189th Wing WARRIOR

Vol. 20 No. 12 December 2017 Arkansas Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.

Commander’s Commentary, pg. 2 //2017 Year in Rreview, pg. 4-5// AF announces continuation rates, pg. 6//189th participates in Puerto Rico Relief, pg. 9 2 Warrior, December 2017 Warrior, December 2017 3

www.facebook. Tis The Season... From the Desk of Gen. Lengyel com/189AW n December 13, 2017, we celebrate the 381st Birthday of the National www.instagram. com/189AW By Col. Thomas D. Crimmins OGuard. The National Guard has been serving and protecting our fellow 189th Airlift Wing Commander citizens since 1636. From “alert and muster” in 1637, to the creation of the Publication Staff ost will follow with “to be jolly,” but you can “Minuteman” in 1645 as our nation’s first “rapid response force,” and through every major conflict in our history, we have relied on, and continue to rely on, Col. Thomas D. Crimmins Malso insert various obligations we all struggle 189th Airlift Wing to juggle during the holiday season: Hosting the service of our National Guard. Commander family. Traveling out of town. Completing This year marks the 100th Anniversary of U.S. entry into World War I. The National Guard provided the bulk of the initial U.S. forces through the summer Maj. Allison Stephens training. Meeting mission requirements. Buying Public Affairs Officer gifts. Making payments. Eating decadent of 1918, and was the vanguard of the American might that broke the stalemate food. Remaining cheerful and positive. Having and turned the War in Allied favor. Over 100,000 Guardsmen were killed or Tech Sgt. Jessica Condit fun. Staying safe. wounded. The war was also the birth of the National Guard in its modern form; Public Affairs Superintendent As we enter the busy holiday season, I hope as a dual-use force, indispensable both at home and overseas. Senior Airman Kayla K. Edwards you can truly enjoy the wonderment that seemed Today, the National Guard is an operational partner, integrated with the Editor to come so easily during our childhood at this active Army and Air Force, in meeting the sustained demands of our Nation’s time of year. Now, during our adulthood with security and our local communities. Our Soldiers and Airmen actively serve at This un-funded Air Force newsletter is increased responsibilities, let’s remember to go home, and overseas. Since 9/11, Guard members have deployed over 850,000 times, and today we have, on average, over 30,000 Guardsmen mobilized an authorized elec- back to basics. Make a list of your priorities that tronic publication for around the world in support of our warfighting commanders. can guide you during this hectic period. Talk with members of the 189th your supervisors and the Airmen you supervise, Although our Guard has evolved alongside our country, and our security Airlift Wing, their so we all know what’s going on in each other’s environment has changed, our organizing principle of part-time Citizen Soldier families, retirees and lives. When you find Airmen who are stressed, and Airman remains constant as the core of our strength, and the foundation community leaders. help them out. If you don’t know where to get of who we are. This generation’s Minutemen, as an indispensable Operational Contents of the War- help, engage your supervisor, First Sergeant, Chief, Force, continue to defend our Nation, and respond in the community during rior are not necessar- or Commander. We are a family, and no family times of crisis. We will be Always Ready ...Always There! ily the official views small slice of the amazing work being accomplished of, or endorsed by, is stronger than what I’ve seen so far in the 189th in the 189th AW. We will continue to identify and Happy Birthday, National Guard! the U.S. government, Airlift Wing and the Arkansas Air National Guard! recognize our top performers as we close out the Department of De- So, what exactly have I seen in the last six months fense, or the Depart- year. Sincerely, since taking command? In short, the absolute I am humbled and honored to serve as your Wing ment of the Air Force. BEST mission-focused Airmen in my 27 years of Commander. We will continue to tell our story—so All photographs are Joseph L. Lengyel property of the U.S. uniformed service! Don’t believe me? Here’s what our local community, civic leaders, ANG, and USAF others outside our wing have recognized: General, U.S. Air Force Air Force unless oth- understand what the 189th AW brings to the fight Chief, National Guard Bureau erwise indicated. and can resource us properly. Our wing is Ready, • The BEST Operations Group (Grey Tail Category) The editorial content Relevant, and Credible. In that spirit, you can expect is edited, prepared in 19 AF and AETC updated guidance, initiatives, and commander’s and provided by the • The BEST performing Cyber Graduates from intent to keep us focused as we enter the New Year. Public Affairs Of- CSVC in FY17 (11% better than their peers) Have fun and stay safe. fice of the 189th Air- • The BEST Emergency Management Airmen for lift Wing, 112 MSgt. Exercise Global Dragon Dan Wassom Road, • The BEST SFS NCO in the ANG; also at HAF/ Little Rock AFB, AR A4S! 72099-4802, DSN • The BEST Aviation Resource Management NCO 731-6068, commer- in the ANG cial 501-987-6068. • The BEST wing to host the Guard/Reserve C-130H Call or email to be added to the distribu- Test Detachment tion list. The list above is not all-inclusive, but serves as a 4 Warrior, December 2017 Warrior, December 2017 5

2017 was a quite a year for the 189th Airlift Wing! Our wing saw a great deal of challenges, successes, changes, and events that significantly impacted the Airmen of the 189th and our local and national communities. This year, the 189th witnessed the passing of the guidon to a new wing commander. In the spring, our airmen lent a helping hand to their neighbors who were affected by heavy rainfall and flooding in Northeast Arkansas. When Hurricanes Harvey and Irma devastated Texas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, the 189th responded by sending aircraft, airmen, and supplies to aid in relief and recovery efforts. This year, the 189th hosted more than 10 community relations tours, including the civic leader programs Leadership Arkansas, Leadership Greater Little Rock, and Conway Area Leadership Institute. Business owners and influencers from around the state got an in-depth look at the work that our citizen airmen do to support the state and federal mission. The 189th also saw changes in its mission focus. While we watched the first C-130H AMP plane leave our fleet, we also witnessed the graduation of our nation’s newest cyber defenders, as the 189th stood up the Cyber Operations Detachment. As we set our sights on the new year, take a look at some of the things that happened this year and remember some of the great achievements of our wingmen in 2017. To see more photos from 2017, check out our Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143420223@N04/ 6 Warrior, December 2017 Warrior, December 2017 7 Air Force announces continuation pay rates Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Office WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air a commitment of four years of services more attractive to new Force leaders recently announced service.” generations of American citizens the Air Force’s continuation pay For active duty Airmen the by providing a retirement annuity rates which are part of the new payment rate is 2.5, times monthly with options on how to shape their Blended Retirement System. basic pay. For the Reserve retirement benefit.” Continuation pay is a way to component Airmen to include, The BRS was enacted into law encourage Airmen covered by BRS Guardsmen and Reserve, the in the Fiscal Year 2016 National to remain in the Air Force since it payment rate is 0.5 times monthly Defense Authorization Act, and will be possible to leave with some basic pay, as if on active duty. For will go into effect Jan. 1, 2018. retirement benefit prior to 20 years Reserve component Airmen on All currently serving members of service. active Guard and Reserve orders, are grandfathered into the current The system is a blend of a 20- the payment rate is 2.5 times military retirement system. year retirement and contribution monthly basic pay. The rates and However, those with fewer than plan that allows service members parameters for paying CP will 12 years of service as of Dec. to contribute to a Thrift Savings remain in effect until changed. 31, 2017, or Air Force Reserve Plan account that is transferable “Modernizing the current component members with fewer after separation from the military. retirement system into the BRS than 4,320 retirement points may “Continuation pay is a one-time will ensure that the vast majority of choose to “opt in” to the BRS direct cash payout, like a retention uniformed service members receive during the designated opt-in period bonus,” said Lt. Gen. Gina Grosso, a portable government retirement from Jan. 1, 2018, through Dec. 31, deputy chief of staff for Manpower, benefit,” said Daniel Sitterly, acting 2018. Personnel and Services. “Members assistant secretary of the Air Force will receive continuation pay at for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. For more information about the 12 years of service in return for “It will help make the uniformed BRS please visit MyPers. 8 Warrior, December 2017 Warrior, December 2017 9 Schoolhouse, cont’d Schoolhouse unites father, son for C-130 mission 189th AW participates in PR relief pg. 8 By Senior Airman Mercedes Taylor Public Affairs father does even more. efforts “Whether he saw Mentors come in many Trevor trained to be a somewhere for a few children to know that it or not, I always forms, whether they’re loadmaster. days. When I was home, too.” thought his job was coworkers, supervisors or “(Being at the I focused on the things In addition to helping important,” he said. even friends, they provide schoolhouse) was a treat we could do together others and working hard, “I always understood personal and professional for me and his mother,” when we had the time. Trevor felt the need to that, but going into the advice that can impact Jeffrey said. “We enjoyed Both my boys were in the serve his country. Air Force gave me an someone for the rest some fun recreational Boy Scouts, so I invested “Since my dad understanding of all he of their lives. Airman excursions together and a lot of time doing that served in the Air Force, does. I understood why Trevor Armentrout, caught up with Trevor on with them. I have the I thought I would serve he would have to leave 700th Airlift Squadron all his Air Force training fondest memories of those my country too, but not every so often, because loadmaster, often receives experiences.” experiences.” in the same way he did,” he was supporting us guidance through one of Before attending the It was during those Trevor said. “And then and our country.” his mentors, his father, technical school, the times and throughout I thought, ‘why not go Growing up with a Col. Jeffrey Armentrout, colonel spent 10 years his son’s childhood, the to school and join the father in the Air Force 302nd Airlift Wing on active duty as a C-5 colonel passed down military?’” influenced Trevor to vice commander. The Galaxy pilot. In 2000, family values to his son. The choice to join enlist and create his own father-and-son duo he transitioned to the “He gave me a good the Reserves came at the career path, much to the were recently assigned Reserves, where he has life and I want to provide recommendation of his delight of his parents. as students at the 714th served for 17 years. that for my children, father, as a way to serve “(His mother and I) Training Squadron at “In the Reserves, I’ve someday,” said Trevor. and attend school. Now Above: Staff Sgt. Aisha Bullock, a public health technician with the 189th Airlift Wing Arkansas Air are proud of his decision Little Rock Air Force had to spend a lot of time “He raised me to want to that he has had some National Guard, loads water into an SUV, Nov. 18, 2017, in Añasco, Puerto Rico. The Foundation of Puerto Rico reached over 500 homes and 1500 individuals during this mission. (U.S. Air National to serve,” Jeffrey said. Base, to attend the C-130 away from my family,” be willing to help others. time in the Air Force, Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Daniel J. Martinez) Below: Airmen from the 189th Logistics Readiness “The Air Force has been Center of Excellence. Jeffrey said. “Every My father also made sure Trevor respects and Squadron prepare to unload a C-17 assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing after it lands in Puerto Rico a big part of our life and Jeffrey trained to become month I had to leave I knew I had to earn my understands what his on October 19, 2017. The C-17 carried supplies intended for residents of the local area who were I know he will benefit affected by the devastating rain and winds of Hurricane Irma in September. (Courtesy photo) a C-130H pilot while the house and disappear way in life, so I want my See Schoolhouse, pg. 9 from the experience. I’m hopeful that the Air Force chief of staff focus on revitalizing the squadron will improve Trevor’s overall experience so that he Col. Jeffrey Armentrout, continues a long and left, 302nd Airlift Wing vice rewarding career.” commander at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., and Although their time his son, Airman Trevor together was brief and Armentrout, 700th Airlift they returned to their Squadron loadmaster at separate bases, the Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Armentrouts will serve Ga., recently attended the Center of Excellence, a together in the Air Force C-130 school house at Little in the C-130H legacy, Rock AFB, Ark., at the same taking their values time. (U.S. Air Force photo passed along to them by Senior Airman Mercedes Taylor through generations. 10 Warrior, December 2017 Warrior, December 201711 Warrior of the Month: Master Sgt. Russell Mears PROMOTIONS

To Major Thomas Bradford, 154th TRS Joshua Shaudys, 154th TRS

To Chief Master Sergeant To Senior Airman Chad Cooley, 154th TRS Destinie King, 189th MDG DeeDee Glodowski, 189th FSS

To Staff Sergeant To Technical Sergeant Kacy Cross, 189th FSS Nicholas Massie, 189th AMXS Amanda Gordon, 189th MDG Ellen Pratt, 189th OG Danishia Houston, 189th OG Amanda Young, 189th OSS Kenneth Martin, 189th FSS PME GRADUATES Senior Noncommissioned Officer Noncommissioned Officer Academy Academy Tech. Sgt. Brad Burl Master Sgt. Jeffrey Sharpmack Tech. Sgt. Andrew Stoll

Airman Leadership School Rank and Name: Master Sgt. Russell Mears Hobbies: Horses, Sports Shane Edwards Unit: 189th Security Forces Squadron Core Value: Service Before Self. MSgt. Mears Charles Jones Hometown: Hot Springs, AR shoulders many duties but serving as the training Job Title/Position: Training NCOIC NCOIC is the most vital and demanding responsiblity Congratulations promotees and PME graduates on reaching the next level Guard Status: Technician in the security forces career field. He sacrifices much in the Air National Guard. Your dedication and service to the Arkansas Air Civilian Employment: N/A of his personal time to get the job done. Time in Service: 17 years National Guard did not go unnoticed! Keep up the good work! 12 Warrior, December 2017

Editor’s note: The publishing date for the Warrior newsletter has been adjusted to reflect the coming month rather than the previous month. This will allow the wing to address special observances and awareness months ahead of time. Please send submissions and ideas to: [email protected]