On the cover: A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon command jet from the Iowa 's 132nd Fighter Wing "Hawkeyes" decorated with a bow arrived at the Air National Guard's "Jersey Devils" on Sept. 25 as part of a "bigmouth" conversion. The 177th Fighter Wing's "smallmouth" Block 30 F-16Cs are being swapped out for aircraft with the Modular Common Intake Duct, or "bigmouth" air intakes, which lead to greater airflow to the engine and increased performance. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht)

OCTOBER 2013, VOL. 47 NO. 10

THE CONTRAIL STAFF

177TH FW COMMANDER COL . KERRY M. GENTRY PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER 1ST LT. AMANDA BATIZ PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGER MASTER SGT. ANDREW J. MOSELEY PHOTOJOURNALIST MASTER SGT. SHAWN MILDREN

PHOTOJOURNALIST TECH. SGT. ANDREW J. MERLOCK PHOTOJOURNALIST AIRMAN FIRST CLASS SHANE KARP EDITOR/BROADCAST JOURNALIST TECH. SGT. MATT HECHT

AVIATION HISTORIAN DR. RICHARD PORCELLI

WWW.177FW.ANG.AF.MIL

For back issues of The Contrail, and other This funded newspaper is an authorized monthly publication for members of the U.S. Military Services. Contents of The Contrail are not multimedia products from the 177th necessarily the official view of, or endorsed by, the 177th FW, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Fighter Wing, please visit us at DVIDS! Air Force. The editorial content is edited, prepared, and provided by the Public Affairs Office of the 177th Fighter Wing. All photographs are Air Force photographs unless otherwise indicated Flashback PHOTO

That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” what we go through. For ex- ― Friedrich Nietzsche ample, the challenge of less employment through no fault It makes sense if you believe that there is a purpose in our of our own is frustrating. life and we benefit from all events. Its real meaning is that an event that hurts us emotionally or physically will pro- We begin to feel that we are victims and believe duce two circumstances: there is no hope for the future, however it becomes an opportunity for us to network and research the The first one being the negative effect of the event making support we will have around us, such as close the person “lose themself”. friends or the resources we can receive from the nu- merous organizations that focus on helping veterans The second makes the person aware and lets them rebuild and their families. We can depend on them to tell us to prevent that thing from happening again. However, the not to give up, but be a fighter and not a quitter. problem with the second one is that it can affect the per- son’s life in a negative way as well. It is these types of experiences that will make us a better person in the long run. We are still alive, and For example, a person who broke up with a significant oth- that means we have survived and can be proud of er might set up a wall to never let a person into their lives ourselves because we were tested and we passed like that again. This can hurt them in building relationships that character self-examination. with others or they may turn to alcohol or illegal drugs to camouflage their pain. On a personal level, if we have been abused or hurt in the past, and have been disappointed by the ac- Many of us have found that we will get tougher as part of tions of others, it is our ability to bounce back and be an experience we have been through or through life experi- determined that helps us survive and be even ence. Say for example we undergo a horrific experience, stronger than before. be it a sad occasion or something troubling. We have resources that can help each of you. How- When we are at our lowest point in time, and we cannot go ever, you must want the help and realize that it does on, we learn that it is our friends and family who will even- not represent weakness but in fact, wisdom. tually pull us out of the traumatic event, when we feel all We can only become stronger because of our life hope is lost. challenges and our resiliency to overcome those challenges. Call me for psychological health at We could only learn who was there for us and who our 609-289-6713. wingmen are when the going gets tough in the events in our lives. Thanks! Maj. Donald J. Strait with his P-51D “Jersey Jerk” in Europe, 1945. Enlisting in the New Jersey National I have found this saying to mean that it’s the tough experi- Guard before World War II, Strait went to flight school, becoming one of two fighter aces with National ences that shape us and that we will grow stronger from Guard backgrounds with 13.5 victories. Postwar, Strait commanded the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing, and retired in 1978 as a major general. (Air National Guard Historic Photo) The 177th Fighter Wing received the “These jets came totally painted and ready last batch of F-16C Fighting Falcons to go,” said Master Sgt. John Cobleigh from the 132nd Fighter Wing on Sept. from the 177th Fabrication Shop. 25. While they are the same Block 30 “The 132nd saved us literally hundreds of aircraft, they do have some minor differ- man hours.” ences, mainly the “Bigmouth” modifica- Story and photos by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht Crew Chief Senior Airman George tion that allows for greater airflow to the Ruczynski also weighed in, saying “These engine. jets are the cleanest and most well main- “The difference is in the thrust, it’s like tained jets I’ve ever seen. You can tell going from a Mustang to a Lambor- they were loved.” ghini,” said Capt. Brian Bradke, a The 132nd Fighter Wing, which is based Fighting Falcon pilot from the 119th at Des Moines International Airport, Ia., Fighter Squadron. “They’re both great traces it’s history to before World War II. machines, but this upgrade takes full ad- vantage of what the GE engine is capable The 132nd will be transitioning to Un- of.” manned Aerial Vehicles. The 177th Maintenance airmen marveled at the quality of the jets as they arrived.

(Above) The 132nd Fighter Wing commander’s F-16C Fighting Falcon parked at the 177th Fighter Wing after arriving on Sept. 25, 2013.

(Right) U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nathan Hollander inspects the intake of a jet from the 's 132nd Fighter Wing on Sept. 25 as part of a "bigmouth" conversion.

Click here for more information about the 132nd Fighter Wing VIPERS AT SUNRISE

Above: U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons from the New Jersey Air National Guard's 177th Fighter Wing at sunrise on Sept. 27, 2013 as seen by a panoramic photo. These aircraft are a new addition to the 177th, and were acquired from the Iowa Air National Guard's 132nd Fighter Wing. The 177th Fighter Wing is based out of Atlantic City International Airport, N.J. (U.S. Air National Guard photo illustration by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht)

The Making of a Photo

Click here to see the 177th in action! Left: U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons on the flight line at sunrise. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman First Class Shane Karp) Middle: Airman First Class Shane Karp + VIDEO CONTENT photographs the F-16’s at first light. Right: Master Sgt. John Cobleigh looks over an F-16C Fighting Falcon. (U.S. Air National Guard photos by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht) As described in last month’s column, Atlantic City’s Aero Meet of 1910 was a significant event in aviation history. The excitement generated by the exploits of Glenn Curtiss, Walter Brookins and other notable aviators only heightened the interest of Atlantic City in this new fron- Right: Nazi dirigible Hin- tier and, at the same time, made the city a focal point of denburg over Atlantic City further aviation developments. on its way to meet its fate at Lakehurst. The airport, later called Bader Field (named after Edward Below: Spirit of St. Louis Bader, City Commission and then Mayor of Atlantic City “Gathering of Eagles” at Bader Field hosted by hotelier Adrian Phillips; includes Charles Lindberg, Amelia guarded by Atlantic City’s finest, during Lindbergh’s who purchased the land for the airport), began operations Earhart, and WWI ace Capt. Eddy Rickenbacker, standing in front of Curtiss Condor II of Eastern Airways, the national tour, 1927. in 1910 and passenger service was authorized in 1911. The predecessor of now-defunct Eastern Airlines. Traymore Hotel was an important supporter of the service and Admiral Robert E. Peary, one of the first discoverers of City. It was also a time of record breaking flights, and due to the North Pole, was a member of the committee that spon- Atlantic City’s aviation prominence, it was involved. For ex- sored the development of the airport. By 1919, Glenn ample, in 1919 the Navy desired to exploit and publicize its Curtiss’ seaplane passenger service between Atlantic City development of anti-submarine flying boats during World War and New York, as well as local sightseeing flights, were well I by staging a record-breaking transatlantic flight. Four Curtiss established. Newspaper reporter Robert Woodhouse popu- NC flying boats, NC-1, -2, -3 and -4, were tasked to fly from larized this “flying limousines” service in an article where Rockaway Naval Air Station, Brooklyn, to Plymouth, England. he resurrected the term “air port” in describing the opera- The flight was planned for numerous legs, with stops along tions and the importance of Atlantic City as a terminus. the northeastern and Canadian coasts, along side eight pre- positioned Navy ships, the Azores and Portugal, for refueling,

meals, and crew rest. Ultimately, NC-2 was cannibalized to Local realtor and promoter B. George Ulizio was crucial in provide spares, and the remaining 3 aircraft departed Brook- the development of the airport; he even arranged for Jack lyn on May 8, 1919. Only NC-4 completed the flight, reaching Dempsey to establish a training camp on the airfield prior Europe (Lisbon, Portugal) 10 days later, with a total flying time to the Dempsey-Carpentier championship fight of 1921 to of 26 hours and 46 minutes. It flew on to Plymouth on May promote the airfield. The city purchased the airport from 29. The crew, commanded by Albert Cushing Read, received private interests in July, 1922, adding athletic fields on the worldwide acclaim. The NC-4 was dismantled, shipped to site, and renaming the complex Bader Field at that time. New York, reassembled and sent on a nationwide publicity tour with the first stop being Atlantic City! Arriving at the At-

lantic City Yacht Club, located at Gardner’s Basin, NC-4 and Starting from 1919, the following years saw a rapid growth her crew were welcomed by Mayor Harry Bacharach and oth- in civil aviation in the country, as well as service to Atlantic er notables and treated to a number of days of celebration. A Curtiss Condor I airliner of Chamberlain Airlines,

Bader Field. Chamberlain Airlines and then Eastern Airways flew Curtiss Con- dor I biplane airliners from Atlan- tic City. Considered "huge" in its day, it could carry 18 passengers in relative comfort. The Condor airliner was actually the commer- cial version of an Army Air Corps bomber. Starting in 1933 it was replaced by the larger Curtiss Condor II, equipped with variable pitch propellers and other en- hancements, and flown from Ba- der Field by Eastern Airways and American Airways. Bader Field was originally a grass field, and during the ear- ly 1920s three short gravel runways were laid out and a number of hangers constructed along US route 40. By Starting in the late 1920s and Captain Read and the crew of NC-4 are received by Mayor Bacha- 1932 they were supplemented with three gravel runways, continuing through the 1930s, Bader Field also saw opera- rach and city officials upon arrival at Atlantic City Yacht Club, June each about 2500 feet long. Since it was hemmed in on tions of the Ford 5-AT-C Trimotor airliner of New York Air- 1919. three sides by the inland waterways and on the fourth ways. Regular service linked Atlantic City to Washington In May, 1927, Charles Lindbergh completed his epoch side, a highway, there was no chance for expansion of the and New York (actually Newark Airport). non-stop, 3500 mile solo flight from Roosevelt Field, in airport. Long Island, to Le Bourget airfield, Paris in 33.5 hours. After his return to New York New York millionaire Harry Recognizing the importance of air transport for the future Guggenheim sponsored Lindbergh’s three-month publici- The Atlantic City government and business leaders recog- development of Atlantic City as a leading resort and con- ty tour that touched down in 92 cities in all 48 states. nized the need for a new, larger municipal airport. Atlan- vention city, famed hotelier Adrian Phillips was a strong Three stops from his return to New York, the Ryan Spirit tic City’s Mayor Altman approached nine of the major air- advocate and promoter. He organized a 1931 ‘Gathering of St. Louis, landed at Bader Field and Lindbergh received lines of the day, soliciting their introduction of service into of Eagles’ bringing together the notable aviation personali- the acclaim of Atlantic City’s population. the new airport but only Eastern Airlines agreed. The city ties of the day for a meeting at Bader Field. Attendees in- acquired about 5,000 acres west of the city in Egg Harbor While most school children learn of the name Charles cluded Charles Lindberg, Amelia Earhart, Capt. Eddie Rick- Township near Pomona for the new airport, a drinking Lindbergh and his famous flight, how many of us know enbacker along with city officials and other notables. the name Clarence Chamberlain? Just a week after Lind- water reservoir (visible today from the GSP) and future bergh’s flight, Chamberlain along with his passenger, city needs. Towards this end, the city and the Civil Aero- sponsor Charles Levine, flew a Bellanca monoplane Although not a factor in Atlantic City’s influence on avia- nautics Administration using Works Projects Administra- named Columbia from Roosevelt Field to just short of tion development, there was coincidental aviation related tion [WPA] funds amounting to $1.5 million started con- their goal Berlin. Even though he broke Lindbergh’s week event in 1937. On May 6, the Nazi dirigible LZ-129, Hinden- struction of the new Atlantic City municipal airport on -old non-stop transatlantic distance record, and actually burg, was nearing completion of its scheduled passenger Monday November 10, 1941. About 1200 workers were was very instrumental in the development of civil avia- service from Frankfurt to Naval Air Station Lakehurst, when hired to clear 2000 acres of land and lay out four, mile- tion, he remains overshadowed by Lindbergh. In fact, he thunderstorms forced Captain Pruss to take his airship on long paved runways. But, less than a month later, the established a number of airlines, including the epony- an excursion down the New Jersey shore to wait out the A Ford 5-AT-C Trimotor of New York Airways at Bader Field. Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the was mous Chamberlain Airlines, which used Bader Field as a weather. One of the last photos of the ill-fated airship was at war. The fate of the new municipal airport was hub connecting New York City (Newark Airport), Philadel- taken over Atlantic City’s Breakers and St. Charles Hotels changed drastically, becoming Naval Air Station Atlantic phia and Washington. on its journey to meet its destiny at Lakehurst. City – the subject of next month’s article. SFS ON PATROL

STORY BY TECH. SGT. MATT HECHT/PHOTOS BY AIRMAN FIRST CLASS SHANE KARP

Airmen from the 177th Security Forces Squadron honed their combat skills here on Sept. 29. Led by an experienced cadre of fellow Security Forces members, a 12-person team was led through some of the basics of patrolling and room clearance procedures.

“Room clearing is a perishable skill if it’s not practiced often,” said Master Sgt. John Sacchetti, the 177th Secu- rity Forces Squadron operations superintendent. “For Security Forces it’s important to keep practicing these skills that may one day save your life in an active shoot- er event or clearing a building in an ‘outside-the-wire’ operation in the AOR.” “For Security Forces it’s important to keep practicing these skills that Master Sgt. Erica Nelson (right) and Staff Sgt. Mary Milligan (left), both assigned to the 177th Security Forces Squadron, listen to an may one day save your life.” - Master Sgt. John Sacchetti, 177th SFS instructor during training here on Sept. 29.

Click here to see more! + VIDEO CONTENT Security Forces Fact Sheet Staff Sgt. Mark Naughton participates in room clearing drills at the 177th Fighter Wing on Sept. 29. Naughton is assigned Security Forces personnel are the Air Force's first to the 177th Security Forces Squadron. line of defense and it is their job to maintain the rule of law on all Air Force bases and installations. All police activities associated with an Air Force base, from securing the perimeter of the base to being a dog handler, fall under this career field. Security Forces personnel are responsible for en- suring the safety of all base weapons, property and personnel from hostile forces. Security Forces personnel also train dog teams in all aspects of canine law enforcement and are occasionally as- signed to an armory to control and safeguard arms, ammunition and equipment. This career Above: Tech. Sgt. James Eckert scans his surround- ings during patrol training on Sept. 29. Eckert is a field directly leads into a civilian job of law en- traditional guardsman, and a local police officer. forcement officer, security personnel and related Below: Staff Sgt. Mary Milligan (left) and Master government security agencies. Sgt. Erica Nelson (right) take cover during patrol training at the 177th Fighter Wing on Sept. 29. 177th Fighter Wing Commander Col. Kerry M. Gentry presents Chief Master Sgt. Carl Scrivani with a flag flown over the 177th in honor of his retirement on Sept. 29. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman First Class Shane Karp) (From left to right) Master Sgt. John Sacchetti, Master Sgt. Erica Nelson, and Airmen from the 177th Logistics Readiness Squadron pose for a photo at an undis- Master Sgt. Stan Carroll, all from the 177th Security Forces Squadron, competed closed deployed location. The airmen, fuel systems specialists, are ensuring that in the Tri-State Tough Mudder in Englishtown, N.J. on Oct. 12 as “Team Kolfage,” mission critical aviation assets as well as other equipment are being refueled. in honor of Senior Airman Brian Kolfage, a Security Forces airman injured in Iraq. From left to right: Staff Sgt. Dominic Francesco, Tech. Sgt. Andrew Devito, Staff (Courtesy photo) Sgt. Paolo Imberti, Senior Airman Jessie Silva, and Tech. Sgt. Joseph Cooper. (Courtesy photo)

For more awards photos, check out the 177th Fighter Wing Facebook page! Lt. Col Kevin Kelly, an F-16C Fighting Falcon pilot with the 119th Fighter Squadron lands at the 177th Fighter Wing on Sept. 27. Kelly flew his “Fini Flight,” and finished his flying career in the Air National Guard with 3,286 flight hours. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht)

Members of the and 177th Fighter Wing participated in the annual Quick Response Force (QRF) training September 29, 2013, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. QRF training teaches Guard members how to deal with disturbances when called to duty for civil support. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Adrian R. Rowan)

Airmen, their families and friends from the 177th Fighter Wing participated in the Hero Walk on Oct. 6 in Ocean City, N.J. Team “Jersey Devils” raised $635, and ranked 19 out of 105 teams for fundraising. The message of the event was to encourage the use of desig- nated drivers and to help prevent drunken driving accidents. (Courtesy photo) Safely and securely, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal [EOD] airmen from the 177th Civil Engineering EOD Squadron detonated munitions on Sept. 28 at the Fort Dix, N.J. EOD [Making Things range. The 177th’s EOD team regu- larly conducts demolition training, Go BOOM] which aids them in their combat role of disabling enemy Improvised Explosive Devices.

Left: Staff Sgt. Philip Douglass goes through a crate of demolition materials prior to setup of con- trolled detonations. Right: Staff Sgt. Joseph Coates goes through a safety briefing in an armored bun- ker at the Fort Dix EOD range. (U.S. Air National Guard photos by Airman First Class Shane Karp)

Click here to see more! The first in a series of detonations preformed by the EOD techs from the 177th Fighter Wing at the Fort Dix EOD range on Sept. 28. (U.S. + VIDEO CONTENT Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht) A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon piloted by Maj. Gregory Poston from the New Jersey Air Na- tional Guard's 119th Fighter Squadron, 177th Fighter Wing "Jersey Devils," takes off in afterburner for a training flight on Oct. 18 at Atlantic City Air National Guard Base, N.J. (U.S. Air National Final Guard photo illustration by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht) Photo Jersey Thunder