Gulf Defender Friday, July 20, 2018 tyndall.af.mil gulfdefender.com 325FWTyndall 325th FW welcomes new commander By Airman 1st Class community leaders. Isaiah Soliz As part of the ceremony, 325th Fighter Public Affairs Zobrist collected the ceremo- nial guidon from Hernandez TYNDALL AIR FORCE and presented it to Laidlaw, BASE — The 325th Fighter symbolizing his acceptance of Wing welcomed its newest responsibility as the new wing wing commander during a commander. change of command ceremony As the roar of aircraft at Hangar 5, July 13, 2018. engines could be heard spin- U.S. Air Force Col. Brian ning up on the flightline, Laidlaw, former 325th FW vice drowning out his voice over commander, assumed com- the loudspeakers, Laidlaw mand of the wing from Col. finished his speech and the Michael Hernandez during the ceremony with a message to ceremony. all of Team Tyndall. During his speech, Laid- “Our number one priority, law thanked all in attendance as it was under Col. Hernan- and went on to express the dez, is to do everything in our importance of the wing’s mis- power to maintain combat sion and its importance to the readiness. That’s what those security of the nation. jets are out there doing right Maj. Gen. Scott Zobrist, 9th now,” Laidlaw continued. Air Force commander, pre- “To our ops desk, go ahead sided over the ceremony. In and launch the fleet, you have attendance were Team Tyn- the green light. You [have] dall Airmen, sister service important missions to fly military members and local today and that is bottom line

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Craig Williams, 325th Fighter Wing command chief, holds the 325th FW guidon during the wing change of command ceremony at Tyndall Air Force Bas on July 13. Maj. Gen. Scott Zobrist, 9th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony U.S. Air Force Col. Brian Laidlaw, incoming 325th Fighter Wing commander, waits to give remarks during in which Col. Michael Hernandez relinquished command of the the wing change of command ceremony at , Fla., July 13, 2018. Laidlaw commended 325th FW to Col. Brian Laidlaw. The wing’s primary mission is to the leadership of his predecessor Col. Michael Hernandez, thanked his own family for their love and train and project unrivaled combat air power. [U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY support, and charged Team Tyndall Airmen with remaining resilient and continuing to project unrivaled AIRMAN 1ST CLASS ISAIAH J. SOLIZ] combat airpower. [U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS ISAIAH J. SOLIZ] 2 Friday, July 20, 2018 | Gulf Defender 325th FW commander retires after more than 22 years

By Senior Airman Dustin Mullen and Senior Airman Cody Miller 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE — At right, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Donald Lindberg, Mobilization Assistant to Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force (left), pres- ents a retirement certificate to Col. Michael Hernandez, outgoing 325th Fighter Wing commander (right), during a retirement cer- emony at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., July 12, 2018. Hernandez is retiring after more than 22 years of service in the Air Force.

(U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY SENIOR AIRMAN DUSTIN MULLEN)

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By Airman 1st Class Delaney Gonzales 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE — Airmen from both the 95th Aircraft Maintenance Unit and the 43rd Air- craft Maintenance Unit competed against each other to earn the title of Load Crew of the 2nd Quarter.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Shelby Demorest (left), 325th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft armament U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Elijah Jordan, 325th systems specialist, speaks to Staff Sgt. Corbin Nott Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft armament (right), 325th AMXS weapons load crew chief, prior to a systems specialist, inspects a piece of equipment on the quarterly Load Crew Competition located on the fl ightline fl ightline at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., July 10, 2018. at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., July 10, 2018. A crew from Jordan represented the 43rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit the 95th Aircraft Maintenance Unit and a crew from the team for the Load Crew Competition of the 2nd Quarter. 43rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit competed against each [U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS DELANEY GONZALES] other to earn the title of Load Crew of the 2nd Quarter. [U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS DELANEY GONZALES] U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Murphey, 325th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew chief (left), Airman 1st Class Nolan Byrd (middle) and Senior Airman Harold Gross (right), 325th AMXS aircraft armament systems specialists line up at parade rest on the fl ightline at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., July 10, 2018. The Airmen participated in a Load Crew Competition for the second quarter of 2018. [U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS DELANEY GONZALES]

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Corbin Nott (left), 325th Aircraft U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Corbin Nott, 325th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew chief, Airman Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew chief, 1st Class Elijah Jordan (middle) and Senior Airman participates in a quarterly Load Crew Competition on Shelby Demorest (right), 325th AMXS aircraft armament the fl ightline at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., July 10, 2018. systems specialists line up at parade rest on the fl ightline Airmen from both the 95th Aircraft Maintenance Unit and at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., July 10, 2018. The Airmen the 43rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit competed against participated in a Load Crew Competition for the second each other to earn the title of Load Crew of the 2nd quarter of 2018. [U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS Quarter. [U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS DELANEY DELANEY GONZALES] GONZALES] Gulf Defender | Friday, July 20, 2018 5 6 Friday, July 20, 2018 | Gulf Defender

Air Force awards fi rst Remote device: Dominant persistent aircrew recognized

By 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs impact on a combat oper- highlighted five Airmen ation or other military for their actions in combat. CREECH AIR FORCE operations. Qualifying Their selection was BASE, Nev. — The Air actions can be performed based on stringent cri- Force’s first-ever remote in any domain, including teria, including strategic “R” device was pre- cyber, but must not expose significance, protection of sented to aircrews of the the individual to personal ground forces, leadership /432nd Air hostile action. displayed, critical think- Expeditionary Wing July This award ceremony ing, level of difficulty and 11, 2018 at Creech. Col. recognized the direct innovation. Julian C. Cheater, 432nd impact Remotely Piloted “It is a great honor to WG/432nd AEW com- Aircraft aircrews have on recognize the contribu- mander, ceremoniously the battlefield and dis- tions of these Airmen,” presented the Meritori- tinguished those who said Cheater. ous Service Medals and performed extraordinarily “Much of the world Air Force Commendation in their capacities. will never know details of Medals with the device. The “R” device is autho- their contributions due to The device was autho- rized for placement on the operational security, but rized in 2016, with criteria Legion of Merit, MSM, rest assured that they have released in 2017, establish- AFCM and Air Force made significant impacts ing an award earned for Achievement Medal. It while saving friendly hands-on employment is not authorized on any lives.” of a weapons system that other ribbon or medal. had direct and immediate 432nd WG leaders See AIRCREW, 7 Gulf Defender | Friday, July 20, 2018 7

dominant persistent attack hopes that those outside of AIRCREW and reconnaissance over the enterprise gain a better 74 days to identify a high- understanding of what From Page 6 value target and known RPAs bring to the fight. terrorist. Once identi- “I went home that night fied, the crew adapted to and I knew what I did,” All devices may be a dynamic situation as the said Evan. “I think to the awarded retroactively to target traveled through outside community, some- Jan. 7, 2016. densely populated areas at thing like this will give a Bringing the fight to the a high speed. sense of perspective.” enemy Evan’s crew provided In another combat oper- In three separate combat key input and strategic ation, 1st Lt. (then 2nd Lt.) operations, aircrews from coordination with other Eric, 432nd OG MQ-9 the 432nd Operations aircraft and buddy-lased pilot; and Senior Airman Group (OG) and the 732nd for the strike, successfully Jason, 432nd OG MQ-9 OG were successful in removing the theater’s sensor operator were eliminating threats and number two high-value recognized for their sup- saving the lives of Ameri- individual from the bat- port during a contingency can and coalition forces on tlefield. Buddy lasing is a effort. the ground. technique where a laser- While scanning for Retired Maj. Asa, 732nd equipped aircraft guides Islamic State of Iraq and OG MQ-9 pilot and mis- in a laser-guided weapon Syria enemies ahead of sion commander, and delivered from another coalition forces on the Capt. (then 2nd Lt.) Evan, aircraft. ground, the crew dis- 732nd OG MQ-9 Reaper Evan said the “R” device covered a truck with a pilot distinguished them- should help shed light on large caliber machine selves in combat operations the impact RPA aircrews gun mounted in the bed in February 2016. have in battle, was hum- moving toward friendly The crew supported bled to be recognized and forces. 8 Friday, July 20, 2018 | Gulf Defender Gulf Defender | Friday, July 20, 2018 9 Policy Change on Transfer of Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefi ts

By Department of family members. The provi- as a retention incentive, she Bill continue to require a from the date of election, Coast Guard as well as the Defense news sion that requires a service added. four-year commitment officials said. commissioned members Defense Media Activity member to have at least six If service members fail in the armed forces and, The policy affects ser- of the U.S. Public Health years of service to apply to to fulfill their service obli- more importantly, the vice members in the Service and National Oce- WASHINGTON — The transfer benefits remains gation because of a “force member must be eligible uniformed services, anic and Atmospheric Department of Defense unchanged in the policy. shaping” event — such to be retained for four years which includes the U.S. Administration. issued a substantive change Focus on Retention as officers involuntarily today to its policy on the “After a thorough review separated as a result of transfer by service members of the policy, we saw a need being twice passed over in the uniformed services to focus on retention in a for promotion or enlisted of Post-9/11 GI Bill edu- time of increased growth personnel involuntarily cational benefits to eligible of the armed forces," said separated as a result of family member recipients. Stephanie Miller, direc- failure to meet minimum Effective one year from tor of accessions policy in retention standards, such the date of this change, the Office of the Secretary as high year of tenure — eligibility to transfer those of Defense. “This change the change will allow them benefits will be limited to continues to allow career to retain their eligibility to service members with less service members that transfer education benefits than 16 years of total active- earned this benefit to share even if they haven't served duty or selected reserve it with their family mem- the entirety of their obli- service, as applicable. bers while they continue to gated service commitment Previously, there were no serve.” through no fault of their restrictions on when a ser- This change is an impor- own. vice member could transfer tant step to preserve the All approvals for trans- educational benefits to their distinction of transferability ferability of Post-9/11 GI 10 Friday, July 20, 2018 | Gulf Defender Checkered Flag 18-2 takes to the skies at Tyndall

By Staff Sgt. Sergio A. Gamboa 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Checkered Flag 18-2, a large force exercise, kicked off at Tyndall July 9, 2018, and will conclude July 20. Checkered Flag is a large- scale aerial exercise designed to integrate fourth and fifth- generation airframes to enhance the capabilities of Airmen while providing training to rapidly respond to current, real-world conflicts and preparing for the future of air superiority. “To be ready and lethal is our overall goal,” said Lt Col. Paul A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor from Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., U.S. Navy Airman Cody Busha with Carrier Airborne Early Warning “Tabs” Voss, Head Quarters Air travels down the Tyndall fl ightline July 11, 2018. Tyndall Raptors Squadron (VAW) 123 stands beside an E-2C Hawkeye at Tyndall Combat Command Operations participated in Checkered Flag 18-2, a large-scale aerial exercise Air Force Base, Fla., July 11, 2018. VAW-123’s mission is to provide Division (A3O7) branch chief. designed to integrate fourth and fi fth-generation airframes to fl exible, on-scene carrier airborne command and control for joint “Tyndall is perfectly suited for enhance the capabilities of Airmen while providing training to and combined forces worldwide in order to ensure stability, build on Checkered Flag given [the size of rapidly respond to current, real-world confl icts and preparing for relationships with allies and partners, provide nation leaders with their airspace] and the freedom the future of air superiority. [U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY STAFF SGT. SERGIO options in times of crisis, and if necessary, win confl icts. [U.S. AIR to execute the air superiority A. GAMBOA] FORCE PHOTO BY STAFF SGT. SERGIO A. GAMBOA] mission. Tyndall is an outstand- ing location for these exercises.” training in a large-force exer- deploy and employ combat air- that allows us to execute and air superiority, which is one of The two-week long exercise cise to enhance combat airpower power assets on a larger scale get Airmen back to readiness,” ’s func- focuses on the involvement of capabilities. During this exer- while tactically integrating with Voss said. “What we do here at tions and responsibly. the F-22 Raptor, F-35A Light- cise, units are evaluated on their various fighter squadrons. Tyndall with fifth and fourth- ning II and legacy aircraft ability to mobilize, integrate, “Checkered Flag is an event generation [aircraft], is execute See FLAG, 11 Gulf Defender | Friday, July 20, 2018 11

FLAG

From Page 10

This large-scale exer- cise is a good way to apply air superiority with fourth and fifth-generation airframes.” Checkered Flag integrates the total force through train- ing active-duty Airmen while capitalizing on the knowledge, experience and proficiency of Air Force Reserve, Air National A U.S. Air Force 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron QF-16 Aerial Target Guard Airmen and other mili- travels down the fl ightline at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., July tary branches. 11, 2018. Tyndall’s 82nd Aerial Target Squadron fulfi lls a Title 10 “Reservist are running the U.S. Code requirement and is responsible for ensuring the safe show,” Voss said. “We now and effective testing of various weapon systems through the use have the synergy of working of QF-16, full-scale aerial targets capable of both manned and with them and can execute unmanned fl ight. [U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY STAFF SGT. SERGIO A. GAMBOA] U.S. Navy sailors from Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron missions with a force that is VAW-123 stand in front of an E-2C Hawkeye on the fl ightline at healthy. In addition, we are exercise is vital to predeploy- embraced it,” said Satterfield Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., July 11, 2018. VAW-123 provides fl exible, working with Navy and Marine ment training, and both Tyndall about the exercise. “There’s on-scene carrier airborne command and control for joint and counter parts.” and reserve Airmen involved in great synergy between all Tyn- combined forces worldwide in order to ensure stability, build on Jeff Satterfield, HQ ACC it play a significant role to the dall units and all the different relationships with allies and partners, provide Nation leaders with A3O7 Checkered Flag pro- success of the exercise. units and branches that come options in times of crisis, and if necessary, win confl icts. [U.S. AIR gram manager, said the young “All of Tyndall has really down.” FORCE PHOTO BY STAFF SGT. SERGIO A. GAMBOA] 12 Friday, July 20, 2018 | Gulf Defender

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