Peninsula - Wide U.S. Air Force Newspaper Volume 10, Issue 06 December 22, 2017 http://www.7af.pacaf.af.mil U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Gary Patterson, a loadmaster assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan, push a practice bundle from a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft during Operation Christmas Drop 2017, Dec. 8, 2017, near Naval Base, Guam. Over the course of 12 days, crews will airdrop donated food, supplies, educational materials, and tools to 56 islanders throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Richard P. Ebensberger) Santa’s on his way: 66th Operation Christmas Drop launches at Andersen AFB By Air Force Airman 1st Class Christopher Quail which delivers donated supplies to remote Pacific mobility command unit, the 734th Air Mobility islands via low-cost, low-altitude airdrops from Squadron and our international partners,” ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- The C-130 aircraft. said Col. Scott Hurrelbrink, 36th Wing vice 66th iteration of Operation Christmas Drop The mission is supported by U.S. Air Force, Navy commander. “While the training missions are took to the sky Dec. 11, 2017 as military leaders and Coast Guard, which are joined by Japanese conducted by maintenance and operations, it’s ceremoniously pushed the first pallet of donated Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air important to emphasize that this is truly a joint toys, food, supplies and educational materials into Force aircrews, offering teams of the participating endeavor that includes raising awareness and a C-130J Super Hercules at Andersen Air Force Base. nations a unique airdrop training opportunity. collecting donations from the local community The ceremony marked the continuation of “We are truly humbled with the relationship right here on Guam.” the longest running Department of Defense Andersen (AFB) shares with the men and women humanitarian and disaster relief training mission, of Yokota Air Base, our Andersen (AFB)-based air - Continues on page 6 - Strength of US-Philip- Wolf Pack completes pine alliance showcased Pen-wide VIGILANT New Year’s Sunrise during COMPACAF visit ACE 18 Festivals PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 24 PAGE 2 | C RIMSON S KY NEWS December 22, 2017 Crimson Sky F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Published by Seventh Air Force Wyo. (AFNS) -- The Airman’s 7th Air Force Creed is a promise to the U.S. and a rallying cry for Airmen to remain Commanding General/Publisher Lt. Gen. Thomas W. Bergeson the world’s greatest Air Force. The Public Affairs Officer/Editor words, “My mission is to fly, fight Lt. Col. Michal Kloeffler-Howard and win,” hold true for 20th Air PA Superintendent Force’s Tech. Sgt. Corey Rucker, Master Sgt. Jeremy Larlee a world champion who embodies Editor/COR the creed both professionally and Park, Do Young personally. 51st Fighter Wing Rucker recently returned Commander to Cheyenne, Wyoming from Col. William D. Betts Belgium, after winning the 2017 Public Affairs Officer SHAPE International Basketball Capt. Carrie Volpe Tournament playing for the U.S. Staff Writers Armed Forces Men’s Basketball Technical Sgt. Benjamin Wiseman Staff Sgt. Alex Echols Team. Team USA beat Canada, Staff Sgt. Franklin Ramos Great Britain, Latvia and Lithuania Staff Sgt. Tinese Jackson Airman 1st Class Gwendalyn Smith before dominating France in the 8th Fighter Wing championship game, 91-64, Dec. 2, 2017. Commander Col. David G.Shoemaker “Playing for the United States felt incredible,” said Rucker. Public Affairs Officer Capt. Christopher Mesnard “Getting to wear, ‘USA,’ on my Staff Writers chest while abroad gave me a Senior Airman Colville McFee huge sense of pride and feeling of Senior Airman Michael Hunsaker Senior Airman Colby Hardin accomplishment. Also, three of the SSgt. Victoria Taylor five starting players were Airmen, This Air Force newspaper is an authorized so we felt like we represented our publication for members of the Department of service very well.” Defense. Contents of Crimson Sky bi-Weekly are Tech. Sgt. Corey Rucker, 20th Air Force facility maintenance section not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by, The U.S. team consisted of 12 the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, or lead, poses in his team USA basketball jersey at F.E. Warren Air Force Department of the Air Force. The editorial content service members from all branches Base, Wyo., Dec. 14, 2017. Rucker played for the 2017 U.S. Armed of this bi-weekly publication is the responsibility of the military, to include active of the 7th Air Force Public Affairs APO AP 96278 Forces Men’s Basketball Team and won gold at the SHAPE International duty, Guard and Reserve. Rucker Circulation: 7,000 Basketball Tournament in Europe. Rucker is a leader on and off the said the experience allowed him court who strives for excellence professionally and personally. (U.S. Air Printed by Oriental Press, a private firm in no to make new friendships and way connected with the U.S. Government, under Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Ruano) exclusive written contract with the Contracting strengthen his leadership skills. Command-Korea. The civilian printer is responsible for commercial advertising. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Air Force or Oriental Press of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for Airman wins on and off the court purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital By 1st Lt. Veronica Perez, 20th Air Force Public Affairs status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal “As one of the older players and Armed Forces tournament for the holds himself accountable to an opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, highest enlisted member on the eighth year in a row. He has been incredibly high standard,” Hager the printer shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. team, I was leaned on to lead. an athlete all his life and uses said. “He is a servant leader who is Oriental Press Chief Executive Officer Whether it was just making sure basketball as an outlet to help him always willing to help anyone out Charles Chong that we were on time for practice, maintain a good work-life balance. without a complaint.” Marketing Manager or making an adjustment in the “It’s a great workout, while also Rucker is set to attend Officer Chris Vaia game, I had plenty of opportunities serving as a stress reliever when Training School next year to Art Director to hone my leadership skills,” I need it,” he said. “With all of become an acquisitions officer Eric Young-Seok Park he said. “Additionally, dealing the changes and challenges the and further contribute to the Commercial Advertising with members from five different military throws at you, family Air Force’s mission to fly, fight Telephone: 738-2222 ext. 6815 E-mail: [email protected] military branches, while and basketball have always been and win. According to Hager, Address: PSC 450, Box 758, APO AP 96206-0758 Location: Dragon Hill Lodge, Bldg. 4050-B navigating in a foreign country, staples in my life.” Rucker is well prepared for the was a leadership experience that I He plans to stay in the Air Force acquisitions career field because gained a lot from.” for as long as he can, following the he has worked with ICBM Visit us online Crimson Sky Team USA head coach Army footsteps of his father who retired modernization programs during Capt. Carl Little, St. Augustine’s as a master sergeant after serving design reviews, developmental www.7af.pacaf.af.mil University Army ROTC military in security forces and computer testing and deployment and he science assistant professor, operations. understands how to best equip commented on how Rucker As the facility maintenance the warfighter for mission positively impacted the team section lead for 20th Air Force, success. Submit Letters to the Editor, guest and pushed them to overcome he uses his almost nine years of Rucker attributes his commentaries, and story submissions intercontential ballistic missile accomplishments to his to the bi-weekly Crimson Sky at: challenges on the court. “As a veteran, Corey provided maintenance experience to enhance relationship with his parents, his [email protected] instrumental leadership in critical the maintenance operations of all wife’s unwavering support and [email protected] on-court situations,” said Little. three ICBM missile wings. Chief front line supervisors and mentors [email protected] “When the team needed a push, he Master Sgt. Jason Hager, 20th Air who have guided him throughout For all submitted items include a point of was one of the first to step up and Force Logistics chief, said Rucker his career. contact name and telephone number. All items bring the team together to fight is integral to A4 operations and “I’ve always had a strong work are subject to editing for content and to insure they conform with DoD guidelines. Seventh Air through adversity.” is a great mentor to the other ethic and an enormous sense of Force Public Affairs and the Crimson Sky bi- noncommissioned officers in the pride in my reputation,” he added. weekly staff are located at Seventh Air Force Rucker, a native of Dayton, Ohio, Osan Air Base. For information, call Commercial also played for the Air Force’s section. “In every position I find myself in, I 0505-784-4709 or DSN 315-784-4709.