by Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
1st Lt. Ben Hosbein pulls a hose reel during a relay race as part of a fire muster event at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Sept. 28, 2013. Hosbein is deployed from Robins Air Force Base, Ga., and a St. Joseph, Mich., native. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
Airman 1st Class Brandon Ramos assists Staff Sgt. Abby Lundberry as she dawns her self-contained breathing apparatus during a fire muster at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Sept. 28, 2013. Ramos is a 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter deployed from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., and a Junction City, Kan., native. Lundberry is a U.S. Central Command service desk technician deployed from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., and hails from Chicago. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
Service members participate in a fire muster event at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Sept. 28, 2013. Teams had to get the bucket past their opponents cone by blasting the bucket with water during this event. More than 80 service members in 20 teams pitted their might in a firefighting flavored challenge wrestling everything from hoses and tires to water buckets and fire trucks. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
Tech. Sgt. Derek Woodard smacks a tire with a sledgehammer during a relay race as part of a fire muster event at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Sept. 28, 2013. Woodard is deployed from Robins Air Force Base, Ga., and a Forsyth, Ga., native. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
1st Lt. Sharon Kroening rolls out a hose reel during a relay race as part of a fire muster event at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Sept. 28, 2013. Kroening is deployed from Robins Air Force Base, Ga., and hails from Osan Air Base, South Korea. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
Capt. Jordan Tribble dowses 1st Lt. Susan Harrington trapped by fire during a fire muster event at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Sept. 28, 2013. Tribble is the 379th AEW wing section commander deployed from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., and a Midwest City, Okla., native. Harrington is the 379th AEW public affairs chief deployed from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., and a Frankfort, Ky., native. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
1st Lt. J.P. Henrard dowses 1st Lt. Susan Harrington trapped by fire during a fire muster event at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Sept. 28, 2013. Henrard is a 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron project engineer deployed from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., and hails from St. Petersburg, Fla. Harrington is the 379th AEW public affairs flight chief deployed from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., and a Frankfort, Ky., native. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
10/1/2013 – SOUTHWEST ASIA — Service members deployed to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here participated in a “Fire Muster” Sept. 28 hosted by the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department.
More than 80 service members in 20 teams pitted their might in a firefighting flavored challenge wrestling everything from hoses and tires to water buckets and fire trucks.
“It was a good turnout,” said Staff Sgt. Daniel Moore, a 379th ECES firefighter deployed from Dover Air Force Base, Del., and a Pana, Ill., native. “Most people don’t realize how much our equipment weighs and what we do on a day-to-day basis. This event really showed them what it takes to be a firefighter out here.”
Taking home the trophy, “We Got Worms,” won the event overall. Teams consisted of four members and had to have at least one female on their team.
“It was a great opportunity to experience what it means to be a deployed firefighter and I had a blast competing,” said Capt. Jordan Tribble, the 379th AEW wing section commander deployed from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., and a Midwest City, Okla., native. “It was challenging, but in the end my team was fortunate enough to take home the crown — a big thank you to the firefighters and ECES for putting on the event.”
by Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Resiliency is a term describing skill sets for Airmen to bounce back and grow following adversity. The Wingman Culture strengthens Airmen by providing them the tools and support to face the challenges of military life, especially while deployed. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
9/27/2013 – SOUTHWEST ASIA — Resiliency is a term describing skill sets for Airmen to bounce back and grow following adversity. The Wingman Culture strengthens Airmen by providing them the tools and support to face the challenges of military life, especially while deployed.
September is known across the Department of Defense as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, focusing efforts on the Wingman Culture and the availability of helping agencies for all service members. In a recent press statement, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said leaders throughout the department must make it understood that seeking help is a sign of strength and courage, not a sign of weakness. Echoing his secretary, President Barack Obama said there should be no shame in discussing or seeking help for treatable illnesses that affect too many people.
“We see it in veterans who come home from the battlefield with the invisible wounds of war,” the president said. “[These are veterans], who feel somehow that seeking treatment is a sign of weakness when, in fact, it’s a sign of strength.”
The DOD has launched numerous programs, hired hundreds of experts and continues promoting the importance of looking out for one another. Many of these programs and helping agencies are found at the nation’s largest expeditionary wing, the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing.
“The Chaplain Corps assists Airmen struggling with suicide by providing a support that includes: a safe place to share their problems with complete confidentiality, a support network through a referral program that includes other helping agencies on base and spiritual care provided by a professional religious support team,” said Maj. Ismael Rodriguez, the 379th AEW deputy wing chaplain deployed from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., and a San Antonio native. “It is extremely important for every Airman regardless of rank and position to seek help and know that it is a perfectly acceptable option.”
The chaplain said he sometimes sees people who are afraid to seek help because they think it will somehow end their career in the Air Force. Rodriguez said he tells Airmen it is better to voluntarily ask for help when they are just beginning to feel overwhelmed or start struggling with having a sense of hopelessness than to wait for the situation to worsen.
“It is never too late to see a chaplain or health care provider,” he continued. “We have a chaplain on call 24/7 and we will be there to respond and be with that individual for as long as that Airman needs us.”
The Air Force wants its Airmen and their families to thrive in good times and bad. The service continuously strives to improve Airmen performance and readiness by building their confidence to lead, courage to stand up for their beliefs, and capacity for compassion to help others.
“It is important for Airmen to seek early assistance before feelings of suicide,” said Staff Sgt. Aaron Guin, a 379th Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron mental health NCO in charge deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, S.C., and hails from Denver. “If you’re having feelings of suicide, tell your Wingman or someone you trust. Our Wingmen and supervisors are incredibly important because they are the first to notice if behaviors change.”
Guin said mental health works with all the helping agencies on base including the chapel, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, and military and family life counselors. The mental health clinic is open for walk-ins 7 days a week, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is on call 24/7.
The Air Force supports it’s Airmen in responsibly seeking help and according to the 379th AEW wing staff agencies first sergeant, Senior Master Sgt. Darrell Harmon, it’s all about getting to know the people with whom you serve.
“Sometimes our Airmen just want to sit down and talk with someone they know and trust,” Harmon said, who is deployed from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, and a Chicago native. “As supervisors and first sergeants, we need to express a genuine interest in our people and their development.”
Harmon said an Airman came to him one time asking to sit and talk. The first sergeant said during their conversation not once did it seem to him his troop was considering suicide. But months later, he received an email thanking him for the chat that day — for he had considered taking his own life, but it was because of Harmon’s genuine care, he made the choice to live.
“You may not know it at the time, but your actions have a huge impact on your people,” he said. “First sergeants and supervisors are an Airman’s first step to getting the help they need. It’s up to us to point them in the right direction and be involved. We need to know what resources are available so we can be good Wingmen, leaders and mentors.”
Good Wingmen support others who ask for help when they are in crisis and remove any barriers to responsibly getting help.
“We can all make a difference by helping our Wingmen understand they are not alone and positive support is available,” said Brig. Gen. Roger Watkins, the 379th AEW commander. “Our expeditionary Airmen have been engaged in a long war highlighted by continuous and sustained operational deployments and a demanding operations tempo. These service members are accomplishing a significant mission here that is vitally important to the safety and security of our nation.”
Although the resilience of the overall force has been remarkable, recurrent deployments and high mission tempo can affect service members’ ability to recover and restore total fitness and balance in every dimension of their lives. The Air Force created the Air Force Deployment Transition Center to combat these issues. DTC uses a resiliency-building, strength-based approach to empower Airmen at high-risk for traumatic exposure to decompress and successfully progress through the reintegration process before returning home.
All service members can help him identify early warning signs in their Wingmen and intervene to ensure others get help when needed. For 24/7 assistance call the base command post at 436-0160. Below is a list of resources available for service members both here and worldwide.
Resources:
379th Expeditionary Medical Group: 437-4216
Service members deployed to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing participate in the 24-hour prisoners of war and missing in action vigil run at the 379th AEW in Southwest Asia, Sept. 21, 2013. The run began Sept. 20 and culminated with a closing ceremony and traditional flag folding by the base honor guard in reverence to those still missing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
Service members deployed to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing participate in the 24-hour prisoners of war and missing in action vigil run at the 379th AEW in Southwest Asia, Sept. 21, 2013. The run began Sept. 20 and culminated with a closing ceremony and traditional flag folding by the base honor guard in reverence to those still missing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
Service members from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force complete the 24-hour prisoners of war and missing in action vigil run as U.S. military, coalition and mission partners render salutes at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Sept. 21, 2013. The run began Sept. 20 and culminated with a closing ceremony and traditional flag folding by the base honor guard in reverence to those still missing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
Senior Chief Petty Officer Laura Johnston addresses those in attendance at the bases prisoners of war and missing in action 24-hour vigil run closing ceremony at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Sept. 21, 2013. The run began Sept. 20 and culminated with a closing ceremony and traditional flag folding by the base honor guard in reverence to those still missing. Johnston is the Combined Air and Space Operations Center Naval and Amphibious Liaison Element leading senior chief petty officer deployed from Fort George G. Meade, Md., and hails from Oklahoma City, Okla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
Deployed U.S. service members, coalition and mission partners gather for a prisoners of war and missing in action remembrance ceremony at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Sept. 21, 2013. In the United States, National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed on the third Friday in September and honors those who were prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action. The day was established by an Act of Congress and is one of six days the POW/MIA flag can be flown. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
Staff Sgts. Vanessa Dominguez and Ernest McGachey secure the prisoners of war and missing in action flag during a remembrance ceremony at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Sept. 21, 2013. In the United States, National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed on the third Friday in September and honors those who were prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action. Dominguez is assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, deployed from March Air Reserve Base, Calif., and hails from El Centro, Calif. McGachey is assigned to the 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron and deployed from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
Members of the base honor guard fold the American flag as U.S. military, coalition and mission partners observe during a prisoners of war and missing in action remembrance ceremony at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Sept. 21, 2013. In the United States, National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed on the third Friday in September and honors those who were prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action. The day was established by an Act of Congress and is one of six days the POW/MIA flag can be flown. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
Members of the base honor guard fold the American flag during a prisoners of war and missing in action remembrance ceremony at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Sept. 21, 2013. In the United States, National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed on the third Friday in September and honors those who were prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action. The day was established by an Act of Congress and is one of six days the POW/MIA flag can be flown. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
U.S. Air Force photos by Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton
by Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
Royal Air Force service members bow their heads as Reverend (Sqdn. Leader) Andrew Wakeham-Dawson leads the group in prayer during the Battle of Britain Day parade ceremony at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Sept. 20, 2013. The RAF holds this day special as it was the day the Luftwaffe embarked on their largest bombing attack yet, forcing the engagement of the entire RAF Fighter Command in defense of London and the South East, which resulted in a decisive victory in favor of Britain and marked a turning point in the war. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
Royal Air Force service members respectfully stand at attention as Capt. Haley Armstrong plays Last Post and Reveille on her trumpet during the Battle of Britain Day parade ceremony at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Sept. 20, 2013. The RAF holds this day special as it was the day the Luftwaffe embarked on their largest bombing attack yet, forcing the engagement of the entire RAF Fighter Command in defense of London and the South East, which resulted in a decisive victory in favor of Britain and marked a turning point in the war. Armstrong is the U.S. Air Forces Central Command band officer in charge deployed from Yokota Air Base, Japan, and hails from Sonora, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
Group Capt. Domonic Stamp salutes his troops during the Battle of Britain Day parade ceremony at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Sept. 20, 2013. The RAF holds this day special as it was the day the Luftwaffe embarked on their largest bombing attack yet, forcing the engagement of the entire RAF Fighter Command in defense of London and the South East, which resulted in a decisive victory in favor of Britain and marked a turning point in the war. Stamp is the 83 Expeditionary Air Groups deputy air component commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
Royal Air Force service members respectfully stand at attention as Capt. Haley Armstrong plays Last Post and Reveille on her trumpet during the Battle of Britain Day parade ceremony at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Sept. 20, 2013. The RAF holds this day special as it was the day the Luftwaffe embarked on their largest bombing attack yet, forcing the engagement of the entire RAF Fighter Command in defense of London and the South East, which resulted in a decisive victory in favor of Britain and marked a turning point in the war. Armstrong is the U.S. Air Forces Central Command band officer in charge deployed from Yokota Air Base, Japan, and hails from Sonora, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
Flight Lt. Claire Wells addresses those in attendance during the Battle of Britain Day parade ceremony at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Sept. 20, 2013. Winston Churchill summed up the effect of the battle and the contribution of Fighter Command with the words, Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. Pilots who fought in the battle have been known as The Few ever since. Wells is an 83 Expeditionary Air Group detachment administration officer. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton)
9/26/2013 – SOUTHWEST ASIA — Royal Air Force service members deployed with the 83 Expeditionary Air Group gathered outside the unit’s headquarters here Sept. 20 paying tribute to RAF pilots who fought off Nazi Germany’s air force and other RAF personnel who supported their “epic” 1940 air battle now known as the Battle of Britain.
“Over 70 years on from the Battle of Britain, the RAF continues to protect the nation with air power,” said Group Capt. Domonic Stamp, the 83 EAG’s deputy air component commander. “We never forget that we’re standing on the shoulders of giants, so we were proud to take a moment out of our busy lives to salute ‘The Few.'”
Winston Churchill summed up the effect of the battle and the contribution of Fighter Command with the words, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” Pilots who fought in the battle have been known as ‘The Few’ ever since.
“Their grit and courage, and the hard work of their ground crews and air battle managers, are an inspiration to everyone who serves on operations with the RAF today,” Stamp said.
Although most RAF units commemorated the Battle of Britain on Sept. 15, the day in 1940 when the RAF is considered to have beaten the Luftwaffe, operational demands and mission requirements prevented the deployed service members from holding the traditional ceremony until five days later.
The RAF holds this day special as it was the day the Luftwaffe embarked on their largest bombing attack yet, forcing the engagement of the entirety of the RAF Fighter Command in defense of London and the South East, which resulted in a decisive victory in favor of Britain and marked a turning point in the war.
U.K. forces are deployed to Afghanistan and the Broader Middle East in support of the U.N.-authorized, NATO-led International Security Assistance Force mission and as part of the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom.
by Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Airmen forward deployed from the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing assist in a crash damage reclamation and demilitarization project of a C-130J Super Hercules at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, July 1, 2013. The team recovered 250 components totaling more than $20 million. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Airmen forward deployed from the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron assist in a crash damage reclamation and demilitarization project of a C-130J Super Hercules at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, July 1, 2013. The team recovered 250 components totaling more than $20 million. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Airmen forward deployed from the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing assist in a crash damage reclamation and demilitarization project of a C-130J Super Hercules at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, July 3, 2013. The team recovered 250 components totaling more than $20 million. (U.S. Air Force photo)
9/25/2013 – SOUTHWEST ASIA — The ability to quickly return battle damaged weapon systems to combat has been a critical and sometimes decisive factor in successful military campaigns. The side that can rapidly reconstitute its forces to an operationally effective state after an engagement has a major advantage.
To initiate and standardize these preparations, the U.S. Air Force developed the Aircraft Battle Damage Repair Program with six month rotations manned by Airmen deployed from the service’s three depots including Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., and Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.
“ABDR’s primary goal is to restore sufficient structural strength and systems serviceability to permit damaged aircraft to continue combat operations,” said Master Sgt. Thomas Hartley, the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron aircraft battle damage repair team chief deployed from Hill AFB. “Our repairs are more of a temporary fix in order to get the aircraft flying again.”
The secondary objective is to perform the necessary maintenance actions to allow extensively damaged aircraft to make a one-time flight to its home station, rear base or major repair facility such as a theater depot or a stateside based air logistics center.
“Our techniques result in significant time savings over peacetime practices without jeopardizing flight safety or mission effectiveness,” Hartley said.
Though their mission does require jets to be damaged, so in the meantime Hartley said they help out their owning unit’s mission here.
“We help support the mission here by back filling the sheet metal shop and crew chiefs,” he said. “But when [stuff] hits the fan, we’ve got to be ready to go.”
And ready to go they were when recently a C-130J Super Hercules landed at a remote forward operating base in Afghanistan.
“It was so damaged that we couldn’t save it and get it flying again,” said Hartley. “So we assisted in the salvage operations.”
Hartley and his team were able to recover 250 components totaling more than $20 million retrieving items ranging from engines and propellers to avionics equipment and other electrical items.
“Those avionics boxes can cost anywhere from $100,000 to more than $1 million,” he said. “So we were able to get it all boxed up and shipped home, effectively saving the Air Force millions of dollars.”
Long days aside, the mission wasn’t easy.
“During our time there, the base sustained a number of indirect fire hits,” said Hartley. “The particular FOB we were at is a high-threat area getting mortar attacks every other day.”
The aircraft still had nearly 3,500 pounds of fuel on board, making it vitally important to maintain situational awareness.
“It was scary,” Hartley said. “We actually dug a fox hole and when the alarms sounded, we’d hit the deck running.”
ABDR is a sticky business, but someone has to respond, repair and get Air Force jets combat ready in the war time environment.
“This ABDR unit is the only major package for the entire U.S. Central Command area of responsibility,” said Hartley. “It’s a huge obligation, but we’re definitely here and eager to help. We repair jets to get them back in the fight. I mean, how cool is that?”
by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Senior Airman Jamela Nuriddin inventories ammunition and weapons at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Aug. 14, 2013. Nuriddin is a 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron staff armorer deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., and a Raleigh, N.C., native. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
Airman 1st Class Jillian Ward issues an M4 carbine assault rifle to Senior Airman Thomas Flowers at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Aug. 14, 2013. Ward is a 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron staff armorer deployed from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, and hails from Sunbury, Ohio. Flowers is a 379th ESFS security forces leader deployed from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, and a Washington, D.C., native. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
Staff Sgts. John Rizzuto and Rosenmark Gerales execute a weapons check during shift change at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Aug. 14, 2013. Rizzuto is a 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron patrolman deployed from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and hails from Slidell, La. Gerales is a 379th ESFS response team leader deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and a Fairfield, Calif., native. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
8/29/2013 – SOUTHWEST ASIA — The basic goal of a security forces specialist is to protect U.S. Air Force people, property and resources. While defenders have hand-to-hand combat training, their effectiveness is only enhanced by the weapons they carry and without the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron armory here, these weapons would not be a part of their tool kits.
“The purpose of the armory is to hold all of the defender’s weapons and supplies they need to perform their duties on a day-to-day basis,” said Airman 1st Class Jillian Ward, 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron staff armorer. “My duty at the armory is to arm up all the defenders.”
Much like services Airmen account for all the food served on base, armory Airmen account for all the weapons, ammunition and any extra supplies and equipment defenders may need to keep the base safe and secure. When they first come on shift, Ward said they conduct changeover tasks with the last shift making sure they know exactly what has been issued and what is now being placed in their care.
“We have to take accountability of all the equipment in the armory, such as weapons, ammo, night vision goggles, etc.,” said Ward, who is deployed from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, and hails from Sunbury, Ohio. “We have to keep track of everything issued and turned in on equipment trackers.”
These equipment trackers, she said, are then scanned into their computers and organized into folders for reference later.
“Once everything is accounted for, we setup all the windows so we can do issue and turn in in a timely fashion,” Ward said explaining the quicker they get issue the weapons, the quicker they can get on post and relieve that post’s last shift.
“I like it, it’s a good job to have,” Ward continued. “It’s good to know we are helping them out and supporting the flight by giving them what they need to go out there and do their job.”
Ward’s coworker, Senior Airman Jamela Nuriddin, said she also enjoys being a part of such an important mission.
“I am part of the wing’s vital protection mission,” Nuriddin said, who is deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., and a Raleigh, N.C., native. “If we weren’t here, everything in the security forces mission realistically wouldn’t run. Airmen need weapons to fight, radios to talk and night vision devices to be able to see during nighttime conditions.”
Everyone sees the defenders on post protecting the base, but it’s the armorers who enable that mission.
“We’re the behind the scenes step to the mission,” continued Nuriddin. “We make sure everything is ready for when the flights need to go out, accomplish the mission and defend the base.”
by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Lt. Col. Sirena Morris addresses women and men alike attending the Womens Equality Day celebration at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Aug. 26, 2013. The colonels words and many others quoted during the event served as mentoring points and notes of motivation. Morris is the 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron commander and a Fayetteville, N.C., native. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
Senior Airman Vikki Flores and Lt. Col. Sirena Morris select which sandwich to eat during the Womens Equality Day celebration at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Aug. 26, 2013. Flores is a 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management journeyman deployed from Dover Air Force Base, Del., and an Azusa, Calif., native. Morris is the 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron commander and a Fayetteville, N.C., native. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
Lt. Col. Sirena Morris addresses women and men alike attending the Womens Equality Day celebration at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Aug. 26, 2013. The colonels words and many others quoted during the event served as mentoring points and notes of motivation. Morris is the 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron commander and a Fayetteville, N.C., native. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
8/28/2013 – SOUTHWEST ASIA — Service members from across the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing came out in support of Women’s Equality Day here Aug. 26, celebrating the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote 93 years ago.
The 19th Amendment was a culmination of a massive, peaceful civil rights movement by women. The observance not only commemorates the passage of the amendment, but also calls attention to women’s continuing efforts toward full equality.
“If you believe it and work hard, you can accomplish anything,” said Lt. Col. Sirena Morris as she addressed women and men alike in the audience. Morris is the 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron commander and a Fayetteville, N.C., native.
The colonel’s words and many others quoted during the event served as mentoring points and notes of motivation. One attendee, Senior Airman Vikki Flores, said it was an amazing opportunity to hear Morris talk of her many years of service and the opportunities she’s had along the way.
“Being deployed during this event exponentially increased the effect of her [Morris] message,” said Flores, a 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management journeyman deployed from Dover Air Force Base, Del., and an Azusa, Calif., native. “The colonel spoke on the topic of women’s equality, but with an extra emphasis on our advancement in the military.”
In 2013 alone, women in the military have seen many strides, especially in combat and leadership roles.
Earlier this year, the defense department announced the inclusion of women in 237,000 combat positions historically off-limits to women by 2016. Additionally, on Aug. 1, President Barack Obama announced his nomination for Deborah Lee James to succeed the Honorable Michael B. Donley as Secretary of the Air Force, a position never before filled by a woman.
“On this Women’s Equality Day, we honor those who fought tirelessly for a woman’s right to vote,” said Valerie B. Jarrett, a Senior Advisor to the President in her http://www.whitehouse.gov blog post for the day. “But we know there is much more work to do. Let us keep marching forward together.”
A member of the planning committee for the 379th AEW’s celebration, 1st Lt. Nicole Tripputi, said this remembrance is very important because not only was it a turning point for women’s rights, but also reminds all service members the importance of everyone’s contributions to the mission.
“It paved the way for women’s rights,” said Tripputi, the 379th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron commodities flight commander deployed from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., and a Lincoln, Calif., native. “The observance of Women’s Equality Day not only commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, but also calls attention to women’s continuing efforts toward full equality.”
by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
In nearly 70 years, airlift operations have come a long way since the early days of the Military Airlift Transport Service and mobility pioneer, Lt. Gen. William Tunner, but one thing has remained the same — Mobility Airmen are dedicated to answering the call whether at home or deployed to the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
8/23/2013 – SOUTHWEST ASIA — In nearly 70 years, airlift operations have come a long way since the early days of the Military Airlift Transport Service and mobility pioneer, Lt. Gen. William Tunner, but one thing has remained the same — Mobility Airmen are dedicated to answering the call whether at home or deployed to the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron here.
“Our Airmen know they aren’t simply building and moving cargo, sometimes they are ensuring supplies like the blood used in transfusions to save sons or daughters, fathers and mothers, gets downrange to where it’s needed most,” said Lt. Col. Andrew Purath, the 8th EAMS commander. “They are readying the very basics of our current conflict that will signal to our enemies they can go no further.”
Keeping with tradition, these mobility Airmen are following in Tunner’s footsteps. The general invented many of the air mobility systems, standards and maintenance processes used today. While the technologies aren’t quite the same, mobility Airmen continue paving the way for those who will come after them, just as Tunner did. Likewise, Purath said he refers to the general regularly as the original “Ocho.”
“His work marked the beginning of the air mobility system,” the colonel said. “And the Mighty Ocho is the continuation and fulfillment of many of Tunner’s aspirations.”
But in the end, as Tunner said and Purath echoes, it’s all about their “amazing Airmen” who support a variety of missions and units in the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility.
“We’re not flying supplies to just the big, established bases; we also fly to the really forward deployed guys at FOBs way out in the middle of nowhere,” said Tech. Sgt. David Young, the 8th EAMS Air Mobility Control Center flight chief deployed from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. “The supplies we provide them are their lifeline.”
On average, 8th EAMS handles more than 7,000 tons of cargo, 6,600 passengers with 250 tons of baggage and more than 725 aircraft each month making them the busiest mobility hub in the AOR.
“Coordination is our game,” said Staff Sgt. John Hubicsak, an 8th EAMS air terminal operations center information controller deployed from Ramstein Air Base, Germany. “We have the most diverse mission sets transit through here every day.”
From personnel and heavy cargo transports to air drops and combat cargo sorties, the 8th EAMS in some fashion supports every Operation Enduring Freedom mission across the AOR.
“We’re extremely vital; without air transportation, who knows how long it would take to convoy all this cargo to these remote locations,” said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Jweinat, an 8th EAMS ramp services technician deployed from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. “We can have it [the cargo] there in a moment’s notice and we’re responsible for making sure it gets on the plane.”
Whether it’s hazardous cargo, blood shipments, ammo and explosives, the 8th EAMS ensures life-sustaining materials make it to their destinations on-time. And while combat cargo is an important aspect their mission here, processing passengers is equally critical.
Passengers process through the 8th EAMS passenger services section at the Air Mobility Command passenger terminal here. The passenger terminal averages more than 85,000 passengers with 3,200 tons of accompanying baggage and nearly 1,000 distinguished visitors annually.
“What we do is vital as far as getting passengers in and out of the country,” said Staff Sgt. Thomas Deckert, the 8th EAMS passenger services supervisor deployed from Pope Army Airfield, Fort Bragg, N.C. “We are one of the largest hubs for personnel transiting in and out of U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility. When we do our job right, people get to where they need to go, whether that is downrange or home to family and friends.”
However, as with every Air Force mission, jets would not fly without the hard-working maintainers who ensure these airframes last for many generations to come. One of the largest career fields in the Air Force, maintenance include crew chiefs and engine mechanics to the consolidated tool kit and parts suppliers. Together, Ocho maintainers keep nearly $1.5 billion of strategic airlifters flying while sustaining a 90 percent departure reliability rate.
The 8th EAMS’ heritage as Airmen, maintainers, porters and controllers is an unbroken chain binding those who have come before and stirs the unit to build on what they’ve achieved, said Purath.
“With great tenacity and skill our Airmen are ensuring there are many more tomorrows to come for their brothers and sisters in arms even further downrange,” Purath continued. “They know what they do matters; they know it’s much bigger than themselves.”
The Mighty Ocho is AMC’s first expeditionary air mobility squadron and according to their commander, they couldn’t be happier to be here providing support to all service members in this AOR.
“We’re humbled to be a mission partner with the Grand Slam Wing,” the colonel said. “That’s nearly 330 Airmen who in unison will always tell you, ‘You need it, we move it!'”
[Editor’s note: This article is part eight of an eight part series highlighting the unique missions accomplished by the Airmen of 8th EAMS.]
by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Maggie Rose and band performs for Grand Slam Wing service members at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Aug. 20, 2013. Rose said shes extremely thankful for the sacrifices made every day by U.S. service members around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
Maggie Rose and band performs for Grand Slam Wing service members at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Aug. 20, 2013. Rose said shes extremely thankful for the sacrifices made every day by U.S. service members around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
Maggie Rose and band performs for Grand Slam Wing service members at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Aug. 20, 2013. Rose said shes extremely thankful for the sacrifices made every day by U.S. service members around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
Maggie Rose and band performs for Grand Slam Wing service members at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Aug. 20, 2013. Rose said shes extremely thankful for the sacrifices made every day by U.S. service members around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
Maggie Rose and band performs for Grand Slam Wing service members at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, Aug. 20, 2013. Rose said shes extremely thankful for the sacrifices made every day by U.S. service members around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
8/23/2013 – SOUTHWEST ASIA — Shaking it up at the Grand Slam Wing, Maggie Rose and band put on a show-stopping performance for deployed service members here Aug. 20.
“It’s such an honor to be able to come out here and entertain our service members,” said country music singer, Maggie Rose. “Our short little flight out here pales in comparison to the sacrifices you all make by being here away from your family and friends.”
Rose began her career in 2009 when she signed with Universal Republic and released a cover of Kings of Leon’s 2008 single “Use Somebody.” She has since awed audiences worldwide and continues showing her support for America’s men and women in uniform.
“Walter Reed [National Military Medical Center] was basically in my backyard growing up, so I have a huge appreciation for the sacrifices you all make,” she said. “We’re just super thankful for everything you do to keep us safe.”
by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
The 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadrons mortuary affairs section provides an invaluable service to the nations fallen warriors being returned home to their family and friends offering them piece of mind at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force graphic/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
8/21/2013 – SOUTHWEST ASIA — A solemn dignified transfer of remains is conducted upon arrival at Dover Air Force Base, Del., from the aircraft to a transfer vehicle to honor those who have given their lives in service to America. These fallen warriors, however, have stops along the way including the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here on their way home to family.
“What we do is ensure these fallen warriors get home to their families, friends and loved ones as quickly and safely as possible,” said Tech. Sgt. Harvey Greenwood, the 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron mortuary affairs NCO in charge deployed from Joint Base Charleston, S.C., and a Yazoo City, Miss., native.
While there are only two mortuary affairs technicians locally, they’re supported by services Airmen volunteers.
“We have a ‘Fallen Warrior Detail’ consisting of six to 12 members who carry the body transfer cases to and from the aircraft,” Greenwood said.
After the cases have been secured, mortuary affairs jumps into action.
“The sooner we can get the member ready for transport again, the sooner they can be home and offer their families some peace,” said Master Sgt. Michael Trace, the 379th EFSS mortuary affairs superintendent deployed from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., and a Hartville, Ohio, native.
A dignified transfer is the process by which, upon the return from the theater of operations to the United States, the remains of fallen military members are transferred from the aircraft to a waiting vehicle and then to the port mortuary. The dignified transfer is not a ceremony; rather, it is a solemn movement of the transfer case by a carry team of military personnel from the fallen member’s respective service. A dignified transfer is conducted for every U.S. military member who dies in the theater of operation while in the service of their country. A senior ranking officer of the fallen member’s service presides over each dignified transfer.
Reminiscing, Trace said the greatest sense of accomplishment that he’s done a job well is when the grieving family member comes to him and thanks him for returning their warrior home.
“Our job is one of the most stressful and rewarding at the same time,” said Trace. “At the end of the day, when that family member walks up to you with tears of thanks — that’s what it’s all about.”
However, being deployed ushers in a whole new set of emotions each mortuary affairs technician learns to cope with in their own ways.
And according to Trace, it takes a special person to fill their shoes.
“We’re hand-selected by our squadron leadership,” Trace said.
“After chosen, we attend a five-day course designed to better prepare us in handling the technical aspects of mortuary affairs,” added Greenwood.
The course focuses on the procedures for case file management; administrative functions; search and recovery operations; and honor guard.
“It’s a course that pulls Airmen from across the Air Force and all from force support squadrons,” continued Greenwood. “You have to be in the Services career field to fill this position.”
After graduating from the course, mortuary affairs’ Air Force specialty code gains a modifier showing they are qualified to accomplish the mortuary affairs mission at home and overseas.
It’s a challenging job, Trace and Greenwood said, but they’re proud to take part in sending their fallen comrades home.
“They and their family made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Greenwood. “We’re here to make sure their loved one is handled with dignity, honor and respect in care, service and support for the families.”
Benjamin W. Stratton 