U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jacquelyn Estrada

Lt. Gen. Darren McDew, commander, 18th Air Force and Chief Master Sgt. Vicki Gamble, command chief, 18th Air Force, congratulate Chief Master Sgt. James Wood, 56th Aerial Port Squadron, March Air Reserve Base, for Wood’s participation in Superstorm Sandy relief efforts. Wood worked relief efforts as an Airman and as an employee of Southern California Edison, proving that “Citizen Airman” is more than just words. McDew and Gamble visited March ARB May 8-9 to meet with Airmen face-to-face, thank them for their service and answer their questions.

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. – Lt. Gen. Darren McDew, 18th Air Force commander, visited here recently to meet Airmen, observe their mission and learn about the challenges they face.

During his visit McDew praised the efforts of March Airmen, noting that Air Mobility Command’s success builds on the power of the total force.

“We have 40 plus years of classic associations and now these new Guard/active and Reserve/active associations are going to make us stronger.”

In addition to meeting with Airmen, McDew spent time meeting with local community leaders.

“This is a community that loves Airmen and this Air Force mission,” he said. “They are not fair-weather friends. This is a community that understands how to support Airmen for the right reasons and in the right way.”

On the second day of his visit, McDew held an all call where he thanked 452nd Air Mobility Wing members for their actions in support of Superstorm Sandy relief efforts, which he said was only the “tip of the iceberg” of the service March Airmen routinely provide to the Nation.

“The bottom line was you guys rallied to get the mission done and I thank you,” he said. “But, I want you to remember it has nothing to do with that one storm. This is a wing that has had a reputation for excellence for a long time … just like our Air Force.”

The general said the visit gave him valuable insight into the “wing of the future” while offering him an opportunity to call on Team March members to help ensure a successful future for the entire Air Force.

“I believe that this is the most talented, knowledgeable, and war-ready Air Force we’ve ever had in our history,” he said.

In the first of three key points he asked Airmen to consider, McDew stressed the importance of cutting out processes or procedures that add no value to the mission.

“The worst person to get to change is the person who owns a process and has been recognized for it,” he said. “They are afraid that their value to the organization is diminished if it changes.”

In his second point, McDew noted the importance of respect in the Air Force, particularly in light of issues like sexual assault.

“Most of us get it. There are a few who don’t,” he said. “I am absolutely convinced that if we decide right now that every single Airman in our Air Force will be respected and that sexual assault will end, it will end.”

McDew’s final point related to the need to help those who consider suicide a solution to their problems.

“I know that just because someone decides to take their own life, it doesn’t mean you haven’t done your job,” he said. “But we have got to keep working at it.”

McDew also took time during the all call to respond to questions from Team March Airmen. The first, from Staff Sgt. Ana Partida, 452nd Operations Support Squadron, asked about the future of Total Force Integration bases, such as March, in the current, fiscally-constrained, environment.

“We’re not asking you to do more with less. You need to do the things well that you can do well, but realize which ones add the most value,” he said.

McDew also responded to a question from Tech. Sgt. Jesse Gonzales, 452nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, about how the Department of Defense’s strategic pivot toward the Pacific would impact March.

“What are those things that we have learned over 11 years that are good no matter where we go fight?” McDew asked, noting that cultural sensitivity, being fit, disciplined processes, technical competence and expertise would always remain important. “That’s why they are core. As we pivot, reach back to your core. Shed those things you latched onto because it was convenient and good for this particular fight and let’s move forward.”

McDew closed by stressing the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and just as importantly having the right attitude.

“Many people believe the warrior attitude is in the uniform you wear. They’re wrong. Being a warrior is right here,” he said, pointing at his heart before thanking the assembled group.

“We have always been able to count on Citizen Airmen and you have never, ever let us down. You have exceeded every single expectation,” he said. “The only reason I continue to serve is because I serve beside you. Thank you very much for what you do.”

Personal Nguyen family courtesy photo

Dr. Nguyen is pictured with his mother, father and brother in 1976, shortly after their arrival to the United States.

May is Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. For Vietnamese-Americans, this time of year is an anniversary of great importance to us. Most Vietnamese-Americans can trace their presence in the U.S. back to April 1975, the end of the Vietnam War. It is a bittersweet memory for us commemorating a time when we left all that was once held dear for an uncertain future. This is the time that we grieve for what was lost but exult in what was found. 

 My immigration story started in April 1975, when my mother, my four-year-old brother and I found ourselves stranded on a barge floating in the South China Sea. In the chaos that followed those final days of the South Vietnamese government, we were separated from our father. My memories of those days on the barge included the warm rain that fell down on us and the sound of crying — those of grown men who wept for their lost world and those of children who were scared and hungry. As a ten-year old, I remembered no fear, only the exhilaration that came with a new adventure.

Looking back on the experience as a father of three, I can only shudder at the anguish, horror and fear in my mother’s mind.

 Unlike many stories with this beginning, ours had a happy ending. We were picked up by a freighter ship and within hours, found our father among four thousand other refugees. Reunited, my family began life in Pennsylvania, where there was no time for fear because survival kept us busy.

Comfort could not be found in food since ingredients for our familiar Vietnamese dishes were nowhere to be found. So, seeking warm weather and fish sauce, my parents were among the first group of Vietnamese-Americans to relocate to Santa Clara County, Calif., now home of the second largest Vietnamese community in the U.S. Life for my parents remained hard; they were small business owners who worked 12 or more hours every day except for Christmas, New Year’s and Têt , the Lunar New Year.

My parents’ journey and accomplishments laid the foundation for my own professional and personal path, which steered me to my current position as Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and as a commissioner on the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Professional successes amidst the storms and tears on that barge in the South China Sea, no one could have foreseen.

My story as a refugee to where I am today is not uncommon. There are many similar stories among Vietnamese-Americans and other AAPI groups. According to the Department of Homeland Security, in 2011, approximately 58% of the refugees admitted to the United States were from Asian countries. Many immigrants contribute to the success of the U.S. through innovation and hard work. America gave my family and me a second chance and continues to be a welcoming land of opportunity for everyone to achieve the American dream. America offers everyone the hope of limitless opportunities. Let us come and let us stay, for in return, we will bring the fresh perspectives and the blood, sweat and tears that a great nation needs to continue to grow.

Immigrant stories are never finished. The stories of Asian, African, European, Middle Eastern, Mexican, Central American and other immigrants to this country must tell what their descendants are accomplishing now, as those are the next chapters in their stories. The accomplishments of our descendants are an immigrants’ reward for giving up everything we knew for a future that is limitless for our children and ourselves.

U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt Bari Yonkers

Staff Sgt. Adrian Salido, installation patrolman, 452nd Security
Forces Squadron, checks the identification of a Team March member entering the main gate yesterday. Salido is part of the team of SFS warriors who were recently awarded the 2012 Air Force Reserve Command Outstanding Security Forces Full-Time Unit Award for their many outstanding unit and individual accomplishments.

Congratulations to the 452nd Security Forces Squadron for earning the 2012 Air Force Reserve Command Outstanding Security Forces Full-time Unit Award. They were recognized by Lt. Gen. James Jackson, chief of Air Force Reserve, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., and commander, Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

Competition was tough but these defenders proved, through teamwork and dedication, they deserved the award.

Some highlights of the unit’s accomplishments are the 452nd SFS members’ outstanding force protection abilities, security and law enforcement support for the 8,500 people who make up Team March, protection of $2.72 billion in aircraft, Fourth Air Force headquarters and nine tenant units.

Furthermore, they deployed to several hot spots around the globe, supported Superstorm Sandy relief efforts here at home, and provided security for the 500,000 guests who attended the March AirFest – the base’s largest air show in 30 years.

“When I assumed command, I challenged my squadron. They answered the challenge and then some,” said Maj. Ryan Robin, commander, 452nd SFS. “I am very proud of the squadron. We are honored and humbled to represent the wing in this manner and this award means more than any individual award because it was earned by the entire unit.”

The members of the 452nd SFS also exhibit the core value of Service Before Self, by giving back to their community.

Many security forces members donated their time to various charities to include The American Cancer Society and Habitat for Humanity. They also collected and distributed $250 in donated gifts to Toys for Tots.

In addition to the unit’s team recognition, Airmen were singled out and recognized for their individual achievements.

Master Sgt. Juan Rodriguez, Tech. Sgt. Nelson Brown III and Senior Airman Andrew Reynoso, were selected as the 2012 AFRC Flight-level SNCO, NCO and Airman of the Year respectively. They also produced two SNCOs of the Quarter for the 452nd Air Mobility Wing, Rodriquez and Master Sgt. Corinius Hill; three NCOs of the Quarter, Brown, Staff Sgts. Luz Gonzalez and Mark Estorga; and an Airman of the Quarter, Reynoso.

“It confirms what I thought after my first week here, during the airshow in 2012. The squadron has some of the Air Force’s best and brightest,” Robin said. “This is also a win for Team March because without the support and interaction from the rest of the units on base, this would not have been possible.”

Applications are due to AFPC by June 10. Program orientation is slated for August and the first event will be held in October, said Master Sgt. Teresa Dixon, superintendent, AFPC officer developmental education.

“This program is designed specifically for highly motivated officers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership ability, commitment to public service and integrity and who have an interest in moving into senior management positions,” she said.

Participants function in a simulated environment where they focus on real-life situations that involve short deadlines and require thoughtful decision-making, Dixon said.

“Candidates must be receptive to a unique training methodology, able to assume responsibility for their own learning and be able to conceptualize and analyze problems effectively,” she said.

The course requires intense self-discipline and self-study, she explained. Military members remain in their current assignments throughout the program, with the exception of 95 days that are spent in training, briefings and trips to learning environments.

Because participation is not associated with a permanent change of station, those selected will not incur an additional active duty service commitment.

In addition to grade requirements, applicants must have completed Squadron Officer School and intermediate developmental education and must have successfully commanded a flight or higher level organization. For complete application instructions, go to the myPers website at https://mypers.af.mil and enter “PSDM 13-43” in the search window.

The member’s home unit is responsible for travel and per diem costs, so applications must include a recommendation statement from the first colonel or equivalent in the chain of command acknowledging awareness of that fact.

For more information about developmental opportunities and other personnel issues, visit the myPers website at https://mypers.af.mil.

It wasn’t until after World War I, that the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. More than a century later, in 1971, Congress declared the last Monday in May to be Memorial Day.

The federal holiday affords Americans an opportunity to reflect on the lives lost protecting the nation’s interests at home and abroad. For servicemembers deployed to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, it’s a way to be thankful for the freedoms Americans enjoy every day.

“For me, it’s honoring those who have served before me, both past and present,” said Tech. Sgt. Ginger Bell, 379th Force Support Squadron food service contracting office representative, whose father and sister have both served in the military.

Family tradition is what brought many to join the ranks. For Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Black, he’s continuing that legacy.

“My father served in Vietnam,” Black said, who is an aviation electrician with the VAQ-138 Electronic Attack Squadron. “When your country calls you to do something — to be a part of something bigger than yourself — you proudly stand up and serve. I joined to be that person others learn to rely on, uphold life at all cost and keep others free.”

These freedoms do not come without cost — a truth all servicemembers know when they raise their right hand and take the oath.

“I think of the guys who, through thick and thin, survived the foxholes, the diseases and bullets flying everywhere to save their friends and family from those who stop at nothing to do us harm,” said Senior Airman David Carter, a 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron aircrew ground equipment journeyman, who also comes from a long line of military service. “We are where we’re at as a country because of the sacrifices our military has made.”

The origins of special services to honor those who die in war can be found more than 2,400 years ago. The Athenian leader, Pericles, offered a tribute to the fallen heroes of the Peloponnesian War that could be applied today to the 1.1 million Americans who died in the nation’s wars: “Not only are they commemorated by columns and inscriptions, but there dwells also an unwritten memorial of them, graven not on stone but in the hearts of men.”

Over the years, Memorial Day evolved into a day Americans remember all those who died.

“The day means remembering all those who have passed,” said Senior Airman Caprice Tyler, a 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron patrolman. “It’s showing respect for my loved ones regardless of if they’ve served in the military or not.”

In December 2000, Congress passed and the president signed into law “The National Moment of Remembrance Act,” which encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m., relative local time, on Memorial Day, for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who died in service to the nation.

“Please keep all our veterans in mind,” said Senior Airman Dustin Elliott, a 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operator.

“Remember our prisoners of war and those missing in action. This day embodies everything we enlisted for, so take a moment to remember those who have come before you.”

Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Larry Spencer launched the Airmen Powered by Innovation Challenge May 1, challenging uniformed and civilian Airmen to find places to save money across the service, no matter how big or small.

“If there are things we can do better, if there are things we can stop doing, or if there are ideas (Airmen) have on how we can better manage our money…we want to hear it,” Spencer said.

When Airmen click “submit,” on one of two websites, their ideas fall directly into the hands of Spencer’s team of action officers here, who dedicate their time to receiving ideas and tasking them out for consideration.

“Chaotic, at best, is what it’s like working in here, because all these ideas are flowing through considerably. It takes me personally, on average, about 10-15 minutes to process each idea,” Master Sgt. Joel Meyer said.

Meyer, a security forces Airman by trade, said this is a unique opportunity for today’s Airmen.

“It’s an opportunity for Airmen in the field to provide an idea straight to the top, and not have that filter of that staff sergeant in their flight, or master sergeant, or (operations) officer,” Meyer said. “They don’t have to go through any of that … they can get (their idea) right to General Spencer.”

Airmen who may be holding back due to reservations about confidentiality should think again.

“The people who are responsible for filtering that (submission) and looking into it deeper — they have no idea who it is. So don’t be apprehensive. Submit it,” Meyer said.

Uniformed and civilian Airmen can submit their ideas on how to squeeze the most out of every Air Force dollar via the Air Force portal, or EveryDollar.DoDLive.Mil; the opportunity is live until June 1.

The personnel center and the Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs office are accepting applications for senior defense official/defense attaché, air attaché and assistant air attaché duty at nine locations, with tour lengths ranging from 18 to 24 months, said Maj. Carl Wood, AFPC International Affairs Assignments.

“Attachés officially represent the Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Secretary of the Air Force and Air Force chief of staff to the host country defense ministry,” said Wood. “They help build and sustain relationships between the U.S. and host country, provide critical advice to the U.S. ambassador and country team and directly support our efforts to fight global terrorism.”

This year, two duty locations have C-12 Huron aircraft assigned, so the attaché for those offices must be fixed-wing pilots. Only rated officers who are regional or political affairs strategists may apply for the C-12 positions, the major said.

Attaché applicants must be active duty senior captains, majors or lieutenant colonels. Air operations background, foreign language skills and experience in the region are highly desired, but not mandatory.

Enlisted attaché support positions include operations coordinator and operations noncommissioned officer. Duties include managing logistics and administrative support, executing budget requirements, working various clearances, supervising foreign national staff and direct support for distinguished guest visits, explained Senior Master Sgt. Scott Geren, AFPC mission support, special duty and joint department assignments superintendent.

“Attaché support personnel must be self-starters who are flexible, persuasive and persistent,” Geren said . “This duty is open to Airmen in all Air Force specialty codes, capitalizing on the wide range of professional expertise in the enlisted corps.

Interested applicants and immediate family members must be U.S. citizens. In addition, members’ and accompanying family members’ health, educational and special needs must be medically cleared.

Candidates must have taken the Defense Language Aptitude Battery test and also have their assignment functional manager’s hard-copy or Email release to compete for attaché duty. Applicants selected for an interview will be notified by July 25. They and their spouses, if applicable, will be interviewed in Washington D.C.

For a list of possible duty locations and other related information, visit the Air Force Portal and enter “attaché duty” in the search window. The A.F. personnel center and International Affairs will host an information webinar May 30, 10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, on the Defense Connect Online site at https://www2.dco.dod.mil).

Speaking to Pentagon reporters on background, two senior defense officials discussed details of the furlough, exemptions and stressed their intent to lessen its effects.

One official said it appears that about 15 percent — 120,000 of the department’s roughly 800,000 civilian employees — will be exempt from the furlough and that number could rise once issues involving intelligence personnel are resolved.

While the furloughs will save the Defense Department $1.8 billion, “it’s not something that we wanted to do,” the official said.

Part of the department’s plan to reduce the furlough’s effects is to ask Congress to allow shifting funds from one account to another, the official said.

The services previously had taken steps in an attempt to avoid furlough, the official noted, with the Air Force stopping flights for 12 combat-coded squadrons and the Army canceling most of its combat training rotations.

While all the services will experience furloughs, the official said, the Navy is getting a critical exemption for its civilian employees that work in shipyards and do nuclear maintenance, citing long periods required for maintenance and very little ability to catch up with maintenance on submarines and carriers.

The official acknowledged furloughs will reduce efficiency across the department.

“These people aren’t doing PowerPoint slides in the Pentagon,” the official said. “They are mostly outside of the Pentagon. They fix our ships, our tanks and our planes. They staff our hospitals. They’re teachers in our schools. I think we are going to seriously adversely affect the productivity in almost all support areas of the Department of Defense.”

The furloughs will also affect the Department of Defense Education Activity, which operates schools for military children living overseas and at some U.S. installations, the second senior official told reporters.

“Our commitment to our service men and women who have children in these schools is that they will get an accredited school year,” the official said. Summer school will be held, the official added and then the next school year will begin with five furlough days. The official noted that DODEA is in a special category because of the need to have an accredited school year.

Despite efforts to mitigate the impact of furloughs, the official said, there will still be an unavoidable effect.

“I think that the anticipated impact will clearly be the morale of our employees,” the official said. “I can tell you that we value every single civilian that works in the Department of Defense and 86 percent of them work outside of the national capital region. They all add value to the mission that we do as a total force and they’re clearly part of that total force.”

The loss of pay civilian employees will face undoubtedly will affect them financially and in terms of their morale, the official said.

“I believe that they will continue to perform in an admirable manner,” the official added, “but I am sure that there will be some morale impact.”

Both senior defense officials emphasized the Defense Department’s reluctance to implement furloughs, but said the decision ultimately was made after exhausting all other options.

“This is one of the most distasteful tasks I’ve had in more than 30 years of government service,” the first official said. “We depend on these people to do all of the things I mentioned before. I find it very tasteless.”

“It’s a very painful process,” the second official said. “The decision wasn’t made lightly. It was made with a lot of pain and anguish.”

Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Larry Spencer launched the Airmen Powered by Innovation Challenge May 1, challenging uniformed and civilian Airmen to find places to save money across the service, no matter how big or small.

“If there are things we can do better, if there are things we can stop doing, or if there are ideas (Airmen) have on how we can better manage our money…we want to hear it,” Spencer said.

When Airmen click “submit,” on one of two websites, their ideas fall directly into the hands of Spencer’s team of action officers here, who dedicate their time to receiving ideas and tasking them out for consideration.

“Chaotic, at best, is what it’s like working in here, because all these ideas are flowing through considerably. It takes me personally, on average, about 10-15 minutes to process each idea,” Master Sgt. Joel Meyer said.

Meyer, a security forces Airman by trade, said this is a unique opportunity for today’s Airmen.

“It’s an opportunity for Airmen in the field to provide an idea straight to the top, and not have that filter of that staff sergeant in their flight, or master sergeant, or (operations) officer,” Meyer said. “They don’t have to go through any of that … they can get (their idea) right to General Spencer.”

Airmen who may be holding back due to reservations about confidentiality should think again.

“The people who are responsible for filtering that (submission) and looking into it deeper — they have no idea who it is. So don’t be apprehensive. Submit it,” Meyer said.

Uniformed and civilian Airmen can submit their ideas on how to squeeze the most out of every Air Force dollar via the Air Force portal, or EveryDollar.DoDLive.Mil; the opportunity is live until June 1.