L O G I S T I C S O F F I C E R A S S O C I AT I O N Enhancing the military logistics profession since 1982
The Exceptional Release Fall 2004
EXECUTIVE BOARD President Col Carmen Mezzacappa president@loanational.org Vice President Lt Col Evan Miller vicepres@loanational.org Treasurer Major Kevin Sampels treasurer@loanational.org Assistant Treasurer Lt Col Tracy Smiedendorf assttreas@loanational.org Membership Development Capt Stephanie Halcrow membership@loanational.org Executive Senior Advisor Lt Gen Donald J. Wetekam ANG Advisor Col William Etchison AFRC Advisor Maj Gen Douglas S. Metcalf Retiree Advisor Lt Col (ret) Ray Reed Historian Col James Hannon Webmaster/Website Capt JD DuVall webmaster@loanational.org www.loanational.org
FEATURES When You Go to Reno... You’re Not Gambling with Logistics by Col (ret) Kent Mueller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 National Guard – Keeping the Peace at Home and Abroad by Col Cynthia T. Islin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Locked, Cocked and Ready To Rock by Lt Elizabeth A. Culbertson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Loadin’ Up and Movin’ Out by the 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Bare Base – NO Base – NO PROBLEM! by Maj Patrick Butler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Wheels, Weapons, and Courage by Capt Jennifer A. DeHart and 1Lt Heather A. Thompson . . . . . .30 Honing The Combat Edge by Capt Brady S. Fischer & MSgt Marc H. Giltner . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 OC-ALC / PACAF Visit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
THE EXCEPTIONAL RELEASE Editor Col (ret) Kent Mueller editor@loanational.org Executive Director, Marketing/PR ER Managing Editor/Publisher Marta Hannon pr@loanational.org ER Worldwide Editorial Staff Col Mary H. Parker, 39 MXG/CC Lt Col Cheryl CA Allen, SAF/AQQM Lt Col Richard P. Schwing, HQ/ACC Maj Eugene K. Carter, ACSC Student Capt Richard L. Fletcher, 437 AMXS/MOO Graphic Design MMagination, Inc. - Fairfax, VA LOA National PO Box 2264 – Arlington, VA 22202 ISSUE NO. 93 – FALL 2004
DEPARTMENTS Vantage Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Editor’s Debrief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 View From The Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Conference Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Graybeard Wisdom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 CGO Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Chapter Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 On The Move . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Vantage Point LOA Members, This is my final Vantage Point as your LOA President. I’ve tried to thank the many volunteers who have stepped forward the past two years in my comments as we went along, but I owe special thanks to the other elected National Board officials now. To Lt Col Evan Miller, LOA Vice President, thanks for being a strategic thinker and calm voice Col Carmen Mezzacappa of reason when pressures sometimes seemed great. Your revitalization/expansion of the mentorship program will pay dividends to those officers and the AF for many years. In addition, thanks for taking –– on putting together a great slate of speakers for this year’s conference in Las Vegas that will benefit us all.
E R : VA N TA G E P O I N T
To Maj Kevin Sampels, our first LRO Board Member and Treasurer, I thank you for bringing fresh perspective and many new ideas to the board...such as creating a Membership Officer position, Implementing Question of the Month and the Monthly E-Mail Newsletter, among others. To Lt Col Tracy Smiedendorf, our Asst Treasurer and “Chief Cook and Bottle Washer” for the past year while Evan and Kevin were at PME, I cannot thank you enough for your organization skills, ceaseless efforts on last year’s conference agenda, advice to me when I needed it, and the myriad of other duties you picked up. Kevin and Tracy have been fantastic stewards of LOA’s financial health and we hand off the reins with a sound financial footing for this organization. I could not have asked for better inputs and assistance to keep LOA growing than these three gave. To Capt JD Duvall, you have continued your “superhuman” efforts in our totally voluntary (non-elected) Webmaster position. You have continued the great job then –– Capt Ben Davis started a few years ago and taken us to new heights. You have continually made our LOA site more professional, comprehensive, and have never said no to a request...even when it meant working on our system well into the night. To Mr. (Col-ret) Kent Mueller, I personally appreciate you “coming out of retirement” as a past ER Editor to serve us one more time as Editor-in-Chief. You and your Editorial Team have brought the ER to a superior level both in appearance and content...each issue gets better and better. To Mr. (Lt Col-ret) Ray Reed and past-President of our organization...I’m thankful for your continued leadership and stewardship of the organization. The Board appreciates your volunteering as our Retiree Advisor and taking on a few issues behind the scenes to give the Board recommendations when we did not have the time to work ourselves. To Capt Stephanie Halcrow, our Membership Development Officer, we could not have increased our membership without your efforts. Your work in cleaning up the membership database/addresses has been nothing short of a miracle, the briefing you developed on the benefits of LOA membership is right on target. Thank you for setting the bar on this newest (non-elected) position in LOA. To Col Jim Hannon, we are honored to have you as LOA’s Historian with your fresh ideas and the energy you bring to our Board. We can all look forward to seeing the new/improved LOA booth you are designing at this year’s conference. To Marta Hannon...I can’t say enough about all you do for LOA, much of which is unheralded. Your work with our conference sponsorship program, corporate sponsors, vendor base, conference hotel staff, organization membership-the list goes on and on –– has been invaluable. I cannot thank you enough for getting the ER to the membership on schedule! The look and feel of our publication has exceeded any expectation I ever had when I was elected President and 2 FA L L
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we owe it to you. Nobody has a Marketing/PR Director better than you and I look forward to seeing LOA’s partnership with you continue to grow. We’ve had two Executive Senior Advisors during our tenure and both have given us sage advice when we asked for it, giving us a bigger picture than we sometimes could see ourselves. Our ANG and AFRC Advisors, retired members and corporate sponsors continue to give to LOA in many ways that make this organization healthier and stronger, and I thank them all for that. As I “ride into the sunset” of my tenure, I want to say what a privilege it has been to serve each and every one of you. From the Maintenance Groups to the Mission Support Groups, from the civil servants to the retired members, from those at home station to those deployed around the world, from the Total Force to our Corporate Partners, we all bring unique talents “to the fight” and to this business of logistics. We need to keep our eye on the ball in each of our own disciplines...but for the health of the AF we also need to maintain close ties to each other. I would urge you to consider writing articles for the ER on your specific discipline, deployments, exercises, or training you have experienced. LOA is an excellent forum for the whole logistics business to come together and learn from each other and make a difference. I appreciate you all and what you do. LOA is on sound membership, financial, scholarship program and mentoring footing. With your help we will continue to grow into an even better organization. I’m proud to have served and hope to see most of you in Las Vegas this October and Atlanta in 2005.
––C O L C A R M E N M E Z Z A C A P P A , LOA President
Editor’s Debrief It’s hard to believe that it is already nearly the Fall of 2004… the Las Vegas Conference is upon us… and what a great venue for a growing LOA! The opportunity to again “rally” together, sharing ideas, networking, and viewing issue-oriented presentations, all represent the tremendous value of our national conclave…not to mention the greater meaning of the organization.
Col (ret) Kent Mueller
In the mean time, the business of making aerospace power goes on at record pace. Operational tempo, the performance of our standard systems, processes…. All at the “New Normal.” At the heart of projecting national power, Air Force logisticians, are enabling capability, from home station to the end of the supply chain. Since we last published, LOA members have continued to be deployed around the globe, keeping the peace…. Living the mission…providing America it’s combat edge…and that is the focus of this issue.
ER: EDITOR’S DEBRIEF
From the top, we’re privileged to have words from our senior advisor Lt Gen Wetekam. His vision and leadership are shaping the way ahead for logisticians, not to mention the enterprise of readiness. Part two of our BGen Loren Reno interview gets personal with advice and views on technology and career. Adding to the perspective of two of our current leaders, the legendary Leo Marquez contributes “the long view” on the business of aviation logistics, issues, and priorities. The combination of these key outlooks promises to give readers a unique perspective. “Wheels, Weapons…and Courage” will give the reader a up close and personal view of Supply/Trans convoy challenges in the war zone. It’s always about the Total Force, so Air National Guard efforts are highlighted in “Keeping the Peace….at Home and Abroad.” “Locked, Cocked, and Ready to Rock,” tells the Incirlik story…. A base that has always played a vital role. Finally, “Bare Base? NO Base?? NO Problem!!!” provides yet another view of the challenges of aviation logistics away from the “home drome.” Many thanks to all the contributing authors for ER Fall 04. In addition, thanks for all the submittals that didn’t make the edition. We will “bank” the remaining stories for potential use in ER Winter 04, or our web site. With elections looming, the National Board have reached the end of their tour of duty. I’d like to thank them for their service. Colonel Mezzacappa’s leadership has been awesome, and she’s been a great boss for the ER TEAM. Special thanks to Colonel Mary Parker…. Who PCS’d around the world, but stayed on as the “Chief of our City Desk,” and leader of the line editing TEAM. Mary, Marta and I really appreciate your professional contribution to ER. Chapter leaders and LOAs…. Bring your stories to ER….. We will tell them!! …Always Forward!
––K E N T M U E L L E R 4 FA L L
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AND YOUR
ER TEAM
View From The Top: The AF/IL Perspective The best part of my job as AF/IL is the opportunity to spend time at the operational level of our Air Force. For the past ten days, I’ve been fortunate to be where the rubber meets the road—meeting and greeting Air Force men and women deployed to the AOR. I’m impressed with their accomplishments, the challenges they overcome on a daily basis and ultimately, their self-sacrifice.
ER: VIEW FROM THE TOP
It’s a thrill to stand at Al Uedid AB, Qatar, in the center of the Combined Air Operations Lt Gen Donald Wetekam Center where Col Mike Butler, CENTAF A-4, and his team operate at the heart of the current operations. The flashy displays certainly attract your attention at first, but as you look around at the players in the room, you begin to appreciate the pivotal role our Air Force logisticians play. The logistics readiness officers have a commanding view; monitoring and directing the entire logistics pipeline flowing into, out of and through the AOR. The maintainers focus on aircraft availability and mission capability, all the while ensuring units are ready for the next Air Tasking Order and AMMO personnel quietly oversee crucial theater armament levels. Manas AB, Kyrgyz Republic is certainly remote, but critical to our current combat operations. While at Manas and other locations, I was pleased to find many key leadership positions filled by guardsmen and reservists to include the 376th Expeditionary Maintenance Group Commander. While visiting Balad Air Base, I met with the Air Force vehicle operators running convoys in Iraq working under the comThese Lt Gen Wetekam participates in Explosive Ordinance Disposal in the mand of Army units. AOR were some of the first airmen to take on this difficult and dangerous mission. They had to learn the business the hard way. But their replacements will be better trained at a newly organized three-week Combat Convoy Course at Lackland AFB, TX. The Air Force “company” just earned “best company” bragging rights in the Army Battalion. We should all be proud of what they are accomplishing every day. Along my tour of the AOR, I discussed the Combat Wing Organization, receiving candid feedback on CWO successes and areas for improvement to be incorporated into our logistics training environments. We will continue to ensure that the organizational and structural changes we institute are making our processes more efficient and effective. As I conclude my travels through the AOR, the next big event on my horizon is the 2004 Logistics Officers Association Conference in
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Las Vegas, Nevada, 11-14 October. This is LOA’s annual event and the Blackjack Chapter is working hard to make this year’s conference the biggest and best ever. The LOA Conference is a unique opportunity to bring together individuals from varying logistics backgrounds and levels to exchange thoughts, experiences, and current challenges. This year’s agenda is packed with heavy hitters providing their perspective on “Sustaining A m e r i c a ’s C o m b a t We Lt Gen Wetekam discusses AOR Combat Convoy tactics Edge”. and challenges with Capt Devoe. not only invited our senior logisticians to speak at the conference, but we have junior officers leading mentorship discussions and breakout sessions on career broadening opportunities. The “Stars and Bars” event last year was a huge success and we have scheduled it again this year. The involvement of our junior officers has been one of my favorite aspects of LOA.
The E xceptional R elease
A Professional Military Journal written by logisticians for logisticians The purpose of the Logistics Officer Association (LOA) is to enhance the military logistics profession. LOA provides an open forum to promote quality logistics support and logistic officer professional development. Policy on Written Submissions: The editor invites articles and other contributions on issues that support LOA’s purpose. Direct manuscripts, letters and other communications to :pr@loanational.org. Deadlines: The 1st day of March, June, Sept. and Dec. Story Format: Double-spaced, typed and electronically submitted to pr@loanational.org. Photos & Graphics: Send individual electronic files (hi-res JPG, TIFF or EPS with type as outlines) along with stories (as separate text files) and include cutlines/captions. All photos should be at least 300 dpi or greater resolution. Submitter data: Should be typed at the end of the story file. Information included should be: Rank; full name; service; home mailing address; business name and address; business phone (DSN and commercial); email; three to five sentence biographical sketch; and a photo (as a separate file – see photos and graphics above).
This year’s conference will also prove to be a great opportunity to discuss lessons learned from current worldwide operations. Whether our logisticians are deployed around the world or supporting home station operations, we need to look at our processes and continually refine them. In my last View From the Top article, I discussed my thoughts on Lean and its implementation. I hope that you find time to study the Lean principles and see how they can apply in your work area. I look forward to hearing about your progress and your success stories. It is through the careful analysis and application of Lean that each of us will be able to continue to “Sustain America’s Combat Edge”.
Editorial Policy: The editors reserve the right to edit all submissions for length, clarity and libel. All submissions become the property of LOA.
Thanks for what you do every day to make our Air Force even better, and hope to see you in Vegas!
Subscriptions: The ER is published quarterly and is available via membership in the Logistics Officer Association at the annual rate of $25. Access membership forms on the website at www.loanational.org.
––L T G E N D O N A L D J . W E T E K A M
Advertisement Formats: Each ad must be sent as a composite hi-res (300 dpi or greater) EPS file with fonts saved as outlines. Full-page ads with bleeds should allow at least 3/8” bleeds. Ad rates visit: www.loanational.org/adrates.html Advertising Contact: Ms Marta Hannon, Managing Editor PO Box 2264 – Arlington, VA 22202 email: pr@loanational.org Phone 405-701-5457
Deputy Chief of Staff for Installations and Logistics EXCEPTIONAL RELEASE
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Conference Update 2 0 0 4 L O A C O N F E R E N C E U P D AT E The 2004 LOA National Conference will be held at Bally’s, Las Vegas on October 11-14. Hosted by Nellis Air Force Base’s own Blackjack Chapter, this year’s event, themed Sustaining America’s Combat Edge, promises to deliver logistics officers a time to remember. Bally’s central location on “the strip” will allow attendees to attend conference briefings and vendor Capt David Kunick exhibits, then take in all the dining and entertainment Las Vegas has to offer; most of it within walking distance! The conference agenda includes an icebreaker, a golf tournament, mentorship sessions for all grades and civilians, many topic-specific breakout sessions and guest speakers, developmental tours and the highlight of the week, a dinner banquet with Keynote speaker Dr James R. Roche, Secretary or the Air Force. The banquet will also allow us to publicly announce our 2004 LOA Scholarship and award winners in style. Professional tours include Nellis AFB, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the Ocean Spray Cranberries Plant. The golf tournament will be in best-ball format and will be held at the Sunrise Vista Golf Course on Nellis. It’s open to the first 144 players and offers several prizes, including a new car on one par 3 hole. Spouses and guests will have two chances to catch a backstage tour of Bally’s Donn Arden production, Jubilee! You’ll also see many government and contractor vendors; over 100 booths have already been reserved in the 40,000+ square feet of exhibit hall. Want to know who is exhibiting? Just go to http://www.loanational.org/conf2004exhibitor.asp. More information on the conference agenda, exhibits, tours, hotel reservations and registration can be found online at www.loanational.org/conference. To learn more about Bally’s, visit www.caesars.com/ballys/lasvegas. To see what Las Vegas has to offer, visit www.lasvegas.com or www.vegas.com. Remember, spouses are welcome and there is plenty to do in Vegas to keep them entertained and occupied. If you are planning to attend, please enjoy the conference and Las Vegas responsibly and make the most of this fabulous professional development opportunity!
COSTS AND FEES: Conference Registration Fees ............................$175 Lodging........................................................$86.11 (includes tax) Banquet ......................................................$60 Golf ............................................................$50 Nellis AFB, LVMS, Ocean Spray Tours ..............$5 ea Jubilee! Backstage Tour ..................................$15
––C A P T D A V I D K U N I C K 57th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Nellis AFB
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2004 LOA Conference Exhibitors
E R : C O N F E R E N C E U P D AT E : E X H I B I T O R F L O O R P L A N
Exhibitor
Booth #
Exhibitor
Booth #
82 TRW/TOO ........................................................59
Kelley’s Logistics Support Systems ........................1
AAI/ACL Technologies ..................................8, 9, 10
Kontron Mobile Computing, Inc. ............................38
AAI/ACL Technologies ............................................11
L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC ........27
AFLMA ..................................................................40
Lockheed Martin ............................................Sect. B
Air Expeditionary Force Battlelab ..........................85 Air Force Institute of Technology ....................56, 58 Air Force Research Laboratory............................2, 3 Aircraft Ducting Repair Inc. ....................................71 Alaska Structures ............................................Sect A Alpha - Omega Change Engineering ....................32 American Chariot Company, Inc...........................112 Anteon Corporation ................................................44 ARINC ..........................................................115, 116 ATTI ........................................................34,35,36,37 BAE Systems ..................................................48, 49 Battelle ....................................................................6 Bearing Inspection, Inc. ........................................41 Boeing ........................................................26, 28, 30 CACI ................................................................80, 81 CDO Technologies ................................................93 Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corp. ..............................77
LXE, Inc. ................................................................19 MTC Technologies ................................................82 National Nuclear Security Administration – Kansas City Plant ..........................................73, 75 NORDAM Group ....................................................33 Northrop Grumman ........................................46, 47 OC-ALC/Directorate of Maintenance ....................97 OO-ALC/MAS ........................................................52 Parker Aerospace ..................................22,23,24,25, Pratt & Whitney ................................................12, 14 Reliable System Services Corp. ............................16 Rolls-Royce Corporation ..................................89, 91 SAIC ..................................................................31,29 Southwest Research Institute ................................13 Support Systems Associates, Inc...........................76 TAMSCO ..............................................................113
Dayton T. Brown, Inc. ............................................68
Teradata, a division of NCR ..................................42
Defense Logistics Information Service ..................92
Teradyne, Inc..........................................................39
DLA ......................................................84, 86, 88, 90
Thomas Instruments ................................................7
Dynamics Research Corporation ........................4, 5
TMI Integrated Services ........................................21
EDO Corporation ..............................................94,95
USAF, Directorate of Innovation
GE Aircraft Engines................................................70
& Transformation..............................................43, 45
Hewlett Packard (HP) ............................................96
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.........................18 & 20
Honeywell Aerospace ......................................72, 74
Weapon System Management
Intergraph ..............................................................83
Information System ................................................54
IT Booths: Telos, CISCO, Itronix, Panasonic, HP, Micron, Static Safe, Motion Computing......................108, 109
WPAFB - Materiel Systems Group ........................53
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WR-ALC/MAWPD ..................................................78
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Thank You, Sponsors! GOLD SPONSORS: ATTI & Alaska Structures SILVER SPONSORS: Lockheed-Martin, Pratt & Whitney & Teradata/NCR BRONZE SPONSOR: Northrop Grumman & Chromalloy Gas Turbine Engines
! u o y k n a h T VENDOR RECEPTION SPONSORS: Alaska Structures & Boeing
IT SPONSORS: Telos, CISCO, Itronix, Panasonic, HP, Micron, Static Safe, Motion Computing GOLF TOURNAMENT SPONSOR: The NORDAM Group
ONLINE REGISTRATION SPONSOR: Alpha Omega Change Engineering CONFERENCE BOOKLET SPONSOR: CACI
BREAK SPONSORS: Intergraph, CDO Technologies, Teradata/NCR, Bearing Inspection, Inc. ZETTLER LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD SPONSOR: CACI BABBITT AWARD SPONSOR: BearingPoint
Scholarship Donors
($500 & up)
ATTI The Boeing Company Booz Allen Hamilton Mr. Stephen Farish Mr. Russell Hall Intergraph LOA Alamo Chapter Lockheed Martin Logistics Management Institute LOGTEC Northrop Grumman Mr. Denny Portz Mr. Steve Powers Pratt & Whitney Teradata/NCR Mr. Geary Wallace 12 F A L L
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…the most important job… is the job you have right now! Part Two of an interview with Brig Gen Loren Reno, Director of Logistics for the Air Mobility Command conducted by ER Editor Kent Mueller ER: You have expectations for leadership when you look out across the “sea of faces” of logisticians….If you had to crystallize what your pillars of leadership are…What would they be? RENO: I have thought hard about this… because I want to get it right. And if your readers are still with us at this point (ER: They will be!) I would boil it down to this: My pillars of leadership for logisticians, with regard to the mission, set the course and the pace. With regard to others, require accountability. With regard to one’s self, exercise and grow. Now I’ll go back to set the course and pace. If you’re going to set the course, you need to know your job, you need to know the mission of the unit, and you need to know your boss’s agenda. And if you’re going to set the pace, you have to have integrity and courage… because sometimes you have to kick people in the seat to get them
going… and sometimes you have to go to your boss and say we’re going to fast… something bad is going to happen. It’s courage and integrity. But you also have to be in touch with your people to know, and that’s why with regard to others, you have to require accountability. The first Brig Gen Loren Reno thing we think of when we think of accountability is fixing something that’s broken, correcting a mistake that’s been made, taking someone to task. We should give the same diligence to the positive side of accountability. When we see something that’s right, praise it, recognize the person… shine the light on it. With regard to self, we have to exercise and grow. We have to exercise physically, mentally, and spiritually. And the grow part is reading. I would suggest that good leaders are good readers. And I ask rhetorically of all the readers of the ER, what are you reading beyond T.O.s and Air Force Instructions… and even professional journals, and your masters degree text books… what are you reading? What you read is going to expand your mind…is going to stimulate you to inspire others. I read military history, biographies, I read the Bible… I get great inspiration.
ER: Before we get off of this…. Something that you taught me a while back… the importance of spiritual leadership….recognizing the fact that you have a spiritual dimension as a leader… Essential? An EC-130H Compass Call aircraft lands at a forward-deployed location. (USAF photo by Capt. Denise Boyd)
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RENO: The spiritual part of us is just
ER: You hear a lot of press about “Network Centric”… you see lots of articles about it… and you try to pull logistics into the realm of network centric warfighting. How have things progressed in this command, where we used to have paper “flight following folders”…. To GCCS, GTN and all the tools that you have
now?
I think what our Chief of Staff did was brilliant… he didn’t do away with logistics… he put it in each of the groups. It’s obvious in the Maintenance Group…it’s obvious to me in the Mission Support Group….and that he wants all the operations group and wing commanders to come to a senior leader maintenance course, SLMC, tells me that he wants these key leaders to think like logisticians too.
“
“
as real as the physical part of us. It’s least talked about because of our cultural influences, but it is no less real. C.S. Lewis said, “There is within each of us a God shaped vacuum that nothing else can fill.” And we put power, rank, salary, cars, houses, family, children into that God shaped vacuum, and it doesn’t fit. Only a relationship with God will fit, and I’m not preaching to the people who are reading this, I’m telling our would-be logistics leaders they need to understand that about themselves, and their people, because it’s real. If the spiritual needs of our people are not being met, they are not going to perform as well as they would otherwise.
~Brig Gen Loren Reno decision-ready information across the entire spectrum of military operations. I think the Air Force Portal is a giant step in the right direction on the NIPR Net side, as it is going to integrate GSSC on the common platform for all of us to use on the unclassified side, but we need to follow through to take it to the SIPR Net side. The real bottom line is meeting the warfighter expectation for fully integrated information capabilities… that’s where we need to
From the outside looking in, it seems network
centric
logistics is constantly
being
affected by a swirl of competing
technolo-
gies.
Do
you
have a vision for
network
centric logistics, and what would
A C-130 Hercules refuels on its way to Kabul. (USAF photo by 2nd Lt. James Madeiros)
that be? RENO: It needs to be a seamless access to a global network. And this grid, John Gilligan, the Air Force CIO, calls it the Global Information Grid, the GIG, this grid interconnects all people, platforms, and facilities. And my vision and his is to populate this grid with information which is authoritative, relevant, and sufficient to deliver
get. In AMC we have reach-back capability so deployed people can have access to the same information that they have at home station. And I’ll tell you we are close to implementation of wireless LAN technologies at all of our bases, and that is so critical because it allows you to do the IT tasks without going off to some building to do GO81 Continued on next page... EXCEPTIONAL RELEASE
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(ER: GO81 is a standard AMC system supporting aircraft maintenance.)
ER: You have USAFA, AFRL, AFIT, and other resources available for studies. Is the AMC A4 using those resources to do development as it relates to techRENO: Absolutely yes. When we send an individual of to AFIT, we send them with a project, or ideas for a project. When we run into a modeling issue, like we did about a year ago, we contacted AFRL to conduct modeling on aircraft availability with real world logistics constraints. Now that’s easier to do if your in a non-mobility unit, cause you always take off and land at the same place, but when you send a C-5 set to go to Ramstein to another base, now it has a MOG (ER: Max on Ground) issue, you change the aircraft availability. It’s more than mission readiness, it’s can you load it, do you have the people to turn it, do you have fuel capability? So that is an AFRL study. Additionally we just proposed to the Air Staff Logistics Composite Modeling of Five and Seven Level requirements for “24/7” operations for small shops. Do we need to cut train, have more “systems level” qualified? What’s the best answer? So we have submitted that. We are so good at working hard and solving problems, we sometimes don’t call for help soon enough. There are outside resources that can really help us solve some of these “knotty” problems.
ER: Total System Support Responsibility (TSSR) and other broad contract logistics support approaches seem
ER: On to a personal career question… when I saw the promotion list come out…and saw your name on it… I thought about career path… and the path that you’ve been on. From navigator, to pushing power units on the flight line at Dyess, to the corner office… what’s that like? RENO: I’ve been blessed to work with and for some won-
to be gaining popularity as the Air Force “sorts out”
derful mentors and helpers. I started off in the flying busi-
support of systems. What are your views?
ness, and now in the logistics business… but it’s given me a good understanding of both the flying and fixing missions. It’s given me a good understanding of both the serv-
“
There is great opportunity in this Air Force in being a logistician, and we will prosper as our leaders think the way logisticians do.
“
ER: WHEN YOU GO TO RENO...
nology, doctrine, policy?
RENO: I would say TSSR is the way of the future. We need to carefully look at the business case, and trade off analysis. We need to assess alternative solutions. But we need to meet the logistics performance needs of the warfighter. Whether we do it, or someone else does it, we need to know what the warfighter needs, and we need to delivery that. I think it’s going to include smart partnering between OEMs…organic ALCs, field units. It’s all about writing a statement of work for the desired outcomes, and that’s why I think logistics is a lot broader than maintenance, supply, and transportation…. Tomorrow’s senior successful logistician is going to have to understand Contracting. He or she is going to have to understand more about communication systems and IT. It’s not going to be good enough to just understand the systems on an MDS (ER: Mission Design Series… aircraft type) or the supply system, or even the supply chain. I will tell you that in the air mobility business the line between supply and transportation really blurs. It is logistics plans… with an expeditionary mind set, and includes and understanding of contracting and communication systems.
~Brig Gen Loren Reno
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ice and joint strengths and synergies. I have benefited from learning from the logistics giants….names like Veccillio…. Nowak, Babbitt, Zettler, Handy. They are logistics giants. I have learned from the dedication of our airmen and NCOs…and I’m inspired by the zeal of our young officers who are running to take my place. K
An A-10 Thunderbolt II receives a post-flight check following a mission. The Thunderbolt II belongs to the 118th Fighter Squadron, Connecticut Air National Guard, Bradley Field. (USAF photo by Tech. Sgt. Scott Reed)
Submitted by Col Cynthia T. Islin The events of September 11, 2001 changed America’s perspective of security at home and abroad. In this time of need, American has turned to its defenders –– the active military, the Reserves, the National Guard, and law enforcement. Your friends, families, and neighbors in the National Guard have once again stepped up to answer the call to defend the nation and keep the peace at home and abroad.
HOME The National Guard provides immediate response and aid in time of emergency in the air and on the ground. Within 24 hours of the attack on the World Trade Center, 8,500 New York Army and Air National Guardsmen were on the streets of New York City in active duty status. Within 72 hours of President Bush’s request to the Governors, Guardsmen were assisting civil authorities in protecting U.S. airports. To secure our skies after September 11th, the Air National Guard (ANG) logged more than 30,000 incident free, fully armed Combat Air Patrol missions over the United States. Thousands of National Guardsmen have been mobilized to operate alert sites and alert support sites for Operation Noble Eagle (ONE) in support of 18 F A L L
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Homeland Defense since September 11, 2001. The Air National Guard has partnered with Active Duty and Reserve forces to provide Combat Air Patrol, random patrols, and aircraft intercept protection for large cities and high-valued assets in response to the increased threat of terrorist groups. By the end of fiscal year 2003, Air National Guard units had assumed 16 of 16 North American Air Defense and Northern Command-directed ground alert sites in the Continental United States and 1 of 2 alert site locations outside the United States. On the ground, National Guard Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams operate daily in communities throughout the nation. Civil Support Teams are designed to provide specialized expertise and technical assistance to an incident commander by identifying chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear substances; assessing the situation; advising the commander on potential courses of action; and assisting with cutting-edge technology and expertise. They are in a unique position to provide emergency community response with full communications capability to the local, state and federal levels. Moreover, they are actively involved in planning and integration of Guard assets in local and state emergency plans. The Guard Bureau has been coordinating with the states and territo-
ries to identify current response capabilities, as well as working with Northern and Pacific commands to ensure that these capabilities are understood and incorporated into their emergency response plans. Work is underway to identify additional requirements for force protection and interoperability with civil responders. During fiscal year 2003, teams responded to seventy-four requests for support from civil authorities for actual or potential incidents. The National Guard is playing a significant role in the defense against ballistic missile threat by organizing, manning and deploying Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Units. The Army National Guard’s Anti-Terrorism Force Protection and physical security programs provide for security and protection of facilities, personnel, and equipment, as well as the monitoring and maintenance of intrusion detection systems that detect and assess threats. Intrusion systems, closed circuit television, and access control systems decrease the number of personnel needed to guard facilities as well as prevent personnel from exposure to potentially harmful situations.
AWAY To keep the peace abroad, the National Guard is a provider of ready, trained, and equipped warfighting units to combatant commanders through the Army and the Air Force. Not since World War II have so many Guardsmen been deployed to so many places for such extended peri-
Senior Airman Jay Labrum, 124th Maintenance Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard, performs an operational check on an inflight refueling receptacle on the nose of an A-10 Thunderbolt II at a desert air base in the Arabian Gulf Region. Airman 1st Class Kyle Austin, 43rd Maintenance Squadron from Pope Air Force Base, N.C., monitors from the cockpit. (USAF photo by Master Sgt. Stefan Alford)
ods of time. Since September 11th, the Air National Guard has mobilized over 36,000 members and has flown over 111,000 sorties for over 340,000 hours. One-third of the Air Force aircraft in Operation Iraqi Freedom was from the Air National Guard. Within 24 hours of the initial call from Air Mobility Command, the Northeast Tanker Task Force was operational. Initially manned through volunteers, 15 of the 18 units supporting the Task Force were from the Air National Guard and flew 86 percent of the Operation Iraqi Freedom tanker sorties. They flew 43 percent of the fighter sorties and 39 percent of the airlift sorties. At the same time they were flying almost 25 percent of the Operation Enduring Freedom fighter sorties and over 20 percent of the tanker sorties. Iraqi Freedom was also the first employment of the integrated 116th Air Control Wing flying with the Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS). As anticipated the blended Wing leadership and the Guard and Active crews worked together superbly. But ANG capabilities do not reside only in aircraft. Fifteen percent of the expeditionary combat support was engaged during this same period providing outstanding service to the warfighter. Air logisticians are fully engaged in the war on terrorism. Air National Guard maintenance quickly rewired ANG A-10s to support the Litening II targeting pod and loaded F-16 core software updates to add JDAM capabilities just prior to OIF deployment to bring these additional mission requirements to the combatant commander. They’ve kept Air Force aircraft flying despite the challenging operating conditions. Nearly 60 percent of the Air National Guard Security Forces personnel were mobilized for the maximum twoyear period. Air National Guard Security Forces were the first Security Forces on the ground in Iraq. Intelligence personnel have been providing unique capabilities for Central Command and organizational support for the U2, Predator, and Global Hawk. Medical personnel have been utilizing the new Expeditionary Medical Service capability, providing critical care to the warfighter. Civil Continued on next page... EXCEPTIONAL RELEASE
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E R : N AT I O N A L G U A R D - K E E P I N G T H E P E A C E AT H O M E A N D A B R O A D
Engineers built bare bases out of the desert and trained Iraqi firefighters while Weather personnel worldwide provided over 50 percent of the Army’s weather support. The Air Force continues to entrust new intelligence capabilities to the Air National Guard. The F-16 Theater Airborne Reconnaissance System will be improved to provide near-real-time support to warfighter “kill-chain” operations in day-night, all weather conditions. The C-130 SCATHE VIEW system provides a near-real-time imaging capability to support humanitarian relief and non-combatant evacuation operations. To support signal intelligence collection requirements, the Air National Guard continues to aggressively upgrade the SENIOR SCOUT platform for the C-130 aircraft. SENIOR SCOUT remains the primary collection asset to support the nation’s war on drugs and the Global War on Terrorism in the Southern Hemisphere. Army National Guard soldiers are also involved in operations throughout the world. The war in Iraq required the activation of 69,380 soldiers and there are just under 60,000 serving there today. The war in Iraq saw the activation of brigade size units, Attack Aviation Battalions, Combat Engineers, and Military Police. Most soldiers that were activated for the war served an average of 18 months, with 12 months of duty in Iraq. Related to the two overseas wars has been a demand on our Military Police units to guard the enemy Prisoners of War in Cuba. Operation ENDURING FREEDOM mobilized about over 16,000 soldiers from 29 States and Territories to support the Global War on Terrorism in Southwest Asia through the US Central Command area of operations. In addition to the direct role in the overseas wars, the National Guard remains the Army’s primary force conducting operations in Kosovo, Bosnia, and the Sinai. In a proactive role, the National Guard State Partnership Program links states and countries for the purpose of improving bilateral relations with the U.S. The value of this program is its ability to focus the attention of a small part of the Department of Defense –– a state National Guard –– with a single country or region in support of our government policies promoting regional stability and civilmilitary relationships in support of U.S. policy objectives. 20 F A L L
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BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan –– Senior Airman Mike Byerwalters (right) directs Tech. Sgt. Ray Boyea while unloading cargo from a commercial L-10. The Airmen are assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron here and deployed from the 109th Aerial Port Flight at Stratton Air National Guard Base, N.Y. (USAF photo by Master Sgt. Andrew Gates)
The Partnership Program is also invaluable for our own homeland security as we learn defensive tactics and techniques from countries that, on a daily basis, live with a terrorist threat in their own back yard. Keeping the peace at home and abroad demands a highly integrated and coordinated effort among all federal and state agencies as well as the American people. With nearly 368 years of experience in responding to both the federal government’s warfighting requirements and the needs of the states to protect critical infrastructure and to ensure the safety of local communities, the Guard seamlessly operates in both federal and state roles. Its strong community ties make the National Guard a highly visible and effective entity in many towns and communities across the United States and brings the will of the American people to the conflict. The Constitution charges the militia to defend America. The National Guard is, as it has always been, ready for every challenge to keep the peace both here at home and abroad. Source: FY05 National Guard Posture Statement Col Cynthia T. Islin is the Chief, ANG Aircraft Maintenance at the ANG Readiness Center, Andrews AFB, Maryland. K
Submitted by Lt Elizabeth A. Culbertson
I
t was a cowboy town filled with raucous fighter pilots and the roar of jet engines. Throughout the 1990s, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, had the largest tent city in the Air Force, catering to more than 1,400 coalition troops and 50 aircraft at any given time. At its height, Operation Northern Watch aircraft from Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States completed 5,000 sorties annually and, despite a $14,000 Iraqi bounty, never lost an aircraft to the enemy. But with the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003, ONW came to a close. As the last ONW aircraft’s contrails faded, there was speculation about the future of Incirlik. Was it needed anymore? What would be its role now? Some media outlets assumed it shut down and its personnel departed. Press covering more recent missions has even cited the “reopening” of the base. After more than six years and countless sorties, for most people ONW had become synonymous with Incirlik, one incapable of existence without the other. But the fact of the matter is that Incirlik existed as a forward operating location for 46 years before ONW and continues to play a vital role in NATO’s southern region today. Since the construction of a 10,000-foot runway in 1951, Incirlik has proven its worth as a forward operating base. The United States had originally planned to use the base as an emergency staging and recovery site for bombers, but the strategic location proved an asset for more diverse missions from the start. Incirlik’s strategic location in the Mediterranean and central Asian regions postures the base near multiple hotspots, a position the U.S. has taken advantage of. In the 1950s, Incirlik was the Air Force’s main U-2 operating location and was the basing location for aircraft supporting the Lebanon crisis. Aircraft from Incirlik provided cover, show of force, reconnaissance support and made leaflet drops. The 1960s brought fighter aircrews for training on a rotational basis and humanitarian support to earthquake victims in eastern Turkey. Host nation agreements, facility upgrades and unit redesignations characterized the 1980s. Incirlik was a critical base in the 1990s,
Soldiers from Iraq arrive at Incirlik for a brief layover as they make their way home. Incirlik served as a hub for troops rotating out of Iraq in early 2004. (USAF photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Thompson)
LOADIN’ UP MUNITIONS
AND
ON THE
MOVIN’ OUT
MOVE
Submitted by the 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron, reprinted from the Tip of the Sword, Incirlik. In May, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe Theatre Ammunition Control Point directed the redistribution of Operation Northern Watch munitions assets. During the week of March 7, the 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 39th Maintenance Squadron culminated 10 months of coordination efforts into a massive ammunition port movement.
A flight line maintenance hydraulics specialist marshals in a deployed KC-135 Stratotanker at Incirlik. (USAF photo by Tech. Sgt. Vince Parker)
serving as the hub of humanitarian relief efforts for Kurdish refugees in Iraq during Operation Provide Comfort. Later, ONW aircraft enforced the no-fly zone over northern Iraq and Operation Allied Force aircraft were deployed to Incirlik. In the early 2000s, Incirlik became the projection hub in the Global War on Terrorism, participating in humanitarian, special operations, refueling and sustainment missions. Operations today continue to actively support missions downrange. Deployed KC-135s based at Incirlik help build the air bridge to Afghanistan and Iraq, contributing to the success of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, and in recent months, Incirlik served as a hub for thousands of troops rotating out of Iraq. A realtor trying to sell a house will Continued on next page...
Shortly afterward, a combined U.S. and Turkish effort began planning to utilize the port of Agalar in Tasucu, Turkey for the movement. The port of Agalar is a NATO funded port built prior to the Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. This was the first-ever usage of AGALAR by the U.S. Military. In January, a team of personnel from both squadrons briefed the Office of Defense Cooperation and the Turkish General Staff on Incirlik’s operational plan. Since that time, LRS and ammo personnel coordinated with the 39th Security Forces Squadron, 39th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordinance Disposal Flight, the U.S. Army Surface Deployment and Distribution Command and the Turkish Air Force, Army and Navy. The movement of containers began March 7, adhering strictly to antiterrorism and force protection measures. Following the setup of the port, 1.9 million pounds of munitions with a net explosive weight of 476 thousand pounds was shipped to the port in three convoys over a three-day period. After the arrival of the final convoy March 10, the vessel carrying the munitions to multiple destinations in USAFE arrived in Agalar. The vessel was loaded in 8 hours and departed Agalar March 11. K
Rack ‘em and stack ‘em boys, this stuff is outta here! (USAF photo 39th LRS)
Convoy carrying munitions arrives in Incirlik March 10. (USAF photo 39th LRS)
Loading up the trucks for the convoy. (USAF photo 39th LRS)
A 728th Air Mobility Squadron aircraft services shift supervisor ties down cargo at Incirlik. (USAF photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Thompson)
proclaim, “Location, location, location!” What makes Incirlik such an asset to the United States Air Force is its strategic location combined with the versatility of its support structure. Turkey itself is a long-standing U.S. ally and NATO member. The base is situated near an international commercial airport as well as multiple ports. Unfortunately, existing this close to the world’s hotspots can also make the base vulnerable and ensuring force protection is a constant concern. The base has had to sustain its current readiness level throughout the past year and a half in a higher threat condition. One of the challenges for a forward operating location is ensuring readiness in an often-restrictive environment.
Incirlik has proven in the past that it is capable of supporting reconnaissance, humanitarian, training, combat and support missions. It has supported such varied airframes as the U-2, F-100, B-57, RF-101, RB-66, WB-66, C-5, A-10, F-4, F-111, F-15, F-16 and C-17, to name a few. The base’s versatility is tied to its robust infrastructure. The base capabilities in airlift, maintenance, fuel, lodging, security and medical support ensure Incirlik is prepared for any theater operation. A few figures serve to demonstrate the location’s ability to support contingencies. Incirlik has millions of gallons of POL on hand. There are over 200 contingency hospital beds on base, plus an additional aeromedical staging facility. The 39th Maintenance Group has over 150 facilities and more than 250 pieces of aerospace ground equipment to support flying operations. The base’s total lodging contingency billet capacity is over 4,000 people, a number that it has never had to support, but that it is able to. Recently, the organizational structure at Incirlik underwent another change to help it more effectively address contingencies that may arise by transitioning to an air base wing structure. The restructuring provides the level of experienced leadership and supervision necessary to ensure Incirlik can execute its dynamic mission. For example, the 39th Maintenance Group is unlike any other in the U.S. Air Force, consisting of only the 39th Maintenance Squadron. However, the group provides maintenance oversight to deployed tanker units and transient aircraft and provides supplementary maintenance support to the Air Mobility Command tenant unit based here. The new wing structure allows more flexibility to deal with ongoing and potential responsibilities, such as weapons training deployments. Speculation on Incirlik’s future continues, with prominent national papers fueling the rumors. As more individuals in highranking positions recognize what Incirlik has to offer, anything could happen. The only certainty is that Incirlik AB will be ready for whatever comes next. 1st Lt Elizabeth A. Culbertson is the Executive Officer, 39th Maintenance Group, 39th Air Base Wing, Incirlik AB, Turkey. This is her first operational assignment. Email: elizabeth.culAn F-15E Strike Eagle takes off from the flightline at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, during a sortie in support of Operation NORTHERN WATCH (USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Vincent Parker)
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bertson@incirlik.af.mil K
Objects in the mirror are LOTS bigger than they appear. (USAF Photo)
Submitted by Maj Patrick Butler
I
returned from my second deployment in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) and the war on terrorism in December of 2002. Both OEF deployments had the same mission –– ”to eliminate those that seek to inflict harm on us and our loved ones”, but both missions were conducted under very different situations and conditions with their own new set of lessons learned. My first OEF deployment was as the maintenance supervisor for Air Force Special Operations low density/high demand MC-130P aircraft. We deployed only 9 days after 911 to a classified location. I was sitting at my home on Tuesday night and received a call to come to work immediately. My commander told me that we were slated to deploy to an unknown location for an unknown amount of time. He stated, “Be prepared to stay 179’. I worked through that night analyzing aircraft availability, upcoming subordinate training, and mission requirements. Less than 36 hours after I received that first call, we took off with our MC-130P aircraft loaded to the gills with internal fuel tanks, operators, maintainers, parts, equipment, and enough food and water to sustain us for 15 days. I was instructed to take a very lean maintenance package with follow-on help to come when the airlift backlog caught up. Little did I know we would land in the barest bare base condition I could have ever imagined. Fun times were definitely ahead. After a couple days of flying to our deployed location, we eventually flew the last leg, an all night mission to arrive at our new home and landed approximately 0900 in the morning. My team immediately took action to secure our unit an old hardened aircraft shelter that would be our home for the next several months. (After a couple of weeks of handiwork, our home was the envy of all.) They went to work downloading our aircraft. Since we were one of the first units to land at this location, there was no forklift, but with a little ingenuity and a lot of hard work, we were able to download our MC-130P aircraft and less than 12 hours later our area had been set up and our aircraft were ready for their first OEF sorties (that night). The host nation provided us with two vintage 1950s fuel trucks with fuel hoses just a bit larger than the diameter of an ordinary garden hose. These trucks turned a menial task to an all day affair. This fact came into play later when mission requirements dictated that we quick-turn our aircraft between night missions. Eventually, through close coordination with Army fuels personnel, host nation fuel trucks were augmented with Army HEMTTs (heavy expanded mobile tactical truck) and USAF R-9 fuel trucks and the 4-hour per aircraft refuel was alleviated.
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Not only did my lean package of maintainers accomplish repairs and prepare aircraft for their next flight, they performed a myriad of other duties that not only made our life more comfortable, but enhanced quality of life for Army, Navy, and coalition special forces. Those maintenance professionals knew the meaning of teamwork. They served as escorts for host nation interpreters that were working throughout our bare base to improve conditions. They worked 12-hour shifts augmenting Army services personnel in the chow tent (For those of you asking, we were eating Unit Ground Rations (UGRs) and yes, this was a “chow” tent). Finally, they spent numerous hours helping overworked Harvest Eagle civil engineer personnel erect a tent city. We never occupied these tents due to the “lush” accommodations in the hardened aircraft shelter we shared with our operators. We flew every tasked mission despite cold and wet conditions and the only heat provided for our shelter was piped in from maintenance heaters. Those men and women not only maintained and launched our MC-130P aircraft, but they also caught, oversaw upload operations, repaired, and launched every other AFSOC MC-130 variant flying from other classified locations in the AOR. Their work was truly extraordinary. This deployment was to a bare base with the Army as the lead unit and they were tasked to provide the base operating support. The Army did an excellent job of providing that support, but as an Air Force officer, I did not know their system. Part of the learning process involved learning the Army Logistics System and knowing who to talk to for differing requirements. I quickly learned when deployed with the Army, the most important person is the supply sergeant who controls all items to include cold weather gear, admin supplies, and food and water. Make friends with the Army supply sergeant and your deployment will go very smoothly. Lesson learned from this experience is to gather as much information about our sister services as you can because when you least expect it, you may have to rely on them to fill your requirements. The more of their jargon you know, the easier it is to make the transition to their logistics process. They were very helpful, but next time may not be as tolerant regarding my “ignorance” of their system.
B-52 jet engine mechanics prepare to add power to the BUFF.
Deployed Aero-repair technicians run the B-52 landing gear system through an intensive ops check after minor adjustments.
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ER: BARE BASE - NO BASE - NO PROBLEM!
About 45 days into this deployment, our mission changed and my unit was tasked to pack up and deploy to another forward location. In the meantime, we had received all of our equipment and supplies, which amounted to about two C-17 loads. With no logistics plans officer at this location, I was charged by the Air Force Special Operations Detachment commander to work through CENTCOM, coordinate required airlift, and take all other necessary actions to forward deploy my maintenance unit and the operations unit. With no logistics plans experience, other than the bits and pieces I had learned through my 11 years of travel in the Air Force, I boldly pushed forward to coordinate the most important move I had yet to be involved in. I struggled, but eventually with numerous phone calls and after countless aircraft load plan changes, I helped coordinate a simultaneous operating location swap with another special operations unit with no loss of mission supportability at either location. Always be prepared for the unexpected. When someone is talking about something you think you do not need to know, try to comprehend what he or she is talking about. That information may come in handy. Over my years, I disregarded information that would have saved me valuable time during the redeployment process. In August 2002, I deployed as the Squadron Maintenance Officer for the expeditionary bomb squadron(EBS). Only a week later, we reorganized and I assumed command of the expeditionary aircraft maintenance squadron (EAMXS). This deployment to Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory, was much different from the first OEF deployment, but was still filled with extraordinary accomplishments and new challenges. We arrived at Diego Garcia taking over an operation that had been in place since late in 2001. Everything was in place. We were billeted in recently erected tents with very good air conditioning, the dining facility was provided by contract through the Navy Support Facility, and a very good supply system was in place. The logistics readiness squadron suppliers worked hand in hand with the EAMXS to understand our requirements and work within the constructs of the Air Force transportation system to get us parts as quickly as possible. In the 3 months we were there, we saw the number of aircraft MICAP items fall from over 30 to less than 10 and the average MICAP delivery times fell from over 13 days to less than 10 days…a truly significant accomplishment for a deployed unit at the very end of the supply chain and no FEDEX available. This was achieved through teamwork not only for the deployed personnel, but also through those supporting us from home. Another success of the EAMXS/EBS team was the development of new procedures to help counteract the oppressive tropical humidity of Diego Garcia. After experiencing a rash of Offensive Avionics System processor “dumps”, operations and maintenance personnel analyzed the TOs to truly understand the B-52 Offensive Avionics System. They determined that by altering the normal configuration of the environmental system controls, they could increase cooling airflow to the vital offensive avionics processors. Additionally, rather than disconnect the external air required for engine start, they determined that by leaving it connected to the aircraft, cooling airflow was increased further. These procedures dramatically reduced the number of avionics processor “dumps” and contributed significantly to the 100 percent launch rate and 98 percent mission-effectiveness rate achieved by the Air Expeditionary Wing during AEF 5/6. A major lesson learned on this deployment was to be cognizant of the environment and deployed work conditions and how they affect your workers. Immediately upon our arrival at Diego Garcia, we proceeded with regular maintenance actions to include washing of aircraft which was accomplished using normal procedures. On the second and third wash-
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es, some of my maintenance personnel experienced severe eye irritation and one individual was air evacuated to have his eye injury treated at a better facility. Upon investigation of the incident, we determined that our personnel had mistakenly used a soap that was approved for Navy aircraft, but was not approved by the Air Force for aircraft washes. We also determined that unlike our dry home A B-52 enjoys a beautiful sunset from the ramp at Diego Garcia. (USAF Photo) station environment, our personnel were not used to working in the humid environment and their sweat was washing the soap out of their hair into their eyes. Additionally, Diego Garcia receives approximately 15 inches of rain per month that further increased the problem. We decided to restrict aircraft washes to nighttime only and ensured the proper soap was being used to perform our washes. Upon implementation, we experienced no more injuries during aircraft washes. Lesson learned is that no matter how often a maintenance action is performed at home, maintenance leadership must remain vigilant to deployed conditions that might lead to injury because some times your troop’s lean-forward attitude can lead to injuries. Finally, after a decrease in OEF flying mission requirements, EAMXS personnel, coupled with some outstanding aerorepair and structural maintainers from the expeditionary maintenance squadron, determined that B-52 contingency phases, normally performed at Guam, could be accomplished at Diego Garcia without affecting normal operations. Through hard work and a “can-do” attitude, they proceeded to accomplish the first OEF B-52 contingency phase saving over $100K on the first phase alone, sending 42 maintainers home 20 days early, and providing 16% more aircraft availability further displaying the motivation of the Air Force maintenance team. Although every deployment is different, there will always be opportunities to see your troops shine and there will always be lessons to learn. I am always amazed at the challenges our troops conquer when the going gets rough. Every challenge is just another opportunity to excel. Additionally, just as I learned with aircraft soap, never think that you know it all and never let your guard down because the minute you do, someone will get hurt. I look forward to seeing you on the road and wish you good luck on your next deployment. Maj Patrick Butler is currently the Commander of the 5th Maintenance Operations Squadron, Minot AFB, ND and just recently returned from Guam where he was the Commander of the 36th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and helped set up a continuous bomber presence in the Pacific in response to PACAF’s new force posture. K
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1Lt Heather A. Thompson
“
The men and women of the CENTAF Convoy Operations Control Center: TSgt James Gray, SSgt John Cox, 1Lt Dennis Meyer, SrA Christopher Davis, Capt Jennifer DeHart, SSgt Jennifer Gray, SSgt Bradley Wheeler, SSgt Rudy Lara, SSgt Jason Archer, bottom row: TSgt Cecil Durley (USAF photo by Capt Jennifer DeHart, 552 ACW)
“
Submitted by Capt Jennifer A. DeHart and
How does one define a hero? Webster’s dictionary describes it as a person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life.
As a convoy commander I saw it defined everyday, on the faces of my troops, and on the faces of every military member we met. There are many heroes in a war, some you read about in newspapers and see on T.V. and others who give of themselves and are but a footnote on a Letter of Evaluation. The troops I worked with in the CCOC accomplished what no one else could at the time. All we knew was we had a mission to deliver cargo to bases in Iraq. We never questioned, we just did. Despite the security concerns or lack of equipment the CCOC accomplished the mission. I will be forever grateful for getting the opportunity to serve my country with some true heros. So, Paul, Josh, Rudy, Jason, Brad, Cecil, Cris, John, James, Jennifer, Collins, and Dennis, thank-you. Thank-you for your bravery in the face of adversity. Thank-you for facing the possibility of the ultimate sacrifice with a smile on your face and a heart for accomplishing your mission. You all are true heroes in my book.
––Capt Jennifer DeHart, 552 ACW 30 F A L L
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T
here are many famous heroes in every war, but the
convoy due to their position in the middle. When a few
transportation and supply troops are the unsung
of the trucks in front of them broke down, the CCOCC
heroes. The men and women of the CENTAF Convoy
decided to drive around the broken vehicles, in an effort
Operations Control Center (COCC) are the mightiest of
to keep up with the security leads, instead of waiting and
them all. Capt Jennifer DeHart, of the 552 ACW, led the
risking attack. This was the security policy at the time.
COCC.
Once on the other side of the line of broken vehicles, the
They weren’t your ordinary ground convoy team. They
COCC waited for the end of the convoy, and the other
were Air Force; and they went above and beyond the call
security team to catch up. Capt DeHart remarked, “We
of Their
duty. job,
specially designed by CENTAF to escort third country national contractor trucks, was to
ferry
equipment ( M W R assets, base support equipment, and
vehi-
cles)
from
Kuwait, up past
Talil’s
IRAQ –– A gun truck leads a convoy on the main supply route from Baghdad to Tikrit. The Airmen provide security to military and civilian convoys as they move supplies to multiple forward-deployed locations throughout Iraq. (USAF photo by Tech. Sgt. Scott Reed)
infamous, “the point of no return,” and on to Baghdad, Kirkuk, and
were just kind of standing out literally in the middle of
Balad Air Base, Iraq. The job was tough, Capt DeHart
Iraq, between Talil Air Base and Baghdad, by ourselves.”
explained, mostly because it was unlike any other convoy
They waited 30 minutes before they decided that they
organization. The COCC was different from the Red Tail
couldn’t risk an ambush any longer and made their way to
Express, which also convoyed Air Force cargo, because the
the refuel point, without any escort. This was the first time
COCC went to cities farther north in Iraq and had to
they dealt with lack of security on that convoy, but it cer-
overcome unique obstacles such as language barriers with
tainly was not the last. During their mission to Kirkuk, the
the third country national contractors, minimum security
COCC battled security dilemmas at every leg of their trip
during the convoys, and no training. Security was often an
until they returned to Kuwait.
issue for the COCC. During one convoy to Kirkuk, they couldn’t see the security escorts at the beginning of the
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31
Capt DeHart attributes her difficulties with security to a lack of
communication
equipment
between
her Air Force convoy and the Army security escorts. She said, “The communication over
ER: WHEELS, WEAPONS AND COURAGE
there at that time was very, very poor. We didn’t have any type of radio communication with our Army escorts, so I couldn’t find out what was going on.” Although they tried to use Land Mobile
Radios
IRAQ –– An airman monitors the progress of a convoy along the main supply route between Baghdad and Tikrit. The Airmen provide security to military and civilian convoys as they move supplies to forward-deployed locations throughout Iraq. (USAF photo by Tech. Sgt. Scott Reed)
(LMR), the distance between LMRs was often too far away to get a reliable sig-
operations, and urban warfare.
nal. Ultimately, they resorted to driving up beside each
Capt DeHart also advocates enhanced weapons training
other and talking through the windows.
for all personnel. “I would have felt better if I had M-16
In addition to the communication problems between the
training. It doesn’t matter if you are enlisted or officer over
Air Force and the Army, the COCC also found training
there, you need to have both. You need to be armed with
was an issue. The COCC did not have the opportunity for
both types of weapons - even the enlisted folks; they need
any combat convoy training before they deployed. Since
to have a 9-mm as well,” she said. This is necessary
the COCC redeployed home, things have changed. Air
because the vehicle operators were not able to use a
Force personnel who will be deploying to Iraq to work
weapon while they drove. If the convoy received small-
with the Army as convoy operators are now allowed to
arms fire, the operator could not stop to point a gun out
attend the Army’s “Transportation Officer/SNCO Basic
the window. The passenger was the only one who could
Course” at Fort Eustis, VA or the “Basic Combat Convoy
return fire. Capt DeHart said, “If we would’ve had some
Course” at Lackland AFB, TX. The Basic Combat Convoy
type of combat convoy training and more communication
Course offers training in weapons qualification, weapons
equipment, things would have gone a lot smoother.”
employment, individual and team movements, map/com-
The lack of security, communication, and training was
pass/GPS navigation, troop leadership procedures, convoy
rough on the members of the COCC. Capt DeHart said of
32
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her experience in the desert, “Every time you crossed the
do it. I canceled a few convoys because I was not going
border, you didn’t know if you were coming back in your
to go across the border without some type of security or
Hum-V, suburban or in a shiny metal box on an air-
some type of weapon. Each time I canceled one, they
plane.” Convoys were often the subject of attack multi-
would be really disappointed because they couldn’t do
ple times a day, but were rarely on the news unless some-
the job they were sent there to do.”
body was wounded or killed.
The CCOCC were linchpins in the success of Operation
Every convoy experienced something, whether it was
IRAQI FREEDOM. “Without their bravery and sense of
small-arms fire or rocks being thrown to bust a wind-
service before self, we wouldn’t have made it. Without
shield. Sometimes, convoys would drive past Improvised
those folks driving along, brushing the danger aside, the
Explosive Devices (IED). The IED detonates when a
troops up in Iraq wouldn’t have received the equipment
vehicle drives over it or is set off by a remote detonation
they needed; they wouldn’t have received the vehicles,
device. Capt DeHart said it was frightening because “you
the base support assets, the gym, the tents they slept
didn’t know if you were going to come back. Nobody
in…or the caskets,” Capt DeHart said.
ever talked about it; nobody ever mentioned it at all, but it was right there on the front of your mind.”
Despite their surroundings and the overwhelming odds, the members of the CCOCC were ready to fight for their
In addition to the danger they faced during a convoy,
country and the freedom of the Iraqi people. “That was
deployed troops also faced danger while on base. The
the type of people they were and type of people they are.
ravages of war were obvious to all deployed troops, with
I would go to war again with any of them. As a matter
visible craters, remnants of vehicles and destroyed shel-
of fact, if I could choose who else I could go with, I
ters. A couple of times during their stay on base, the
would choose every one of them. They were the best
COCC experienced mortar fire. The mortar fire was
folks I have ever worked with, period.” Capt DeHart
often close, sometimes less than half a mile away from
claimed. Many thanks to the men and women of the
the sleeping tents. Capt DeHart said it was surreal
COCC for their bravery and unwavering courage. It’s
because “at the time, you didn’t think about it, but back
their eagerness and sense of duty that makes the mem-
at your tent at night, and you woke up by the sound of
bers of the COCC such understated heroes.
mortar fire. You weren’t really waking up by the sound; you were waking up by the feeling because it would hap-
Capt Jennifer A. DeHart is the Programs and
pen so close that you could feel it.”
Resources Flight Commander assigned to the 552d
“To ask somebody to go into a war zone who was
Maintenance Operations Squadron, Tinker AFB OK.
untrained, with basically the minimum amount of equip-
Email: Jennifer.DeHart@tinker.af.mil
ment you needed to go on a convoy, and to ask them to do that over and over again, and they would eagerly do
1Lt Heather A. Thompson is the Plans and Programs
it, is amazing considering what was happening at the
Section OIC assigned to the 552d Maintenance Operations
time,” declared Capt DeHart. As a testament to their
Squadron,Tinker AFB OK. Email: Heather.Thompson@tin-
dedication to the mission, Capt DeHart reiterated, “They were so eager. They wanted to go; they were itching to
ker.af.mil K
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Submitted by Capt Brady S. Fischer & MSgt Marc H. Giltner
Colonel John P. Harris, Maintenance Group Commander officiates the “merger ceremony” heralding in a new era in the “Fuels” world. (USAF Photo)
O
n 1 October 2003, a “Merger Ceremony”, officiated by Colonel John P. Harris, Maintenance Group Commander, was held in the Fuels Management Flight refueling vehicle parking lot that heralded in a new era in the “Fuels” world. The ceremony, akin to a Change of Command, made official the physical move or “merge” of the Fuels Management Flight (also know as Petroleum Oils and Lubricants or “POL”) from one group to another. For years POL was under the umbrella of logistics and supply, and most recently the Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS) and the Mission Support Group. Being structured in that manner kept the fuels flight organizationally separated from the customers they serve, primarily the aircraft maintainers. A little more than six months ago that all changed when POL officially became part of the 56 MXG. The primary mission of POL is to store and issue clean, dry jet and ground fuel to Air Force aircraft and vehicles. While the merge is now official, it is as yet to be determined if it will be permanent. General John P. Jumper, CSAF directed the one-year “test program” for AETC to take place at Luke AFB. “The thought is the Fuels Management Flight function is so integral to sortie generation, its management and oversight would be better placed in an organization whose primary mission is sortie generation. Aligning the fuels function with sortie generation should result in improved interaction, communication and aircraft support. Additionally it should enhance the mission; consolidating functions under
34 F A L L
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one group commander and reducing the large and diverse span of control for the Mission Support group.” Other bases participating in the test are Dyess, Offutt, and Seymour Johnson AFB’s in ACC. The evaluation criteria are to identify successes and challenges that result from realignment of functions, identify areas where further guidance is required, identify actions taken or needed to facilities and/or infrastructure, and as indicators of process effectiveness, report metrics, with accompanying analysis comments if necessary. Results of the test will be reported back to General Jumper in October 2004. The test at Luke AFB makes POL a flight under the Equipment Maintenance Squadron (EMS), in the MXG. Major John C. Kubinec, the EMS commander, was extremely pleased with the move. After the ceremony, Major Kubinec said, “EMS has just acquired one of the most distinguished flights on base. This alignment continues to quantify the claim that EMS is “the Biggest and the Best” squadron at Luke AFB.” The merger of POL into the Maintenance Group will streamline the process of getting the fuel to the aircraft from the bottom up. “Communication is the key component”, said CMSgt Tony S. Locker, Fuels Manager of the Luke AFB Fuels Management Flight. “From the very beginning of the merger we’ve seen positive results. Operational issues are now dealt with within the same group, eliminating structural blockades that sometimes arise, establishing a stronger rapport with the flight line customers that POL proudly serves”.
For most of the 116 POL personnel, life remains unchanged other than a new patch on the uniform, a new hat, and a different commander’s call to attend. F-16’s continue to be fueled on time, samples are taken, facilities are maintained and personnel will be ready to deploy at a moments notice. For the Fuels Management Team (FMT), there are a few more administrative changes. The FMT now provides product inventories and equipment status to EMS Pro-Supers, the Maintenance Superintendent, and the EMS Operations Officer at the daily EMS production meetings. Also, POL provides weekly equipment status, fuels response time and fuel servicing data slides shown at the Monday MXG production meeting. Also, because of the reorganization, several recognition programs have been affected. POL personnel now compete for Senior Airman Below-theZone and wing quarterly and annual awards in the Maintenance Group. POL’s first competition against EMS and MXG personnel was a success with POL taking the EMS and MXG Civilian and NCO of the Quarter for the fourth quarter as well as the EMS SNCO of the Year for 2003. Fuels functional annual awards are now routed through EMS, MXG, and then submitted to AETC. The annual Maintenance Professional of the Year Award competition, to be held on 13 March 2004, was streamlined to include fuels personnel. POL Airmen, NCOs, and Civilians will compete for a Logistics Provider Award against personnel from the Munitions Flight. Senior NCOs will compete in an Indirect Sortie Support category against all non-aircraft related AFSCs.
Tech. Sgt. George Anderson, a petroleum, oil and lubricants supervisor, refuels a coalition aircraft from a fuel bladder at a forward deployed location. (USAFphoto by 2nd Lt. Nancy Kuck)
One important issue still left undecided is the type of officer will lead POL flights in the future. If POL stays in the MXG, will the flight commander be a Logistics Readiness Officers (LRO) from the LRS, a Maintenance Officer, or will an entirely new AFSC be created? This is something that LROs and Maintenance Officers will be watching closely. Less than seven months after the move became official, positive results are being felt throughout the Squadron, Group and Wing. What was already a polished and professional organization, POL continues to receive accolades from the customers they support. With process’s streamlined and communication barriers eliminated, the flight line maintainers now have direct organizational access to the “other folks” that continuously keep Luke AFB’s 209 F-16’s flying. After all, as we like to say: “Without fuel, pilots are just pedestrians.” Capt Brady S. Fischer is the Fuels Management Flight Commander at Luke AFB. brady.fischer@luke.af.mil.
Senior Airman Zoltan Keogh prepares an air hose before connecting it to a C-130 Hercules. (USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Lake)
MSgt Marc H. Giltner, is the NCOIC, Night Operations at Luke AFB. marc.giltner@luke.af.mil K
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Graybeard Wisdom A PERSPECTIVE Most generals retire from active duty and gracefully fade away. As the years pass and new generals rise to assume the positions we once held, we remember them as junior officers. In my case, most of your leaders today were captains when I retired and many of them I did not
General (ret) Leo Marquez
know or cannot remember. But I was luckier than most. When General Welch approved naming the award that bears my name after me, it was an honor I never dreamed I deserved. But you have made it more than that. You have been great by inviting me to speak at the annual award banquets. This year alone I went to nine different bases, this year all in CONUS. I visited fighter and bomber wings, the AWACS wing, the U2 and Global Hawk wing at Beale, the airlift wing at Travis and two Special Forces wings. These visits have enabled me to see our
E R : G R AY B E A R D W I S D O M
Air Force from every mission perspective. I have seen our troops coping with deployments, indeed many of the award winners were not present to receive them because they were deployed. But in every instance, I saw that the mission was being performed with confidence, enthusiasm and élan. I saw colonels leading confidently and with great competence. Our NCOs are superior to those in any other Air Force. I believe that what makes our Air Force greater than any other is our professional NCO Corps. To make a point to the young airman, I ask the nearest E-7 or above, “How many schools have you gone to, Sarge?” In every case, he has to stop and think because there are so many. They reflect the fruits of a policy we forged after Vietnam. As the Systems Command was seeking to develop the latest technology, I and others like Gen JB Davis repeatedly said that those weapons would only be as good as the men and women who maintained them. Our technicians had to be as good as the weaponry we were getting. And not only did they have to be good technically, they had to be able to lead and manage. I believed we had to invest as much in our people as in our hardware. We were successful and the Air Force developed a series of leadership and management schools from the Airman Leadership schools to the senior NCO Academy. As I walk around our bases today I see the fruits of the policy in full bloom. Our airmen are the best in the world, bar none. They enlist for various reasons but they quickly come to believe that serving their country is the primary reason to stay. And our young officers are equally good. We are attracting the best and brightest and I hope that LOA continues to provide the mentorship that is so important for the youngsters. Some of you older fellows might recall how adamantly I pursued my vision of developing logisticians, not simply maintainers, suppliers, munitions types or transporters. I wanted to see logisticians that could perform more than one job not be stove-piped in one field all their careers. I described my force as being 9 feet tall and 6 inches wide. I wanted robust 6-footers that could run, pass and block. Likewise in the enlisted ranks I wanted more generalists and 36 F A L L
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fewer specialists. That led to Rivet Workforce and I think it has been a success. The new wing organization now provides that to the LROs, but I worry that our maintainers will not have the same opportunity to learn the related disciplines. It is too soon to think about another re-organization and I am not recommending that. But I would like to see our young maintainers have a chance to do other things besides maintenance and that is possible without a reorganization. We have been blessed with good, indeed great, leadership in logistics. My visits give me a chance to meet the coming stars and I am not reticent in making recommendations to the Chief and the current IL about next assignments for the ones I see with the greatest potential. I am proud that I identified for advancement early in their careers such officers as Mike Zettler and Don Wetekam. They have certainly justified my faith in them. This year I met several such potential stars. The Air Force that you have developed is so vastly superior to the one I came into that it beggars description. I worked very hard to make some of those improvements. But in the 17 years since my retirement, you have continued to grow and improve. In Iraqi Freedom, you have proven the dreams of our Air Power pioneers like Douhet and Billy Mitchell. The world knows what air power can do. I used to joke to my Army friends that, of course we needed an Army; someone had to hold the ground we captured! You have seen that true in every sense of the word. Our stealth aircraft kicked down the door, our J-Stars located the enemy wherever they were hiding and our fighters and bombers took them out. Result? The Army was able to drive to Baghdad in a week. That done, most of our assets came home but the Army and Marines are still there doing the dirtiest job there is and they are doing it well, God bless them. I was recently asked by the Army Science Board to assist in a study of how battlefield logistics can be improved. I was struck by how more difficult the job of supplying a moving army is than our own of setting up our bases and operating from there. I was amazed to learn that 52% of the cargo the Army moved in the early weeks was water! The study group has identified several areas that need improvement, especially in the joint operations arena. There is much to re-learn, especially the importance of logistic support. In OIF, the Army pushed the shooters well ahead in the race to Baghdad and outran the supply chain. They suffered for that decision as the suppliers were left behind to face hostile attacks and many were lost. A lesson re-learned! We are now engaged in probably the most difficult challenge that we have ever faced as a nation. We must be the very best we can be. As we face that threat, we will need the robust 6-footer I envisioned, moving forces, opening bases, supporting operations in places we had never heard of before. I am confident you will do it. I and 250 million Americans sleep better because you are out there. Thank you for your sacrifices. God Bless you and God bless America. PS. Keep those invitations coming, they keep me young!
––G E N E R A L ( R E T ) L E O M A R Q U E Z
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CGO Corner B U S T Y O U R T I M E WA S T E R S : S U S TA I N I N G Y O U R C O M B AT E D G E By Capt Bethany Keller and 1Lt Jared Eros
ER: CGO CORNER
Ahhh…the life of a CGO… not only are you constantly learning new jobs, you’re loaded with additional (we don’t dare say frivolous) duties that often sequester more of your attention than your “real” job. The result is perpetual crisis management, long hours, and the inability to sleep without conscious reminders of your To-Do list invading your dreams. In an effort to reduce stress and increase productivity throughout the young loggie community of the Air Force, we’ve highlighted smart scheduling techniques that eliminate wasted time so you can instead focus on sustaining your combat edge.
Capt Bethany Keller
Email - both a blessing and curse - it’s the new dirty word of our modern Air Force. When used too much and checked too frequently, it can hinder your communication more than help it. You become a slave to the screen because your inbox symbolizes more taskings, unfinished work, and busted suspenses. Get control: 1) Establish periods during the day to check email –– don’t leave 1Lt Jared Eros it open all day. 2) As soon as you open an email, DO something with it –– delete, delegate, file, forward it. 3) Learn the software and use it to your advantage. 4) If you can handle an issue in person or over the phone, let your mouth do the talking, not your fingers. 5) Jokes and spam-don’t send it, don’t read it. 6) Get your inbox down to one page before you go home-it consolidates big taskers and provides peace of mind. Manage your email, don’t let it manage you. Delegation is an overlooked option that can bust through time consuming tasks. Type-A officers suffer from “It’s-easier-if-I-do-it-myself” syndrome –– the likely #1 contributor to weekends spent at the office. Delegation produces a triple bonus: not only does it achieve results through others while still maintaining oversight, it provides opportunities to develop your subordinates’ abilities and free up time for more important business. Don’t do things other people can do; you’ll be amazed what they can accomplish if you simply empower them. The reality of the logistics community is characterized by constant interruptions. As a leader, you are a crisis manager, but instead of allowing the crises to interrupt your schedule, schedule in contingency time to handle the inevitable interruptions and unpredictability. When visitors come knocking, don’t let them sit! Stand up during the conversation and they’ll be apt to leave much sooner. We are often the cause of our own interruptions, whether it’s inbox curiosity, social breaks, day dreaming, or extreme multi-tasking to the point of zero forward productivity. Finish a task before you start another. An open door policy is important, but closing your door temporarily to work urgent issues will yield better results faster. The To-Do list. We all have our own style-post-its, Outlook, PDAs, log books…having one is a start but not properly prioritizing it could be a big time waster in disguise. First and foremost, prioritize your tasks between urgent, important, and not-so important (A,B,C works nicely); this ensures you tackle tasks in order of importance. We tend to attack the smaller, more feasible and less urgent tasks first when we feel out of control or burdened, while leaving the difficult tasks for “later.” Break down your important tasks into several smaller steps and get cranking. Schedule times to work on the important tasks when you are most energized and receive the least interruptions. Resist the urge to do the not-
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so important tasks first just to get a feeling of accomplishment. The result - less stress and more progress. Don’t be a perfectionist. One of your most valuable time-savers can be allowing yourself to live with “good enough” vs. “the best ever seen.” The rat race of the CGO world encourages officers to spend ample time producing a spectacular presentation, report, or event because their name or unit reputation is attached to the project. Question whether spending an hour tweaking a Power Point show or volunteering for another additional duty is absolutely necessary. Know when and on what to spend your time and remember: simple works. Sustaining our force’s combat edge is contingent on sustaining the sanity of those who lead it! Part of that process is making the most efficient use of our time. We are airmen 24 hours a day, but that doesn’t mean we need to spend all 24 at work. Take a hard look at your time-wasting habits and institute small changes that will undoubtedly provide a more productive, less stressful work day. Keep your edge sharp! Please join us in welcoming our newest member to the ER Staff, 1Lt Jared Eros and also in congratulating Bethany on her promotion to Captain. The CGO Corner is written by Capt Bethany Keller, Accessory Flight Commander, 31st Maintenance Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy, and Lt Jared Eros, the Curriculum Flight Commander at the 9th Munitions Squadron, Beale AFB, CA. Next issue’s “Corner” theme: Logistics Transformation. All comments or contributions should be submitted to CGOCorner@LOANational.org NLT 1 Oct 2004. K
Chapter Updates LOOKING GLASS CHAPTER - OFFUTT AFB, NE Submitted by 1st Lt Karen Lee The Looking Glass Chapter had a very busy summer. We implemented a Logistician of the Quarter award and plan to give the first one out next quarter. We are currently working on a Chapter coin to accompany the award. In June, we were very fortunate to be able to host Col (ret) Jim Hass as a guest speaker here. About 25 logisticians attended lunch to hear him give pointers on enhancing our careers. It was a very interesting and informative talk. Thanks again, Col Hass! We also began doing what we call “Chock Socials” over the summer, which is a really fun way to get our chapter members together off duty. It works like this: if a member discovers a set of chocks in his yard, he knows that he has been tagged to host the next chapter social. Participation is completely voluntary, which ensures the program’s success.
E R : C H A P T E R U P D AT E S
Looking Glass has no intention of slowing down over the next quarter. We will be working some fund-raisers at the Offutt Air Show in August and we have a tour of the Harley-Davidson plant in Kansas City, MO, scheduled for October.
ALAMO CHAPTER - RANDOLPH AFB, TX Submitted by Lt Col Kenneth McKellar This last quarter has kept us very busy with our first annual Scholarship Golf tournament, hosting over 100 golfers. We are preparing the bid package to compete for the 2006 national conference, and we will hold our Scholarship Awards luncheon near the end of July. We will award three $200.00 local scholarships and nominate one of the winners to compete for the national award. We also bid farewell to our West Vice-President, Capt Sam Ulmer who PCS’d recently. He will be missed. Ms. Olga Perez has taken his place as the West VP. She is a Civil Service employee working at Brooks-Citybase. We look for great things from her contributions! The Alamo Chapter also welcomed several new members, including Buddy Lindsey, Michele Tereletsky, Dinah Stanley, Roland Benevides, US Navy Commander Tom Tharp, Rodney Boatwright, and Colonel Robert Wineicki. We also gained a couple key members from PCS’s, Col Russ Gimmi, the new AETC/ALG and Col(s) Robert Stine is the new AETC Maintenance Division Chief. We are a growing chapter and welcome the mix of Interservice, Civilians and military members! Last but certainly not least, we have a new Senior Advisor to the Alamo Chapter, BG(s) Stephen Schmidt. As the AETC/LG, he is a strong supporter of LOA!
BIG SKY CHAPTER - MALMSTROM AFB, MT Submitted by Lt Oscar Asker The Big Sky Chapter has been at it again. Since the last update, we have continued to reach out to new members and provided logistics career information and career enhancement to all members. In May, we were visited by the 21M assignment functional manager, Capt Donahue from the Air Force Personnel Center. His three-day visit included a one-
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on-one meeting with each member regarding career and assignment opportunities. In June, the group visited our civilian logistic counterparts at FEDEX in Great Falls, MT. The tour focused on the fundamentals of on-time logistics. The next few months will be as equally exciting with an upcoming tour of General Custer’s last stand at Little Bighorn and an intern visit from the SPO at Hill AFB in August. Additionally, we will have a new logo selected for the chapter within the next month. Over eight logos were submitted for consideration. We hope to see you all at the LOA national conference in Las Vegas! We will be there to represent.
WASATCH WARRIOR CHAPTER - HILL AFB, UT Submitted by Capt Audrey Page Greetings from sunny Utah! The Wasatch Warriors have had an eventful spring. In March we toured ATK Thiokol Propulsion. The LOA tour observed all manners of commercial logistics. We also hosted an Israeli/Palestinian Briefing by Major Duane Mills, OO-ALC/MAN. His briefing was an outstanding history and current events lesson for us all. In April, the chapter was honored to host the Sonoran Chapter from Luke AFB, AZ. We had tours with our F-16 depot line, landing gear facility, and F-16 avionics and briefings from Brig Gen Robert McMahon, our Director of Maintenance, Col Michael Vidal, the Director, F-16 Management Directorate, and Capt Kevin Culliney, from the Airto-Surface Munitions Directorate. We were also fortunate to have our ALC commander, Maj Gen Kevin Sullivan, speak at a joint LOA professional development luncheon. The Wasatch Warriors also hosted a visit from AFPC. We were able to set up over 60 one-on-one counseling sessions and two luncheon briefings. During our monthly LOA Chapter Meeting, we had Maj Michael Moore, 649 CLSS/CC, speak to us about his tour of duty at the Pentagon and the joys of being a staff officer. In May we had the First Annual Hill LOA Golf Tournament, and it was a resounding success due to Capt Rick Hughes from OO-ALC/CCB, and his team of organizers. Money raised will go toward scholarships and local LOA chapter events. At our May monthly meeting, Capt Deb Perry gave us a briefing from the Air Force Safety Center with the permission of the author. Since we are in the midst of conducting elections for our next Executive Council, the outgoing crew would like to express their thanks for a great year! Lt Col Ray Dennie, Capt Deb Perry, Capt Greg Riffel, and Capt Audrey Page would all like to say how grateful we are to serve in this exceptional organization and how very proud we are to have been able to contribute to logistics professional development.
JAMES RIVER CHAPTER - RICHMOND, VA Submitted by Lt Col John Wilkinson The month of June at the James River Chapter brought forth not only an exciting meeting of enthusiastic Logisticians, but we also had a special guest speaker. Lt Col Tim Abe, USMC, the Aircraft Engines Product Center Leader at the Defense Supply Center Richmond, recently returned from his deployment as the Defense Logistics Agency Contingency Support Team (DCST) Forward Commander in Kuwait. In Kuwait, Lt Col Abe ran the DLA Support Operations for the Continued on next page... EXCEPTIONAL RELEASE
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entire Middle East Theater. He proved to be an exciting and dynamic speaker as he enthusiastically spoke of his experiences and shared his photos of Operational Logistics on the ground in a Joint environment. His words were encouraging and stressed that in the real combat environment Logistics certainly must be considered as the key to success. Along with military personnel from all the Services, his DCST included several DoD civilians who volunteered for this deployment. Among them was a self-described “Vietnam War draft dodger” whose guilt had been building over the years, but is very thankful to DLA for giving him this opportunity to serve while answering his country’s call to service.
RAINIER CHAPTER - MCCHORD AFB, WA Submitted by Lt Mary Lent After recent elections, the newly appointed officers (President: Capt Adam DiGerolamo; Vice President: Lt Mary Lent; Information Officer: Lt Bradley Young; Treasurer: Lt Michael Guy; Professional Development Officer: Lt Kenya Serna) are looking forward to breathing some life into the Rainier Chapter. Our kickoff focus will hone in on deployed and joint logistics and maintenance. Col Rebecca Garcia, 62 MXG/CC, will host our Jul 04 meeting and talk about her latest 90+ day trip to Iraq.
E R : C H A P T E R U P D AT E S
We also look forward to exploring the resources in our area. Seattle is abundant with aerospace industry; however, we plan to expand our scope with our close proximity to both an Army base and Naval port, as well as the plethora of wholesale logistics and distribution centers in Tacoma. It should be a great year! Look for members of the Rainier Chapter in August and September as we scatter to the wind for our runway closure. We hope to see all of you at the National Conference! We’re also hoping to see a lot of the Chapters represented when McChord hosts next year’s Rodeo! Take care - combat airlift!
SONORAN CHAPTER - LUKE AFB, AZ Submitted by Capt Michael Miles The Sonoran Chapter is in the middle of another great year. Our membership is consistently on the rise and includes logistics professionals from the 56th Fighter Wing (the largest fighter wing in the world) and 944th Fighter Wing. At our most recent meeting, Brig Gen Robert McMahon, OO-ALC/MA, shared his vision for success at the Ogden Air Logistics Center. His focus was on “Lean Production”. Lean Production is the first leg of
Sonoran’s 2nd Intramural Team – Softball
the “triad” of manufacturing management practices that our senior Air Force leaders believe is essential for success over the next 10-25 years and beyond. The triad also includes Supply Chain Management and E-Manufacturing. Chief ben42 F A L L
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efits of Lean Production include the use of fewer resources, rapid and efficient product development cycle, higher quality at lower cost, and greater flexibility. Brig Gen McMahon challenged us to incorporate lean principles into our everyday operations and we are striving to meet that challenge. Our membership organized field trips to various bases and contractor facilities so we can see first hand how other logistics professionals lead and motivate their teams and manage their products. We’ve recently visited America West Airlines, 161st Air Refueling Sonoran LOA members enjoy American West Airlines/161 ANG Tour
Wing, Arizona ANG, and soon Honeywell’s Engine Repair and Overhaul Facility. Our
future trips include Davis Monthan, AZ, and the Apache Helicopter Production Facility in Mesa, AZ. As you can see, we’ve had a busy year and we have lots more planned. See you at the national conference!
MUSTANG CHAPTER - OSAN AB, KOREA Submitted by Maj Davis Rega The Osan Mustang Chapter is up and active! Thanks to Brig Gen Polly Peyer, PACAF LG, for her inspiring words and mentorship - we appreciate the opportunity to learn from the best. Thanks also to Col William Moseley, 607 ASG/CC for his comprehensive overview of how 7th AF supports the mission on the peninsula - great words and a great education to those of us who are new to this theater. As we look forward, in between our Peninsula-wide exercises and challenging daily armistice missions as well as always being ready to fight tonight, we have many great educational opportunities available to those at Osan. We have a wide variance of backgrounds to draw from - USFK, 7th AF, 51 FW (including the Maintenance, Mission Support, and Medical groups), our Army cousins, and the 731 AMS to name a few. Additionally, there are numerous USAF and Korean bases, port facilities, and Korean manufacturing/repair facilities that support US forces - all great places to learn more about all aspects of logistics as well as how the US military supports the armistice today and the war tomorrow, if called upon. If that’s not enough, how about visiting the DMZ or the Korean War museum? If you’re ready to run, come join us!
MISS VEEDOL CHAPTER - MISAWA AB, JAPAN Submitted by 1st Lt Aaron Maynard The summer of 2004 brought with it a lot of change for Misawa’s Miss Veedol Chapter. We are saddened to see many of our valuable members leave for new assignments, and we would like to wish the best of luck to Col Steven Wilson, Col Joy Shasteen, Lt Col Jim Eilers, Maj Anthony McGraw, and Maj Randall Gilhart. Best of luck to all you at your Continued on next page... EXCEPTIONAL RELEASE
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new assignments! Also, congratulations are in order for Maj Scott DeLorenzi, who was selected to command the 35 MOS. Best of luck to you too! On the professional development side of the house, the Miss Veedol Chapter was honored to host a breakfast for Maj Gen Terry Gabreski, Commander, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center. General Gabreski briefed us on many of the recent and upcoming changes regarding Depot operations. She touched on the importance of professional development for officers young and old and we enjoyed her words of wisdom greatly. We also received a brief from Col Joy Shasteen, Vice Commander, 35 MSG, on her experience as a Mission Support Group Commander in Qatar during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. The Miss Veedol Chapter also participated in the Misawa Air Base American Day Celebration. We rolled up our sleeves, fired up the grill, and shared a bit of our American culture with our Japanese hosts. The future brings with it many exciting and new opportunities to the Misawa Logistics Officers Association. We are looking forward to the first LOA and Japanese Air Self Defense Force picnic and sports day in July or August. If you are heading to Misawa, we look for-
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HIGH FLIGHT CHAPTER - BEALE AFB, CA Submitted by 1st Lt Jared Eros In March the High Flight Chapter hosted Lt Col Glen Marumoto, AF/ILD, and a Beale LOA alumnus, for a discussion of the future of Air Force logistics. Transformation is not a choice; it is inevitable- was a driving point of the briefing, and all members left with a greater understanding of Air Force vision for the future of logistics. In May, SES-3 Mr, Don Cazel spoke with the chapter. He mentioned that budget cuts around the Department of Defense are affecting many Beale missions, including the U-2 and Global Hawk. Mr. Cazel highlighted the pros and cons of the military to civilian conversion of many positions Air Force and DoD-wide. One of the largest challenges is finding the funding to support this conversion. At the June meeting, Lt Burns from the 9th LRS briefed on the AEF Conference, highlighting key events such as the release of LOGMOD 4.4, the enhanced deployed cargo visibility tool, LOGCAT 3.0, and the AEF Center’s upcoming MOBAG Conference. We also held a fundraiser to raise money for our local LOA scholarship. Beale High Flight continues to gear up for the national conference in October. We awarded over $600 in local scholarship money to three deserving airman: TSgt Bill Sheaffer, SrA Jermaine Bluett, and SrA Robert Richardson. The new date for our CGO Professional Development Seminar will be finalized soon, as will a professional development trip to LAAFB/Palmdale on 11-13 August, and the 940 ARW Reserve Tour slated for sometime in September. We’re looking forward to continued success and leadership when new officers take over in October.
AIRBRIDGE CHAPTER - DOVER AFB, DE Submitted by Lt Pete Cunningham Dover’s logistics community has been going through some noticeable changes, similar to our counterparts at Travis, we also have “Kicked the CANN”, a huge accomplishment for the C-5. The Airbridge chapter is no exception when it 44 F A L L
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comes to change; in January we elected all new chapter board members bringing in new blood and fresh ideas. Colonel Willie Cooper (512th MXG CC) kicked off calendar year 2004 as our first guest speaker, he provided us with a look at the foundation of his leadership style. We will remember his creative words on how not to give up your “how to”, in other words, staying on top of your responsibilities so you can keep other people out of your business (timeless advice). We began conducting monthly career briefs from Airbridge Chapter members who have benefited from career broadening or exchange experience. Our first career brief was given by Maj Troy Vokes (512th MOS/CC), he provided insight on his ROTC instructing experience at Cornell University. All in attendance definitely left with a greater understanding of what being an ROTC instructor is all about, including opportunities to attend classes at no charge at some universities. As a result of this brief, we are contacting the Delaware ROTC Detachments requesting the opportunity to share our experiences as logisticians to these future officers. Future briefs include an exchange tour to the Netherlands, Advanced Maintenance/Munitions Officer School graduate, AFIT and TDY experiences at Baghdad International Airport. We finished our first fundraiser in April; a Pump-A-Thon at the base gas station, earning $250 to donate to the LOA Scholarship fund. Upcoming fundraiser opportunities include manning a food booth during our air show on May 16th and hosting a LOA golf tournament in late summer. Overall the Airbridge chapter has a lot going on over the next couple of months. We will remain committed to providing our members with informative forums which provide value added for time spent!
HEART OF DIXIE CHAPTER - MAXWELL AFB, AL Submitted by Lt Col. Steve Purtle This has been another exciting quarter for the Heart of Dixie Chapter. Our ranks have swollen to 54 members, making us the 11th largest nationally. Our monthly chapter meetings have been both lively and enjoyable. In April, Col Mike Morabito, the commander of the Air Force Logistics Management Agency presented highlights of his agency’s most recent logistics studies to our group. Col. Morabito has since moved on to be the commander of Ellsworth’s 28th Maintenance Group. We wish him well and thank him for his mentorship of the Maxwell loggies during his tenure as our Senior Logistics Advisor. In May we packed the Maxwell Officer’s Club Daedalian Room for a luncheon featuring LOGTEC President, Lt. Gen. (ret) Michael E. Zettler. General Zettler gave us a retrospective look at the stresses of leadership. Col Johnson, Professor of Leadership and Ethics, Air War College lead our first professional reading program June by facilitating an open discussion of Rudolph Giuliani’s book, Leadership. It was a great experience, especially for the young guys. We’ve got a full plate for next quarter, including a strong showing at the LOA national convention. So keep you eye on this chapter...we are working hard to make a difference for loggies both at Maxwell AFB and Air Force-wide!
Hats off to the Arc Light Chapter at Andersen AFB, Guam. Our newest LOA Chapter has twenty members and going strong. Great work gang! Hoo-Rahh! K
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On the Move MAJ ERIC “MEAT” NORTH WRITES: After 2 glorious years at HQ AFMC I am heading south (again) to Tyndall AFB to command of the 325 MOS. Come see me when you’re in the area for cigars and beer! See Ya! 1ST LT DUANE RICHARDSON WRITES: Leaving the beautiful Pacific Northwest and the “Cadillac of Airlift” for an awesome mission at Offutt AFB. I’ll miss the trees and of course Mt. Rainier, but I’m looking forward to the mission of the Fightin’ 55th!
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LT COT (RET) JAMES R. WATTS WRITES: I retired on 1 April and was hired by TAMSCO to be their director of Oklahoma operations, but then was offered a promotion to stay in Georgia as the Deputy of Air Force Operations. Tough call with our families in the Southwest, but the people are terrific so we elected to stay in Warner Robins for a while. Drop by sometime and I’ll buy lunch. LT COL TRACY SMIEDENDORF WRITES: I’ve completed my three year “sentence” in the Pentagon and will spend the next year at National War College. COL MARY H. PARKER WRITES: After a short assignment (14 months) as the 5AF/LG at Yokota AB, I’m headed to Incirlik AB to take command of the 39th Maintenance Group (eff 16 Jun 04). Although I’ve had a great tour working bilateral relationships with the Air Staff Office (ASO) in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) while at 5AF, I’m excited about the opportunity to get back to the flightline. I’m also happy to announce that we have a new LOA member from the JASDF...Maj Gen Masaaki Fukui, ASO/LGX. I’ve been sharing my copies of the ER with him, and now he’ll have his own copies of the ER to share with other members of the JASDF! COL JEFF SNYDER WRITES: Arrived back at Langley AFB in Sept 03 after two years at Tyndall AFB as 325 LG/CC then 325 MXG/CC for the last year. Am now the Chief, Maintenance Management Division (ACC/LGQ). Great to be back home in ACC. COL (RET) PAM CARTER WRITES: My retirement ceremony was held 16 Apr and I started terminal leave as the C-17 Base Manager at McGuire. Something about airplanes keeps me close to the action and I love it. We’ll be making our household move sometime in June. 46 F A L L
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LT COL (RET) BILL KOPSCH WRITES: Retired effective 1 July 2003 (out of HQ AETC/LGMA, Randolph AFB). Joined my wife, a DoDDS in Baumholder, Germany. I am currently working on a study for Science Applications International Corporation, and hang my hat in HQ USAFE’s International Relations, Bases and Forces Division (A5Z) in Ramstein. COL RICK MATTHEWS WRITES: Left B-2 System Program Director position in May to become Strategic Airlift Director at Robins. If you’re in middle Georgia, drop by and we’ll share some boiled peanuts. Cheers. MAJ MAX HARRIS WRITES: Heading off to learn what the Army knows about logistics. CGSC until Summer ‘05. Who knows after that.... CAPT BILL RAY WRITES: Completed a tough 4.5 months of AMMOS at Nellis and headed back to Kadena AB. (Don’t let anyone think AMMOS is a walk in the park!) Got back to Kadena just in time to PCS to Dover AFB, DE with leave enroute to Australia, Hawaii, and SC. Had a terrific 3-yr tour at Kadena with the professionals in the 718 AMXS and 18 MXG and looking forward the same at Dover! COL RONALD R CROSBY WRITES: Hello Fellow Maintainers, I have finally made it “to the top” as they say. I am now the 354th Maintenance Group commander at Eielson AFB, Alaska. This is our third address in less than a year (4 yrs at Kadena, 10 months at Mountain Home AFB, now here) but we are loving it! We’re still moving in, but have already met friends and seen lots of wildlife, including moose, caribou, eagles, etc. If you’re “in the area” look me up. You might want to skip Dec-Feb though. I hear it’s dark and cold then! Ron LT COL HENRY PANDES WRITES: I returned from a remote in the AOR Apr 04 and presently serve in the AFMC/LG directorate at Wright-Patterson AFB. I served as Deputy MSG in the 363 AEW, Prince Sultan AB and after its closure redeployed to another air base in the AOR to finish out my year. By the far the most rewarding and memorable assignment I’ve had in my AF career.
MAJ ANDY SHANAHAN WRITES: After a year as the AMXS MOO at Osan AB, I’ve moved to Andrews AFB to work as the C-130/CSAR Weapon System Manager for the ANG Bureau. COL (RET) KENNETH P. KNAPP WRITES: Effective 1 Jul, I retired after 26 years and 1 month of active duty. I am relocating to Lancaster PA with BT Fuze Products, a division of L-3Communications, as VP & GM of Ammunition Programs. LT COL BOB STINE WRITES: Moving again, this time to HQ AETC/LGM, Randolph AFB Texas after a year of school at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Wash D.C. Please give me a call if you are in the area at DSN 487-2794. LT COL JAMES C. HOWE WRITES: I’ve PCSed from the Warriors of the North (GFAFB) as former commander of the aircraft maintenance squadron and am now assigned to “the building” working Agile Combat Support doctrine and wargames MAJ MATT VENZKE WRITES: Departed Nellis this summer after 2 years on the initial AMMOS cadre. I’m taking command of 55 AMXS at Offutt. MAJ LISA HESS WRITES: Excited to move from the Pentagon back to a wing! I’m now Ops Officer at 11 LRS, Bolling AFB. See you in Vegas! COL (RET) GARY AUSTIN WRITES: In October, I’m off to a “short tour” in the UK. I’ll be working out of the ARINC UK office, just south of London, for at least a year doing business development in the military/Government area. My business focus will be Europe, the Middle East and Africa. No change in my email address. Let me know if you’ll be, or already are, in the area! Have a great convention - I’ll hoist a pint for you! MAJ GEOFF BACON WRITES: Just PCSed into Langley at the Chief, Special Weapons Branch at HQ ACC after graduating from ACSC at Maxwell. MAJ EARL BENNETT WRITES: Hi from San Antonio! Finally got kicked out of USAFE after six years! I am now the Commander of the 651st MUNS at Medina Annex and loving it.
OC-ALC / PACAF Visit A I R M E N TA L K I N G
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OC-ALC Commander, Maj. Gen. Terry L. Gabreski, led a Tinker team including Col. John F. Thompson, Director of Propulsion, in visits to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, Kadena and Misawa Air Bases, Japan, and Osan and Kunsan Air Bases, Korea. The purpose of the visits…a first hand view of the centers’ support to warfighters. The team discussed a wide variety of topics, including technology, acquisition and sustainment issues affecting operational units –– “Airmen to Airmen.” Gen. Gabreski rounded out the trip by speaking to several Logistics Officer Association chapters. During the LOA meetings, Gen. Gabreski provided brief overviews of the ALC’s mission and answered questions. Predominant interest centered on the future of logistics officers, the expanded support of Army operations in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, effects-based acquisition, supply chain management and the resourcing of logistics officers. Gen. Gabreski said the future success of the Air Force requires officers at all levels to read, understand and participate in the evolution of logistics doctrine. Pride in ownership was evident throughout the Pacific, as propulsion maintainers excitedly discussed their efforts to reach and maintain 100 percent spare levels on engines that are entering twice their planned life expectancy. “In the current environment of demanding mission requirements… maintaining dialogue between the logistics centers and the warfighter is critical,” said Gen. Gabreski. “We cannot rest on our laurels –– we must keep those Airmen we support squarely in our sights.” K
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MAJ DEE DEE B. HERNANDEZ WRITES: I have just assumed command of Cadet Squadron 36 at the United States Air Force Academy (what a thrill) ... after completing an AFIT sponsored program thru the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs where I earned a 4.0 in my masters of art degree. Having come from Barksdale AFB, LA ... this is quite a change!!! Am looking forward to the conference in October. CAPT (RET) JUAN A. RIOS WRITES: Moving on, leaving active duty, joining the Reserves (those who need to know where I’m headed next, already do...others interested can buy the book.) Planning to continue my membership as long as LOA will have me. Later!
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LT COL DAVE BROWN WRITES: I’ve departed the Pentagon where I serve in ILP as Chief, Depot Maintenance Programs and have moved to Edwards AFB and the 412th AMXS where I assumed command on 25 June. Looking forward to being back on the flightline! MAJ KATHY “KAT” GOFORTH WRITES: I’ve recently moved to Kirtland AFB and have taken command of the 898th Muntions Squadron. I’ve been told command is the best job you can have in the Air Force. I’m sure I’ll agree with that statement as soon as I catch my breath from the fire hose! COL LYNDON S. ANDERSON WRITES: Reassigned from the Joint Staff to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. Serving as commander of the 379th Expeditionary Mission Support Group. Loving life and proud to serve. COL DARRELL L. SIMS WRITES: Moved to the Pentagon on the Joint Staff. COL JAMES HANNON WRITES: Moved from Chief of MRO Transformation at OC-ALC to Chief, Aircraft Division. OC-ALC. Look forward to catching up with everyone in Las Vegas. COL GLEN P. FIKE WRITES: Spent the last year and a half as the F-16 Reserve Mat Wing Director and was recently assigned as the Reserve F/A-22 SPO Director- dual hatted full-time as Affordability Czar to lower the cost of the F/A-22 weapon system.
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MAJ JOE BANIAK WRITES: This past July I left the flightline of Eglin AFB and the sugar white beaches of Florida to take command of the 363 TRS (AMMO & Weapons Training) at Sheppard AFB. Cheers! JJ LT COL (RET) BILL KOBREN WRITES: After retiring from the Air Force in 2003, I spent the last year as Product Support Director for the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) in Arlington VA, prior to returning to DoD in a civilian capacity in May 2004 as Program Director for Sustainment in the Curricula Development and Support Center at Defense Acquisition University (DAU) at Ft Belvoir VA. New contact info is bill.kobren@dau.mil or (703) 805-4949 (DSN 655-4949). LT COL SEAN CASSIDY WRITES: Moved from Sheppard AFB TX to Maxwell-Gunter AFB AL to assume command of the Air Force Logistics Management Agency. Will pin on O-6, 1 Sep 04. CAPT DANA MCCOWN WRITES: I’m headed from the Wolf Pack at Kunsan to good ‘ole AFPC at Randolph. If you haven’t done a tour at the “Kun”...it’s a must in your career!! Talk to most of you soon... CAPT SARAH EDWARDS WRITES: After four years in Special Operations, I have moved from Eglin AFB, (16th Special Operations Wing), to Kunsan AB, ROK. I am working as Chief, Quality Assurance, in the 8th Maintenance Group. Kunsan is a right of passage –– everyone needs to experience this! LT COL JOHN M. BUKOWINSKI WRITES: Relinquished command of the 363d Training Squadron at Sheppard AFB on 9 Jul 04. I am still in the technical training business working in HQ AETC/DOOM, Randolph AFB, as the Chief, Aircraft Maintenance/Munitions Training. CAPT DARRIN “DB” DRONOFF WRITES: Just completed a move to beautiful Hurlburt Field in Western Florida to take a position on the AFSOC Staff as Chief, MX Policy and Procedures. I am going to miss the wonderful team at Kadena AB, but it is now time in my career to crunch those numbers and write those papers. My cubicle is always open for LOA friends. DSN: 579-2071 Comm (850)884-2071 K
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