First-ever first sergeant symposium at deployed base

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

8/7/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- A First Sergeant Symposium designed to provide information and tools to aspiring first sergeants was held here July 27 and Aug. 3 for the first time ever at a deployed location.First sergeants are the principal advisor to the commander on all issues related to the enlisted force and exercise general supervision over assigned enlisted personnel. Those in attendance at the symposium were introduced to many concepts and experiences first sergeants encounter. The course instructors were first sergeants who used their first-hand experience to drive home their assigned topics."This gives you the tools to keep in mind, to help you as supervisors and first sergeants," said Master Sgt. Melissa Somers, the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron first sergeant deployed from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., and a course instructor.While originally intended for aspiring first sergeants, the course was also host to supervisors, superintendents and additional duty first sergeants."This has been extremely amazing and very beneficial," said Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Foxx, the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron flight medical clinic NCO in charge and additional duty first sergeant deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. "What they taught here really expands on what you learn in NCO academy."Course curriculum ranged from explaining first sergeant responsibilities to administrative paperwork, and from Article 15 processing to domestic violence and sexual assault response. The first sergeants had to limit their class selection to 20, specifically picking items of interest for the deployed Airman."It was a big challenge for us," said Master Sgt. Kevin Swieda, the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron first sergeant deployed from Scott Air Force Base, Ill., and a course coordinator. "The course stateside is a four consecutive-day symposium, but with the high operations tempo we have here, we had to condense the material into two non-consecutive days."Swieda said they weren't able to have as many open discussions and panels as the stateside course would as a result of the abridged curriculum, but added how impressed the first sergeants were of the students' dedication as many of them volunteered their days off for this."We rely heavily on these folks to fill in for us," Swieda said. "So this training provides them the information, training, tools and knowledge through Air Force sanctioned training and first-hand stories on how to do what we do."First sergeants must have knowledge of personnel management with emphasis on quality force indicators, personnel and administration; military training; Air Force organization; drill and ceremonies; customs and courtesies; sanitation and hygiene; military justice; and counseling techniques."The most beneficial part of this training for me was the first-hand stories from the first sergeants," Foxx said. "It was very helpful to hear what tools they use and how they cope with difficult situations that may come up, like deaths and non-judicial punishment."Over the span of the two days, nearly 55 seasoned Airmen attended the symposium learning what it takes to take on the roles and responsibilities of becoming a first sergeant."This was an amazing experience and it would be worth doing again," Foxx said.

Grand Slam Wing rocks July Fourth

379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs7/11/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Service members deployed to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing celebrated July Fourth participating in activities throughout the day culminating in a ceremony and rock concert in Memorial Plaza.After posting the colors, a few words of motivation by Brig. Gen. Roger Watkins, the 379th AEW commander, and invocation by the wing chaplain, Col. Steven Keith, event band, The Ringers, put on a "show-stopping" performance putting the "Slam" in Grand Slam Wing.The Ringers are a wedding and event band on tour from Minneapolis, Minn., and are back by popular request. After the first few songs, 379th AEW service members packed the stage, participated in a dance-off, and hung on every note until the band could play no more.Grand Slam service members enjoyed music in genres ranging from Rock and Pop to Country and Rhythm and Blues with titles tailored for celebrating America's freedom.

Deployed service members share meaning of July Fourth

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs6/27/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- When the initial battles in the Revolutionary War broke out in April 1775, few colonists sought total independence from Great Britain, and those who did were considered radicals.On June 7, 1776, the Continental Congress appointed a five-man committee to draft a formal statement justifying the break from Great Britain including patriots: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin and Robert Livingston. Then on July 4, the Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence heralding the birth of American freedom.Times have changed since America's early days, but one fact remains the same, Americans are willing to fight for their freedom. This notion holds true to the lyrics of the national anthem, "O'er the land of the free and home of the brave," as originally wrote by song writer, Francis Scott Key.Whether at home with family and friends or deployed around the world, service members celebrate their freedom and reflect on what July Fourth has come to mean to them."Not only is it a time of celebration for our country's independence -- it's the reason why we're over here," said Staff Sgt. Adrian Johnson, the 379th Expeditionary Comptroller Squadron finance customer service NCO in charge deployed from Joint Base Charleston, S.C. "I'm here fighting for not only our freedom, but for everyone else back home too so we all can have a choice."This sentiment resonates well with a state motto, "Live free or die." Some service members joined because they would rather live in a free country, they would rather their family not have to worry or live under a tyrannous ruler."Independence Day makes me think of my niece and working hard to make a better world for her to grow up in," said Staff Sgt. Nathan Walsh, a 340th Aircraft Maintenance Unit KC-135 Stratotanker crew chief deployed from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan.Many service members joined for this very reason: protect their loved ones back home."For me, Fourth of July means spending time with family, barbeques and fireworks," said Senior Airman Kelsey St. Clair, also a 340th Aircraft Maintenance Unit KC-135 Stratotanker crew chief deployed from McConnell AFB. "What we're doing out here is preserving the American way of life for our families."Over the years the celebration has become more and more about the fireworks, the hotdogs, the parades, spending time with family and less about why the country waves their flags."It's not just another day -- not just another holiday," said Staff Sgt. Ian Broz, a 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Group maintenance analyst deployed from Misawa Air Base, Japan. "It's a day to be thankful for what we have, because not everyone has the same opportunities we do."There have been many war posters created throughout the nation's history providing hope brandishing words saying things similar to one World War II poster, "We are of one mind--Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito shall never take from us the Freedom for which our forefathers sacrificed their lives and fortunes."Similarly, Broz added, "It's very important for us to keep alive our forefather's vision and not forget the sacrifices so many have made through the years to ensure we may continue to enjoy this, 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,' dream."[Editor's note: The television show, The History Channel, contributed to this article.]

B-1B Lancer: More than meets the eye

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

6/14/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Carrying the largest payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory, the multi-mission B-1B Lancer is the backbone of America's long-range bomber force and is flown here by the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron."We have a lot of coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan," said Lt. Col. Seth Graham, the 34th EBS commander. "They're able to focus on executing their various missions because of the air support we provide 365, 24/7."The colonel said it's hard to put into words the importance of what his unit does, but instead explained in a vignette the importance of his units air support to the nation's ground forces."On one occasion my crew arrived overhead of U.S. ground forces pinned down in a compound receiving small arms fire from multiple directions," the colonel said. "They tell the crew they are running low on ammo and need immediate air support. My crew employed a single 500 pound JDAM in close proximity to the friendly forces which forced the enemy to break contact and allowed our guys to walk out of that compound and back to their base. On the way out they told my guys 'thanks...you saved our lives today!' We make life and death decisions every day...that's the importance of what we do."This air support wouldn't be possible, however, without all the work going on behind the scenes in the squadron."We are tasked by the Air Tasking Order from the Combined Air and Space Operations Center and in turn our mission planning cell puts together everything the aircrew will need to be successful," said Maj. Aaron Mate, a 34th EBS assistant director of operations. "The mission planning cell is comprised of a chief of operations, two flyers, intelligence and an Army liaison officer."The MPC collects and processes data, integrating it into flight plans and mission folders that include all the information necessary for B-1 crews to dynamically support every regional command in Afghanistan on a given sortie. A pre-flight crew is then used to ready the aircraft. They run pre-flight checks to get the jet mission-ready for the crew who will fly the mission. They also secure a secondary aircraft in the event the primary encounters a malfunction prior to takeoff."We want our number of takeoffs to equal our landings," said Capt. Brandon Packard, a 34th EBS weapons systems officer. "So we go through these checks for the mission crew in order to, one, streamline the process and, two, for the safety and security of our crews and jets. We take this job just as seriously as flying a mission."Once the jet is ready to go and the mission crew has completed their pre-mission briefs, it's time for takeoff.The roles of pre-flight and mission crews are rotated as directed by their aviation resources managers and policy in order to manage fatigue."We can't have all the fun," Mate said jokingly. "Per AFI, we limit our crews to a 16 hour day -- this includes 13 hours in the air and 3 hours of mission preparation."The 16-hour rule can be waived by the operations group commander up to 24-hours to accommodate longer missions as directed by higher headquarters.Every crew is comprised of an aircraft commander, copilot and two weapons systems officers. With an intercontinental range and the ability to carry up to 48,000 pounds of munitions at 900-plus mph, the B-1 can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world, at any time."We are one of the most flexible close air support airframes in the Air Force," said Capt. Nikki Jansen, a 34th EBS pilot. "The B-1's speed and superior handling characteristics allow it to seamlessly integrate in mixed force packages. These capabilities, when combined with its substantial payload, diverse targeting system, long loiter time and survivability, make the B-1B a key element of any joint or coalition strike force."The aircrews and B-1s are deployed here from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., and Dyess AFB, Texas."We get the greatest sense of satisfaction when the ground crew's joint terminal attack controller radios in thanking us for keeping them safe," said Graham.During the first six months of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, eight B-1s dropped nearly 40 percent of the total tonnage delivered by coalition air forces. This included nearly 3,900 Joint Direct Attack Munitions. The B-1 continues to be deployed today, flying missions daily in support of continuing operations.

Rachel Lipsky livens deployed servicemember’s resolve

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs6/5/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- During an Armed Forces Entertainment tour across the region, the Rachel Lipsky Band visited servicemembers assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here May 29 and 30, saw several facilities, and put on two performances.Lipsky's influences are Patty Loveless, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Melba Montgomery and Selena. She is also a huntress and has a web-based hunting show called "Wild Enough to Shoot At."Today, AFE hosts more than 1,200 shows around the world each year, reaching more than 500,000 personnel at 270 military installations. From muddy make-shift stages to show-stopping extravaganzas, the performances bring a piece of home to those stationed far away from home.

Local school stimulates servicemember’s spirit

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

to come to," she said. "We are very grateful for everything you have done for us and our country and planned this day as a way of saying thank you."

Kal Penn, Kate Walsh visit Grand Slam Wing

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs5/29/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- American Actors Kal Penn and Kate Walsh visited the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here May 26 during a USO Handshake Tour with stops including the Intra-theater Care Program, a B-1B Lancer facility, military working dogs demonstration and a Patriot missile facility, as well as, a meet-and-greet at the base club."I'm hugely grateful for everything you guys are doing here," said Kate Walsh, whose father served in the Korean War. "We couldn't do what we do without you."They were able to visit many aspects of the wing's mission, but one thing stood out above all others for Penn and Walsh."The diversity here is amazing," Penn said. "It's great to see how efficient your operations are."Penn recently returned from a two-year sabbatical during which he served as an associate director for the White House Office of Public Engagement. Among his many tasks, he also worked on programs assisting employment and health benefits for returning veterans.Walsh related military operations to life on set, saying it takes so many different people from so many different backgrounds and specialties to bring a production together."Except what you do is real," she said. "I didn't expect to see all this energy and discipline. It's beautiful what 8,000 people with differing personalities can do when they come together and make this production a reality."But at the end of the day, Penn and Walsh said the greatest thing about their visit was getting to know the people serving here."It's been great sitting around and talking with people," said Walsh. "It's great to hear their stories and understand where they came from."Similarly, Penn found he has connections to many people deployed here, especially those from his home state of New Jersey."On a tour like this, you meet so many people," he said. "But it's not until you really take the time to get to know them. This personal interaction makes a huge difference for our servicemembers who are deployed here away from their family and friends. Thank you for what you do for us; we all really appreciate your sacrifice."

Grand Slam Wing observes Memorial Day

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs5/28/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- U.S. and coalition forces deployed to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing came together May 27 here during a Memorial Day retreat ceremony at Memorial Plaza.The ceremony included a few words from the 379th AEW commander, Brig. Gen. Roger H. Watkins, an invocation and prayer by the wing chaplain, Col. Bruce Glover, and taps played by Chaplain (Capt.) James Bastian.Military retreat ceremonies serve a twofold purpose: to signal the end of the official duty day and to pay respect to the American flag. Retreat was first used by the French Army and dates back to the Crusades.

Day on the Job: Rivet Joint maintainers

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs5/23/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Airmen from the 763rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit catch a RC-135 Rivet Joint after the aircraft returns from a mission here May 22.This airframe is the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing's primary intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform; picking up real-time information on the coalition's enemies.

Fairchild Airman receives Bronze Star

A Fairchild physician was awarded the Bronze Star Medal here recently for her service during Operation Enduring Freedom at Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul from June 2011 to March 2012.When asked about her medal, Capt. (Dr.) Leslee Kane, a Bozeman, Mont., native humbly said, “I was just doing my job like everyone else.”The captain was recognized as the senior medical officer on-site during a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attack. Kane helped coordinate traumatic brain injury screenings for more than 75 people in response to the attack and returned them to duty within 72 hours. She led three medics, a physician’s assistant and numerous others during the triage and treatment of mass casualties and including 17 local national patients and coordinated evacuation of two U.S. military and three local national casualties to medical treatment facilities.She was also the female engagement team lead responsible for mentoring Zabul’s Department of Women Affairs line director. The captain helped lecture a medical series for 10 Afghan female medical providers, which fostered working relationships between the Afghan health sector and people of Zabul.“My main job was to work with the regional directors advocating for the women in the cities we would tour,” she said. “As our team traveled through these cities, I would take time to talk with the women of the city to get a feel for how well their city leaders were spreading the medical care among all the villagers.”The captain also organized and oversaw long-term, culturally-appropriate economic projects directly benefiting more than 150 women and their families in the Zabul area.“She’s an excellent performer,” said Col. Blake Ortner, who was a member of her leadership team while deployed. “Captain Kane went well beyond her normal duties. Her contributions to the … programs were outstanding.”While she excelled down range, the captain missed her family no less. She said online video chatting was a welcome tool they used to keep in touch, but due to the nature of her mission, internet was not always available and 13 months away from her family was difficult.“Family aside, I would do it again in a heartbeat,” the wife and mother of two said. “But only if I were a single Airman. I’d have a hard time being away from my family for that long again.”Not only did she miss her family, but back home, her family and unit missed her.“We are very excited to have her home,” said Maj. Marc Weishaar, 92nd Medical Operations Squadron commander. “It is awesome to see the great care she provides her patients here at Fairchild is the same great quality of care she provided to her patients while deployed.”[Editor’s Note: The Bronze Star Medal is a U.S. Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit or meritorious service.]