Home Blog Page 12

March defenders protect ‘Air Force One’

By
Aerotech News
-
0
courtesy photo/Carla Ramirez

When we get those short-notice taskings, it is imperative that we have Airman ready who are fully qualified and mission ready. The security of President Barack Obama’s jet, better known as Air Force One, is one of those taskings. Five of my Airman who were contacted this month answered the call with excellence and professionalism. 

On Valentine’s weekend, March defender team, led by Tech. Sgt. Scot Humphreys, 452nd Security Forces Squadron, proceeded to Palm Springs, California, to join other security forces Ravens in a mission to protect the President’s jet. Making up Humphreys’ team was Tech. Sgt. Javier Garcia, Staff Sgt. Jon Arnette, and Senior Airmen Ivan Ramirez and Stephen Aldama.

Humphreys, whose participation in the detail marked his third time in this type detail, but his first time as team leader, said this mission is the premiere responsibility of security forces.

“It was the epitome of our job,” Humphreys said. “The security force’s motto is ‘Defenser Fortis’ or Defenders of the Force. That guy (the President) is the force. It was the highlight of my career.”

Humphreys returned after the mission to file his trip report and noted that the March defenders were recognized by the Raven Team leader, a Chief Master Sgt.

According to the U.S. Air Force Raven Qualification Course, Ravens are “Security Forces personnel to perform as members of a force protection team assigned to deploy with DOD aircraft to austere environments. Students are trained to perform as teams to detect, deter, and counter threats to personnel and aircraft at deployed locations by performing close-in aircraft security and advising aircrew on force protection measures. In addition, the course prepares students to perform anti-hijacking duties on select missions.”

Although Palm Spring is not considered an austere environment, this high-profile mission warrants Raven participation, however, none of the March Ravens participated this time.

In addition to the accolades from the Raven leader, Humphreys said that just before Air Force One departed the aircraft commander, a colonel, deplaned, walked to the tail of the aircraft, and personally thanked him. The colonel also sent thanks and congratulations to the March defenders on a great multi-day mission.

It hadn’t happened to him before (an aircraft commander personally thanking him), and it was genuine and really cool to be thanked by him, Humphreys said.

“It wasn’t just me doing a good job, it was my team,” he added.

When I address our Traditional Reservists I end the weekend with a safety briefing and tell them the importance of always being ready. Our next deployment may be well down the road, but the world is ever changing and we need to be ever ready. I impress on them the importance of keeping their civilian affairs in order and their military requirements up to date. If those things are in order, it will make a short-notice deployment a little less stressful, and we can provide the Air Force a combat-ready force at a moment’s notice.

Although my defenders provide excellence in all they do on a daily basis, I am always honored when they are appreciated by others. I want everyone to recognize what I see every single day from these great men and women.

Hallowed Grounds: Sites of African American memories

By
Aerotech News
-
0

Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role they have played in U.S. history.

The story of Black History Month begins in 1915, half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. Few could have imagined African Americans’ future contributions to music, art, and literature that would be recognized by the global community.

Credit for the evolving awareness of the true place of African Americans in history can, in large part, be attributed to one man: Carter G. Woodson.

In 1915, Woodson established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. He wanted to change the world’s perception of African Americans and recognize their contribution to American society and culture.

This, the final in a three-part presentation, provides facts that briefly cover the last ten decades and some of the African Americans who advanced civil rights or made major impacts in science, government, sports, or entertainment.

The 1980s

– Michael Jackson, whose legendary career began with Motown Records, publishes the Thriller album. It becomes one of the best-selling albums of all time.

– Alice Walker’s novel The Color Purple wins the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. The movie receives 11 Academy Award nominations.

– Spike Lee’s film She’s Gotta Have It wins him the Best New Director Award at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

– Astronaut Guion “Guy” S. Bluford Jr. becomes the first African American to travel in space, as a mission specialist aboard the space shuttle Challenger. He will ultimately complete four shuttle missions.

– Earvin “Magic” Johnson leads his team to five National Basketball Association championships. He is named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player.

– General Colin Powell becomes the first African American to be named Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He goes on to serve as Secretary of State.

– Oprah Winfrey, the first African American to head a major nationally syndicated talk show, founds Harpo Productions. She goes on to produce numerous movies and television shows.

1990s

– W. Lincoln Hawkins, Ph.D., wins the National Medal of Technology. During his lifetime, he will secure over 140 patents and help make universal telephone service available through his work as the first African-American scientist at Bell Labs.

– Rita Dove is appointed as Poet Laureate and Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. She becomes the youngest person—and first African American—to receive this highest official honor in American letters.

– In 1923, the Township of Rosewood was destroyed and an estimated 150 African Americans were murdered by Whites. In 1994, the Florida legislature passes the Rosewood Bill, which entitles the survivors to $150,000 each in compensation for the massacre.

– Dr. Jocelyn Elders becomes the first African-American Surgeon General. She is known as an outspoken advocate on various health-related issues.

– Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls win their fifth National Basketball Association championship. One of the most effectively marketed athletes of his generation, he is instrumental in popularizing the NBA worldwide.

– Tiger Woods becomes the first African American—and the youngest golfer—to win the Masters tournament. He goes on to win 14 major championships.

The 2000s

– Venus Williams wins the singles title at Wimbledon, becoming the first African-American woman to do so since Althea Gibson. She and her sister Serena go on to win three Olympic women’s doubles gold medals.

– Condoleezza Rice is the first African-American woman to serve as U.S. National Security Advisor and the first African-American woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State.

– Grant Fuhr—National Hockey League goaltender and the first African American to have his name on the Stanley Cup—becomes the first African American to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

– Michelle Howard is promoted to Rear Admiral. She goes on to become the first African-American woman to achieve three- and four-star rank and the first to be named Vice Chief of Naval Operations.

– Barack Hussein Obama II becomes the 44th President of the United States and the first African American to hold the office. He is later elected to a second term.

March Air Reserve Base Exchange backs ‘Buddies’ with exclusive offers, savings

By
Aerotech News
-
0

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service strives to make it easy for shoppers to exercise their benefit. That’s why the March Air Reserve Base Exchange brings exclusive offers directly to shoppers’ inboxes every week when they sign up for the Exchange Buddy List. Shoppers who sign up will be among the first to find out about exclusive savings, promotions, events and special offers at the March Exchange.

“Shoppers shouldn’t have to hunt to find information on promotions and events at the Exchange,” said Main Store Manager, Chad Davis. “That’s why we provide a way for them to get the latest deals, direct from the source, with a minimum of fuss: just sign up on our secure website and start getting weekly updates.”

The Buddy List delivers emails about worldwide and local promotions to approximately 134,000 authorized Exchange shoppers. Customers interested in receiving these messages can sign up at the March Main Exchange.

Happy Birthday! Leap day babies

By
Aerotech News
-
0

Screen Shot 2016-02-24 at 4.02.40 PM

452 AMW quarterly award winners announced

By
Aerotech News
-
0

Congratulations are in order for the 452nd Air Mobility Wing’s First Quarter 2016, quarterly award winners!

2

Welcome commander to 452nd Mission Support Group

By
Aerotech News
-
0
U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Russell S. McMillan

The 452nd Mission Support Group held a promotion and Assumption of Command ceremony at the Cultural Resource Center here Saturday, Feb. 20.

Col. Arthur J. Rodi’s family members joined him on stage to pin on his new rank, after which Brig. Gen. Russell A. Muncy, commander, 452nd Air Mobility Wing, March Air Reserve Base, passed the 452nd MSG guidon to Rodi, who accepted as the group’s new commander.

Muncy highlighted Rodi’s breadth of leadership experience, including but not limited to squadron, wing and headquarters levels.

“You look at [Rodi’s biography]…eight years on active duty before he joined the Air Force Reserve, off to headquarters Air Force Reserve Command at one point,” said Muncy, as he referred to Rodi’s seven assignments spanning both the East and West Coasts. “What I saw from the work, though, is someone who makes things happen.”

Rodi has served nearly 40 years in the military, including attaining the rank of Chief Master Sgt. before commissioning as a 2nd Lt. through the Deserving Airman Commissioning Program in 1998.

Rodi thanked senior leadership, family and friends who flew from Canada to attend and fellow Airmen during the ceremony. He particularly thanked Tara, his wife of 22 years, for all the sacrifices she made to support him.

“My wife Tara has been by my side every step of the way and is representative of all the many spouses who are the unsung heroes of our military,” said Rodi. “None of this would have been possible without you by my side,” he said to his wife.

Rodi also reflected on the road ahead and the role he intended to play with supporting his Airmen.

“I am grateful and honored to be standing here before you…but this isn’t about me,” said Rodi. “This is about you…this is about giving the men and women of the MSG a leader. I will do my utmost to serve you, the Airmen, civilians, tenant and community partners and families that make up Team March.”

“I know your family is proud; I know your friends are proud; but I am exceptionally proud of what you have accomplished in this career,” said Muncy. “You are such an inspiration to so many people. I hope that they can see in you what they want to become.”

Rodi’s promotion to the rank of Col. and appointment as commander of the 452nd MSG were effective Feb. 7, 2016.

News Briefs 02/09/2016

By
Aerotech News
-
0

91 FREEWAY/ROAD CLOSURES RESULTS IN 2-FOR-1 METROLINK RIDES

The 91 will be closed from the 71 to I-15, Friday, Feb. 19 at 9 p.m. to Monday, Feb. 22 at 4 a.m. to allow crews to consolidate several construction activities. Metrolink’s North Main Corona Station and West Corona Station will be open during the closure, however Metrolink passengers should allow extra travel time to reach these stations. Due to the road closure’s impact, motorists are urged to “steer clear” of the area during this project. To minimize major travel delays, avoid travel in the area or use public transportation. Motorists traveling on the 91, the 71 or I-15 near the project area during the closure can expect travel delays of three to four hours. Metrolink’s regular weekend service offers two round trips on both the Inland Empire-Orange County Line and the 91 Line. However, on Feb. 20 and 21, Metrolink will offer two additional round trips on each rail line for a total of 16 trains to assist people avoiding the 91. The extra train service is being funded by the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), which is constructing the 91 Project. Metrolink will operate its regular schedule on both Friday and Monday. In case of rainstorms or inclement weather, the closure and extra train service will be postponed to the next weekend, weather permitting. For more information regarding Metrolink service and the extra trains during the road closure go to metrolinktrains.com. For more information about the closure go to sr91project.info/91-steer-clear, call the helpline at 877-770-9191 or email sr91project@rctc.org. For additional safety information provided by Operation Lifesaver, visit oli.org. For more information regarding Metrolink service go to metrolinktrains.com.

 ATTENTION ALL 3As (3A1X1s)

Senior Master Sgt. Cynthia Villa has been selected by wing leadership to serve as the 3A Functional Manager. She is very excited for this opportunity and is ready to go to work! In an effort to get to meet every 3A personally, Villa will hold a 3A All Call on Sunday, March 6 and March 20 at 1 p.m. in the Cultural Resource Center. This will give each of you the opportunity to meet her and have a two-way discussion regarding the wing’s current 3A situation, to include personnel moves, loss of positions, other pertinent information, or anything else you may want to discuss as a 3A. Maximum participation of all 3As is highly encouraged. It’s a team effort.

AFRC PRINT & BROADCAST MEDIA AWARDS ANNOUNCED

Congratulations to Team March for the following Air Force Reserve Command 2015 Print and Broadcast Media Awards: Capt. Perry Covington, 452nd Air Mobility Wing chief of public affairs – Best Commentary; Tech. Sgt. Efren Lopez, former 4th Combat Camera Squadron photojournalist – Best Pictorial Photography; former 4th Combat Camera Squadron – Best Video Documentary.

JOINT OFFICER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR

The Defense Education Forum (DEF) in conjunction with the Reserve Officers Association Department of the Golden West with host a Joint Officer Professional Development Seminar (JOPDS) April 22-24, 2016 at the Holiday Inn Bayside, San Diego. The Department Convention is being held concurrently.

The JOPDS is one of the premier professional development opportunities available to our younger officers and is one of the only professional development seminars to emphasize joint service participation. To date, more than a thousand young officers from all services have benefited from these ROA DEF events.

The ROA Chapter #57, at March ARB, is part of The San Diego Chapter which is made up of Reserve Officers of the United States Armed Services. Their geographical area encompasses the greater San Diego area from the Mexican border north to the Orange County and Riverside County areas, and from the Pacific Ocean east to include Imperial County. Membership is open to any federally commissioned officer, warrant officer, of the National Guard, Reserve, Active Component, Former officers or Retired officers and their spouses and recently includes non-commissioned officers. The March ROA chapter Junior Officer Liaison is Capt. Lombardo at 951-655-5722.

Find The ROA Department of the Golden West, which covers California and Nevada, at roa.org/ca.

ENLISTED DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION BOARD

Air Reserve Personnel Center officials will release the Invitation to Apply and open the application cycle for the annual Enlisted Developmental Education Board Friday, Feb. 5. The EDEB will convene May 16 at HQ ARPC. All applications are due to ARPC no later than April 15, 4:30 p.m. MT. Call the Total Force Service Center at DSN 665-0102 or 210-565-0102 for questions or further information.

MARCH FIELD AIRFEST ON WEB/SOCIAL MEDIA

The March Field AirFest Website is now live at http://marchfieldairfest.marchfss.com. Also, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for AirFest updates. On Facebook at March Field AirFest; on Instagram @ MarchFieldAirFest; on Twitter @MarchAirFest. Join the conversations!!

452 AMW SCAVENGER HUNT RACE MARCH 5

The 452nd AMW is hosting a scavenger hunt race, Saturday, March 5, 2016. Start time is 3 p.m. at the Education and Training (Bldg 441) parking lot. Registration is filling fast so register soon! Squadrons must have 10-15 Airmen (no more, no less) per team. Choose your fastest Airmen and carry your squadron guidon. Distance is 3.2 miles and participating teams must wear squadron morale shirts (AF PT shirts if no morale shirts available) and Air Force PT shorts. Donations are $10 per person or $100 per team. All proceeds will benefit the First Sergeant’s Airman’s Relief Fund. R.S.V.P. by 4 March 2016 to darryl.willingham@us.af.mil, 951-858-3246, or marinewithwings@gmail.com, 951-858-3246.

DESERVING AIRMAN COMMISSIONING BOARD TO CONVENE

Great News! If you are interested in becoming an Air Force Reserve officer at Team March, the next Deserving Airman Commissioning Board will convene on May 21-22, 2016. If you are interested, and meet the qualifications located on the wing INFO drive – X:\MarchBaseInfo, in the DACB pamphlet, please have your completed commissioning packages submitted to the 452 FSS/FSMPD (Career Development) office not later than close of business, Monday, May 2, 2016. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call career development at 951-655-3113.

COMMAND POST NEEDS AIRMEN

The 452nd Air Mobility Wing Command Post is in need of new Airmen. They have several full-time Air Reserve Technician positions and several Traditional Reserve positions available.

Command Post brief job description: The base command post is the central control point for base mission operations and often is in direct communication with the wing commander. Command Post personnel are key facilitators in ensuring optimal Command and Control (C2) operations and communications. Specific tasks depend on the mission and aircraft assigned to that base, which could range from cargo transport to space systems and nuclear operations. If interested please contact Senior Master Sgt. Frank Gomez at frank.gomez.2@us.af.mil.

SEEKING VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY SERVICES SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERS

The March Field Emergency Management Working Group is looking for volunteers who are interested in being part of the Emergency Services Support Team (ESST). Following a disaster, these volunteers are crucial to successfully recovering our base and assisting members who need help. Your efforts can make a big difference. If you have questions or want to become an integral part of the March ESST, contact Emergency Management at 951-655-3024.

GRILL NIGHT AT SALLY’S ALLEY

Every Wednesday night starting at 4 p.m., Sally’s Alley is open for business with Grill Night. For more information, call them at 951-653-2121.

FITNESS CENTER NEWS

The March Fitness Center has received the Wellbeats Virtual Group Fitness Kiosk. This kiosk allows members to participate in virtual fitness classes.

Daily WellBeats Fitness Schedule is:

Mondays: 10:30 a.m. – REV (spin); 12:15 p.m. – Yoga (closed Jan. 18)

Tuesdays: 12:15 p.m. – Fit for Duty; 4:00 p.m. – REV

Wednesdays: 6 a.m. – Yoga/Pilates; 11 a.m. – V.I.B.E./Toning; 12:15 p.m. – REV

Thursdays: 11 a.m. – REV; 12:45 p.m. – Fit for Duty

Fridays: 11 a.m. – Core (Jan. 15/29); 11:15 a.m. Pilates (Jan 8/22)

Wellbeats offers many more classes available at the members’ request.

FIP (Fitness Improvement classes) available through our Wellbeats Kiosk.

Additional opportunities for fitness:

Tuesday, 11 a.m. and Thursday, 12:15 p.m. – Battle ropes training

Monday, 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. – TRX

A & B UTA Saturdays, 7 a.m. – Wellbeats Fit for Duty

A & B UTA Sundays, 7 a.m. – Wellbeats REV

A UTA Saturdays, 5 p.m. – Virtual Strength “Fit for Duty”

B UTA, 5 – 7 p.m. – Pick-up basketball

Feb 25 – 12 p.m. – Functional Fitness class

Coming in 2016: Inter-Services Golf Tournament, Team Cohesion Challenge, Armed Forces 5K Run.

Call the Fitness & Sports center at 951-655-2292 to sign up or for more information on these programs.

Class descriptions:

Circuit Training – a high intensity interval training class that integrated cardio and muscular endurance exercises

Core – various classes from our WellBeats system that focus entirely on working out your core

Fit for Duty – a high-energy, extreme, conditioning workout led by service members with expertise in fitness training

Functional Fitness – A type of high-intensity interval training combining cardio and weight training into one short but intense class with mobility drills, mountain climbers, lunges, push-up, kettlebells, goblet squats duck walk, run.

Fusion – an integration of yoga and Pilates exercises with attention to breath, form, flow and body balance.

Kinetics – a total body, multi-activity class that includes sports-style cardio intervals with resistance training circuits and muscle isolation work

REV – an indoor cycling class that combines sprints, climbs, intervals, drills, terrain, and technique training

Stomp – a total body, cardio-driven step class as it was originally meant to be taught

TKO – a blend of martial arts disciplines that includes a combination of punches, kicks, and strikes

TRX – introductory class that teaches basic exercises to strengthen core and transition into more advanced techniques on the TRX suspension system

V.I.B.E. – multi-dimensional dance exercises ranging from Latin to urban, hip-hop and more

Zumba/Zumbathon – well-known dancing class featuring exotic rhythms set to high-energy Latin and international beats (Zumbathon is a two-hour Zumba class in which participants can win prizes.)

 

             OUTDOOR REC UPCOMING 2016 TRIPS

The outdoor recreation division has scheduled trips for target audiences of Single Airmen (SAP), Pre/Post-Deployers (RecOn) and Deployed-affected family members (DP). There is special pricing for these members (SAP/RECON/DP column). All others (military/DOD ID card holders and their guests) are invited on a space-available basis at the higher, per-person price listed in the EOE column. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis, and can be made by contacting ODR at 951-655-2816.
DATE – TRIP SAP/RECON/DP EOE
Feb. 27 – Learn to Ski/Board RecOn/DE – $20 $80
Mar. 12 – Snow Tubing RecOn/DE – $8 $35
Mar. 26 – Skiing/Boarding SAP – $20 $64
Apr. 9 – Hollywood Hills Horseback Riding SAP – $15 $75
Apr. 21-23 – Black Canyon Canoe Trip SAP – $35 $112
May 13-15 – Whitewater Rafting DE – $30 $130
May 28 – Deep Sea Fishing SAP- $25 $102
Jun. 10-12 – Spelunking SAP – $40 $110
Jun. 18 – Skydiving SAP – $40 $199
Jul. 16 – Couples Ballooning RecOn/DE – $30 $148
Jul. 30 – La Jolla Kayaking RecOn/DE – $15 $70
Aug. 13 – Catalina Adventure RecOn/DE – $40 $150
Aug. 27 – Bridge to Nowhere Bungee Jumping SAP – $20 $85
Sep. 3 – Skydiving RecOn/DE – $40 $199
Sep. 17 – Deep Sea Fishing RecOn/DE – $25 $102
Sep. 24 – Tandem Hang Gliding RecOn/DE – $50 $199

 

MARCH TICKETS & TOURS

Amusement Park Specials

Castle Park: $16 per person includes unlimited rides, water park access, miniature golf and the new Sky Rider.

Disney 3-Day Park Hopper military special: $140 per person (adult/child)

Discount Movie Tickets

Available for only $10 each and valid for Regal Cinemas, United Artists Theatres and Edwards Cinemas.

Hotel Discounts

Receive 10% off any Best Western and 15% off any Choice Hotel

Visit the Tickets & Tours page at MarchFSS.com and download the Discount Ticket Price List for a full list of discounts tickets prices, hotel discounts and special promotions. Call Tickets & Tours at 951-655-4123 for more information.

March’s S-Team leads regional, Pacific and joint engineer success

By
Aerotech News
-
0
U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Jason Saberin

March Air Reserve Base’s 922nd Civil Engineer Staff Augmentation Team (S-Team) wrapped up another successful year completing innovative training while supporting regional and Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) missions. The team of engineers assigned to the 922nd had a busy second half of 2015 highlighted by Korean temporary duty assignments, support operations for Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, joint engineer training at Naval Base Ventura County, California, and construction management support for two regional Defense Department Innovative Readiness Training (DOD IRT) projects.

With a current ramp-up of U.S. presence in the Pacific theater, the 922nd finds itself with many opportunities to apply the diverse skillset that resides within the unit and is ready to support engineering operations when requested across the Pacific Area of Responsibility. 

A team of five engineers, led by Lt. Col. Brady Johnson, developed engineering planning documents for bedding down thousands of Airmen at a critical, co-located operating base in the Republic of South Korea. Upon arrival in Korea, the team quickly coordinated efforts with its respective counterparts and sister services to develop project planning and design documents for contingency beddown planning.

S-Teams leverage the experience of a large pool of highly trained officers and senior enlisted for just this type of Combatant Command or Numbered Air Force Mission. This level of experience is incumbent of high tenure civil engineer personnel and is an important way in which the 922nd, as one of three Air Force Reserve S-Teams, supports the Air Force mission. Contingency Staff Augmentation is one of the main reasons the Air Force created such S-teams.

“It was a great opportunity to be able to contribute to such a project and help our Korean allies and troops stationed abroad,” said Maj. Jennifer Burghdorf, a 922nd member who participated in the Korean engineering planning mission.

Meanwhile at home, the 922nd led efforts to design an Explosive Ordnance Disposal training facility at Andersen AFB. After completing design concepts, the 922nd coordinated efforts with the 556th RED HORSE Squadron to provide on-site construction management of the new facility in 2016.

Local members of the Moreno Valley, California, community assisted the planning and design by providing a hands-on overview of in-progress, concrete, tilt-up panel construction, which is the method of choice in Guam to ensure buildings survive seasonal storms. The 922nd completed architectural, plumbing, ventilating/air conditioning, electrical and civil design.

S-Team inputs have been essential for the successful planning and execution of this project. The team ensured construction drawings were ready to go and developed documentation to assist in quality control, schedule and resource tracking efforts. Their contribution avoided project schedule delays and cost overruns.

In November 2015, the S-Team engaged in a day-long, joint engineer outreach with the Navy Civil Engineer Corps Officer School (CECOS) at Port Hueneme, California. This engineering outreach shared knowledge and exchanged ideas on what each service can do to improve facility engineering capabilities. The S-Team learned how Navy Civil Engineers execute facets of facilities planning, acquisition, public works, Seabee readiness and environmental management.

This was followed by on-site orientations to deep water sea lift port operations which included rail, wharf and ship stages as well as viewing the extensive mobilization space and war ready Seabee equipment packages. This kind of outreach and training provided the S-team with excellent exposure to primary logistics and engineering missions associated with the Pacific Theater of Operations. The exchange also improved Navy understanding of Air Force engineer organization, capabilities and facility engineering programs.

“It was truly a unique opportunity to be able to see how our fellow Navy CE professionals are trained and execute port operations. The Navy has a proud heritage as Seabees, and to see their large museum at Port Hueneme was a testament to their long history helping the United States win wars abroad while keeping their military capabilities ready at home,” said Capt. Diego Noboa, a 922nd member who participated in the joint training. 

Throughout the spring and summer of 2015, 922nd members spent their annual tours supporting construction management of two regional DOD IRT projects. The first, which was completed several weeks ahead of schedule, cleared decades of silt and debris from behind a flood control dam located on a Native American reservation about 60 miles from March Field.

A key 922nd contribution included development of soil stabilization requirements which the tribe used to obtain grants for erosion control, thereby protecting the work completed by more than 100 Air Force reservists to restore the reservoir.

The 922nd also provided technical support and site observation for Air Force reservists who cleared land and built a significant perimeter wall for the TERI Campus of Life in Oceanside, California. The first facility of its kind, the Campus of Life will be a true center of excellence in the education and empowerment of individuals with Autism and other developmental disabilities. This completed the first training cycle of what would require several years’ worth of work by joint engineers for campus development. 

As the 922nd concluded 2015 supporting missions across the region and Pacific theater, its members look forward to 2016, beginning with six of them participating in a PACAF exercise at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, continuing support for Andersen AFB, Korean assets, and a multitude of additional projects across the country. The 922nd Civil Engineer Flight – making it happen to support the warfighter anytime, anywhere.

Get to know your chaplains and chaplain assistants

By
Aerotech News
-
0

The 452nd Air Mobility Wing’s chapel team is here to serve you. The chaplains and chaplain assistants assigned to the wing staff are made up of a great group of men and women from various backgrounds and traditions. The common denominator is that they are here to serve you, right where you are. They serve as a Religious Support Team (RST). When you see members of our chapel team out and about the base it is very intentional that both a chaplain and chaplain assistant are readily available to you. In providing for the spiritual support, moral guidance, counseling, religious rites and general morale the hope is that you know your RST. Whether it’s at a commander’s call or in line at the chow hall, at one of the worship services on drill weekends or running on the track, your RST is here to support you.

But do you know your chaplains and chaplain assistants? I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce these Airmen to you. The B Unit Training Assembly chapel team includes Chaplain (Lt Col.) Bob Meissner, Master Sgt. Gil Demara, Tech. Sgt. Daniella Williams and Senior Airman Elvia Sanchez. Get to know us. Let us get to know you!

Chaplain (Lt Col.) Bob Meissner

Chaplain Meissner grew up as a Navy brat until his father retired. He began his education at the U.S. Naval Academy pre-school and kindergarten. The Navy moved his family from Annapolis, Maryland, to Alaska, California and Florida. Meissner received his Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies with an emphasis in Biblical Languages from Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, California. He then received his Master of Arts in Religion and his Master of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary, Glenside, Pennsylvania, in 1984. He began his Air Force career on active duty in 1986 with a Logistics Readiness Squadron stationed in Arkansas, England and Germany. After seven years of active duty, Meissner returned to civilian life until joining the Air Force Reserve in 2001 as a chaplain. He provided a backfill in 2006 at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., and then deployed in 2011 to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, where he was the “flying chaplain” for the operations group with missions throughout the Area of Responsibility. Meissner enjoys exercise, time with his family and friends, playing guitar and reading. As a civilian, he serves on the pastoral staff at his church.

Master Sgt. Gil Demara

Master Sgt. Demara grew up in Yuma, Arizona, where he graduated from high school. He went on to receive his Associate of Applied Science degree in Administration of Justice from Arizona Western College, Yuma, in 1986; his Bachelor of Science in Business and Communication in 2008; and his Master of Education in 2010 from Arizona State University in Phoenix. He earned his Associate of Applied Science degree in Social Work from The Community College of the Air Force in 2012 and his Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California in 2014. Demara served on Active Duty in the U.S. Army from 1986-1998. He then joined the Alaska Air National Guard serving there from 1999-2006. He joined the Air Force Reserve in June 2006 as a chaplain assistant assigned to the 452 AMW. He deployed to Bagram in 2009 and Al Udeid in 2012. As a civilian he enjoys wood working, art projects, interior design and works as an educator for grades K-12.

Tech. Sgt. Danielle Williams

Tech. Sgt. Williams was raised in Elk Grove, California. She attended Hiram Johnson and Rancho Cordova High Schools. She joined the Air Force Reserve in 2004 with the dream of serving her country. She served at Travis AFB as a chaplain assistant earning the distinguished Chaplain Assistant of the Year in 2014. She transferred to the 452 AMW chapel team in January 2016. She was recently selected to serve in a U.S. Air Force backfill assignment for the upcoming summer. As a civilian, Williams works for the State of California Franchise Tax Board. Her hobbies include traveling, dancing, riding her Harley and spending time with family and friends.

Senior Airman Elvia Sanchez

Senior Airman Sanchez grew up in Inglewood and Indio, California. She received her Esthetician license in 2001. In 2008 she graduated from California State University – San Bernardino with a double major in English and Anthropology. She is currently working on her Master of Arts at California Baptist University. She joined the Air Force Reserve in 2010 in the medical field, then cross-trained to become a chaplain assistant serving at Vandenberg AFB, California. She transferred to the 452 AMW in 2015. As a civilian, Sanchez works in higher education, and enjoys running, reading, collecting books, oil painting, going to the beach and traveling.

So, when you see us (your chaplains and chaplain assistants) around base, stop and introduce yourself. You are welcome at any of our services on base. And please feel free to stop by the chapel on the UTA weekends. We’ll have the coffee on!

Kelly selected as new AFRC Command Chief

By
Aerotech News
-
0

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. — The Chief of the Air Force Reserve has announced the new Command Chief Master Sergeant for Air Force Reserve Command.

Chief Master Sgt. Ericka E. Kelly, command chief for the 349th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, California, and former command chief for the 452 AMW, March Air Reserve Base, California, will fill AFRC’s top enlisted position, according to a release from Lt. Gen. James F. Jackson, commander of Air Force Reserve Command and chief of the Air Force Reserve.

Kelly will replace Command Chief Master Sgt. Cameron Kirksey, who is scheduled to retire in March.

Kelly spent most of her nearly 32 years of military service in the aeromedical evacuation career field. She transferred to the Air Force Reserve in 1993. During her career she has deployed numerous times in support of contingency operations including Operation Restore Hope and Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Kelly is an aeromedical evacuation evaluator and has more than 1.400 flight hours aboard C-9A, C-17A, C-130H, WC-130J, C-141B/C and KC-135R aircraft.

1...111213...64Page 12 of 64

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

©