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Source: United States Coast Guard
09/14/2023 02:58 AM EDT
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Source: United States Air Force
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) —
Department of the Air Force leaders and their spouses discussed changes and challenges that have impacted military families during a panel at the Air and Space Forces Association’s 2023 Air, Space and Cyber Conference Sept. 13.
Participating panelists included Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. and his wife, Sharene Brown; Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman and his wife, Jennifer Saltzman; Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass and her husband, Rahn Bass; and Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force Roger A. Towberman and his wife, Rachel Rush.
Lt. Gen. Caroline M. Miller, Air Force Manpower, Personnel and Services deputy chief of staff, moderated the discussion and asked panelists to share their perspectives on changes they witnessed over time as military families. She also engaged the leaders and their spouses on their personal experiences in leveraging on and off-base resources to improve their quality of life as military families.
“When it comes to change, today’s military family looks a lot different than it did 30 years ago,” Chief Bass said. “You have more dual-working families, dual military, and single parents.”
Chief Bass also said leaders should continue to support initiatives and programs on military installations that help maintain family connections.
Sharene Brown said she witnessed several positive changes throughout her experience as a military spouse, especially regarding the availability of programs to support service and family members’ mental health, as well as resources to ease transitions for military-connected students and resources to assist Airmen and Guardians enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program.
“The fact that we can talk about this openly and connect to the resources out there is huge,” Sharene Brown said. “From my perspective, what’s now available on and off our installations for our families is overwhelming.”
Some of the resources highlighted included:
Gen. Saltzman noted that Airmen and Guardians are expected to do more with fewer resources as the department evolves.
“It’s a fundamentally different Air Force,” Gen. Saltzman said. “What’s impressive to me is we have shifted from an Air Force of over 500,000 to an Air Force and Space Force that is far less than that.”
Panelists also mentioned another dynamic affecting Airmen and Guardian families, the “deployed in place” concept. An increasing number of active-duty Airmen and Guardians support high-ops-tempo units and missions from home station. These Airmen and Guardians often face the same stressors and grueling hours they would during an overseas deployment, yet they still return home to their families daily.
“Because of what automation and remote capabilities have allowed, we can now create effects worldwide without leaving the safety of our garrisons,” Gen. Saltzman said. “As a leadership team, we have to recognize that this comes with a different set of challenges and stressors. We need to provide ways to mitigate that.”
The speakers on the panel shared strategies like scheduling regular quality time, having open communication, and allowing space to pursue individual interests as personal approaches to maintaining strong connections with their partners amid busy lives and careers.
“You really can’t ‘turn off’ in the positions we have here,” Rahn Bass said. “There will be messages and phone calls. Being realistic about that – present in the moment and deliberate about quality time is important.”
Towberman also shared his perspectives for looking at relationships using a different lens and how to be more connected.
“[It’s] about harmony,” Toberman said. “I think that harmony comes best … in undiluted moments. There’s too much of our life that gets diluted if we are not paying attention, and diluted experiences are hardly experiences at all. I think we try really hard to say ‘this is about us,’ and this is about a real moment.”
Rush spoke about an article she wrote for Military Spouse Magazine titled ‘Your Wild and Precious Life’, in which she spoke specifically to spouses about the importance of taking time to work on themselves, build personal connections, and find purpose beyond being in a relationship with their spouses.
“I think sometimes we [spouses] can lose sight of our life,” Rush said. “When I became a military spouse, I had friendships, I had connections, but I had to work so much harder to keep [them] … I think it’s important to really ground yourself in the life that you have and to make things real and pertinent. You have to do things for yourself because although you have the journey with this person you love so much, it is still this one wild and precious life. You have to do what makes you happy, and we all have to be there to support one another.”
Due to anticipated retirements and promotions, the 2023 AFA conference serves as the final time this group of leaders are expected to be on stage together, and they reflected on their experiences supporting military families across the Air Force and Space Force.
“One reason why I’ve enjoyed [this forum at AFA] is we’re able to show we are real people just like you,” said Gen. Brown. “We’ve got to remember how important [military families] are to what we do, and the sacrifices they make are tremendous.”
Source: United States Air Force
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) —
The Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen for 2023 were recognized and honored during the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference Sept. 9-13.
The 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year (alphabetically listed, by rank and command of assignment when selected) are:
o Senior Master Sgt. Justin S. Cruz, Air Force Materiel Command – Airman supporting Space Force
o Tech. Sgt. Jennel L. Edwards, Air Force Global Strike Command
o Senior Master Sgt. Sedrick F. Evans, Pacific Air Forces
o Tech. Sgt. Michelle A. Fernandez, Air Mobility Command
o Master Sgt. Michael A. Galindo, Air Education and Training Command
o Senior Airman Ryan G. Hospelhorn, United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa
o Senior Airman Kostiantyn Khymchenko, Air Combat Command
o Tech. Sgt. Micaela R. Mahan, Air Force Materiel Command
o Tech. Sgt. Kimberly R. Mastrocola, Air Force Special Operations Command
o Staff Sgt. Dhruva S. Poluru, Air National Guard
o Tech. Sgt. Theodore M. Sebsibe, Air Force District of Washington
o Senior Airman Jacob T. Tawasha, Air Force Reserve Command
Selected for their exceptional leadership, job performance and personal achievement, the 12 Airmen will spend the next year, and the rest of their Air Force careers, being distinguished representatives for the department.
“Don’t change who you are,” said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass. “Who you are is what got you here. Looking forward, you are an ambassador to our Air Force. That comes with a lot of responsibility.”
These servant leaders embody Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall’s “One Team, One Fight.” Their character, leadership and experiences reflect the strength of the Air Force and will serve the 12 Airmen as they advocate for and work with Airmen across the force.
“I feel honored and humbled to be surrounded by Airmen at this level,” reflected Fernandez, 6th Security Forces Squadron Marine Patrol team lead at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. “They’re like-minded in the way they want the best for the Air Force and the best for themselves. Working with this team is always a great experience, and I’m looking forward to the work we will accomplish this year.”
Throughout their time at the conference, the honorees experienced Washington, D.C., with an immersion tour of the 1st Helicopter Squadron at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, and met DAF senior leaders, gaining insight into their key focus areas and intent.
During a sit-down discussion with the 12 Airmen, Bass conveyed her expectations and answered questions relating to their year-long journey.
“There is nothing that is on the minds of our Airmen and their families that we aren’t focused on,” Bass said. “We’ve got to work together to create irreversible momentum to get after these things while reoptimizing our Air Force.”
The event culminated with a ceremony celebrating all the achievements of the Airmen.
From senior master sergeant to senior airman, each member demonstrated how to lead, inspire others, and accelerate change around them. Their time at the conference will play a key role in the team’s ability to attract, train, and maintain the highest caliber of Airmen and Guardians in the year ahead.
The 12 Outstanding Airmen’s first official role will take place at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where they will help mentor and guide future officers of the Air Force and Space Force.
Source: United States Air Force
WASHINGTON (AFNS) —
Beginning in academic year 2025-2026, more top-rated Air Force officers will be vectored and designated to Air University in-residence Intermediate Developmental Education and Senior Developmental Education.
This change is intended to ensure the service has enough officers with the ability to understand and integrate airpower in key leadership roles to meet the strategic and pacing challenges facing our nation.
As a result, for IDE attendees, 60 percent of the top third of officers selected from each career field from the Developmental Education Designation Board will attend Air Command and Staff College in residence, and for SDE attendees, approximately 33 percent of the top third of officers selected from each career field will attend Air War College in residence.
“To ensure deep airpower expertise is available to joint commands, it is essential we send officers with diverse professional backgrounds and experiences, and with the potential to be senior leaders in our Air Force, to our own in-residence programs,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown, Jr. in a memo.
The number of billets for DAF officers at joint and sister service schools will remain the same, but the new policy will allow the service to place greater emphasis on airpower schools.
The directorate of manpower and personnel will track the number of officers by career field who decline to attend Air University schools. Those statistics will be part of an annual report to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
“It is imperative that our leaders of tomorrow are rooted in Air Force doctrine so they may leverage airpower to achieve national security objectives and align with the Joint Chiefs of Staff vision and guidance,” Brown said.
Recognizing that quality of life is important to members and their families, the service has worked with local leaders in the Maxwell Air Force Base community to improve several school issues. A pilot program will allow off-base members to send children to on-base Department of Defense Education Activity K-8 schools. Additionally, an initiative to support out-of-zone school enrollment is underway.
For more information on Air Force development programs, visit myFSS.
Source: United States Air Force
WASHINGTON (AFNS) —
The Department of the Air Force selected 103rd Airlift Wing (Hartford, Connecticut), 120th Airlift Wing (Great Falls, Montana), 133rd Airlift Wing (Minneapolis), and 182nd Airlift Wing (Peoria, Illinois), as the preferred locations to receive C-130J Super Hercules to replace their aging C-130Hs, pending the outcome of environmental assessments.
A total of eight C-130J aircraft will be used to recapitalize the aging C-130H fleet at each location.
This significant series upgrade will require new flight qualification for pilots and loadmasters transitioning airframes. Any excess in manpower due to this shift will be repurposed through the Air National Guard corporate process and will vary by location.
The Air National Guard will analyze each unit to determine the bed down sequencing timelines.
The Department of the Air Force will now conduct an environmental impact analysis at each location, which are expected to be completed in fiscal year 2025 before a final decision is made.
Source: NATO
From 14 to 15 September 2023, NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană is visiting Chişinău to discuss NATO’s deepening partnership with the Republic of Moldova.
During his visit, the Deputy Secretary General met the Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Prime Minister Dorin Recean, and President of the Parliament Igor Grosu. Mr Geoană also met with senior military officials and will engage with students and civil society representatives.
In his meeting with President Sandu, Mr Geoană reaffirmed NATO’s commitment to continue strengthening political and practical support to Moldova. Moldova’s cooperation with NATO enhances its resilience and security, and will help Moldova on its path to EU membership, Mr Geoană said.
In a joint press conference with Prime Minister Recean, the Deputy Secretary General highlighted the long-standing cooperation between NATO and Moldova, in full respect for its constitutional neutrality. He thanked Moldova for its continued support to regional stability through its contribution to NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, and for the assistance it has provided to the Ukrainian people since the beginning of Russia’s illegal war. Mr Geoană also praised Moldova for its efforts towards European Union integration.
Mr Geoană welcomed Prime Minister Recean’s goal to enhance the interoperability of the Moldovan armed forces with NATO. He reiterated NATO’s full support for Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling on Russia to withdraw its forces stationed in the Transnistrian region without Moldova’s consent.
At the Vilnius Summit, NATO Allies reconfirmed their commitment to stepping up political and practical support to Moldova. This includes a substantial package of support to help strengthen Moldova’s cyber defences, strategic communications, and training and logistics.
Source: United States Air Force
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) —
AFWERX showcased the innovation from Spark Cells around the world at the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Sept. 11-13. The aisle of four booth spaces at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center was called “Spark Street” where hundreds of attendees learned about ideas and projects from Airmen and Guardians that have improved and strengthened the Department of the Air Force.
“AFWERX invited Spark Cells to the conference to connect leadership and other Airmen with what’s going on in the innovation space and how that can ignite ideas,” said Kathy Reid, AFWERX Spark branch chief. “There were times this week, when it was hard to walk through Spark Street because there were so many people visiting the booths. And you could hear the conversations, ‘my commander told me to come over here and take a look at this or have you heard about these ideas that they have?’ So, the side conversations and the curiosity of our Airmen has been amazing.”
Spark Cells are a decentralized network of Airmen, Guardians and government civilians at Air Force bases around the world that execute locally generated ideas and projects to foster a results-driven culture of innovation.
Tech. Sgt. Kristine Lopez, 48th Fighter Wing director of operations for the innovation office known as LibertyWERX, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, was a Spark Street exhibitor informing attendees on their laser foreign object debris detection system. The system uses high-speed cameras, custom optics and laser line projectors to acquire both 2D images and high-resolution 3D profiles of airport runways, taxiways and aprons to automatically detect small objects at highway speeds.
The detection system has saved the base money by reducing foreign object debris damage to aircraft and has eliminated thousands of manhours spent on FOD walks, allowing Airmen to focus on their primary mission,
“We partnered with a small business in New Zealand and it’s one of a kind,” Lopez said. “A lot of Air Force bases and the Navy are interested in this technology. There’s definitely a need out there, we just need a program office to pick it up.”
She even got the chance to share her success story with the Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. when he visited Spark Street on Sept. 12.
I found out yesterday, so I was mentally preparing myself to not stumble,” Lopez added. “I really wanted to emphasize that we are trying to execute his action orders and also highlight some of our Airmen and the amazing ideas that they have.”
Source: United States Air Force
WASHINGTON (AFNS) —
The Department of the Air Force selected 103rd Airlift Wing (Hartford, Connecticut), 120th Airlift Wing (Great Falls, Montana), 133rd Airlift Wing (Minneapolis), and 182nd Airlift Wing (Peoria, Illinois), as the preferred locations to receive C-130J Super Hercules to replace their aging C-130Hs, pending the outcome of environmental assessments.
A total of eight C-130J aircraft will be used to recapitalize the aging C-130H fleet at each location.
This significant series upgrade will require new flight qualification for pilots and loadmasters transitioning airframes. Any excess in manpower due to this shift will be repurposed through the Air National Guard corporate process and will vary by location.
The Air National Guard will analyze each unit to determine the bed down sequencing timelines.
The Department of the Air Force will now conduct an environmental impact analysis at each location, which are expected to be completed in fiscal year 2025 before a final decision is made.
Source: NATO
RAMSTEIN, Germany – On September 13, 2023, a NATO surveillance drone concluded a flight over Finland, the Alliance’s newest member. The unmanned aircraft, traveling at high altitudes above Allies’ territories and in international airspace, collected data for Allies to support their collective deterrence and defence.
The mission was the first time a NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force (NAGSF) RQ-4D drone flew over Finland. This mission came as NATO Air Forces continue to step up their reconnaissance missions on the Alliance’s eastern borders in the wake of Russia’s full-fledged war against Ukraine. Since 2022, NATO’s fleet of Alliance Ground Surveillance drones has conducted multiple missions on the Alliance’s eastern flank, predominantly in the Black Sea region. The flight on September 13 also helped NAGSF operators to familiarise themselves with the new terrain.
Nicknamed “Phoenix”, the RQ-4D remotely piloted aircraft are among the world’s most advanced drones, providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance over a wide area. The NATO-owned and operated aircraft are based in Sigonella, Italy and can stay in the air for more than 30 hours at a time. Surveillance and reconnaissance data collected by the aircraft and analysed by NAGSF experts are made available to all Allies to inform Alliance decision-making processes.
Source: United States Air Force
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFNS) —
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental illness.
As members of the Air Force community, it’s important that we prioritize our mental health and encourage others to do the same.
Mental health is just as critical to overall well-being as physical health. It’s common for people to focus on physical health and neglect their mental health but this can have serious consequences. Untreated mental illness can lead to problems such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse and suicide.
The Air Force community faces unique challenges that can affect mental health. Deployment, long hours and high-stress situations can take a toll on our mental well-being. It’s crucial to recognize when we’re struggling and to seek help when we need it.
There are many resources available to help maintain mental health in the Air Force. Military OneSource is a free resource that offers confidential counseling and support to service members and their families. The Air Force also offers mental health services through the chaplain, Military and Family Life Counselors, Outpatient Behavioral Health and the installation mental health clinic.
In addition to seeking professional help, there are steps we can take to maintain our mental health. Exercise, healthy eating and getting adequate sleep are all important for both physical and mental health. Practicing mindfulness and stress-management techniques can also help us cope with stress and anxiety.
It’s essential to remember that mental health is a key component of overall readiness. By taking care of our mental health, we are better equipped to meet the challenges we face as members of the Air Force family.
This Mental Health Awareness Month. Let’s prioritize our mental health and encourage others to do the same. Together, we can reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and ensure that everyone has access to the resources they need to maintain their mental well-being.
Capt. Nicholas Choy is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist and Medical Director of Mental Health Clinic at the 42nd Medical Group, Maxwell Air Force Base.