdad International Airport, Iraq, on Aug. 18. The Air Force explosive ordnance disposal unit at the airport is responsible for a 500-square mile area around Baghdad as part of a joint task force. Sergeant Smith is an EOD technician deployed to the 447th Air Expeditionary Group from Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bryan Bouchard)

Malmstrom, Patrick, Peterson tops at Guardian Challenge

by Capt. Catie Hague
Air Force Space Command Public Affairs

8/18/2006 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPN) -- Inside Hangar 140 here, the air was thick with anticipation as teams from across Air Force Space Command maintained nervous conversation over dinner Aug. 17, awaiting the announcement of the Guardian Challenge 2006 winners.

Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, AFSPC commander, reminded a highly motivated crowd that no matter who took home the trophies, each competitor was critical to the command's warfighting mission.

"We have the best space and missile professionals in the world," General Chilton said. "You are what make the mission of Air Force Space Command go. I don't care what badge you wear on your chest -- operator, maintainer, security forces, comm specialist, pilot -- you're all integral to our mission."

The general noted that the Guardian Challenge competition is ultimately about training, taking away lessons learned to hone mission effectiveness. He told competitors to take advantage of Guardian Challenge by talking to other competitors and bringing best practices back to the wings.

"Our training, education, technology and the willingness to meet any challenge make us the world's best space force," he said.

"There are thousands of space and missile professionals on duty around the clock every day of the year, and more than 900 Airmen from Air Force Space Command currently deployed overseas," the general said. "That's what it's all about."

General Chilton said that the teams' performances at Guardian Challenge 2006 sent a clear signal to the nation, its allies and adversaries. "Air Force Space Command is ready ... ready to take on all comers!"

Since April, competitions held at various bases throughout the command tested more than 150 space professionals in space communications; missile maintenance; spacelift launch; and operations. Security forces members competed here Aug. 14 to 16 for Best Security Forces Team honors.

"The spirit of competition is alive and well," said Brig. Gen. Don Alston, AFSPC director of air, space and information operations. "Guardian Challenge is larger than the weeks and months of preparation and competition. It's about instilling and reinforcing our combat-ready values."

With that, Maj. Gen. Roger Burg, competition judge and director of strategic security, office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Air, Space and Information Operations, Plans and Requirements, announced this year's winners:

The Blanchard Trophy for Best Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Space Wing -- 341st Space Wing, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont.

The Schriever Trophy for Best Space Launch Wing -- 45th SW, Patrick AFB, Fla.

The Aldridge Trophy for Best Space Operations Wing -- 21st SW, Peterson AFB, Colo.

Overall team winners are:
Space Communications -- 460th SW, Buckley AFB, Colo.
Missile Maintenance -- 341st SW
Spacelift Launch Group -- 45th SW
Security Forces Team - 30th SW, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.

Best individual team winners are:
Missile Maintenance
Communications -- 90th SW, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
Electro-mechanical -- 341st SW
Missile Mechanical -- 91st SW, Minot AFB, N.D.
Missile Handling -- 90th SW
Power, Refrigeration and Electrics -- 341st SW

Security Forces
Tactics Exercise -- 45th SW
Combat Marksmanship -- 45th SW
Obstacle Course -- 50th SW, Schriever AFB, Colo.

Operations Crews
Spacelift Operations -- 30th SW
Space Operations -- 20th Space Control Squadron from the 21st SW
Missile Operations -- 90th SW
"Sit and Spin" Helicopter Hover Competition -- 341st SW
Helicopter Flight Scenario -- 91st SW
Overall Helicopter Operations -- 341st SW

The tradition of Guardian Challenge began in 1967 when Strategic Air Command opened its first missile combat competition, nicknamed "Curtain Raiser." Two combat crews from each intercontinental ballistic missile wing and a single combat targeting and alignment team competed to determine the best of the best.

As General Alston reminded the more than 700 awards banquet attendees, the pioneers who stretched the envelope in the face of criticism as air power evolved, eventually reshaped the way wars would be fought forever.

"I see before me the pioneers for the next 60 years and certainly the future leaders of AFSPC," General Alston said. "In future conflicts, space power will play a predominant role; space will influence the outcome."

Tampa Bay Buccaneers hold pre-game practice at MacDill AFB

http://usmilitary.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=usmilitary&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.af.mil

by Staff Sgt. Randy Redman
6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

8/18/2006 - MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers broke training camp Thursday and in an unprecedented move for the team, held its day-before-game walk-through at MacDill AFB, Fla.

The Buccaneers, who play their second pre-season game against the Miami Dolphins Saturday, have a long-standing relationship and community partnership with the military here.

"You guys have no idea what a great morale booster it is for you to come out and do this," said Col. Maggie Woodward, 6th Air Mobility Wing commander. "It means a lot that you think enough of us to do this."

Friday's practice was open to all base personnel, and everyone who attended was able to stand on the base's athletic field and get an up-close look at the 2006 Buccaneers. It was also an opportunity for the team to thank the men and women of the base for their service to the country.

Colonel Woodward presented a framed flag, which was flown over Iraq by a KC-135 flight crew deployed from MacDill, to Head Coach Jon Gruden,

"You're the real heroes and we thank you so much for this opportunity," said Coach Gruden, who gave Colonel Woodward a football signed by the team.

The Bucs frequently invite members of the military to be guests at practices at their own facility. Buccaneer players and coaches have also been invited to MacDill on several occasions where they received base tours and briefings on the diverse missions at the base.

That's all for now folks, meanwhile take care and have a good day,

Scottish Lady
_________________

Sgt/USAF 1972-1977
Company Staff officer M.S.T.
Alpha CO.

May your dreams of life and the dawn of time be safe for everyone.

Hi one and all,

Sorry for the long delay in posting the news, but i am back.

Daily News for 9 Jan 07

Aircraft attack al Qaeda haven in Somalia

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123037025

by Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

1/9/2007 - WASHINGTON (AFNEWS) -- Air Force AC-130 gunships struck al Qaeda targets in Somalia Jan. 8, news sources reported last night.

The operation allegedly hit al Qaeda concentrations in the southern part of the country, but Pentagon officials did not comment.

The Navy 5th Fleet moved the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower into the waters off Somalia in an effort to capture al Qaeda terrorists attempting to flee the country, a 5th Fleet spokesman said.

Officials of the United Nations-recognized Somali government said the strikes were aimed at al Qaeda terrorists who planned the attacks against the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998.

The Ethiopian military entered Somalia Dec. 24 with the mission of neutralizing the Council of Islamic Courts, a Muslim extremist group that took power in the Somali capital of Mogadishu. The Ethiopian forces took the capital in 10 days and terrorists and their sympathizers allegedly moved south toward the border with Kenya to escape.
More U.S. ships are moving into the waters off Somalia to reinforce the maritime interdiction effort there, said U.S. 5th Fleet officials.

"Due to rapidly developing events in Somalia, U.S. Central Command has tasked USS Dwight D. Eisenhower to join USS Bunker Hill, USS Ramage, USS Anzio and USS Ashland to support ongoing maritime security operations off the coast of Somalia," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Charlie Brown, a spokesman for 5th Fleet in Bahrain.

The ships will stop vessels and search them for al Qaeda terrorists attempting to escape from Somalia, officials said.

Press reports said the AC-130 attacks hit an area called Ras Kamboni, a heavily forested area near the Kenyan border. The area is allegedly a terror training base. Press reports said there were casualties in the area, and Somali officials said they had captured 28 suspected al Qaeda terrorists.

DOD identifies Air Force casualties

1/9/2007 - WASHINGTON (AFNEWS) -- The Department of Defense announced Jan. 8 the death of three Airmen who were killed Jan. 7 by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device while performing duties in the Baghdad area supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Airmen were assigned to the 775th Civil Engineer Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

Killed were:
Tech. Sgt. Timothy R. Weiner, 35, of Tamarac, Fla.
Senior Airman Elizabeth A. Loncki, 23, of New Castle, Del.
Senior Airman Daniel B. Miller Jr., 24, Galesburg, Ill.

Airpower strikes insurgent stronghold in Iraq

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123037014

1/9/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces air and space power supported coalition actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom with F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-15E Strike Eagle and B-1 Lancer aircraft that dropped precision munitions Jan. 8 on a known insurgent stronghold south of Balad Ruz, Iraq.

The strike targeted personnel and equipment of the insurgents and terrorists.

"The combined use of our wide range of aerial assets is a perfect example of the flexibility of our coalition forces. We're able to provide the joint force commander with the desired effects using the most appropriate airframe," said Lt. Gen. Gary L. North, U.S. CENTAF commander, who also serves as U. S. Central Command's combined forces air component commander.

Air strikes were conducted against more than 25 targets including enemy buildings, equipment, vehicles, weapons caches and personnel. The aircraft used in the operation were selected in order to deliver the required effects to the ground commander.

"Air strikes in support of this operation were a success because of the combined efforts of our aircrews, ground forces and the Iraqi Army working in concert to shut down the terrorists' ability to operate in the Diyala Province," said General North.

In addition to the F-16s, F-15Es and B-1s, coalition aircraft provided a wide array of support for the coalition ground forces, including air refueling, close-air support, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strikes against planned targets over the duration of the operation, which began Dec. 26.

"USCENTAF and the combined air component commander forces will continue to provide support to the Iraqi government in their efforts to build a new Iraq. We are committed to helping the Iraqi people establish a safe and secure country," said General North.

Winter 2007 quarterly issue of Airman available online

1/9/2007 - SAN ANTONIO (AFNEWS) -- Read about how Airmen are rebuilding hope by mentoring Iraqi soldiers, see how warfare is evolving thanks to valuable training in the field, discover how Balad hospital is thriving thanks to deployed servicemembers, and learn how one family is receiving much-needed support from the Air Force to care for their 3-year-old son with leukemia.
These features and more highlight the winter quarterly issue of Airman magazine, now available in print and online at http://www.af.mil/news/airman/.

Rebuilding hope at Camp Habbaniyah -- Located 55 miles west of Baghdad, a team of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines works to provide stability for hundreds of Iraqi soldiers at Camp Habbaniyah, the major logistics hub and basic training recruitment center for Iraqi forces.

An evolution in warfare -- Storming villages and calling in air strikes are all in a day's work for controllers on the ground, but many never get to refine those skills outside of the AOR. Atlantic Strike, the U.S. Central Command Air Forces' semi-annual training event, gives them just that opportunity.

Duty brings out the best -- In any given month, more than 200 deployed men and women volunteer an average of 2,500 hours of free time and days off to help the staff and patients at Balad Air Base's Air Force Theater Hospital in Iraq.

Living with leukemia -- Three-year-old Zachary has leukemia -- acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Through the good and bad times, Zachary has some constants - the love and commitment from his parents, Capt. Christopher and Kimberly Moore, and the support of the Air Force.

The unknown tale of John Yingling -- Retired Maj. John Yingling knows his stuff. A veteran of World War II and the Korean War, he has been a part of many historical military events. In fact, during his tour in Korea, he made fighter pilot history.

Compassion in Colombia -- In the business of saving lives, sometimes the number of lives that need care can be overwhelming. This was the situation an Air Force medical team found themselves in while working at the Hospital Toribio Maya, a small clinic located in the remote town of Popayan, Colombia.

For information on e-mail notifications, magazine subscriptions, reader feedback or story ideas, go to http://www.af.mil/news/airman/contact.shtml.

Sierra Leone native joins Air Force with dreams of flying

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123035257

by Airman 1st Class Clinton Atkins
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

1/9/2007 - HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. (AFNEWS) -- With wings of steel soaring high above him, a Sierra Leone native would be forever captivated by the aerial acrobatics, eventually joining the U.S. Air Force in pursuit of a dream of flying.

In 1998, the Revolutionary United Front took control of Airman Albert Lewis' hometown of Freetown, Sierra Leone, located on the West Africa coast.

Battles raged throughout Sierra Leone until 2000, when the RUF was finally knocked out of power.

"After the fighting was over, we had to survive hunger," said Airman Lewis, a 66th Mission Support Squadron information manager. "But at least we had a 60 percent chance of not dying by gun."

In 2000, after witnessing the horrors of urban warfare, Airman Lewis left for the U.S., taking with him an interest in flying.

"When I came to the U.S., my mom had a friend from Ghana who was a ... fighter pilot," Airman Lewis said. "We used to talk about the war (in Sierra Leone) and I would tell him about what I saw and how I loved to watch the jets fly by."

Airman Lewis told his mother's friend about living in Sierra Leone and taking shelter with his sister and grandma for days to stay away from stray bullets and listen to the radio -- waiting for signs of hope that the fighting would soon stop.

During those dark and dreary days -- he was 15 at the time -- he said he would look for ways to keep his mind off of the destruction and bloodshed.

Allied fighter jets would come into his hometown; on a few occasions, he was able to witness aircraft maneuvers.

Even with bullets flying in every direction, Airman Lewis would peer out of a window of his home to see them. "The RUF would always fire at them with their AK-47s thinking they could hit the jets," he said.

"My (aunt) would hide us underneath the mattress," the Airman said. "The house that I lived in didn't have a solid roof and stray (rounds) would go through (the roof)," Airman Lewis said.

One day, he recalled being home alone when three allied fighter planes zoomed into the city.

One plane headed to destroy the main military base, while the other two kept flying around the town's telecom station.

Despite the AK-47 gun fire around him, he stood on the veranda watching the jets.

"I kept watching them until I noticed one of them coming extremely low to the ground," Airman Lewis said. "I was scared, but I wanted to see, and all of a sudden, I found my face planted to the ground by an explosion."

Luckily, he was not injured.

After the fighting was over, Airman Lewis' aunt sent him to Senegal to get a visa so he could live with his mother in the United States.

"My aunt wanted a better life for me, so she sent me to the U.S. to live with my mom," he said.

Years later, the memory of that day encouraged him to do research about becoming a pilot. "The setback is that I'm not a citizen," he said.

Airman Lewis found he needed to be a U.S. citizen in order to be eligible to become an officer.

Following his graduation from high school in Ontario, Calif., in 2002, he found himself still drawn to flying.

After taking some college classes, he decided to join the Air Force.

He believed that completing his education in the Air Force afforded him the best chance to realize his goal to fly.

Airman Lewis went to Basic Military Training in February, and arrived here in June, after completing technical training at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.

Though he is an information manager now, he has not yet given up on his dream to become a pilot.

"I get excited every time I see (planes)," Airman Lewis said. "My greatest desire is to become an Air Force fighter pilot."

Airman Lewis knows he still has to become a U.S. citizen and earn a bachelor's degree before he is even considered for the pilot training program.

He said he believes his fierce determination can overcome any obstacle in his path.

He hopes to receive his U.S. citizenship in 2007.

"The closer I get to my goal, the more I think about it," Airman Lewis said.

"Growing up in Sierra Leone, my goal was to just survive," he said. "But now my goal is to fly."

"Everyone in the Air Force has a chance to climb to the top -- it all depends on your ability and how bad you want to develop," Airman Lewis said. "If you are willing to work hard for what you want, the opportunities are endless."

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 9

1/9/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 9.

In Afghanistan Jan. 8, an Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Asadabad. The B-1 expended guided bomb unit-38s on enemy positions.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Musah Qal'eh. The A-10s expended a GBU-12 on an enemy position.

Air Force A-10s and French Air Force M2000D Mirages provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Now Zad. The A-10s expended a GBU-12 and cannon rounds on enemy positions.

Air Force A-10s and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Sangin. The A-10s expended cannon rounds on enemy positions.

In total, 30 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Additionally, five Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and Air Force B-1s conducted strikes against anti-Iraqi forces near Turki Village. The F-16s expended cannon rounds and the B-1s expended GBU-31s on enemy targets.

Air Force F-16s, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and RAF GR-4 Tornados provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of Turki Village. The F-15Es expended cannon rounds on enemy positions.

Air Force F-15Es and RAF GR-4s provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of Basrah.

RAF GR-4s provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of Baghdad.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 20 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Additionally, 11 Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.

Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. More than 110 airlift sorties were flown; more than 540 tons of cargo was delivered, and more than 2,540 passengers were transported. This included about 16,800 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in eastern Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia and Canada flew in support of OIF or OEF.

On Jan. 7, Air Force, RAF and French air force tankers flew 29 sorties and off-loaded almost 2 million pounds of fuel.

Air Mobility Battlelab combines cargo, passenger loaders

1/9/2007 - FORT DIX, N.J. (AFNEWS) -- With a mission to make loading passengers and cargo easier, the Air Mobility Warfare Center's Air Mobility Battlelab came up with an innovative idea using existing technology -- the Halverson Air Stairs Kit, or HASK.

The HASK concept is a passenger stairs attachment kit designed to entirely replace the existing walk deck found on the right side of the Halvorsen 25,000-pound cargo loader, according to the project manager of the HASK initiative, Master Sgt. Rudy Cartagena of the Air Mobility Battlelab.

"This is done with minimal changes for adaptation, so all functionality of the loader remains," Sergeant Cartagena said. "Height adjustments are controlled and provided by the loader. In the 'stairs' mode, the steps remain level regardless of height adjustments provided by the loader. In the 'cargo' mode with the stairs stowed, the steps close flat and work as a walk deck. At any time, the stairs can be removed and the original walk deck can be re-fitted. The HASK was built by FMC Airline Systems, who also builds the Halvorsen."

The idea of dual-use material handling equipment like the HASK originated from former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman to address the lack of passenger stairs at forward bases.

"Oftentimes, passenger stairs are not available during the first few weeks after the onset of deployed operations," Sergeant Cartagena said. "Cargo loaders will always be available because they're needed to download aircraft cargo. Modifying a loader with passenger stairs makes both cargo and passenger capabilities available simultaneously.

The idea with HASK, Sergeant Cartagena said, is to have it deploy with first responders in support of global contingencies, where cargo handling is needed.

"The idea of being able to handle both cargo and passengers with one piece of equipment, while not increasing the footprint, seems like a sure winner," Sergeant Cartagena said. "All branches of the military that travel by air can potentially benefit from this technology. The concept may also provide a means of deploying personnel anywhere a commercial aircraft can land."

Members of the Air Force air transportation career field expressed concern that using the HASK would take the loader away from its primary mission of handling cargo. "However, feedback from the field indicates that when passenger stairs are not available at air travel hubs, the loaders are frequently used to download passengers," Sergeant Cartagena said. "So why not add passenger stairs to the loader to download passengers more safely?"

Sergeant Cartagena said dual-use equipment like the HASK-modified loaders can play a role in military operations of the future with a high potential to improve passenger and cargo handling.

"Even if further field testing finds the HASK loader not to be ready for prime time, all the work and resources were not lost," Sergeant Cartagena said. "HASK might serve as the groundwork for the future cargo and passenger handling concepts. Perhaps future generations of loaders will incorporate a lighter, fully automated version of the HASK concept."

Wilford Hall medics depart for Iraq
by 2nd Lt. David Herndon
59th Medical Wing Public Affairs

1/9/2007 - LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNEWS) -- More than 60 Airmen from the 59th Medical Wing at Wilford Hall Medical Center departed here Jan. 9 in support of the war on terrorism.

The deployment sends mobilizing medical Airmen to the Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad Air Base, Iraq, to relieve wing members already there.

Wing officials expect to deploy nearly 230 Airmen for the current Air Expeditionary Force cycle and will continue to be the primary staffer of the Balad AB hospital. The rotation is slated to last four months.

Since September 2004, more than 2,800 Wilford Hall medics have deployed from San Antonio to staff the hospital, providing the highest level of specialty healthcare to a war zone.

Medics from Wilford Hall will be attached to the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group in Iraq. The group is composed of nearly 300 staff members.

The Air Force Theater Hospital possesses specialties in everything from anesthesia, nutritional medicine and ophthalmology to ankle plastic surgery, physical therapy and emergency medicine. It serves as equivalent to a Level One trauma center, providing medical care to military, civilian, Iraqi army and police, Iraqi civilians, Iraqi children and insurgents.

In a typical month the hospital sees more than 650 emergency patients and performs more than 450 surgeries.

Air Force team hones search and recovery skills

1/9/2007 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNEWS) -- Search and recovery team members here practiced their skills in a basewide exercise that included a simulated crash of a C-17 Globemaster III carrying nuclear weapons near the Davis-Monthan AFB runway.

The team is tasked with recovering human remains from accident sites. The exercise gave the team some valuable training in their time-sensitive mission.

"To expedite the remains as quickly as possible so that the family members can have some peace in their lives is our responsibility," said the leader of the team, Tech. Sgt. Justin Jordan. "That's our main goal, without risking the safety and health of our team members."

The safety of the team members was one area that was tested vigorously during the exercise. The simulated remains and the team members were checked out for contamination, a possible threat if a nuclear incident occurs.

To be successful the team members have to communicate effectively. Sergeant Jordan said his team takes their jobs on the search and recovery team very seriously and that they strive to perform their duties in the most professional and respectful manner possible.

"Doing that in a dignified manner and helping them in the long run," he said. "That's what we would all would want if something like that would happen to us."

Improvised explosive device kills three Hill Airmen

by 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

1/9/2007 - HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AFNEWS) -- Three Airmen from Hill AFB were killed Jan. 7 by a car bomb while performing duties in the Baghdad area. The explosion also injured a fourth Airman not assigned to Hill.

The Airmen were assigned to the 775th Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight. While in Iraq, the Airmen were members of the 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron.

Killed were:
-- Tech. Sergeant Timothy R. Weiner, 35, noncommissioned officer in charge of EOD operations, from Tamarack, Fla. He entered active duty Feb. 26, 1990.
-- Senior Airman Elizabeth A. Loncki, 23, EOD journeyman, from New Castle, Del. She entered the military March 11, 2003.
-- Senior Airman Daniel B. Miller Jr., 24, EOD apprentice, from Galesburg, Ill. He entered the service Jan. 13, 2004.

The Airmen are Hill AFB's first killed-in-action in support of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The commander of Air Force Materiel Command offered words of comfort.

"Sergeant Weiner, Airman Loncki and Airman Miller gave their lives in the pursuit of the safety and security of this nation and the freedom and democracy of the Iraqi people," said Gen. Bruce Carlson. "Their great sacrifice will not be forgotten."

"Speaking for everyone at Team Hill, we are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our three Airmen" said Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Sullivan, Ogden Air Logistics Center commander. "Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to the families, friends, and co-workers of these brave Air Force heroes during this difficult period. Each of these Airmen was a highly valued member of our Air Force and their service to our nation will not be forgotten."

Col. Scott Chambers, 75th Air Base Wing commander, said, "The loss of these Airmen to Team Hill is a true tragedy to our organization, to our base and to the Air Force. Their commitment to the unit's mission and the Air Force was unparalleled -- they each were great patriots."

EOD specialists are trained to deal with explosive devices. At Hill AFB, they support local civil authorities and the U.S. Secret Service and they handle unexploded ordnance at the Utah Test and Training Range. In a deployed status, their job includes rendering munitions safe and maintaining safe passage for convoys on supply routes.

A memorial service at Hill AFB is scheduled for Jan. 12.

Thats all for yesterdays news, take care and have a good day, Smile

Scottish Lady
_________________

Sgt/USAF 1972-1977
Company Staff officer M.S.T.
Alpha CO.

May your dreams of life and the dawn of time be safe for everyone.

Hi one and all,

Daily News for 1/10/07

F-22 scheduled for first overseas deployment (It's about time)

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123037102
13th Air Force Public Affairs

1/10/2007 - HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFNEWS) -- Air Force officials are scheduled to deploy a squadron of F-22 Raptors to Kadena Air Base, Japan, as part of U.S. Pacific Command's Theater Security Package in the Western Pacific in early 2007.

This will be the first overseas deployment for the Air Force's newest fighter.

The F-22 is a transformational combat aircraft that is effectively invisible to threats, cruises at supersonic speeds, is highly maneuverable, and provides the joint force an unprecedented level of integrated situational awareness. As part of continuing force-posture adjustments to address worldwide requirements, the United States continues to deploy additional forces throughout the Western Pacific.

This is the latest example of the flexibility U.S. forces have to meet our ongoing commitments and security obligations throughout the Pacific region by maintaining a flexible and credible presence.

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 10

1/10/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 10.

In Afghanistan Jan. 9, an Air Force B-1 Lancer conducted a strike on Taliban extremists near Garmsir. The B-1 expended guided bomb unit-38s on enemy targets.

A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1 provided close-air support to International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near Now Zad. The B-1 expended GBU-31s and the A-10s expended GBU-12s, general-purpose, 500-pound bombs and cannon rounds on enemy positions.

A-10s and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support to ISAF troops in contact with enemy forces near Sangin. The A-10s expended a general-purpose, 500-pound bomb and cannon rounds and the GR-7s expended an Enhance Paveway II munition on enemy positions.

Air Force B-1s and RAF GR-7s provided close-air support for ISAF troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Gereshk. A B-1 expended a GBU-38 on enemy positions.

RAF GR-7s and M2000D Mirages provided close-air support for ISAF troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Musah Qal'eh.

In total, 31 close-air support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Additionally, seven Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Aircraft like MQ-1Predators, and non-traditional ISR platforms, give planners and aircrews an advantage by providing real-time "eyes-in-the-sky" capability, which translates into immediate support to ground forces in harm's way.

In Iraq, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted a strike against anti-Iraqi forces near Baghdad. The aircraft expended cannon rounds on enemy targets.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and F-15Es provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Bayji. The F-16s expended cannon on enemy targets.

Air Force F-16s and F-15Es provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Turki Village. The F-16s expended GBU-38 on enemy targets.

Air Force F-15Es provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Basrah.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 30 close-air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Additionally, 13 Air Force, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.

Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. They flew more than 130 airlift sorties, delivered more than 500 tons of cargo and transported more than 3,230 passengers. This included more than 40,000 pounds of troop supplies air-dropped in eastern Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada and Japan flew in support of OIF or OEF.

On Jan. 8, Air Force, RAF and French air force tankers flew 30 sorties and off-loaded almost 1.9 million pounds of fuel.

Pacific Airmen deploy in support of war on terrorism

by Tech. Sgt. Dwight Hawkins
Air Force Print News

1/10/2007 - SAN ANTONIO (AFNEWS) -- Several Pacific Air Forces Airmen left Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 8 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Many of the Airmen are from Kadena's 18th Civil Engineering and Logistics Readiness squadrons. The deployment also included Airmen from Yokota Air Base and Misawa Air Base, Japan.

Some of the Airmen appeared anxious, others seemed a little unsettled, but all are ready to do their part as long as operations go on.

"Defending my country is one of my proudest moments. I'm ready to deploy (and) do whatever I have to do to defend my country," said Tech. Sgt. Robert Young, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

Most are deploying to Iraq while some are destined for Qatar and other points in the area of responsibility.

SBIRS instructors hold keys to ground floor of new payload

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123037168

by Staff Sgt. Don Branum
50th Space Wing Public Affairs

1/10/2007 - SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNEWS) -- Future Space Based Infrared System crews will get in on the ground level of Air Force Space Command's most advanced payload when they begin training at the 460th Operations Group's Detachment 1 on Jan. 12.

Training on SBIRS' newest satellite will give students a historic chance to involve themselves with a new mission at the ground level, said Capt. Paul Contoveros, Det. 1's chief of operations training and lead instructor.

"I think we're all really excited to be part of such a new, groundbreaking system," Captain Contoveros said. "It's a once-in-a-career opportunity.

"We'll be providing some of the most accurate missile warning data once this is complete -- even better than (the Defense Support Program satellite system)," he added. "DSP's a proven system, extremely useful. This will be a step above that; it will provide more honed, more accurate data."

The SBIRS satellite is parked in an inclined and highly elliptical orbit, which carries it from 300 miles above the earth to geosynchronous orbit and back every 12 hours. This gives operators better data at higher latitudes on the earth's surface. It is also more sensitive, allowing Airmen to detect fainter missile launches and pinpoint them with greater accuracy.

"In addition, we have a taskable sensor," Captain Contoveros said. "We can point the sensor wherever we like to capture targets of opportunity." The taskable sensor makes the new SBIRS satellite unique within AFSPC, something the captain said he hopes students will enjoy.

Ten Airmen from around AFSPC, many of them cross-trainees, will begin training on SBIRS. Training will begin Jan.12 for crew commanders and crew chiefs. System crew chiefs and mission-management operators and planners will begin training Jan. 16.

Each position will learn something different in the class, Captain Contoveros said. System crew chiefs will learn the ins and outs of the payload and ground system. Mission crew chiefs will learn how to translate technical data from the satellite into missile warning and battlespace situational awareness. Mission-management operators and planners will learn how to use the taskable sensor. Crew commanders will learn all other aspects of the mission and how to combine the parts into an effective team.

"We're working closely with our partners at the (SBIRS) Combined Task Force (in northern Colorado)," the captain said. Students will visit the task force for one week to learn what aspects of SBIRS have changed since the Det. 1 instructors finished their lesson plan. The instructors meet once a week with the Combined Task Force to talk about new SBIRS developments.

"The training will continue to evolve because we're still in a testing phase," he said. "Things change from day to day. Software continues to be honed. Testing continues to be successful, and as testing is successful, new tests begin, and procedures and software change depending on the results."

The new SBIRS satellite received a clean bill of health in November after space operators completed initial early on-orbit checkout of the satellite's systems.

The sensor is designed to detect ballistic missile launches such as ICBMs and Scud missiles. It can also detect large explosions and fires, which may make it a valuable tool for other government agencies.

A second highly elliptical-orbit satellite was delivered in September 2005; the launch date has not been released. Two SBIRS geosynchronous satellites are scheduled to launch in 2008 and 2009.

2007 year of 'PACAF Resilient Warrior'

by Tech. Sgt. Thomas Czerwinski
Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs

1/10/2007 - HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFNEWS) -- The commander of Pacific Air Forces has designated 2007 as the year of the "PACAF Resilient Warrior."

The PACAF Resilient Warrior initiative is a 12-month campaign focusing on 11 critical attributes of success designed to enhance pride in Airmen, build resilience and reinforce responsible decision-making, explained Gen. Paul V. Hester.

Each month in 2007, beginning in February, a different attribute of success will be highlighted.

"Our Airmen face increasing challenges today due to force shaping, high ops tempo and frequent deployments. Resilience is the process of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially highly stressful or traumatic events," General Hester said. "Resilient Airmen are able to overcome adversity, bounce back positively from setbacks and cope well with stress without acting in dysfunctional or harmful ways."

The initiative will be marketed through various internalinformation outlets, including commander's calls, Air Force News broadcasts, wing stand-ups and base newspapers, said Col. Daniel Wyman, PACAF command surgeon.

Since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the world has become an ever-changing place for Americans, especially for those in uniform, their families and Department of Defense employees.

"We all must think quickly and decisively in efforts to accomplish the mission," Colonel Wyman said. "The PACAF Resilient Warrior is an over-arching initiative utilizing core values and providing a path to attributes that Airmen need to be successful."

The program will lay the foundation for programs designed to motivate airmen to act responsibly, take care of themselves and each other, and be prepared for deployment, Colonel Wyman said.

The success of the PACAF Resilient Warrior initiative will be measured by decreasing numbers of mal-adaptive behaviors such as suicides, domestic violence, alcohol abuse and assault.

"When Airmen are talking about challenges in their lives and have a way to meet those challenges they are less likely to fall into harmful destructive behaviors," Colonel Wyman said.

AETC commander addresses training changes

by Senior Airman Erin Smith
15th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

1/10/2007 - HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFNEWS) -- As part of a visit to Pacific Air Forces here, the commander of Air Education and Training Command discussed training with other countries' air forces.

During his visit, Gen. William R. Looney III explained the changing role of the Air Force and how training is changing to accommodate today's mission.

"Training in AETC has evolved significantly since we began our global war on terrorism," General Looney said. "Until that time, we were primarily focused on a conventional threat. We were also focused to a degree on the legacy of the Cold War. With the evolving nature of combat today for us, which is primarily focused with the war on terrorism and the fact that we can be engaged at any time, anywhere across the globe, it is important that our Airmen, all Airmen, have a certain degree of combat skills."

This need for combat skills has changed the dynamics of Basic Military Training.

"We have recently adopted an 8.5-week program at Basic Military Training, which will focus primarily on combat skills training with an actual week-long exercise where they will demonstrate all the skills that they have been taught during that time frame," he said. "There are a number of initiatives that are ongoing in the command to be able to create an Airman that is first a combatant, then an Airman, then a functional specialty. And all this has occurred based on what we have experienced with the beginning of the GWOT."

The Air Force is also focused on creating partnerships with other countries, which includes providing aircraft and training to other nation's air forces.

"We have great opportunities throughout our Air Force to reach out and create regional partnerships," General Looney said. "Once relationships are created, it is incumbent on those of us in AETC to help make good on the promises that we have made to these countries with regard to providing them with aircraft ... and help them with training both on how to maintain, sustain and fly the aircraft and also to help with their professional development and providing them with educational opportunities at our military schools, both in the enlisted and the officer realm."

Though the Air Force is changing constantly, one thing remains constant and that is the adventure that comes along with a career in the military, the general said.

"I have often heard it said that ordinary people live extraordinary lives in the military. It is a great opportunity to serve your nation and a great opportunity to give back to a wonderful, magnificent country like the one we belong to," he said. "At the same time, it is a great opportunity for self-fulfillment because of not only the jobs you have, the opportunity to perform in our Air Force, but also the opportunities for advancement, for enhancement of your personal skills and talents through education and experience."

Along with the excitement and opportunities to see new parts of the world and receive training, are the opportunities for lifelong friendships.

"Finally there are the relationships that you make within the military. I believe that there is no stronger bond that is developed between people than a bond that is forged in selfless service to a greater cause," General Looney said. "And that is what the military is all about. We are willing to make sacrifices in order to serve our country. And when you do that alongside others who feel the same way, there is camaraderie and a unique relationship that is created like no other. It is a wonderful opportunity for people to get together and come together and serve together, and so what has been one of the highlights of my career is the relationships, life-long lasting, that I have developed during my service, and it is only because of the type of service that we have in the Air Force."

Texas National Guard team responds to bird deaths

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123037152

1/10/2007 - AUSTIN, Texas (AFNEWS) -- In a scene reminiscent of emergency measures seen in cities across the country after 9/11, downtown Austin, Texas, was temporarily blocked to people and traffic so authorities could investigate the unexplained deaths of more than 60 birds Jan. 8.

Together with local, state and federal responders, the Texas National Guard's 6th Civil Support Team arrived at the corner of 6th Street and Congress Avenue at 6 a.m., shortly after reports came in of numerous dead birds downtown and people becoming ill.

The 6th CST is one of 55 teams stationed across the nation. It is a rapidly deployable, full-time active duty Army and Air National Guard unit available to respond to incidents involving possible weapons of mass destruction, as well as other emergency incidents.

Its mission is to support civil authorities by identifying unknown chemical, biological or radiological substances, assess current and projected consequences, provide advice on response measures, obtain additional state and federal support, and mitigate hazards.

The team represents both federal and state governments by providing support to local emergency responders and has been training in cities throughout the country.

Consisting of 22 Soldiers and Airmen, the team is trained to deploy by ground or air within one hour of notification. The team's goal is to be on scene in a total of four hours in a 250-mile radius from the unit's base at Camp Mabry in Austin.

The quick response Jan. 8 was the result of many hours of exercising with local, state and federal agencies in cities including Houston, San Antonio and Amarillo.

The 6th CST has a mobile laboratory capable of analyzing chemicals and biological agents on-site, usually within 45 minutes to 2.5 hours, depending on the agents. The team carries a state-of-the-art gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer, which provided authorities a quick and accurate summation of what was not found in or on the birds, namely a life-threatening agent or foreign substance.

The team was tasked to identify any potential hazards to the public, conduct air monitoring, collect dead birds and assist with the analysis of any samples collected from the scene.

Austin authorities were able to confirm at noon Jan. 8 that there were no health threats to the public, and traffic was restored even before the press conference ended.

"One of our biggest assets is our mobile lab and our ability to analyze samples in the hot zone," said Maj. Bobbie Jackson, public affairs officer for the 6th CST.

"Usually we receive a courtesy call from the FBI or police department alerting us that there may be a situation where our assistance is required," Major Jackson said. "The actual requirements to deploy will come from the Division of Emergency Management to our Joint Operations Center and on to our staff officer on call."

On. Jan. 8 the officer on call received the call around 5 a.m. The report said three Austin police officers exhibited respiratory distress after observing multiple dead birds in the downtown area.

"That," she said, "turned out to be not the case. The police officers were fine."

She said that from sleep to scene, it took the team one hour and 20 minutes to report to the incident commander. "Initially," she said, "he Austin (Police Department), the fire department and the CST divided the area into grids and each department deployed technicians in protective gear to get a visual."

Standard operating procedure for the CST is to deploy a two-man team to outline a perimeter and set up air-monitoring equipment. Next they collect samples and report their findings to the incident commander.

The mobile lab comes with a "glove box" used to examine the dead birds.

"The mobile laboratory has a small pass through door allowing for samples to be placed inside the lab," Major Jackson said. "To protect the environment inside the lab, the inside door will only provide access to a glass negative-pressure glove box, containing two holes with large gloves. Personnel will place their hands and arms inside the gloves and thus be able to work on samples without the risk of contamination to themselves or the lab."

"What was so amazing," Major Jackson said, "was that the dissection of the birds was performed right there on site inside the glove box".

A qualified forensic scientist from the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducted the dissection inside the 6th CST's rolling laboratory.

The heart, gizzards, part of the intestines, feathers and swabs were collected. Within hours, the team was able to report that no chemicals or other hazardous material was found inside or on the birds. Samples were also sent to Texas A&M University and a national laboratory in Ames, Iowa, for further examination. Their findings aren't yet known.

While the team waited for the CST lab results, other team members assisted the police with rooftop searches because, Major Jackson explained, "There is a difference in the layers in the atmosphere when you monitor the air."

Here again, nothing indicated that the air was hazardous to the public.

Enduring the cold

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123037182

1/10/2007 - Airman Shaina Smith waits for a B-52 Stratofortress aircrew Jan. 8 at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. Airman Smith and the rest of her maintenance team worked through harsh sub-zero temperatures and gusts of wind up to 50 mph. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Boitz)

Air Force announces captain selections

1/10/2007 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNEWS) -- Air Force officials selected 4,003 first lieutenants for promotion from 4,040 officers considered in the 2006C captain selection process.

The list of future captains is posted on the Air Force Personnel Center's officer promotions home page.

Selection statistics for in-the-promotion-zone lieutenants are:
-- Line of the Air Force -- 3,864 selected from 3,890 considered for a 99.3 percent select rate.
-- Chaplain -- six selected from six considered.
-- LAF-judge advocate -- 12 selected from 13 considered for a 92.3-percent select rate.
-- Nurse corps -- 82 selected from 83 considered for a 98.8 percent select rate.
-- Medical service corps -- 15 selected from 15 considered.
-- Biomedical sciences corps -- 23 selected from 23 considered.

Selection statistics for above-the-promotion-zone lieutenants included one selection from 10 considered for a 10 percent select rate for line of the AIr Force. None considered in the chaplain, judge advocate, nurse, medical service or biomedical sciences corps.

Involuntary phase for NCO retraining program begins

1/10/2007 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNEWS) -- Airmen identified as required to retrain must submit a retraining application by Jan. 15 or separate from the Air Force under Phase II of the Air Force Fiscal 2007 Noncommissioned Officer Retraining Program.

After meeting the Jan. 15 deadline, Phase II eligibles must choose an Air Force specialty code from a list of available AFSCs and submit a completed retraining application by Feb. 28.

Any Airman identified as vulnerable for retraining who fails to submit the initial retraining application will be determined to have officially declined retraining and will be separated from the Air Force on their current date of separation.

"Airmen selected for retraining who have the necessary retainability cannot decline retraining," said Chief Master Sgt. Christine Williams, chief of the Air Force Personnel Center enlisted skills management branch. "All Airmen identified as being retraining eligible must retrain or face separation under guidelines established for the retraining program."

Vulnerability listings by grade and AFSC are posted and will be updated weekly on the Air Force Personnel Center's Web site at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/enlskills/retraining/enlskillasp.asp. Airmen should click on the "Retraining" button to view current information.

A total of 1,073 active-duty Airmen have been targeted for involuntary retraining into another Air Force specialty chosen for them by the Air Force Personnel Center enlisted retraining staff.

Phase II began Jan. 3 and will end when retraining quotas are met, but not later than March 31.

"This phase of the retraining program is necessary to help meet the needs of the Air Force by putting Airmen where they are needed most," said Senior Master Sgt. Greg McClain, superintendent of Air Force Enlisted Retraining. "We will work with those Airmen who are selected for retraining, as we would any retraining case, in order to make the transition as smooth as possible for the Airman and his or her family while still meeting the needs of the Air Force."

For more information, Airmen should contact their command support staff personnel, their base career assistance advisor or the Air Force Contact Center at 800-665-5000.

New law changes handling procedures for troops' remains

by Army Sgt. Sara Wood
American Forces Press Service

1/10/2007 - WASHINGTON (AFNEWS) -- A new law that took effect Jan. 1 changes the way the remains of servicemembers killed in combat are transported and handled.

The 2007 National Defense Authorization Act states that the primary mode of transportation for remains of servicemembers being returned to the U.S. is military aircraft or military-contracted aircraft. This is a change from the past, when commercial service was used to transport the remains of fallen troops.

"It was a provision in the law, and I think ... there was some interest to make sure that the remains were moved in an expeditious manner," said Col. Michael Pachuta, director of morale, welfare and recreation policy for the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Every servicemember who dies in a theater of combat is transported by military aircraft to Dover Air Force Base, Del., for processing and burial preparation, Colonel Pachuta explained. This law changes the way the remains are transported from Dover to their place of burial.

In a memorandum to senior military leaders, Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England wrote that this change is to ensure the transportation of fallen servicemembers is given priority. Secretary England instructed the military services and departments to work together to ensure air transportation arrangements are handled properly and efficiently.

The law also directs that an honor guard escorts servicemembers' remains from Dover to their final resting place. The servicemember's next of kin can request that commercial air transportation be used for the remains, or that the honor guard not escort the remains, Colonel Pachuta said.

Another recent change that is giving more recognition to the remains of fallen servicemembers is the use of honor covers on coffins, the colonel said. The honor cover is a reinforced cardboard cover that fits on top of the airline industry's standard air tray for coffins. The cover is embossed with the Defense Department seal on both ends and an American flag.

The idea for the honor covers, which the Army has been using since October, came from feedback from family members and military members who had escorted remains, Colonel Pachuta said.

"Our intent certainly is to make sure that those handling the remains along the way understand that this is a fallen servicemember and certainly should be handled expeditiously but also with care and respect," he said.

The Army designed the honor covers in cooperation with the Air Transport Association, so they are standardized throughout the airline industry, Colonel Pachuta said. The covers used only once and are treated to make them waterproof. When the remains reach their final destination, the honor cover is removed and an American flag is placed over the coffin, he said.

Travis, Robins test wireless aircraft intercom system

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123037172

1/10/2007 - FORT DIX, N.J. (AFNEWS) -- For five days, Air Force aircraft maintainers at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., and Robins Air Force Base, Ga., demonstrated the Telephonics TruLink Wireless System at their respective bases to great success.

The system demonstration was conducted as part of an initiative dubbed "Wireless Intercom for Aircraft Ground Operations," or WIAGO, by the Air Mobility Warfare Center's Air Mobility Battlelab here.

The purpose of the WIAGO system is to improve on the current corded aircraft intercom system by migrating it into a wireless system, said Master Sgt. Rudy Cartagena, the battlelab's project officer on the initiative. The current intercom system for short range communications in and around airlift and tanker aircraft uses 50- to 100-foot-long cords that physically connect maintainers and aircrew to the aircraft. These cords, by their very nature, restrict user movement.

"The problem is amplified when cords become tangled with other cords and equipment," Sergeant Cartagena said. "When maintenance must be conducted beyond the reach of the cords, maintainers are forced to use hand signals, which can be misinterpreted."

The WIAGO system is based on a hand-held radio-size, battery-powered adapter.

"There are two, almost identical, variations of the adapter with the only difference being the connectors they use," Sergeant Cartagena said. "This is because one connects to the aircraft intercom system, called the access point, and the other connects to the user's headset, called the portable transceiver. WIAGO can operate as a stand-alone system, independent from the aircraft intercom system, or in concert with it, allowing personnel wearing a portable transceiver to communicate with personnel connected to the aircraft intercom system via cords."

The access point does not require permanent installation and connects to any active aircraft intercom terminal, using an aircraft-specific cable, Sergeant Cartagena said. The portable transceiver clamps on to the uniform and has a banana jack receptacle for use with standard Air Force issue headsets.

"WIAGO operates in the 2.4 Gigahertz license free band," Sergeant Cartagena said. "The adapters have 50 channels and can support 31 users per channel, six in full duplex. Full duplex capability means no 'push to talk' is needed -- similar to carrying a conversation on a regular phone using a receptionist headset.

"The system has a low probability of intercept due to its short range and use of frequency hopping," Sergeant Cartagena added. "It also has a very effective noise suppression system; we were extremely impressed."

During the demonstration of the system, WIAGO adapters were used to transmit and receive during pre-determined scenarios and maintenance tasks to assess the adapter's functionality. C-5 Galaxy and KC-10 Extender aircraft were selected for use in the demonstration because of the challenge their large size would present to the WIAGO wireless system.

"The logic going in was if WIAGO works well with these large aircraft, it should also work with smaller ones," Sergeant Cartagena said. "Using maintenance Airmen at Travis and Robins to demonstrate the system made sense because it provided a larger user sample and enabled equipment assessment in two different maintenance environments -- at organizational and depot levels."

Some of the maintenance tasks performed during the demonstration time period included towing an aircraft, an engine run and a floor board installation at the depot.
During towing, WIAGO enabled cordless, spoken communication between all tow team members, Sergeant Cartagena said.

"Being able to communicate specific instructions directly into one's ear is a more efficient approach than using hand signals," he said. "This was also an improvement when connecting the tow truck."

During the engine run, WIAGO's noise suppression capability enabled clear spoken communication in a high noise environment of more than 120 decibels.

"This, in turn, eliminated time wasted repeating instructions due to background noise," Sergeant Cartagena said. "The system's compatibility with the aircraft communication system enabled an Airman in the cockpit to communicate with maintainers on the ground as well as with the air traffic control tower."

During the floor board installation at the depot, headsets are not normally used.

"The floor between the workers, and with rivet gun noise in the background, presents a tough communication barrier during the installation process," Sergeant Cartagena said. "Yelling instructions, which is the standard way of doing things, is inefficient. Use of the aircraft communications system would eliminate this problem, but it requires aircraft power, which isn't always permitted during depot work. Using the WIAGO system made this operation more efficient by virtually eliminating the need to repeat instructions when they aren't heard."

First Lt. Steven LeBlanc, a maintenance officer for the 60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Travis, said the wireless intercom system was well received by the maintainers.

"The Airmen expressed great interest in the system and felt it would really help them in their day-to-day operations," Lieutenant LeBlanc said. "They appreciated the fact they were able to move in and around the aircraft unrestricted while keeping clear and sustained communication with their teammates."

Although the WIAGO system did not face every possible maintenance scenario during demonstration period, it faced enough scenarios to confidently arrive at one conclusion -- WIAGO will provide maintenance personnel increased mobility, improving efficiency and enhancing communications capabilities during ground operations, Sergeant Cartagena said.

Iraqi participation key to president's new strategy

by Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

1/10/2007 - WASHINGTON (AFNEWS) -- President Bush's new strategy in Iraq will hinge on the Iraqi government and security forces stepping up and making decisions they have avoided, a senior White House official said Jan. 10.

White House communications director Dan Bartlett said Iraqi leaders have pledged to make these decisions.

The new strategy, which the president will outline during a televised address tonight, will require a short-term increase in U.S. troops and support to the Iraqi government.

"But ultimately, the new strategy President Bush is going to talk about tonight is going to give us the best chance for success," Mr. Bartlett said. "It's going to give us the best chance to make sure that we wrest control of the security situation in Baghdad."

This will "allow for the type of breathing space that the Iraqis need to get the type of political and economic reconciliation we all know that's necessary for that country to move forward," Mr. Bartlett said.

More U.S. troops in the country will require two basic pre-conditions, he said. First, there must be more Iraqi troops on the ground. Second, there must be different, more aggressive rules of engagement for the Iraqi troops. Mr. Bartlett said President Bush "would not commit one additional troop to Baghdad if it weren't based upon a new strategy with new outcomes to be expected."

In the past, the Iraqi government made promises to deploy additional troops to hot areas, but they didn't materialize, Mr. Bartlett said. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki promised brigades of Iraqi forces for Operation Together Forward, launched in July, but only one Iraqi brigade actually deployed to Baghdad.

More important is what the Iraqi troops do when they do deploy.

"The places where these troops can go and actually conduct operations have to be different," Mr. Bartlett said. "We've found too often that certain parts of neighborhoods or communities in Baghdad were considered off-limits. That has to change, too."

He said President Bush "made the conclusion that the Iraqis are going to step up; they are going to do things differently."

President Bush is setting clear benchmarks as the Iraqis move forward, Mr. Bartlett said. This will prove to the American people that the Iraqis are shouldering the burden of defusing sectarian violence in and around Baghdad, he said.

"President Bush will make very clear tonight, as the American people expect him to do, that our commitment is not open-ended," Mr. Bartlett said. "We do expect different results from the Iraqis."

Mr. Bartlett said the war on terror cannot be won if the United States loses in Iraq.

"Al Qaeda is fighting us in Iraq," he said. "Iran has an interest in Iraq. ... Every bad element in the Middle East is trying to defeat us in Iraq. The war on terror cannot be won if we fail in Iraq."

Hill mourns the loss of 3 Airmen

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123037185

by Mitch Shaw
75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

1/10/2007 - HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AFNEWS) -- Hill AFB leaders reflected on the loss of three Airmen who were killed in Iraq by a car bomb.

Tech. Sgt. Timothy R. Weiner, 35, of Tamarack, Fla., Senior Airman Elizabeth A. Loncki, 23, of New Castle, Del., and Senior Airman Daniel B. Miller Jr., 24, of Galesburg, Ill., died in the Jan. 7 explosion near Baghdad.

"The loss of these Airmen to Team Hill is a true tragedy to our organization, to our base and to the Air Force," said Col. Scott Chambers, 75th Air Base Wing commander. "In the Air Force, we consider ourselves one big family. We care for our colleagues and our co-workers exactly like we do our family. Our Air Force family is grieving right now for the loss of these great patriots."

The tragedy marks the first casualties from Hill since the Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom missions began.

According to Air Force officials, the three Airmen were trying to defuse the explosive device when it detonated. One other Airman not assigned to Hill was also injured in the explosion.

The three Airmen were members of the 775th Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight. The flight is responsible for defusing military and improvised explosives and working with chemical and biological weapons.

"Our EOD Airmen have one of the most critical, demanding and most dangerous missions in the Air Force," Colonel Chambers said. "It takes nerves of steel, practice, technical skills, and an unwavering sense of duty to serve in such a challenging environment."

The Hill AFB community worked with heavy hearts as news of the three Airmen quickly spread throughout the base.

"Speaking for everyone at Team Hill, we are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our three Airmen" said Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Sullivan, Ogden Air Logistics Center commander.

"Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to the families, friends, and co-workers of these brave Air Force heroes during this difficult period."

Gen. Bruce Carlson, commander of Air Force Material Command, said the three fallen Airmen will not be forgotten and praised them for their service.

"Tech Sergeant Weiner, Senior Airman Loncki and Senior Airman Miller gave their lives in the pursuit of the safety and security of this nation and the freedom and democracy of the Iraqi people," said General Carlson. "Their great sacrifice will not be forgotten. The men and women of Air Force Materiel Command will hold them and their loved ones in our thoughts and prayers. We also pray for the recovery of the wounded Airman who was with them."

A memorial service honoring the lives of Sergeant Weiner, Airman Miller and Airman Loncki will be held at at 2 p.m. Jan. 12 at Hill AFB.

Servicemembers help restore hope in Philippine community

http://www.af.mil/tv/index.asp?showid=2328
http://www.af.mil/tv/index.asp?showid=2329

1/10/2007 - JOLO, Philippines (AFNEWS) -- Servicemembers recently teamed up with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, or AFP, with a two-month project that provided clean water, an elementary school and an adult learning center here.

The project is considered a ray of hope for the local citizens, who have been terrorized by numerous terrorist organizations including al Qaeda. The school and the adult learning center will be accessible to four different villages.

Army Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Wilke, a member of the Joint Special Operations Task Force, said that project is instrumental in improving the local citizens' faith in their government.

"The people generally enjoy seeing the AFP come around now," he said. "We can equate that very easily to a very successful effort in that area."

Spouses of deployed Airmen armed with information

1/10/2007 - MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNEWS) -- When Airmen leave for a deployment, their spouses are often left at home, and many times are forced to make decisions they've never made before.

For months, Misawa's 35th Operations Group has been training to go downrange. But preparing to deploy is more than what happens on the flightline; it's also about what goes on at home.

Col. Cedric George, commander of the 35th Maintenance Group, has made it a priority to make sure spouses of servicemembers who are deploying have a powerful weapon called information.

The commander organized a town hall meeting for spouses, where base organizations such as Finance, Family Advocacy and Tricare could give presentations to eager spouses.

"It's a passion of mine, born out of my own deployments that suggests that I've got to make sure that my family, my house is in order. What a better way to do that than to bring out the very people who brief our deployed members out and have them provide the same briefing to the families as well," said Colonel George.

"I really don't know what to expect, so I just really want to get as many answers as possible," said Cyndi Schwartz, whose husband is deploying for the first time.

Besides the town hall meeting, the command is contacting each of the spouses, sending out surveys, and providing hard copies of all information discussed at the meetings. They've also arranged for Readiness Assistance volunteers to assist spouses with any needs.

"We are a family here in the maintenance group," said Colonel George. "It's more than just generating aircraft to support the 35th Fighter Wing's mission. It is taking care of this family, with the spouses and the kids."

Thats all for the 10th, take care and have a good day, Smile

Scottish Lady
_________________

Sgt/USAF 1972-1977
Company Staff officer M.S.T.
Alpha CO.

May your dreams of life and the dawn of time be safe for everyone.

Daily News for 1/11/07

International affairs program takes off with larger rated presence

by Maj. John Casey
Air Force Print News

1/11/2007 - WASHINGTON (AFNEWS) -- The chief of staff of the Air Force recently approved a request by Bruce Lemkin, deputy undersecretary of the Air Force for international affairs, to augment rated presence in the International Affairs Specialist program by 109 officers.

Gen. T. Michael Moseley announced this will be accomplished by converting selected non-rated IAS positions to rated. The increase will make it significantly easier for pilots, navigators, air battle managers and electronic warfare officers to serve as political-military affairs strategists and regional affairs strategists. Billet conversions are expected to be complete by summer 2007.

"By increasing rated participation, we will infuse the IAS program with an appropriate level of Air Force operational experts," said Mr. Lemkin. "Front-line operators with professional international skills bring additional credibility and increased potential to build enduring international partnerships essential to expeditionary air and space operations."

The move to assign rated officers in greater numbers to IAS positions around the world was a calculated effort designed to ensure these critical billets remain filled at the proper rate, and with the proper mix of Air Force specialties, he said.

The IAS program deliberately develops line-of-the-Air Force officers in the 7-12 year window of commissioned service. This window enables the IAS program to competitively select officers who are already experts in their core specialties, and to ensure that they have time left in their careers to train, develop and be placed in political-military, regional and language-specific staff positions.

RAS officers, who are expected to serve more than one IAS assignment, develop regional expertise and professional language skills. PAS officers typically will serve a minimum of one IAS assignment and achieve expertise in international and political-military affairs. Approximately 75 percent of IAS billets are joint-designated. The majority are component command, major command, headquarters air staff, or attache and security assistance officer positions.

Rated officers interested in the IAS program are encouraged to visit the IAS Web site at www.my.af.mil/iaw/iaw for more information. Rated officers typically will be required to reach their second flying gate -- 120 gate months -- before being released for IAS deliberate development.

Letter to Airmen focuses on 'Excellence in All We Do'

1/11/2007 - SAN ANTONIO (AFNEWS) -- In the latest Letter to Airmen, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne discusses the core value of "Excellence in All We Do" and how it relates to Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century.

The secretary said he was impressed with the "amazing things" Airmen are accomplishing in the Air Force while serving in a combat zone.

"I was also proud to see Airmen everywhere using Air Force Smart Operations to strive for excellence in their deployed workplaces," wrote Secretary Wynne. "Seemingly simple suggestions, such as rearranging tool rooms and weapons storage facilities, saved time, money, and even lives, while giving us a more efficient and lethal organization."

Secretary Wynne said AFSO 21 assists Airmen by empowering them to ask how they can improve things.

"Excellence must be our prevailing attitude," he wrote.

This Letter to Airmen and other senior leader viewpoints can be found in the Library section of Air Force Link.

Jan. 11 marks 6,000 consecutive days in Southwest Asia

1/11/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) -- Most military units rotate through the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in cycles ranging from four months to one year. After each deployment, the squadron returns to its home base for training and reconstitution.

But members of the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., called the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron while deployed, have been on one long deployment -- for more than 16 years.

"This milestone is a real testament to the patriotism and commitment of the aircrews and maintainers of the 55th Wing," said Lt. Col. Doug Sachs, the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron commander. "Their sacrifice over the years has added valuable intelligence services to our warfighting commanders and nation's leadership."

The intelligence-gathering unit has operated during much of their 6,000 days deployed at an "above max surge" level -- 54 of the last 63 months. Aircrews and maintainers leave for Southwest Asia several times each year for virtually their entire military career. Some officers began as young lieutenants when the RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft first left Nebraska bound for Saudi Arabia Aug. 9, 1990, as Operation Desert Shield began; they're now commanders at the little-known squadron.

The RC-135 squadron, nicknamed "Sundawgs," now operates in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility from an undisclosed location.

"The value of the RC-135 Rivet Joint as an intelligence-gathering platform was proven during Desert Storm," Colonel Sachs said. "Since then, the aircraft has transitioned from a Cold War asset to an important part of our modern terrorist-fighting force."

The RC-135 is an extensively modified C-135 aircraft (a militarized version of the Boeing 707) packed with an on-board sensor suite, allowing the mission crew to detect, identify and trace signals throughout the electromagnetic spectrum. The 25-person mission crew can forward information to a wide range of users via the Rivet Joint's extensive communications suite.

Having been deployed continuously for such a long period has led to several creative solutions to manage manpower and aircraft. Instead of following the standard Air Expeditionary Force rotation schedule used throughout the Air Force, 55th Wing Airmen work a 60 days on/60 days off schedule -- indefinitely.

It's not uncommon for Airmen assigned to the unit to have 15 or more deployments with their squadron; a few have worked through 20-plus deployments so far during their careers. For example, Tech. Sgt. Troy Manges, an RC-135 crew chief, has served on 16 deployments, totaling five years deployed with the Air Force and the 55th Wing.

Master Sgt. Doug Young, an airborne mission supervisor, has lost count of his total number of deployments. Adding together all his rotations and deployments through the years, "it's well over 1,500 days," he said.

"This puts a heavy burden on spouses and children faced with the prospect of constantly having a parent at home only half-time," said Capt. Rabi David, 55th Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer in charge. "The real heroes of this milestone are the families that have endured this grueling schedule throughout these 16-plus years and continue to support our team."

"The dedicated aircrew and aircraft maintainers in these units are committed to this job for one reason: They know they're making a difference every day in the strength of the Air Force by providing real-time intelligence to the warfighter," Captain David said.

"As a vital part of our force structure, the Rivet Joint aircraft and aircrew are always in high demand," said Lt. Gen. Gary L. North, commander of U.S. Central Command Air Forces. "These Airmen and their families are truly the embodiment of 'Service before Self.'"

"Airmen have kept this streak going on the ground and in the air. Airmen continue to make this mission a success. Airmen have made the difference," General North said.

Airman receives 2 Purple Hearts

by Staff Sgt. Susan Stout
944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

1/11/2007 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNEWS) -- A Luke AFB sergeant was awarded two Purple Hearts for two separate injuries she received in a span of three months in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Aime Gaona, a 56th Operations Support Squadron intelligence analyst, was serving an eight-month deployment as a weapons intelligence team member of the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron at Balad Air Base, Iraq.

A Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the president of the United States to military members who sustain injuries received in combat.

Sergeant Ganona was serving in Iraq after only being stationed at Luke AFB for three months since returning from a year-long tour in Korea. She bypassed the normal recuperation period and volunteered for the deployment to Iraq.

In October Sergeant Gaona's Weapons Intelligence Team participated in a nine-vehicle operation whose mission was to bring down an improvised explosive device manufacturer and placer. Sergeant Gaona's humvee triggered a pressure switch on an IED that exploded and destroyed the vehicle and injured all four passengers.

Although she sustained a concussion and was wounded by shrapnel from the IED, Sergeant Gaona immediately began processing the scene and took critical photographs that enabled Combined Explosive Exploitation Cell members to document and analyze the data to protect future convoys.

On Dec. 19, Sergeant Gaona was injured for a second time while responding to an IED sighting outside of Kirkuk.

After identifying unusual markings that included a pile of rocks on the side of the road and a cassette tape, Sergeant Gaona photographed all of the evidence and proceeded to photograph the area across a riverbed where the suspected IED "trigger man" would have been.

When Sergeant Gaona lifted her camera to take a photo, she heard a pop noise and fell to the ground. She was shot in the leg by an enemy sniper and sustained a fractured femur.

Sergeant Gaona was initially treated at Forward Operating Base Warrior and then transported to the Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad AB where Col. Larry Jackson, 732nd Expeditionary Mission Support Group commander, presented her a Purple Heart.

Sergeant Gaona was flown to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany where she underwent surgery. She was then transferred Dec. 22 to Malcolm Grow Medical Center at Andrews AFB, Md., and had to have another surgery.

"During her deployment, her professional and tireless efforts exploited evidence that directly impacted the success of joint military operations in Iraq," said Lt. Col. David Julazadeh, 56th Operations Support Squadron commander. "She helped diminish the effectiveness of enemy insurgents and assisted in bringing justice to those who financed and emplaced IEDs."

"Sergeant Gaona's relentless WIT support to 16,000 coalition Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and civilians throughout the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division's battle space will have a lasting positive effect on the protection of U.S. forces operating in the area, as well as Iraq's civilian population and infrastructure," Colonel Julazadeh said. "For her bravery, Sergeant Gaona was awarded two Purple Hearts."
http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123037245

Chief's perspective focuses on Roll Call

1/11/2007 - SAN ANTONIO (AFNEWS) -- The new Roll Call program is the focus of the latest Enlisted Perspective by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley.

The chief said Airmen can add to their mission effectiveness by increasing their communications, but admits it's not an easy process.

"We all have access to good information on e-mail, on our Air Force Web sites and through the television media," wrote Chief McKinley. "However, many Airmen work long shifts and then have to share an office computer to check e-mail or military Web sites. This doesn't make it easy to keep up with the information you really need to know."

The Roll Call program was instituted to correct that problem.

"These weekly meetings should help keep Airmen informed on current issues, clear up confusion and dispel rumors and provide additional face-to-face communication between supervisors and their teams," wrote the chief.

Chief McKinley's Enlisted Perspective and other senior leader viewpoints can be found in the Library section of Air Force Link.

Wolf Pack family embraces Holloman Airmen http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123037264

by Senior Airman Stephen Collier
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

1/11/2007 - KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNEWS) -- Nearly 300 Airmen from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., and several F-117 Nighthawks arrived at Kunsan AB in January to fulfill U.S. security responsibilities in the Western Pacific.

The deployment brings 49th Fighter Wing pilots, maintainers and support Airmen from Holloman AFB to Kunsan AB for the fourth time since their first Air Expeditionary Force tour here in 2003.

Airmen supporting the F-117, assigned to the newly designated 9th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, become the third flying squadron under command of the 8th Fighter Wing. As with any unit that comes under command of the 8th FW, they also become members of the Wolf Pack family, a fact that Col. Jeff Lofgren, the wing commander, said he hasn't forgotten.

"The professionals of the 9th EFS are now part of the Wolf Pack Team," Colonel Lofgren said. "We have executed the second part of our mission: Accept follow-on forces. Soon we will train for the last part of our mission to 'Take the fight north' as the 9th EFS joins us in the upcoming exercise and daily training."

Maj. Robin McKinley, 8th Mission Support Squadron commander, said Airmen under her command train to accept follow-on forces constantly.

"It gives me great pride to watch the MSS Warriors fulfilling the mission," Major McKinley said. "They work hard every day to take care of Wolf Pack Airmen, and this is just another example of that. (This deployment) allows my Airmen to actually do this piece of the mission and not just talk about it."

The Holloman AFB Airmen, who are based out of a high-desert climate, typically don't encounter low temperatures, high winds or unexpected climate changes as well as F-16 Fighting Falcons flying day and night mission sorties that are based at Kunsan AB.

While initial challenges face the deployed Airmen, their mission is as critical as at any other location. As operations commence and F-117s fly side-by-side with their F-16 counterparts, Airmen and aircraft are expected to meld into the mission quickly.

Maj. Ronald Rae, a member of the advance deployment team, said Holloman AFB is well prepared for this deployment.

And the mission doesn't let up. Stealth aircraft and their crews will be challenged with the upcoming Peninsula Combat Employment Readiness Exercise. This quarterly exercise challenges Seventh Air Force assets to come together and practice the overall mission of taking the fight north if hostilities ever took place.

Reconnaissance aircraft, team reach milestone
http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123037219

by Staff Sgt. Francesca Popp
U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs

1/11/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) -- It may not have the stealthy skin of the B-2 Spirit or be able to hover vertically like the CV-22 Osprey, but the RC-135 Rivet Joint is the only aircraft that Airmen can claim to be deployed continuously for 6,000 days.

This milestone can be touted by Airmen in the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, the 55th Operations Group and the 55th Aircraft Maintenance Unit at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The unit designation has changed over the last 16 years, but the mission focus has remained the same.

No matter whether it is called the Junk Yard Dog, Jungle Assassin, Fair Warning or Don't Bet on It, the Rivet Joint aircraft, as it's more commonly known, has maintained a presence in Southwest Asia since Aug. 9, 1990. Many of the RC-135s have been affectionately named during its tenure in the 55th Wing. Nose art, which was once visible from the outside, now can be found on the inside for the aircraft's corresponding tail number.

And while the RC-135 doesn't carry bombs or fly at mach speeds, its aircrews can eavesdrop on the enemy. This allows for other U.S. and coalition aircraft to stop the enemy in its tracks.

"We're getting a lot accomplished and helping with the fight," said Capt. Todd Williams, 763rd ERS tactical coordinator deployed from the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron at Offutt AFB. "I can't think of another platform that has been contributing as long as the Rivet Joint has and is always able to produce something to get to the guys on the ground."

The Airmen call this aircraft their "mile-high office;" and over the years, it has changed in many ways. The RC-135 originally was outfitted with small TF-33 engines that were more than 30 years old; the cockpit with round-dial gauges. Now, the aircraft has larger, more powerful engines and new glass TV-like automated avionics on the flight deck, making it on par with some of today's most advanced airliners.

"The mission and the aircraft are both dynamic entities, constantly changing," said Capt. Guy Perrow, 763rd ERS aircraft commander also deployed from the 38th RS. "When I began flying this aircraft, the round-dial system was entirely manual and analog, requiring one to read between the lines and mentally picture the entire flight plan from a God's-eye view using the data presented. With the new glass equipment, we're able to accurately display our position, timing and other information that has aided in our situational awareness.

"The upgraded features of the aircraft allow us to conduct our mission in a safer, more reliable fashion," he said. "We dedicate more of our efforts to fighting the war on terror, knowing our platform is capable of whatever we require of it."

Its mission also has evolved to meet the demands of today's battlefields. From early missions as a Cold War-era reconnaissance aircraft, the RC-135 now is fitted to contribute valuable intelligence to contingency and sensitive operations around the world.

The 44-year-old reconnaissance aircraft began converting to its current configuration in 1964. The retrofitted Boeing 707 weighs nearly 150 tons, carries an extensive inventory of electronics and a crew of 34. The first RC-135V variant went into service Aug. 8, 1973, while the newest RC-135 was added to the Air Force inventory in November 2006, bringing the total to 17. At any given time, a third of the fleet is in theater, a third are at Offutt AFB training aircrews and preparing to deploy, while the remainder are in depot maintenance facilities undergoing upgrades or refurbishment.

"These guys are rock stars without a mass following; but they do have an avid fan-base ... on the battlefield and at the decision-maker (general officer) level," said Lt. Col. Doug Sachs, 763rd ERS commander, deployed from the 82nd RS at Kadena Air Base, Japan.

Squadron Airmen have adapted to an ever-present deployment schedule, since they don't follow the regular Air Expeditionary Force rotation. Aircrew and maintainers alternate into theater on a 60-day on/60-day off cycle. This means anyone assigned to the unit could be deployed three times a year or more. The team deploys from Offutt AFB; Royal Air Force Mildenhall, United Kingdom; and Kadena AB.

The front- and back-end maintainers, both military and civilian, and pilots and mission crews collectively keep the RC-135 flying.

"This platform has so many different entities coming together to make one mission," said Staff Sgt. Steven Lantz, 55th AMU RC-135 crew chief.

Rivet Joint aircrews supported operations around the world until the fall of the Iron Curtain in the late 1980s. Since then, the RC-135 community has been used in every operation in Southwest Asia from operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm to the current operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The fleet and its crew are very adaptable; the aircraft can support the strategic, operational and tactical level of warfare on a single mission.

"During Desert Storm and Desert Shield, the jet was primarily a highly sensitive platform," said Master Sgt. Denny Nichols, 763rd ERS airborne mission supervisor deployed from the 97th Intelligence Squadron at Offutt AFB. "A lot of folks didn't even know we existed. Now, we're working with other assets and services. We can actually get out there and give information directly to the folks who need it and they know who we are now."

Sergeant Nichols has been involved with the RC-135 for almost 20 years and has deployed nearly 25 times, which totals more than 1,000 days.

"We're supporting the small tactical units on the ground," he said. "We can go direct to the warfighter via voice or chat and give them a heads-up to a threat in their area."

The RC-135 is configured with communication and computer systems stacked floor to ceiling and running the entire length of the plane. The equipment alone weighs about 40 tons. Highly skilled Airmen use this equipment to scout the battlefield and to help "find the bad guys." Airmen in the 763rd ERS, also known as "Sundawgs," live by their motto: "Always on the hunt."

Everything the aircrews and maintainers do helps ensure the RC-135s continue to fly and communicate information to the tactical fighters on the ground.

"The aviators, officer and enlisted, care about their job and know it's a job worth doing," Colonel Sachs said. "They recognize and understand the importance of the mission and the intelligence they gather to military's success against today's war on terrorism.

"The assets we train with are the ones we fight with," he said. "Combatant commanders have a near-insatiable demand for our platform and Airmen, yet the 55th Wing must maintain the training pipeline to sustain the long-term effort, and to train combat-mission ready crews on the latest platform modifications. It's a real testament to the Fightin' Fifty Fifth's warriors that we've made this mission happen over the long haul.

"Without tenacity, persistence and a tremendous amount of 'service before self,' we wouldn't have met this milestone," Colonel Sachs said. "Pausing to look back at our history and understanding the heritage of the Rivet Joint airframe and people, we're better able to prepare for the horizons ahead."

DOD announces changes to Reserve component policy

1/11/2007 - WASHINGTON (AFNEWS) -- Department of Defense officials are changing the way they will manage reserve-component forces, announced Dr. Robert M. Gates, secretary of defense Jan. 11.

The first aspect of the policy change will involve the way the department manages deployments of reserve forces. Currently, reserve deployments are managed on an individual basis. In the future deployments will be managed on a unit basis, allowing for greater unit cohesion and predictability for training and deployments.

The second aspect of the change addresses the maximum mobilization time for members of the reserve forces. Currently, the policy is for a maximum mobilization time of 18 months. The department will reduce the maximum mobilization timeframe to one year.

Third, the policy objective for involuntary mobilization of Guard and Reserve units will remain a one-year-mobilized to five-year-demobilized ratio. However, today's global demands will require a number of selected Guard and Reserve units to be remobilized sooner than the current policy goal. That deployment-to-demobilization ratio remains the goal of the department, as does the active component's ratio goal of one year of deployment to two years at home station.

The fourth aspect of the policy change will establish a new program to compensate individuals in both active and reserve-component forces who are required to mobilize or deploy earlier than established policy goals of deployment ratios. It will also involve servicemembers who are required to extend beyond established rotation-policy goals.

The final aspect of the policy change will direct commands to review their administration of the hardship-waiver program, to ensure that they have properly taken into account exceptional circumstances facing military families of deployed servicemembers.

These policy changes will better allow the department to posture itself for success in the uncertain environment in which it currently operates and well into the future.

USAFE commander visits units in England
http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123037251

by Master Sgt. Rich Romero
423rd Air Base Group Public Affairs

1/11/2007 - ROYAL AIR FORCE ALCONBURY, England (AFNEWS) -- The U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander visited the geographically separated units that make up the 501st Combat Support Wing in England Jan. 8 to 10.

Gen. William T. Hobbins, accompanied by his wife, Robbin Hobbins, and Chief Master Sgt. Gary Coleman, the USAFE command chief, visited with the 501st and its 2,700-person workforce that includes about 900 active duty Airmen spread across seven geographically separated units.

Along the way, General Hobbins recognized more than 30 Airmen by presenting them with commander's coins or Airmen Committed to Excellence coins. He highlighted the missions these units perform by taping commercial to air on American Forces Network. Mrs. Hobbins attended meetings with Airmen, their spouses and Department of Defense Dependents Schools officials to discuss quality-of-life issues.

"It was a real pleasure for me, my wife and Chief Coleman to meet with the fantastic Airmen of the 501st and their families. Presenting my personal coin to some of the top performers was a thrill," General Hobbins said. "What incredible Airmen we have at the U.K. GSUs."

Senior Airman Jayson Fuentes, a flight chief with the 423rd Security Forces Squadron at RAF Alconbury, not only was the featured Airman in the commercial highlighting the coalition team at Royal Air Force Stations Alconbury, Molesworth and Upwood, but also he received one of the general's coins the following day.

"It was an honor for me," said the Lakeworth, Texas, native. "This tells me that my leadership has faith in me to represent not only my security forces squadron, but also the entire 423rd. I'm just thankful for everything."

A centerpiece of the visit to RAF Fairford and RAF Croughton concerned a first-hand look at transition planning for school-aged children impacted by the closing of London Central High School at Daws Hill at the end of the current school year. It is the only DODDS-run school supporting U.S. forces at the two USAFE installations and nearby Navy sites.

U.S. school-aged children in the area will attend neighborhood British schools.

While at RAF Fairford, the general met with the headmaster, faculty and students at Rendcomb College, one of the British schools.

"I'm pleased with the pace and encouraging results of transition planning for our children affected by this year's closure of London Central High School," General Hobbins said. "We do have more work ahead of us on issues such as transportation, two-year track system differences with American schools, lack of SAT-ACT prep testing, and uniform reimbursement. We'll continue to press forward to resolve these so our great Airmen and their families are fully supported by the non-DODDS program."

During the general's trip to RAF Croughton, one statistic brought a smile to his face. The military and family members of the 422nd Air Base Group boast 104 consecutive days without a driving under the influence of alcohol incident.

"I want you to know how deeply proud and happy I am at your awesome accomplishment," said General Hobbins. "This success story means that lives were most likely saved because of your commitment to being safe. Our people are valuable and we don't want to lose a single life, and it takes leadership, wingmanship and paying attention to safety to make that happen."

General Hobbins said the alcohol-free-incident period is especially significant at a time when USAFE is so highly engaged in a war on terrorism that affects all of the command's Airmen and family members.

"It says a lot about our daily jobs and the support that we give to the Air Force mission for USAFE leadership to take time out and visit us," said Tech. Sgt. Amy Conaghan, a medical services NCO at RAF Croughton. "We work hard as a team and it's nice to be recognized."

General Hobbins addressed 501st Airmen at all stops as well as DOD and Ministry of Defence civilians at commanders' calls.

He covered a number of topics including the command's strategic priorities and landscape; vision, mission and goals; promoting stability, interoperability and influence in Eastern Europe and Africa; humanitarian missions; and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.

In keeping with the high ops tempo and ongoing force-shaping actions, the general stressed his personal commitment to Air Force Smart Ops for the 21st century.

"We're working hard to right-size the work for the future work force through AFSO 21. We're improving processes and eliminating waste to reduce work hours and workload for people as we further right-size the force," the general said.

General Hobbins described AFSO 21 as a key tool for shaping USAFE, and he stressed that everyone is critical in picking up that tool and putting it to good use.

"I want everyone, no matter if they're wearing one stripe or four stars, to pass along their great ideas," General Hobbins said. "And I expect USAFE leaders to listen and ensure these ideas are converted into action."

The general summed up his impression of the visit by describing the 501st as a "team of seven GSUs that hits home runs every day."

Chief Coleman echoed those sentiments.

"USAFE is in good hands with the outstanding people we met during our trip here," Chief Coleman said. "I am proud to serve on the same team with Airmen from the 501st whose commitment to excellence is an example for all."

(Contributing to this story: Tech. Sgt. Keith Houin from the 422nd Air Base Squadron at RAF Croughton)

More provincial reconstruction teams to stand up in Iraq

by Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

1/11/2007 - WASHINGTON (AFNEWS) -- President George W. Bush's new strategy for Iraq includes expanding the number of provincial reconstruction teams from 10 to at least 18 to better support political and economic progress, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said at a news conference Jan. 11.

Secretary Rice joined Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates in discussing some of the measures President Bush outlined in his Jan. 10 address to the nation about the new way forward in Iraq.

The plan includes 20,000 more U.S. troops on the ground, increased responsibility for the Iraqi government and Iraqi security forces, and more diplomatic and economic initiatives.

"We will double the number of provincial reconstruction teams," President Bush announced. "These teams bring together military and civilian experts to help local Iraqi communities pursue reconciliation, strengthen the moderates, and speed the transition to Iraqi self-reliance."

Secretary Rice told reporters Jan. 11 the State Department, which oversees PRTs in Iraq, is ready to move forward with this effort with emphasis on the parts of Iraq where the teams are needed most.

"In Baghdad, we will go from one PRT to six, and in Anbar province, from one to three, because local leaders are taking encouraging steps there to confront violent extremists and to build hope for their people," she said.

Getting more experts into Iraqi provinces to assist the leaders there "will enhance and diversify our chances of success in Iraq," she said.

"The logic behind PRTs is simple," Secretary Rice said. "Success in Iraq relies on more than military efforts; it requires robust political and economic progress.

"Our military operations must be fully supported and integrated with our civilian and diplomatic efforts across the entire U.S. government to help Iraqis clear, hold and build throughout all of Iraq," she said.

Secretary Gates told reporters President Bush's new plan offers a better balance of U.S. military and non-military efforts than in the past.

"We cannot succeed in Iraq without the important non-military elements Secretary Rice just mentioned," he said.

The PRT concept was first successfully applied in Afghanistan after the Taliban government was removed from power, Robert Tillery, the chief of staff from the (Iraq) National Coordination Team who works with provincial PRTs throughout Iraq, told reporters in Baghdad at an October news conference.

PRTs in Iraq "enforce and bolster the ability of the provincial governments to lead and to respond to the needs of their people," he explained.

"By helping local governments more effectively address the needs of their citizens, they will gain the support of their people," Mr. Tillery said. "Citizen support and confidence in government institutions is critical to a successful democracy."

Bush outlines new strategy for course ahead in Iraq
http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123037253

by Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

1/11/2007 - WASHINGTON (AFNEWS) -- President Bush's new strategy for Iraq, announced Jan. 10 in a televised speech to the nation, includes more than 20,000 additional U.S. troops on the ground in Baghdad and Anbar province, increased responsibility for the Iraqi government and Iraqi security forces, and more diplomatic and economic initiatives.

President Bush, speaking from the White House, said his new strategy "will change America's course in Iraq and help us succeed in the fight against terror."

The president acknowledged that the situation in Iraq has changed dramatically since the bombing of the Golden Mosque in Samarra in February 2006. The sectarian violence it ignited has overwhelmed political gains Iraqis have achieved and created an "unacceptable" situation in Iraq, he said.

The most urgent priority in Iraq is to stop the violence and create the stability needed for the country's new government to succeed, the president said.

Toward this end, President Bush said the Iraqi government has committed 18 Iraqi army and national police brigades to deploy across Baghdad's nine districts and work in concert with local police.

To help the Iraqis succeed in their mission, President Bush said he has committed five additional U.S. military brigades to Baghdad and 4,000 more troops in Anbar province, the most restive parts of Iraq. He noted that 80 percent of all violence in Iraq occurs within 30 miles of the capital city and that Anbar province has become al Qaeda's new home base.

The U.S. troops will embed with Iraqi formations and operate alongside them, helping them clear and secure neighborhoods, protect the local population and ensure that they are able to provide the security Baghdad needs, he said.

President Bush said military commanders who have reviewed his new plan say it addresses the two principal reasons past efforts to secure Baghdad failed.

"Here are the differences," the president said. "In earlier operations, Iraqi and American forces cleared many neighborhoods of terrorists and insurgents, but when our forces moved on to other targets, the killers returned. This time, we will have the force levels we need to hold the areas that have been cleared."

President Bush said political and sectarian interference during past operations prevented Iraqi and American forces from going into neighborhoods that are home to the people fueling sectarian violence.

"This time, Iraqi and American forces will have a green light to enter these neighborhoods, and Prime Minister (Nouri al-) Maliki has pledged that political or sectarian interference will not be tolerated," he said.

Ultimately, President Bush said, "only the Iraqis can end the sectarian violence and secure their people." But, he added, the Iraqi government has an aggressive plan to accomplish that.

The president said bumping up the U.S. troop presence now will help the Iraqis succeed.

"If we increase our support at this crucial moment and help the Iraqis break the current cycle of violence, we can hasten the day our troops begin coming home," he said.

President Bush said he has made it clear to Prime Minister Maliki that the U.S. commitment is not open-ended and that his government must step up to the plate.

"If the Iraqi government does not follow through on its promises, it will lose the support of the American people, and it will lose the support of the Iraqi people," the president said. "Now is the time to act. The prime minister understands this."

President Bush cautioned that the new strategy won't bring an immediate end to violence.

"Our enemies in Iraq will make every effort to ensure that our television screens are filled with images of death and suffering," he said. "Yet over time, we can expect to see Iraqi troops chasing down murderers, fewer brazen acts of terror, and growing trust and cooperation from Baghdad's residents."

When that happens, Iraqis will gain confidence in their leaders, and the government will be able to make progress in other critical areas, he said.

"Most of Iraq's Sunni and Shiia want to live together in peace," the president said. "And reducing the violence in Baghdad will help make reconciliation possible."

President Bush emphasized that a successful strategy for Iraq goes beyond military operations.

"Ordinary Iraqi citizens must see that military operations are accompanied by visible improvements in their neighborhoods and communities," he said. "So America will hold the Iraqi government to the benchmarks it has announced."

These benchmarks include the Iraqi government:

-- Taking responsibility for security in all of Iraq's provinces by November;

-- Passing legislation to share oil revenues among all Iraqis, giving every Iraqi citizen a stake in the country's economy;

-- Spending $10 billion of its own money on reconstruction and infrastructure projects that create new jobs;

-- Holding local provincial elections later this year to empower local leaders; and

-- Reforming de-Baathification laws to allow more Iraqis to reenter political life and establish a fair process for considering amendments to Iraq's constitution.

The United States will change its approach to help the Iraqi government as it works to meet these benchmarks, the president said. It will:

-- Embed more U.S. advisors in Iraqi army units and partner a coalition brigade with every Iraqi army division;

-- Help the Iraqis build a larger and better-equipped army and accelerate the training of Iraqi forces;

-- Give U.S. commanders and civilians greater flexibility to spend funds for economic assistance;

-- Double the number of provincial reconstruction teams that help local Iraqi communities pursue reconciliation, strengthen moderates and speed the transition to self-reliance; and

-- Appoint a reconstruction coordinator in Baghdad to ensure better results for economic assistance being spent in Iraq.

As the United States makes these changes, the president said, it will continue to pursue terrorists seeking to establish a new safe haven in Iraq.

"America's men and women in uniform took away al Qaeda's safe haven in Afghanistan, and we will not allow them to re-establish it in Iraq," he said.

Part of this effort is confronting Iran and Syria, which, President Bush said, allow terrorists and insurgents to use their territory to move in and out of Iraq, and generating support for Iraq's success among its regional neighbors.

President Bush said he's confident that the new strategy will help put Iraq on the path for victory. That victory, he said, "will bring something new in the Arab world: a functioning democracy that polices its territory, upholds the rule of law, respects fundamental human liberties and answers to its people."

A democratic Iraq won't be perfect, the president said, "but it will be a country that fights terrorists instead of harboring them, and it will help bring a future of peace and security for our children and grandchildren."

President Bush said the struggle taking place in Iraq "will determine the direction of the global war on terror and our safety here at home."

"The challenge playing out across the broader Middle East is more than a military conflict," he said. "It is the decisive ideological struggle of our time.

"In the long run," he added, "the most realistic way to protect the American people is to provide a hopeful alternative to the hateful ideology of the enemy by advancing liberty across a troubled region."

Weather technician trains observers at Afghan outpost
http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123037250

by Capt. Joe Campbell
Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team

1/11/2007 - PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan (AFNEWS) -- A battlefield weather Airman assigned to work with Army aviation units recently spent two days training members of the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team to report weather observations.

Senior Airman Nathan Fried of the 20th Expeditionary Air Support and Operations Squadron at Bagram Air Base trained Panjshir PRT members to determine the temperature, dew point, barometric pressure, wind speed, cloud cover, road conditions and present weather in the province.

"Traveling to remote locations to conduct training helps me gain a better perspective in terms of the terrain and to see for myself what the observers see," said Airman Fried, deployed from Fort Drum, N.Y.

With limited data across the entire area of responsibility, these daily reports are useful for people traveling to those regions, he said.

"We'll make three observations a day, every day, using a handheld device that measures temperature, dew point, pressure and wind speed," said Tech. Sgt. John Cumper, a Panjshir PRT member and vehicle mechanic deployed from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

The observers e-mail the data to Airman Fried or another staff weather officer at Bagram AB, who then completes a Forward Area Limited Observation Program form and releases the information to be used by aviators and mission planners.

"The observations in Panjshir will be provided three times a day instead of hourly, so the information provided is very limited but it's typically enough to tell us what it's like up there," Airman Fried said.

The observations are useful for both ground convoy and aviation assets. Wind conditions, visibility and cloud cover are parameters that pilots need to know before a mission and road conditions, present weather and temperature are useful for convoys, he said.

"The Panjshir PRT conducts numerous missions in remote areas during inclement weather, as well as hosting visitors who arrive by helicopter," said Lt. Col. Neal Kringel, Panjshir PRT commander. "Having our own weather station enhances our ability to get accurate forecasts and make sound decisions on operational missions."

Engineer gains valuable experience in Afghanistan
http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123037270

by Capt. Stacie N. Shafran
International Security Assistance Force headquarters

1/11/2007 - KABUL, Afghanistan (AFNEWS) -- A day in the life of a project engineer fills up pretty quickly. Between meetings and constant walks around the base to survey projects, there's concrete to be poured, gravel to be delivered and contractors needing guidance.

This will be the norm for Capt. Dave Lin over the course of his six-month deployment in Kabul, Afghanistan. As an engineer assigned to NATO's International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, headquarters, he is responsible for $20 million worth of construction projects around the camp.

With nearly 1,200 people assigned to the headquarters from 30 contributing nations, Captain Lin not only interacts with international colleagues, but also seven Afghan contractors and 300 laborers.

"One of the best aspects of this deployment is interacting with the locals," he said. "I'm challenging them by teaching them new and more efficient means of construction and together we're striving to provide the best product for HQ ISAF."

Among the projects on their to-do list are constructing more accommodations, a new conference center, a fitness center, a perimeter wall and most importantly, installing an underground sewer system.

Despite the cold, snow, mud, and language barrier, the captain is confident in his team's abilities to fulfill the mission. This sense of optimism, along with his strong leadership and technical skills, is something he's cultivated since graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2000 with a bachelor of science degree in engineering.

"Even though I'm deployed in a combat zone, I find it really rewarding to work with the locals. They always have a smile on their face and it's great to see that they're rebuilding their own country," he said. "We're teaching the Afghans basic construction practices that they can use in the future projects, but in a safer manner and of better quality."

ISAF is comprised of more than 32,000 troops from 37 NATO countries and non-NATO nations. Its primary role is to support the government of Afghanistan in providing a secure environment to facilitate the rebuilding of Afghanistan.

Air traffic controllers take on new roles
http://www.af.mil/tv/index.asp?showid=2334

1/11/2007 - SAN ANTONIO (AFNEWS) -- Air traffic controllers deployed to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa must sometimes take on new roles in accomplishing the daily mission.

During the current deployment, the controllers aren't actually controlling the skies above Camp Lemonier.

"We're here in the event there's a communication barrier between the pilots and the actual controllers. If there are issues between the Djiboutian controllers and our aircraft, we act as that liaison between the two," said Tech. Sgt. Monique Whitaker, an air traffic control liaison.

Their Djiboutian counterparts can guide an aircraft without a liaison or high-tech equipment.

"One individual pretty much works things that we do without the resources that we have available to us, and they do a really good job," Sergeant Whitaker said.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: 'A day on, not a day off'

Commentary by 1st Lt. Tyrone Bess
8th Security Forces Squadron

1/11/2007 - KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNEWS) -- As we celebrate the world-changing movements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and countless other civil rights leaders, their actions resonate in the theme of this year's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Remember, act, celebrate, and it's a day on -- not a day off.

Remember
Remember past challenges, hurts and conflicts endured by those who came before you. Remember your own past because there lies the person you are today.
I am reminded of a quote my mother once shared with me from Louisa May
Alcott: "I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning to sail my ship." Those words exemplify all Martin Luther King Jr. stood for.

Knowing the relentless criticism he would undergo, not only from those different from him, but also the very people he stood in the gap defending.

Standing up to continuous beatings, threats against his life and the lives of family members and enduring unjust prison sentences -- all for the right to be called equal.
Few in the military are old enough to remember seeing the violence demonstrated against nonviolent protestors during the civil rights movement.

However, we have heard of and seen video of inhumane treatment against those demonstrators and remember the bloodshed, sacrifice, attack dogs, fire hoses and determination exhibited for the right to have a drink of water, a sandwich at the local restaurant with those from all walks of life. The sacrifices were not for those who lost their lives, but for those of us who would come after.

What we do today and the lessons we're learning now are not for our benefit, but those who will follow in our footsteps.

Act
Dr. King acted on what he believed were injustices against African-Americans. In a letter from a Birmingham, Ala. prison, Dr. King wrote to fellow clergymen. "I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

He acted as the sounding voice in a time when African-American's were barely heard. His actions could move mountains and teach us to act in defense of what we believe is right.

As military men and women, we have to realize the fight has not stopped. We have a role to act on behalf of others who do not have a voice. Those in the Middle East and Africa need our voice, our remembrance, our action. Acting on injustices is important because as the popular military saying goes: "Freedom isn't free."

Celebrate
Celebrate the past from which we came and the future ahead. Celebrate those who realized change was needed and despite the seeming insurmountable odds banded together to create a legacy lasting beyond their lifetimes.

Celebrate the fact that regardless of your status you are free. Free to dream, free to meditate, free to pray and free to think. These freedoms can seem so small we take them for granted not realizing how many are dying right now for the same privileges.

Celebrate that you're in a position to help make a difference and positively affect another person's life.

Even when Dr. King realized his life was coming to an end, celebration was on his mind.

He celebrated that his children and many like them would have a better life because he chose to speak on their behalf.

He chose to stand where others would not, he chose to go where others would not, he chose to see what others were afraid of and he chose to celebrate before the outcome could be seen.

The celebrations during January and February do not affect African-Americans alone; these months are for all to remember the past in order to affect the present and future, to act for what we know is right and celebrate because you know the end result is freedom and life.

There is work yet to do, so today is a day on -- not a day off. A personal challenge from me is to see who you can impact in positive ways over the next two months.

Maybe you will be a sounding voice for someone and one day there will be writings about your accomplishments.

I will end with one of Dr. King's more famous quotes: "The true stature of man is not how he stands in times of comfort and convenience, but how he stands in times of challenge and controversy."

Be courageous, remember, act and celebrate.

Hold that pose
http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123037423

1/11/2007 - Airman 1st Class Savannah Orozco is photographed in her physical training uniform for a fitness poster Jan. 5 in the multimedia studio at McChord Air Force Base, Wash. Airman Orozco is with the 62nd Operations Support Squadron there. (U.S. Air Force photo/Abner Guzman)

First C-21 arrives in North Dakota
http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123037378

by 1st Lt. Penny Ripperger
North Dakota Air National Guard

1/11/2007 - FARGO, N.D. (AFNEWS) -- The first official 119th Fighter Wing C-21 aircraft arrived Jan. 10 in Fargo.

The aircraft marks the unit's transition from the F-16 Fighting Falcon to the C-21 and MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle.

"The Happy Hooligans have proven themselves as the best of the best in every mission they have been assigned," North Dakota Governor John Hoeven said. "The C-21 mission along with the new Predator mission will ensure that the North Dakota Air National Guard continues to play a vital role in the security of our state and nation."

"The 119th Fighter Wing will receive a total of eight C-21 aircraft and will be experiencing the largest transformation in their 60-year history," said Army Maj. Gen. David A. Sprynczynatyk, the state's National Guard adjutant general. "Personnel have been training diligently for the past year to ensure that they are prepared for these new missions that will ensure that our Air National Guard remains relevant and vital to the defense of the nation."

"The Happy Hooligans have prepared for the C-21 by having trained pilots and maintenance personnel ready to work on these aircraft," said Col. Robert Becklund, 119th Fighter Wing commander. "I am confident that we will continue to perform with the high standards and impressive work ethic that the Hooligans are already well-known for in the fighter community."

The C-21 aircraft is considered a "bridge mission" until approximately 2010 when it is expected to be replaced by the new joint cargo aircraft.

UAV operations are expected to begin at the Fargo base aroun March 2007. North Dakota will be one of five states where Air Guard units will operate the unmanned aerial vehicles; others are Texas, California, Arizona and New York.

December recruiting numbers exceed goals

by John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

1/11/2007 - WASHINGTON (AFNEWS) -- Last month's recruiting figures for all military services exceeded goals, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in testimony Jan. 11 before the House Armed Services Committee.

"I'm pleased to report that all active branches of the United States military exceeded their recruiting goals for the month of December," Secretary Gates said, "with particularly strong showings by the Army and the Marine Corps."

In December, the Army recruited 861 Soldiers, exceeding its goal by 23 percent, according to information released by the Defense Department. The Marine Corps recruited 1,761, exceeding its goal by 10 percent, and the Navy and Air Force met their recruitment goals of 2,071 and 2,330, respectively.

Additionally, the Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve exceeded their recruiting goals in December.

Secretary Gates' comments come a day after President Bush announced his plan to increase the Army's and Marine Corps' overall strength.

"We propose to (increase) in annual increments of 7,000 troops a year for the Army and 5,000 for the Marine Corps until the Marine Corps reaches a level of 202,000, and the Army would be at 547,000," Secretary Gates said at a news conference this morning.

"We should recognize that while it may take some time for these new troops to become available for deployment," Secretary Gates said, "it is important that our men and women in uniform know that additional manpower and resources are on the way."
The secretary then reflected on those who volunteer to serve in the U.S. armed forces.

"Our nation is truly blessed that so many talented and patriotic young people have stepped forward to defend our nation and that so many servicemen and women have chosen to continue to serve," he said at the news conference.

Secretary Gates' remarks about the value of recruits echo President Bush's comments during his Jan. 10 speech outlining the new way forward in Iraq.

"In these dangerous times, the United States is blessed to have extraordinary and selfless men and women willing to step forward and defend us," President Bush said. "These young Americans understand that ... the advance of freedom is the calling of our time."

Thats all for the 11th, take care and have a good day, Smile

Scottish Lady
_________________

Sgt/USAF 1972-1977
Company Staff officer M.S.T.
Alpha CO.

May your dreams of life and the dawn of time be safe for everyone.

*MOVED* to the newly re-opened Air Force Forum
_________________
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Alpha company
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Hi one and all,

Daily News for 2-13-07

Active military meets January recruiting goals

by Army Sgt. Sara Wood
American Forces Press Service

2/13/2007 - WASHINGTON (AFNEWS) -- All active components of the military services met or exceeded their recruiting goals for January, the Defense Department announced Feb. 12.

The Air Force achieved 100 percent of its goal with 2,552 Airmen; the Army, 111 percent of its goal with 9,306 troops; the Navy, 100 percent of its goal with 2,764; and the Marine Corps, 108 percent with 3,403.

Four of six of the reserve components met or exceeded their recruiting goals for January. The Army National Guard, Marine Corps Reserve, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve all achieved more than 100 percent of their goals. The Army Reserve and Navy Reserve lagged, with 99 percent and 93 percent, respectively.

Retention among active and reserve components remained solid, said DOD officials. The Marine Corps and Air Force met or exceeded overall retention missions. The Army met 109 percent of its year-to-date mission, and the Navy met 93 percent.

Army National Guard retention was 120 percent of the cumulative goal of 10,289, and Air National Guard retention was 97 percent of its cumulative goal of 3,289. Both the Army and Air Guard are at 99 percent of their target end strength. Losses in all reserve components for December are well within acceptable limits, officials said, and indications are that trend will continue into January.

Air Force ads to feature Charleston Airmen

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123040925

by Airman Melissa B. Harper
437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

2/13/2007 - CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFNEWS) -- Filming for the next campaign of Air Force commercials began here Feb. 9.

The Air Force's contract ad agency, GSD&M Advertising, flew with active-duty and Reserve Airmen from here onboard three C-17 Globemaster IIIs to the North Auxiliary Field in North, S.C., where crewmembers performed airdrops and assault landings.

"We filmed two different scenarios: one focused on loadmasters and one focused on pilots," said Tim Sabo, the GSD&M creative director. "Both pieces showed the capabilities of the C-17 and the importance of teamwork to accomplish the mission."

The C-17s and their aircrews were filmed by a 16-person film crew.

To display the Airmen's teamwork in action, a loadmaster was filmed as he loaded cargo while a pilot prepared the C-17 for takeoff. The loadmaster and pilot were also interviewed as part of the commercials.

"We're saving lives and delivering freedom every day," said Col. Glen Joerger, the 437th Airlift Wing commander. "What better way to get young people excited about the Air Force than to show the great things our Charleston Airmen are doing?"

The crew took more than seven hours to film what will become two 30-second spots.
The focus of the commercials is to show the team aspect of the Air Force.

"It would be very difficult for just one person to operate everything on a C-17, so this commercial will show the importance of teamwork to fulfill the mission," said Mr. Sabo. "This commercial was filmed to showcase a part of the Air Force that the public doesn't really get to see. We want to be able to help everyone realize how important the Air Force mission is and how every single member is important."

The new focus of Air Force advertising is on the role it plays in national defense instead of just trying to recruit individuals.

"C-17s and their crews are an important part of that because they can take anything, anytime, anywhere," said Mr. Sabo.

On filming day, C-17s airdropped a Howitzer cannon, container delivery system bundles and other cargo for filming at North Field. All three C-17s then performed combat landings, which were filmed from the ground and the air.

After a short break, the crew filmed an aerial refueling, a tactical descent and interviewed aircrew members.

"It was exciting to be part of the Air Force advertising campaign," said 1st Lt. Sueann Lamia, a C-17 pilot with the 17th Airlift Squadron here. "C-17s have an awesome mission, and hopefully the spots will show the public some of our capabilities. It was a unique experience, and I'm proud our base was part of it."

GSD&M representatives said choosing Charleston AFB for the spots was a no-brainer.

"We filmed this at Charleston because we were looking for a base with C-17s to focus on air mobility," said Norah Rudyk, a GSD&M account specialist. "We had worked with Charleston before and were very pleased with their cooperation and willingness to assist us in accomplishing this production."

GSD&M hopes to have the commercials prepared to air on television at the beginning of March, after approval by Air Force senior leaders. To see other commercials in the Air Force's ad campaign, visit www.dosomethingamazing.com.

AFCEE, AAFES join forces to construct new facilities

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123040878

by Marti D. Ribeiro
Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence

2/13/2007 - BROOKS CITY-BASE, Texas (AFNEWS) -- The Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence here and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service are joining forces to design and build new facilities across the Air Force.

AAFES, which has its headquarters in Dallas, maintains more than 12,000 main exchanges, military clothing stores, movie theaters and other facilities worldwide -- wherever American forces are stationed.

Previously, AAFES would seek out potential design and construction companies through the internal contracting process. Now it has the ability to tap into AFCEE's large library of contractors to obtain the best contracting bid for proposed facilities.

"We use our experience with a multitude of contractors and act like a search engine for AAFES, finding the best fit for a project," said Capt. Eric Dawson, the AFCEE lead project manager.

The first AFCEE-AAFES joint project was a new $3.83 million shoppette and gas station that broke ground in November 2005 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

"We usually don't work with retail or gas station construction projects like this, so it's been a learning process," Captain Dawson said.

AFCEE specializes in environmental cleanup, housing and construction worldwide, including such places as Iraq and Afghanistan. The center, however, had not previously been involved with building retail facilities.

"We work with AAFES to get the contract awarded quickly and cheaply to meet unique specifications," said Kent Rohlof, also an AFCEE project manager.

According to Captain Dawson, AFCEE has had to overcome several challenges with this new territory, including making changes in the building process.

"In retail, we construct the building back to front, so the retailer can begin stocking items in back storerooms while we continue to build the front," he said.

Another construction challenge new to AFCEE was the inclusion of food vendors in the building progression.

"It was strange to have soda machine installers, designers and food court vendors in and out of the building throughout the construction process," Captain Dawson said.

Other challenges include the consideration of return on investment.

Normally AFCEE constructs facilities based on need and monetary resources available. With AAFES, it has to find the "sweet spot" for the correct amount of square footage to get the best return on investment for the property.

Incorporating this experience, the center has begun to take on additional projects for AAFES.

The next joint venture project under construction is a new shoppette at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., which had some interesting specifications in the contract.

"While our construction project isn't a result of Hurricane Katrina, one of the specifications in the contract was that materials used in the construction be hurricane-proof," said George Garcia, the AFCEE project manager. "This made it difficult during the contract-award phase, since not many contractors use those types of materials."

"Working with AAFES definitely gives AFCEE the ability to step outside (its) comfort zone and try something new and exciting," Captain Dawson said.

According to the captain, the 24-pump gas station built on Vandenberg AFB and opened in January is the largest in-ground gas station fuel system in Santa Barbara County. It also features the most state-of-the-art fuel monitoring system for AAFES. The captain said he hopes this new design will set a precedent for the way gas stations are built in the future.

Besides the Keesler AFB project, AFCEE has contracts to build new exchange shopping centers for Anderson Air Force Base, Guam; Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.; and Fort Drum, N.Y.

"Working with AAFES has been a learning process," Mr. Rohlof said. "We look forward to other joint projects in the future."

Former Soldier returns to Kirkuk as Airman

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123040280

by Tech. Sgt. Kevin Williams
506th Air Expeditionary Group

2/13/2007 - KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq (AFNEWS) -- Sitting in the cold cargo bay of a C-17 Globemaster III, a 24-year-old Soldier about to be part of the largest paratrooper airdrop since World War II felt a lot of excitement and a little bit of fear.

The cargo doors opened and the bay was instantly filled with freezing Iraqi air. Looking through his night-vision goggles, he jumped with 1,000 paratroopers into the cold, dark night and into history March 26, 2003.

Their job was to secure an airfield in Bashur, Iraq. They would later take Kirkuk Regional Air Base. Now, four years later, Jason Al-Jehani has returned as a senior airman deployed to the 506th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron.

"When we found out our unit was going to Kirkuk, he really wanted to go," said Senior Master Sgt. Dean Firestien, the 506th LRS Air Terminal Operation Center chief. "Ever since we got him, he's been real gung-ho."

Airman Al-Jehani, then a javelin gunner and private first class, recounts the 173rd Airborne Brigade didn't know how much resistance they would receive.

"It could have been like D-Day or Market Garden," he said referring to two very different airdrops in WWII. "I was mostly worried about making a mistake before leaving the airplane."

He didn't make any mistakes, but they were all a little startled when the plane increased its altitude after the cargo doors opened.

"When we first started our jump, the aircraft was too low ... it started climbing as we were jumping out, but we didn't lose focus," he said. "It was a good combat jump."

Once they were on the ground, it was time to re-group and take accountability.

"No one was seriously injured. Only a few minor sprains," he said. "Some people landed in streams, in the middle of roads and a few were hanging from power lines. We had to wait until it was safe before we got them down."

With only pockets of resistance, they were able to secure the airfield at Bashur so airlift into the region could begin. They rallied at a prison built by Saddam Hussein's regime before moving on to another operation. About a week later, they took Kirkuk.

"We had some minor resistance in the city," he said. "By the time we got to the base, it was abandoned. There were some minor booby-traps and vehicles on the runway. We did some police action in the city by keeping order and making sure the hospital wasn't looted."

Kirkuk then became headquarters for the U.S. Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade and the 4th Infantry Division. The then Private 1st Class Al-Jehani left Iraq Feb. 12, 2004.

He separated from the Army and joined an Air Force Reserve unit at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., the 302nd Airlift Wing's 39th Aerial Port Squadron.

Returning to Kirkuk as an Airman has been interesting for the former Soldier. Some things have changed since he left and some things are still the same.

"The base is more built up ... more fortified," he said. "When we first arrived, we stayed in an old Iraqi building and then we moved into tents. Those tents are still here. The (dining facility) is the same.

"It's kind of strange," he said of not being in the Army. "A lot of stuff I have forgotten has come back. It feels good. It's a new experience now -- a different job and I'm broadening my skills."

While some have gone "blue to green," the Air Force can benefit from this Soldier going "green to blue" and the experience he brings with him, said Sergeant Firestien.

"We are glad to have him. He is very motivated, and he gets the job done."

Deployed Airmen's families not alone

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123040090

by Staff Sgt. Don Branum
50th Space Wing Public Affairs

2/13/2007 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNEWS) -- Deploying is a fact of life for Airmen in today's expeditionary Air Force, but it doesn't mean their spouses and families have to go it alone.

A deployed spouses' dinner here at the base chapel Feb. 2 reinforced that message for spouses and children from Colorado's Schriever and Peterson Air Force Bases, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station and Fort Carson.

The Schriever and Peterson AFB chapters of the Air Force Sergeants Association sponsored the event while the chapel and commissary staffs here helped with facilities and food donations.

SeQuoya Whetstone was a first-time guest at the spouses' dinner. Her husband, Senior Airman Otis Whetstone, recently deployed to Baghdad from the 50th Security Forces Squadron here.

"Everyone's really nice," she said. "I'll definitely come back for the next dinner."

Elsewhere, Jennifer Rutledge hung out with spouses from Fort Carson. Her husband, Staff Sgt. Jason Rutledge, is deployed to Iraq from Fort Carson's 13th Air Support Operations Squadron.

Being an Air Force family on an Army installation is a unique experience, Mrs. Rutledge said.

"We hear a little bit of everything," she said. "Our mission support is here, but our squadron is at Fort Carson. It's been really good for me ... I think it's been really good for him, too."

Schriever and Peterson started their deployed spouses' dinners in 2005 and recently began combining the dinners in December 2006, said Master Sgt. Drew Holland, Peterson's AFSA point of contact for the dinner.

"It's an outlet for spouses," said Sergeant Holland, who is the first sergeant for the 21st Services Squadron. "It gets a little kinship going. It's a chance for leaders and first sergeants to see them and make sure they're okay. And it's a chance for their children to come out and play."

The commissary and base exchange also provide prizes for the dinners.

Sergeant Holland encouraged people to volunteer through organizations such as AFSA or their base spouses' clubs in support of similar efforts throughout the Air Force so that spouses know they're not alone.

Military blood program Web site has new look

by Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

2/13/2007 - WASHINGTON (AFNEWS) -- The Armed Services Blood Program Web site has been redesigned, offering updated content as well as a new look, officials said.

The new Web site, www.militaryblood.dod.mil, features information on how to join a "Life Force" team of donors, volunteers and supporters with topics including blood facts, donor eligibility criteria, and donor center locations.

Other information offered involves the ASBP "Specialist in Blood Banking" program, its curriculum and how to apply.

Convenient links direct users to online blood donation appointment scheduling via the "Click to Save Lives" drop button on the ASBP home page. Other information links access blood donor eligibility criteria and donation locations.

The new Web site "is very much improved. I think it was very professionally done. I was very impressed," said Margaret Tippy, the U.S. Army Medical Command's media relations officer. Located at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, U.S. MEDCOM is the executive agent for the military's blood donation program.

It's a little-known fact that about 20 percent of servicemembers donate blood, compared to less than 5 percent of the civilian populace, said Navy Cmdr. Michael Libby, the director of the U.S. military's blood program in a Pentagon Channel interview in December.

Commander Libby said the program collected twice as much blood in 2006 than it did in 2001. That's possible, he said, because of the great generosity of the program's donors.

The ASBP collects blood only from servicemembers, government civilians, retirees and their family members. The U.S. military needs blood every day for critically injured troops, cancer patients, premature infants and other uses, Commander Libby said. The program manages 18 stateside blood donor centers and four overseas centers. Donors normally give about a pint of blood at a sitting.

Most people who are eligible to donate provide blood to the program, Commander Libby said. Only a small percentage may be restricted from doing so because of travel to certain countries or for taking certain medications. Specific information on these restrictions may be found on the program's Web site.

Blood is always needed, Commander Libby said, noting blood products normally must be replenished about 42 days after being collected. Frozen blood can be stored for years.

Northern exposure

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123040955

2/13/2007 - Master Sgt. Gerald Gantt attaches parachutes to a pallet in preparation for Feb. 1 training mission from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. Sergeant Gantt is a loadmaster with the 517th Airlift Squadron. The 517th AS will replace its fleet of C-130s with the C-17 Globemaster III in 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Keith Brown)

Air Combat Command lodging goes wireless

by Tech. Sgt. Cindy Dorfner
Air Combat Command Public Affairs

2/13/2007 - LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFNEWS) -- All 16 bases in Air Combat Command now offer high-speed wireless Internet connections in lodging at no cost to the guest.

For Gen. Ronald E. Keys, commander of Air Combat Command, high-speed access for those on temporary duty assignments away from their home stations is very important.

"Internet access on the road is essential and we cannot do our work without high-speed connectivity," the general said. "Nobody wants to try to (download) a 1 MB file at even 56K on a dial-up (connection)."

The service, available for travelers who have a laptop computer with wireless capability, also allows government travelers the option to connect to a virtual private network. This lets the user connect, via the Common Access Card, to his home station computer system and do work just as if he was back there.

While those traveling with a personal laptop will not likely have to make adjustments to access the service, individuals traveling with a government computer should talk with their workgroup manager prior to manipulating any settings, said Senior Master Sgt. J.J. Go, the command lodging superintendent.

"Adding this service will mean a lot to lodging guests. At a recent international hotel and restaurant convention, the service was billed as the No. 1 amenity for travelers," said Capt. James Beaty, the command lodging officer.

Captain Beaty said those moving to a new base should really benefit from the service.

"It gives the traveler easy access to local information on schools, housing, registering a vehicle, daycare, and just your basic needs and services to start fresh in a new place," he said.

Additionally, unlike Internet service from government computers, connection to the World Wide Web is unrestricted; meaning lodging guests can access commercial e-mail sites to stay in touch with family and friends.

The unrestricted access caused the communications experts involved to change their mindsets, said Capt. Christopher Wade, the chief of the ACC network engineering team.

"Traditionally, we provide networks used for command and control and mission-critical operations, where network security is critical," Captain Wade said. "But this time, our concern was simply connectivity. In this case, we helped provide a network for the convenience of travelers to conduct business; personal or otherwise."

The access is provided through a contract with Stay Online, which also offers a toll-free number for customer service around the clock.

As lodging guests make the most of logging on to the World Wide Web, services officials at ACC are interested in comments about the new amenity, Sergeant Go said.

"It's important to know things, such as if there are times when the connection is slow," Sergeant Go said. "The sooner we know about potential problems, the quicker we'll fix them."

Nearly 99 percent of ACC's 3,900 lodging rooms now offer the service. The remaining rooms are projected to be completed in March.

Reserve doctor chosen for medical specialty board

by Staff Sgt. Paul Flipse
Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs

2/13/2007 - ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFNEWS) -- The chief of Air Force Reserve Command's line-of-duty board was chosen to serve on the American Board of Preventative Medicine beginning in August.

Col. (Dr.) Susan Northrup was selected in January to serve a three-year term on the ABPM, the only U.S. agency that certifies medical doctors in occupational, preventive and aerospace medicine.

As the ABPM's aerospace medicine representative, she will supervise the process of screening, testing and certifying every person seeking board certification.

"It's an honor to be selected," said Colonel Northrup, who compared the appointment to a lawyer being selected to write and oversee the bar examination. "Serving your profession by being the person who sets the standards ... it's incredible."

The ABPM is part of the 24 boards that make up the American Board of Medical Specialties, the certifying agents for physicians who work in specialties like pediatrics, psychiatry, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, plastic surgery and internal medicine, among others.

"Being chosen to serve on the board is a very important selection," said Navy Capt. Glenn Merchant, the director of the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board and current chair of the ABPM. "Physicians who serve on a specialty board help develop exams that determine whether a person becomes board-certified."
Captain Merchant said Colonel Northup was chosen for her excellent qualifications, knowledge of aerospace medicine and her professional reputation.

"She's knowledgeable, personable and enthusiastic," he said. "There's never a task she can't handle with ease. She does a great job."

Though it's not uncommon for military members to serve on the board, the ABPM is a civilian agency, which indicates a broad level of acclaim and endorsement for Colonel Northrup.

"It's peer recognition at the highest level -- recognition of her professionalism and the expertise she is known to have in the aerospace community," Captain Merchant said.

For all the responsibility that comes with the appointment, the position is unpaid. According to Colonel Northrup, who was a flight surgeon for an F-16 Fighting Falcon squadron in Operation Desert Storm, money just isn't the point.

"It's something people do because it's the right thing to do," she said. "For a long time I've wanted to serve my profession in such a capacity. I was honored just to be asked."

(Courtesy of Air Force Reserve Command News Service)

Air Force reopens job reservations for nine career fields

2/13/2007 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNEWS) -- Most first-term Airmen serving in nine Air Force specialty codes will now be eligible to apply for a career job reservation.

Airmen serving in the 2A0X1D, 2A5X3D, 2E0X1, 2M0X2, 3E0X1, 3E0X2, 3E1X1, 3E2X1 or 3E3X1 AFSCs will be granted a CJR regardless of their CJR window of eligibility.

"This change to the program is a direct result of an analysis of the career fields and their sustainment levels. Air Staff (officials are) using the flexibility inherent in the CJR program to continue to force shape," said Chief Master Sgt. Christine Williams, chief of the Air Force Personnel Center enlisted skills management branch here. "However, Airmen who have already applied for and signed their approved retraining are excluded from this opportunity."

Eligible Airmen should contact their base military personnel flight if they desire more information or to apply for a CJR since consideration is not automatic.

(Courtesy of Air Force Personnel Center news service)

Last-minute call leads to unplanned refueling mission

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123040945

by Geoff Janes
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

2/13/2007 - ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England (AFNEWS) -- A late night call, a cancelled sortie and flexibility led an aircrew from the 351st Air Refueling Squadron here to expedite medical care for more than a dozen severely injured troops being transported from Iraq to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Feb. 7.

According to Capt. Brent Toth, 100th Operations Support Squadron scheduler, the refueling mission was far from the norm.

"We got a call around 2:30 a.m. asking if we could refuel a high-priority air-evacuation mission (en route) to the hospital at Andrews," Captain Toth said. "Luckily we had a cancelled flight, and we had a crew available."

That crew was Capt. Colin Henderson, co-pilot 1st Lt. John Cramer and boom operator Tech. Sgt. Raile Cantrell. Captain Henderson had been scheduled to fly his first mission as aircraft commander on a routine refueling mission over the Mediterranean Sea.

"We normally know 24 to 48 hours out when we're going to do a flight," he said. "When we showed up, our (mission) binder (still) had all the information from the previous (cancelled) flight."

Captain Henderson said what information they did have was the refueling track, the time of the rendezvous and the call sign of the receiver, a C-17 Globemaster III from the Mississippi Air National Guard's 172nd Airlift Wing C-17 that had left Iraq at about 1 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time.

The Air Guard's mission was unique as the majority of its C-17 flights are to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Facility in Germany.

"Our crews are able to make changes to meet the needs of the Air Force as the mission dictates," said Lt. Col. David Buck, a Mississippi Air National Guardsman spokesperson. "There was a lot of scrambling they had to do to make this mission happen."

The same can be said of the crews at Mildenhall.

"The maintainers and my crew worked unbelievably fast because we realized how critical the mission was," Captain Henderson said. "We basically planned it from scratch."

The KC-135 launched from RAF Mildenhall at 6:30 a.m., and passed more than 16,000 gallons of fuel to the C-17 over the England-Scotland border. Colonel Buck said the C-17 arrived in Maryland just before 3 p.m. GMT.

On the trip back to RAF Mildenhall, Captain Henderson's crew ran into a snow storm that required them to circle the base before landing on a runway that had just been cleared by a snow plow.

Captain Henderson said the refueling mission saved the C-17 crew roughly three hours it would have taken for them to land and refuel.

"We weren't the ones carrying (the injured troops), but who knows? We might have saved them a few hours that made the difference between life and death," Captain Henderson said. "But then I thought to myself after we landed that I get to go home today while the guys in the back of that plane are fighting for their lives. It was sobering."

Hurricane Hunters track Pacific winter storms

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123040962

by Tech. Sgt. James B. Pritchett
403rd Wing Public Affairs

2/13/2007 - KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (AFNEWS) -- While most people flee when a pending storm is coming, Keesler AFB Airmen go right into the heart of storms to provide detailed information about storms to warn people of hazardous weather.

Airmen and WC-130J Hercules aircraft, also known as Hurricane Hunters, left here Feb. 12 for Anchorage, Alaska, for a month-long mission in support of the 2007 winter storm reconnaissance program.

In addition to two WC-130Js, Air Force Reserve Command's 403rd Wing officials put together a team composed of aircrew, operations, maintenance, aerial port and other specialties. Like tropical reconnaissance missions, winter storm routes can keep crews in the air more than 12 hours at a time.

The National Centers for Environmental Prediction, part of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, directs the operations. When a tasking for a flight comes into the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron's deployed operations center at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, a crew is alerted and aircraft maintainers prepare an aircraft for the sky.

Showtime and pre-flight are similar to the Hurricane Hunters' normal missions except, depending on weather, maintenance teams de-ice the aircraft just prior to take off.

Winter missions require crews to fly at higher altitudes than they normally fly in tropical weather systems, above 30,000 feet. The new WC-130 J-model is an improvement over the previous WC-130H in that it can fly much higher, allowing for collection of more data and thereby improving the forecast models even more than in the past.

"On average, the data we provide along with the NOAA aircraft lead to a 10 to 20 percent reduction in error in the targeted forecasts," said Lt. Col. Roy Deatherage, the mission commander for the 53rd WRS and an aerial reconnaissance weather officer since 1988. "As a result, numerical forecast guidance issued 48 hours prior to the events become as accurate as 36-hour lead time forecasts."

Use of weather reconnaissance aircraft have improved the forecast models more since 1999 than the previous 25 years of satellite data, according to the NCEP.

Unlike in tropical storms, on a winter mission the crew is not trying to pinpoint the center of the storm, in fact, there may not even be a "storm."

"Often, the crews are flying from one to four days in advance of a potential storm system in the Pacific that appears headed for either Alaska or the continental United States," Colonel Deatherage said.

On board the aircraft, the aerial reconnaissance weather officer and weather reconnaissance loadmaster take atmospheric observations at predetermined points along a flight track where the measurements are expected to have the greatest chance of improving the forecasts.

The weather reconnaissance loadmaster drops highly sensitive devices called dropsondes, which fall at about 2,500 feet per second, in areas of the atmosphere as requested by NCEP. As they fall toward the ocean, the dropsondes measure temperature, wind speed, humidity and pressure. Aircraft follow what are called synoptic patterns, huge ovals sometimes more than 3,000 miles round-trip.

Colonel Deatherage said during a typical tropical mission, dropsondes are released at certain points defined by the National Hurricane Center. This is usually four drops every time the aircraft passes through the eye with an additional four to eight per mission in the most significant wind bands. In contrast, Pacific winter missions average 16 to 22 sondes dropped. For impending Atlantic winter missions the average is lower, closer to five.

The information collected is checked onboard and then relayed by satellite to the NOAA Weather Service supercomputer, which incorporates it into the agency's numerical prediction models. This information helps "fill-in-the-blanks" or bolster the data in computer climate models that forecast storms and precipitation for the entire United States.

"The goal is to make a good forecast so cities can be prepared with snowplows, and other snow removal and mitigation equipment to diminish the impact of a winter storm on a city," Colonel Deatherage said. "If they are better prepared, like we've seen with several cities already this year, they can recover more quickly. That can be crucial for residents living in harm's way. These forecasts provide people in the path of the storms with warnings that can save lives."

While the Hurricane Hunters are patrolling the northern part of the Pacific Ocean, NOAA is using its Gulfstream G-IV aircraft to fly missions from Honolulu. Between the two units, they are able to cover the parts of the Pacific Ocean that directly affect the United States.

Each year, the 53rd WRS and NOAA rotate deployed locations to better improve the forecasting models. The G-IV flies higher and collects a slightly different data set than that of the WC-130J.

Since 1996, the two organizations have been flying these frosty missions in support of the NCEP.

People taking part in the first half of the deployment, about 57 of them, left for Anchorage Feb. 12 for two weeks. Another rotation departs about halfway through with all expected to return by March 13.

This project does not cover all of the 53rd WRS's winter taskings. Due to an unusually warm winter so far this year, the unit has only received minimal taskings for the East Coast of the United States to assist forecasters with pending Nor'easters.

The Hurricane Hunters normally fly several of these missions in support of the National Weather Service each season beginning Dec. 1 and ending April 30.

In seasons past, the tropical storm season, beginning June 1 and officially ending Nov. 30, has crossed over into the winter storm season. In 2005, the Hurricane Hunters flew winter storm missions and tropical missions at the same time. That year, the final storm of the hurricane season was recorded in early January.

(Courtesy of Air Force Reserve Command News Service)

Feb. 13 airpower: B-1Bs support International Security Assistance Force troops

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123040964

2/13/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 13.

In Afghanistan Feb. 12, Air Force B-1B Lancers, Navy F/A-18 Hornets and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Musa Qal'eh.

A B-1B provided a show of force to support coalition forces clearing enemy positions. The joint terminal attack controller, or JTAC, reported "all clear" after the show of force.

At the request of a JTAC, one of the F/A-18s successfully expended a guided bomb unit-38 on enemy forces in a cave. The JTAC reported enemy forces running into the cave after firing small arms at coalition ground forces. The JTAC confirmed weapon impact as a direct hit. F/A-18s also provided a show of force, expending flares while troops cleared buildings. The JTAC confirmed there was no resistance after the show of force.

In total, 39 close-air-support missions were flown in support of ISAF and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Additionally, nine Air Force and RAF intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan . U.S. Navy fighter aircraft performed in non-traditional ISR roles with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

ISR persistence over targets increases reliability of "intelligence" and provides real-time definition of targets and surrounding areas. A better sight picture improves coalition forces' ability to avoid non-combatants.

In Iraq , Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided over-watch for Iraqi Army and coalition forces performing search operations near Al Yusufiyah. At the tasking of a JTAC, the F-16s also observed multiple locations for improvised explosive devices and identified one location of possible hostile activity. The information was relayed back to the JTAC to pass to the ground commander.

Air Force F-16s also performed counter-IED missions along several roadways near Baghdad.

RAF GR-4 Tornados provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of Baqubah. One of the GR-4s conducted a very low show of force causing individuals to flee the scene, ending the conflict. Another GR-4 provided over-watch for a convoy after an IED strike occurred. Once the convoy recovered vehicles and casualties, the GR-7 escorted the convoy safely to its destination.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 48 close- air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Additionally, nine Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq . An Air Force fighter aircraft performed in a non-traditional ISR role with electro-optical and infrared sensors.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan , Iraq and the Horn of Africa. More than 135 airlift sorties were flown; more than 660 tons of cargo was delivered, and approximately 2,430 passengers were transported.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia , Canada and Japan flew in support of OIF or OEF.

On Feb. 11, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 34 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.1 million pounds of fuel.

Airmen work alongside Peruvian military during joint exercise

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123040983

by Tech. Sgt. Kerry Jackson
12th Air Force Public Affiars

2/13/2007 - CHICLAYO, Peru (AFNEWS) -- Approximately 150 Airmen are participating in a joint military exercise with the Peruvian air force scheduled to continue through Feb. 16 here.

Exercise Falcon Condor 07 allows the U.S military to build relationships with military and civilian leaders of Peru.

"This exercise give us the opportunity to deploy to a South American base, visit with some of our friends and to advance some of the security interests of the United States," said Col. Todd Harmer, the co-director of Falcon Condor. "It demonstrates our commitment to our friends and allies in the Western Hemisphere and shows how important the region is to us while working on a one-on-one level with the air force and government of Peru."

U.S. Air Force aircraft participating in the exercise are the C-130 Hercules, E-3 Sentry, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and the B-1 Lancer.

"I think so far things are going great," said Peruvian Lt. Col Roberto Shaefer, the officer in charge of the exercise. "I hope that the remaining few days of the joint operation will continue to be a positive challenge."

Following the four-day exercise, the team will travel to Lima, Peru, to participate in a joint air show. A number of American aircraft will serve as static displays.

The Peruvian air show will be the first of the year for 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern. The joint exercise and air show directly supports U.S. Southern Command's engagement goals and furthers relations between allied nations.

Joint patrols keep Incirlik in good hands

http://www.af.mil/tv/index.asp?showid=2586

by Senior Airman Tim Beckham
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

2/13/2007 - INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey (AFNEWS) -- They may not be known as well as partners Batman and Robin or Starsky and Hutch, but members of the 39th Security Forces Squadron and the Turkish air force are partners protecting the citizens here all the same.

They may wear different uniforms, have a different culture and even speak a different language, but one thing is for sure, they have the same mission -- protecting base members and assets.

"The joint patrol is actually the way we do integrated base defense here," said Maj. Brian Gillespie, the 39th SFS commander. "Joint patrols allow us a way to immediately contact both Turkish and American personnel and provide the same level of service in one-stop shopping with a single patrol."

"We all understand that we are guests on this installation," said Master Sgt. Joel Davis, the 39th SFS NCO in charge of police services. "The Turkish air force has external security and they control entry onto the base and we are responsible for the safety and security of our own personnel and resources. With the two being merged together on joint patrols, we find that middle ground to talk back and fourth, which allows us to help anybody on base."

"The major benefit is command and control," Major Gillespie said. "We have two very large security forces elements on this installation, both armed and highly motivated and the seam is at the joint patrol. The only real way to answer calls and make sure the two forces don't run over each other is to put them in a joint configuration."

One of the most beneficial things about joint patrols is the fact Americans and Turks can learn from one another.

"One of the biggest things the Turks learn from us are the tactics we use on a day-to-day basis and one of the biggest things the Americans learn is their culture and that not everyone thinks like we do," said Capt. James Alves, a 39th SFS operations officer.

Volunteers teach students African-American heritage

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123040959

by Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jason Segedy
Detachment 10, Air Force News Agency

2/13/2007 - YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNEWS) -- Volunteers are teaching students at base elementary schools here about African-American Heritage through books, and one fourth grade class was especially receptive to what their volunteer read.

"I think it's important we all learn about Black History Month since America is built on the foundation of freedom and democracy," Staff Sgt. Vincent Camacho said. "Black history plays an important role in that."

Many of the students were eager to learn about some of the people who shaped America's history.

"I thought the first book was kind of nice," said Keanna Peck, a fourth grader at Yokota East Elementary here. "It showed how Harriet Tubman brought slaves to freedom and how they used a train to remember Harriet Tubman."

"I looked up books on African-American heritage in general," said a Tysha Tolefree, reading program coordinator here. "I also looked at books that stress positive self-esteem, positive self-image, (and) a variety of topics."

The volunteers reading stories with those topics offered students a fun way to learn about African-American history.

Pace: Debate, discourse not U.S. weaknesses

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123041012

by Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

2/13/2007 - CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii (AFNEWS) -- No enemy should confuse U.S. debate on the war in Iraq for weakness, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here Feb. 9.

Speaking at a town hall meeting at U.S. Pacific Command here, Marine Gen. Peter Pace said an early or precipitous withdrawal from Iraq would be a disaster for Iraqis and embolden U.S. enemies around the world.

General Pace is in the midst of a visit to friends and allies in the Pacific Command region. He is visiting Australia and Indonesia this week before returning to Washington.

The meeting showed that servicemembers are clearly worried about the debate going on in Congress concerning operations in Iraq.

"Fundamentally, debate in the Congress of the United States is good for the health of our democracy," the general said. "All of us who wear the uniform ... believe that, fight for that, and would be very upset if anyone tried to take that opportunity away."

The chairman said the problem lies with enemies who look at debate, dialogue and discourse as signs of weakness.

"The problem is that our enemies, who have no clue what democracy is all about, don't understand that debate," he said. "The trash heap of history has a lot of corpses on it, of nations that misunderstood the will of the American people. The (enemy) should not repeat the mistake that many have made about our country."

General Pace said Congress has consistently provided the funding the military needs to conduct the war on terror.

"We cannot, as a nation, send our armed forces on a mission and not give them the tools they need," the chairman said.

He said he believes Congress will continue to give servicemembers the resources they need, and it would be a disaster for the Iraqi people if the coalition left before the mission is completed.

"Their armed forces are coming on line, they are getting better and they have demonstrated that," General Pace said. "But they are not yet ready to take care of security inside their own country by themselves.

"If we were to leave precipitously, sectarian violence would tear that country apart, and there would be a lot of dead people," he said.

Leaving also would embolden enemies around the globe, he said. He said enemies would not take Iraq and be content, they would want to duplicate the success in Afghanistan and around the world.

"They have a 100-year plan," General Pace said. "It's hard for a nation that likes fast food to understand that concept. What the enemy doesn't understand is that we do like fast food, but we're a nation that once we understand the threat we come alive.

"The Soviet Union was a threat for decades," he continued. "Once our nation understood the nature of that threat -- it didn't make any difference whether Democrats or Republicans -- the nation understood the need to defend itself and did so."

The United States cannot turn its back on the enemy, because the enemy will continue to defeat America.

"We want to keep this an away game," General Pace said. "But if we give up on the away game, it's going to be a home game," with all the dangers and casualties that terrorist attacks on America would cause.

Choose wisely

Commentary by Maj. Richelle Dowdell
36th Wing Public Affairs

2/13/2007 - ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFNEWS) -- As I was driving to work recently, I noticed a child about 7 or 8 years old walking toward the school. I quietly admired him as he skipped up the street. He was so carefree. If only I could be so lucky. However, he stopped abruptly at the corner as a perplexed look fell upon his face.

It was too early for crossing guards to stop the traffic and there were no teachers on duty to guide him across.

He looked left. Right. Left again. He made no movement. Hmm ... how to proceed? Which way to go?

He could proceed directly across the street and go directly to the school. Or he could go left and then across the street, however, he would still have to cross yet another street to end up on school property. Choices, choices, choices. Ever wonder how many choices you make in a typical day?

You start the day by choosing whether to get up right away or hit the snooze button. You choose whether to boil an egg or have cornflakes for breakfast. You choose to read this commentary or cut it short.

These decisions typically get very little conscious thought. It's as though we are on autopilot. We just kind of do what we "feel like" doing, or what we think we "have to do."

If you stop to think about it, how many of our bigger decisions are also on automatic pilot or made too quickly?

Take a moment to consider what happens when we get too busy to make responsible choices. Responsible choices affect more than just the people who make them; they affect our friends, our supervisors, our families and, yes, our mission.

When our commanders and supervisors brief us on policies, procedures and safety measures, they are providing us with the tools to make informed decisions.

As Airmen we must take time to listen and hear. Equally we must take time to read and fully understand our individual responsibilities to make wise choices.

Line of duty determination, survivor benefits, and the Uniform Code of Military Justice are terms that can come into play when you choose irresponsibly -- the repercussions can last a lifetime -- or prove just the opposite. An annoyed driver honked trying to rush the child to a decision.

He looked left. Right. Left again. All cars had stopped. He received nods from the two leading drivers and he began his journey across the street. In this case, he chose wisely.

Make sure you do the same.

Academy Cadet Wing returns to daily schedule

2/13/2007 - U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFNEWS) -- The Cadet Wing has returned to its daily schedule of calls and cadets' off-duty privileges have been reinstated, academy officials announced Feb. 13.

Lt. Gen. John F. Regni, the academy superintendent, restricted the entire 4,300-member Cadet Wing to the campus Feb. 7 after a cheating incident involving at least 28 freshmen.

In an address to the cadets, staff, faculty, coaches, commanders and military trainers Feb. 13, General Regni said, "Effective immediately, we will resume our mission with the daily schedule of calls. But we are not 'business as usual' or 'ops normal.' We are in 'ops forward,' as we have much yet to accomplish."

The general restricted the cadets to campus Feb. 7, challenging them to take a hard, introspective look at their conduct and image. He asked them to come together over the weekend, called a "Character Commitment Weekend," to discuss and plan a new direction for the academy.

He was pleased with their efforts and enthusiasm in meeting his challenge.

"I am satisfied the wing has taken one large, necessary pensive step backward, and four larger steps forward," the general told the cadets. "One very important step embracing honor as the fiber of our daily lives. Another accepting our high standards as important and necessary. A third toward accountability and individual cadet behavior that visibly portrays what the academy stands for. And, another step, re-instilling pride in the Cadet Wing."

"I want to impress on each of you that these last six days do not translate to mission accomplished," General Regni said. "This has not been one item on an Air Force checklist we can check and say it's complete, and put it in our subconscious or rearview mirror. These past few days have been but a start, and we will continue to stress and display honor and character, respect for human dignity, and pride in all of your -- and our actions."

Earlier Feb. 13, the superintendent and academy senior staff members were briefed about the outcomes of the Character Commitment Weekend by Cadet Colonel Joshua Gramm, the Cadet Wing commander, and his staff. Cadet Gramm outlined some of the weekend's activities and how the Cadet Wing used this time to recommit to the Air Force Academy honor code and Air Force core values. The cadets and staff discussed the formation of a character task force to review all of the ideas from this weekend's activities and develop an execution plan.

Air Force completes F-16 accident investigation

2/13/2007 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNEWS) -- Air Force officials completed an investigation of the F-16 Fighting Falcon accident at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Oct. 26, 2006, which resulted in the loss of the 56th Fighter Wing aircraft.

The accident investigation board determined a third stage fan disk malfunction caused the mishap. The fan disk created a fracture in the airframe and penetrated the fuel tank, which in turn ignited the fire causing the engine to explode.

The aircraft, flown by 62nd Fighter Squadron instructor pilot Lt. Col. Drexel Sherman, experienced the mishap during takeoff as the lead F-16 of a two-aircraft afterburner formation takeoff and basic fighter maneuver sortie. Capt. Eduardo Cuadra was the other pilot acting as the wingman for the sortie.

After being cleared for takeoff, Colonel Sherman taxied to the left side of the runway accompanied by Captain Cuadra on the right side. Upon ignition of the afterburner, Colonel Sherman heard an explosion and noticed that a fire had started on his aircraft. His wingman transmitted "Fire" on the radio and Colonel Sherman applied full brakes and initiated the appropriate critical action procedures to abort the takeoff due to fire and preparing to get out of the stopped, but burning aircraft. He was able to open the canopy and safely exit the F-16. Members of the Luke AFB fire department extinguished the aircraft fire.

The $22 million aircraft was declared a total loss, and there were no injuries or other property damage as a result of the mishap.

Col. Kevin Kriner, from the 71st Flying Training Wing at Vance Air Force Base, Okla., was the accident investigation board president.

Thats all for now, Smile

Scottish Lady
_________________

Sgt/USAF 1972-1977
Company Staff officer M.S.T.
Alpha CO.

May your dreams of life and the dawn of time be safe for everyone.

Wrestling: Falcons defeat Utah Valley State 38-6

by Melissa McKeown
U.S. Air Force Academy

2/18/2007 - OREM, Utah (AFNEWS) -- A day after turbulent weather and road closures caused the cancellation of its match against Wyoming, the Air Force wrestling team recorded a solid 38-6 victory Feb. 17 over Utah Valley State.

With the win, the Falcons improve to 5-10 on the season, 2-1 in the Western Wrestling Conference, while the Wolverines fall to 6-12, 0-5 in the WWC.

The match began at 141 pounds, where Air Force junior Jake Kriegbaum registered a 17-0 technical fall over Justin Morrill.

"Kriegbaum wrestled well tonight," said Falcons head coach Joel Sharratt. "He's been struggling lately with putting points on the board, but he did a good job of scoring tonight. This should send a strong message going into our regional tournament. He'll have a challenge ahead of him when he squares off against Northern Colorado's nationally ranked 141-pounder."

The Falcons' lead grew to 8-0 when senior captain Bridger Lord picked up a 10-4 decision over Justin Rawle, while Zach Lord added a 14-0 major decision over Clayton Wolf at 157 pounds.

Air Force suffered its first loss at 165 pounds, when junior Duane Miller dropped an 8-4 decision to Dustin Olsen. However, the Falcons rebounded at 174 pounds, where sophomore Stephen Crozier pinned Marc Fenwick in a time of 4:24 to give Air Force the 18-3 advantage.

After battling UVSC's Brock Jardine to a 2-2 tie at the end of regulation, 184-pounder Jacob Devlin scored a takedown 20 seconds into overtime to record a 4-2 decision.

"Jake turned the corner today," Coach Sharratt said. "He fought through some battles and came out on top in overtime. He was able to score when he needed to score."

Following Devlin's overtime victory, the Falcons then suffered their second loss of the day, as sophomore Jordan Tribble dropped a 10-6 decision to Eric McAllister in the 197-pound bout.

With forfeits by the Wolverines at the 125 and 133 weight classes, the final contested match of the day came at heavyweight, where Anthony Stegeman met up with Mark Dennis. Stegeman dominated the bout, registering four near falls en route to a 15-0 technical fall at the 4:36 mark.

"Stegeman continues to wrestle well," Coach Sharratt said. "He's been able to score a lot of points at heavyweight, and I think he's making a legitimate case to be considered as the top seed at the West Regional."

The Falcons face Northern Colorado in a WWC showdown Feb. 20 in Clune Arena, when the Air Force will salute its six seniors, including captains Bridger and Zach Lord.

Hockey: Air Force shuts out Canisius 5-0

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123041558
by Dave Toller
U.S. Air Force Academy

2/18/2007 - U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFNEWS) -- Air Force goalie Ben Worker stopped all 21 shots he faced and Andrew Ramsey scored two goals as the Falcons beat Canisius 5-0 in an Atlantic Hockey Association game Feb. 17 at the academy's Cadet Ice Arena.

Air Force snapped a five-game losing streak with the victory and improved to 14-15-5 overall and 11-10-5 in the league. Canisius fell to 9-22-2 overall and 9-16-2. The two teams split the season series at two games each.

With the victory Air Force remained in fifth place in the league with 27 points. The Falcons are four points ahead of Holy Cross and need just one point in the final regular-season series, or a Holy Cross loss next week vs. University of Connecticut, to clinch home ice advantage in the playoffs. The academy is also just one point behind fourth-place Connecticut.

Air Force got on the board first as Mike Phillipich scored his 13th goal of the season at the 9:13 mark of the first period. Theo Zacour and Billy Devoney assisted as Phillipich stick-handled through a defenseman at the top of the circle and fired a wrister that beat Andrew Loewen.

The Falcons increased their lead to 2-0 early in the second period on a power play. Eric Ehn made a perfect cross-ice pass to Ramsey at the weak-side post. Ramsey buried the shot as freshman Jeff Hajner also assisted on the play.

Three goals in the third period, all from the Falcons' top line, put the game out of reach. Each of the three forwards on the top line scored in the period. Ehn scored his league-leading 22nd of the season at the 2:48 mark from Hajner and Ramsey. Hajner dropped the puck to Ehn at the blue line and the junior center skated in one on two. His wrister from the high slot gave the Falcons a 3-0 lead. Four minutes later, Ramsey scored from Ehn and Hajner for a 4-0 advantage. After a turnover behind the Canisius goal, Hajner took a shot from the corner that was saved, but Ramsey put back the rebound for this second goal of the night, his third of the series and his 18th of the season.

With 4:48 left in the third period, Hajner scored his 11th of the year for a 5-0 lead. Ehn won the faceoff in the offensive end and Ramsey fired a shot that was saved. Hajner put back the rebound for his fourth point of the game.

The Falcons out-shot the Golden Griffins 36-21 in the game. Worker stopped all 21 shots he faced for his second career shutout and his fourth win of the season. His last shutout came at Bentley, 2-0, Jan. 27. Air Force was 1-for-5 on the power play while Canisius was 0-for-6.

"I told our guys that they made a mistake tonight because they showed everyone how good they could be," head coach Frank Serratore said. "This should be the norm of how we play. It was a total team effort."

Air Force concludes the regular season at American International College in Springfield, Mass., Feb. 23-24. Should the Falcons clinch home ice advantage, the academy would host a playoff game March 10 at the Cadet Ice Arena.

Air Force band builds relations in Peru
http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123041554
by Tech. Sgt. Kerry Jackson
Air Force News Agency

2/18/2007 - CHICLAYO, Peru (AFNEWS) -- An Air Force regional band is on tour here sharing the Air Force story through music and entertainment while supporting Airmen participating in a joint military exercise and air show this weekend.

The Air National Guard Band of the Southwest, located at Port Hueneme Naval Station, Calif., is performing before thousands of Peruvians in support the U.S. Ambassador to Peru and the Falcon and Condor 2007, a joint military exercise that provides the U.S military the opportunity to work together and build relationships with military and civilian leaders of Peru.

"We are excited to be here," said Senior Airman Ryan Webb, the band's tuba player. "It's great when we can personally showcase the U.S. Air Force and our music to people."

The seven-member band, which plays a key role in cultivating positive relations with many communities interacting with Air Force units, are playing an ensemble of Dixieland music on the tour.

A notable stop on the tour was a "gig" at the Bi-National Center opening in which the band played for the Ambassador of Peru, James Curtis Struble, and an audience of more than 400 Peruvians.

On a number of stops during the tour, the band requested the Peruvian audience be active participants, often times asking the crowd to join in on a number of songs.

"The Peruvians are great a crowd to play for, and we appreciate the support they've been giving us during this tour, the joint exercise and air show," said Airman Webb

Twelfth Air Force and Air Forces Southern has participated in and provided support for Latin air shows for many years. The Falcon and Condor 2007 will be the first air show of the year for aircraft from 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern. The joint exercise and air show directly supports U.S. Southern Command's engagement goals and furthers relations between allied nations.

DOD recognizes Travis medical center

by Peter Gaudet
60th Medical Group

2/18/2007 - TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNEWS) -- David Grant Medical Center has been honored with the 2006 Team Performance Patient Safety Award in recognition of outstanding achievement in creating a safer patient environment.

The award, presented at the 2007 Military Health System conference in Washington, D.C., is the highest honor within the Department of Defense recognizing quality health care services for a military treatment facility.

"This is a great honor for David Grant and is reflective of the hard work and emphasis placed on patient safety and creating a patient safety culture within our organization over the past year and a half," said Col. (Dr.) Lee Payne, the 60th Medical Group commander.

DGMC was recognized for their sustainment and reinforcement of the TeamSTEPPS training program for all personnel assigned. National statistics identify communication and teamwork as causal factors with mistakes resulting in negative outcomes at hospitals.

"The leadership of the 60th MDG aggressively championed the initiative to train, and sustain training, all assigned medical personnel with clinical team skills and tools," said Col. (Dr.) Linda Lawrence, the chief of medical staff. "The objective was to provide all staff the necessary skill set for improved communication within the clinical arena providing a more cohesive team environment."

The two tools DGMC leadership used were TeamSTEPPS training and the building of a clinical simulation laboratory.

Colonel Lawrence continually measures results from a baseline 2005/2006 DOD patient safety survey, using the Joint Commission's tracer survey methodology. The result has been a steady increase in overall communication and openness.

DGMC observation of the aggressive TeamSTEPPS training, coupled with the sustainment training through the simulation center, has resulted in a reduction in medical mistakes or mishaps.

"While this was initiated by leadership, it has been embraced by everyone in our organization, which is the key to keeping the safety of our patients paramount," Colonel Payne said. "We are not finished with this journey by any means, and we must stay vigilant in our efforts to make every encounter as safe as possible for our patients."

For more information on the TeamSTEPPS training process, contact Michael McCann at michael.mccann.ctr@travis.af.mil

Air Force supports NASA mission to study auroras

2/18/2007 - CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. (AFNEWS) -- Airmen from the 45th Space Wing supported the Feb. 17 launch of a Delta II booster carrying five NASA probes on a mission called "THEMIS," which will study auroral substorms, an avalanche of solar wind powered magnetic energy that intensifies the northern and southern lights.

"We made history. This was the largest number of NASA scientific satellites launched on a single booster. It was a tremendous joint effort between the Air Force, NASA and industry," said Col. Tom Bouthiller, 45th Space Wing vice commander. "Congratulations to NASA and all of our mission partners on a great start to an endeavour that will help us unlock the mysteries of the auroras."

The 45th SW provided launch base and eastern range support that helped ensure public safety and mission success via instrumentation such as radar, telemetry, communications and meteorological systems.

THEMIS is an acronym for Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms. The THEMIS mission goal is to help scientists further understand how and why these space storms create havoc with satellites, power grids and communications systems.

Basketball: Air Force downs Colorado State, 67-58
http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123041560
2/18/2007 - U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFNEWS) -- The U.S. Air Force Academy men's basketball team defeated the Colorado Rams 67-58 here Feb. 17, extending the nation's longest home court winning streak to 30 for the 17th nationally ranked Falcons.

For the complete story, visit the academy sports Web site at www.goairforcefalcons.com

Feb. 18 airpower: F-16s provide over watch for search team
http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123041561
2/18/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 18.

In Afghanistan Feb. 17, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornets conducted a strike against insurgents Near Qurya. The Hornet strike-fighters dropped guided bomb unit-38 joint direct attack munitions on insurgent compounds and infrastructure with direct hits confirmed by weapons system video.

In total, 39 close-air-support missions were flown in support of International Security Assistance Force and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Four Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, Navy fighter aircraft performed in non-traditional ISR roles using their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

In Iraq , Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided over watch for a cordon and search team. The fighters also supported coalition troops in contact with enemy forces around a mosque near Bayji and later supported two coalition convoys under fire near Samarra. After the attack in Samarra, the F-16s provided over watch for the convoys until coalition personnel located and detained the anti-Iraqi insurgents believed to have carried out the attack. The F-16s later provided over watch for coalition forces working a counter-improvised explosive device mission.

Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornados were tasked to observe troop routes and an intersection of two routes where an illegal checkpoint was believed to be located near Baghdad. The GR-4s were then tasked to provide over watch for humvees engaged by four individuals on foot near Baghdad.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 57 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Additionally, 16 Air Force, Navy, RAF and Royal Australian Air Force ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.

Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intratheater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. These aircraft flew more than 160 airlift sorties delivering more than 410 tons of cargo including more than 9,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped into eastern Afghanistan. Airlifters transported 4,100 passengers.

Coalition C-130 crews from Canada and Australia flew in support of OIF or OEF.

On Feb. 16, Air Force, RAF and French tankers flew 41 sorties and off-loaded more than 2.6 million pounds of fuel.

Airmen kick off part two of Falcon Condor 2007
http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123041562
by Tech. Sgt. Kerry Jackson
12th Air Force Public Affairs

2/18/2007 - CHICLAYO, Peru (AFNEWS) -- A crowd of more than 15,000 Peruvians watched in amazement as the skies above Las Palmas Air Force Base in Lima, Peru, were filled with Peruvian and U.S. aircraft during a joint air show that kicked off here Feb. 17.

The air show, Falcon Condor 2007, is in addition to a joint exercise that took place here earlier this week that allows the U.S. military to build relations with military and civilian leaders of Peru.

"The air show has been going absolutely fantastic," said Col. Todd Harmer, the air boss for the U.S. team here for Falcon Condor. "We've had some fantastic demonstrations, and everyone seems to be really enjoying the show."

Air Force aircraft participating in the two-day air show are the C-130 Hercules, E-3 Sentry, F-16 Fighting Falcon, B-1B Lancer and C-17 Globemaster III, along with the Peruvian MiG 29 and Mirage 2000.

Cheers emerged from the crowd as aircraft from both the U.S. and Peru soared through the skies with dynamic twist and turns.

As part of the air show, a team of 13 Peruvian special forces jumped from a U.S. C-130 waving the U.S. flag to symbolize the bond between the United States and Peru.

The 150 Airmen participating in the air show were greeted with great applause and spent time talking and interacting with the Peruvian crowd during the air show.

The Air National Guard Band of the Southwest, from Port Hueneme Naval Station, Calif., was also in attendance to provide music and entertainment to the Peruvian audience. The seven-member band, which plays a key role in cultivating positive relations with many communities interacting with Air Force units, are playing an ensemble of Dixieland music during the air show.

The awe-stricken crowd was very happy about the joint air show and thankful for the U.S. participation.

"The air show is wonderful," said Roxana Sayas, a Peruvian mother who brought her family of four to the event. "It is very nice of you to come to our country."

The Falcon Condor 2007 air show is the first of the year for Airmen from the 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern. The joint exercise and air show directly supports the U.S. Southern Command's engagement goals and furthers relations between allied nations.

379th responds to increased operations
http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123041548
by Capt. Wes Ticer
379th Air Expeditionary Wing

2/18/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) -- The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing kicked into high gear to support ongoing operations in Iraq, while still providing a presence in Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa.

Flying squadrons and maintenance units throughout the wing responded to the call for an increased display of airpower to back the resolve of the Iraqi government to protect its sovereignty and the security within its borders.

In a two-day period, the 379th AEW supported a coalition effort that flew 102 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. The missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

"As is the case every day, everyone in this wing responded to the call for demonstrating how the dominance of air power synchronizes with the ground forces' efforts," said Col. Jeffrey Fraser, 379th AEW vice commander. "We employed the full range of our wing's airpower to support the effort to secure Baghdad and ports of entry throughout Iraq."

The increased tempo is something felt by more than those working on the flightline. Any time sortie rates increase there is a snowball effect on the supply chain, said Chief Master Sgt. Mike Allen, 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron chief of supply.

"Our supply professionals work very closely with maintainers to ensure we get parts and keep the aircraft mission ready," Chief Allen said. "The relationship between us and aircraft maintenance is fabulous, and that helps us keep the jets flying."

The demands of increased flying operations were possible thanks to the wing's new hydrant fuel system, which has proven to be safer and more efficient, said Capt. John Klohr, 379th ELRS Fuels Management Flight commander.

As a major fuel hub in Southwest Asia, the flight dispenses more than 700,000 gallons of fuel every day, Captain Klohr said. The increase in flying also increases the importance of balancing receipts to ensure enough fuel is on hand.

The 379th AEW's air refueling, ISR and airlift asset capabilities will allow the coalition to provide the persistent presence requested by the Iraqi government, the colonel said.

"We are here to assist the Iraqi people in securing their country and establishing an environment where anti-Iraqi forces are unable to operate," Colonel Fraser said.

Baseball: Falcons defeat Kansas Wesleyan
http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123041563
2/18/2007 - U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFNEWS) -- Strong pitching by a trio of freshmen and timely hitting propelled Air Force to a 9-5 win over Kansas Wesleyan in baseball action Feb. 18 here at Falcon Field.

The Falcons improved to 2-4 on the season and the Coyotes fell to 1-4.

Falcon starter Gary Whiteman (1-1) picked up his first career win with six-plus strong innings of work. Aside from a shaky fourth inning, where he surrendered four runs off of two walks and a hit batter, Whiteman held Kansas Wesleyan scoreless in five of the first six innings. The freshman finished the day with three strikeouts and allowed five runs, four earned, off of six hits.

Air Force jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Karl Bolt tripled into the right field corner to score Geno Salazar for the first run and later came around to score on Matt Alexander's ground out.

After the Coyotes put up four runs in the third to take a 4-2 lead, the Falcons scored four two-out runs in the fourth inning to retake the lead at 6-4. Highlighting the inning was a two-out, two-RBI single up the middle by Jason Griggs, scoring Bolt and Alexander.

With the lead in hand, freshmen Alex Truesdale and David Miller combined to toss three scoreless innings in relief to hold Kansas Wesleyan at bay. Truesdale worked the seventh and eighth and gave way to Miller in the ninth. Miller came in and shut the door on the game by striking out two of the three batters he faced.

Air Force tacked on a run in the sixth and two more in the seventh. The Falcons had 12 hits on the day. Chay Derbigny, Alexander, Griggs and Josh Meents had two base hits each for the Falcons.

Kansas Wesleyan had eight hits in the game. Dusty Romero and Matt Garretson had two hits apiece for the Coyotes.

The Falcons stole four or more bases for the third game in a row. Air Force has stolen 14 bases in 15 tries in its last three games.

Air Force and Kansas Wesleyan will make up the Feb. 17 snow-out game with a doubleheader Feb. 19.

Thats all for now,

Scottish Lady
_________________

Sgt/USAF 1972-1977
Company Staff officer M.S.T.
Alpha CO.

May your dreams of life and the dawn of time be safe for everyone.

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