SEPTEMBER 2016 onTHE OFFICIALf MAGAZINEinal OF THE 507TH AIR REFUELING

SIXTY YEARS OF

THESERVICE: KC-135 REACHES A NEW MILESTONE Vol. 36, No. 9 // 2016 september COVER THIS MONTH WING COMMANDER New LRS Commander Col. Douglas E. Gullion SIXTY YEARS OF SERVICE 4 Recruiting Team A KC-135 on the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center periodic depot mainte- 5 WING COMMAND CHIEF nance line in the late 1950s. Chief Master Sgt. Stephen A. Brown On the Okie Radar: Important Dates STORY ON p. 8 6 New Vice Wing Commander PUBLIC AFFAIRS COVER PHOTO Courtesy of Tinker History Office 7 CHIEF, PUBLIC AFFAIRS Closer Look: Maj. Jon Quinlan SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH Tech. Sgt. Michael Moore September is suicide prevention month, a reminder to #BeThere for your collegues, 10 SUPERINTENDENT family and friends. September Promotions Master Sgt. Grady Epperly 17 11

UNDER ITS WING Quarterly Award Winners PHOTOJOURNALISTS 14 Tech. Sgt. Lauren Gleason A trip on a KC-135 refueling mission from local reporter Silas Allen of the Tech. Sgt. Charles Taylor Oklahoman. 9/11: Remembering Welles Crowther 18 21

507TH AIR REFUELING WING Contents of On-final are not necessarily endorsed by or the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the AF. Published by The Journal Record Publishing Company, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract PUBLIC AFFAIRS with the commander or commander. This civilian enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Tinker Take Off and On-final are not necessarily the official views of, or 7435 Reserve Rd, Suite 114 endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. The appearance of advertising in this publica- , Okla. 73145 tion, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or The Journal Record Publishing Company of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for Phone: (405)-734-3078 purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. The editorial content is edited, prepared, and provided by the 507th Air Refueling Email: [email protected] Wing’s public affairs office, which is located at 7435 Reserve Road, Suite 4, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., 73145-8726. All photographs are Air Force photographs unless otherwise indicated. URL: WWW.507ARW.AFRC.AF.MIL photos by Tech. Sgt. Lauren Gleason 2 // On-Final 3 // On-Final Reserve FUELING THE FIGHT RECRUITERS Senior Master Sgt. Donald Cantrell Flight Chief Tinker AFB, OK Office (405) 734-5331 Cell (405) 409-4784

Master Sgt. Master Sgt. Derrick Mills Colin McDonald In-Service Recruiter In-Service Recruiter Tinker AFB, OK Tinker AFB, OK Cell (405) 409-5170 Office (405) 734-5555 Cell (405) 409-4784

Tech. Sgt. Tech. Sgt. Keith Hassell Nickelette Parrish Line Recruiter Line Recruiter ABOVE: A German Tornado receives fuel from the 507th ARW over Nor- Midwest City, OK Moore, OK way in August 2016. In August, members of the 507th ARW supported Cell (405) 409-5811 Cell (405) 409-6311 NATO operations in the European theater at RAF Mildenhall, England. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Shaylon Ladd) For information on opportunities in the AF Reserve, RIGHT: A U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle gets gassed up by the Okies over Swe- give one of our team members a call today. den in August 2016. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Shaylon Ladd)

aj. Damien C. Miller assumed through the ROTC program at Florida Atlan- effective.” command of the 507th Logistics tic University in Boca Raton, Florida. He has Lt. Col. Greg Russell, 507th Mission Sup- TAKING COMMAND: Readiness Squadron here Aug. 6, held various logistic positions and served in port deputy commander and presid- 507th LRS gets new commander 2016. Southwest Asia, including Afghanistan. MMiller is the former Director of Opera- As the commander, Miller will lead the to the new commander. tions of the 482nd Logistics Readiness squadron to provide contingency deploy- ing “Empowerofficer of the your ceremony, troops,” offered said Russell. advice Squadron at Homestead Air Reserve Base, ment support, material management and “They’ll give you everything you need to get Florida. fuels services in the continental U.S. and lo- the job done.” As he took command, Miller thanked the cations around the world. The 507th LRS trains and equips the 507th LRS Director of Operations, Maj. Brit- “To the men and women of the 507th Lt Col. Gregg Russell, deputy commander of the 507th Mission Sup- nee McIntyre, and logistics manager, James LRS, I am honored to be your commander, The personnel performs aircraft fuels sup- port Group, passes the 507th Logistics Readiness Squadron guidon (Woody) Steinmann, who led the squadron but this is not my assumption of command warfighterport, asset management,for worldwide deployment combat support. plan- to Maj. Damien C. Miller during an assumption of command cer- during the interim. ceremony, it is ours,” said Miller. “I chal- emony Aug. 6, 2016, at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. (U.S. Air Force Miller received his commission in 2004 lenge each of you to become more combat photo by Master Sgt. Grady Epperly) ning and execution, vehicle operations, fleet and traffic management services.

4 // On-Final 5 // On-Final Meet the vice wing commander: Col. Dana Nelson

,, NOVEMBER UTA NOV. 5-6 MARK YOUR CALENDAR WITH THESE UPCOMING EVENTS: COMMANDER’S CALL @ TBD BASE THEATER NOV. 6 SEPTEMBER UTA SEP. 10-11 DECEMBER UTA DEC.3-4 507TH ARW SUPER FAMILY DAY @ 1200 ir Force Reserve Command officials an- Attaché. She served as an attaché in Slovenia, as an ANNUAL AWARD PACKAGES DUE NLT 1600 nounced this month Col. Dana N. Nel- analyst at the Joint Intelligence Center, U.S. Trans- IN HANGAR 1030 DEC. 3 son has been selected as the new vice portation Command and as the Chief of the Survey SEP. 10 Awing commander for the 507th Air Refu- Analysis Center in Doha, Qatar. In 2005, she joined eling Wing here. the 459th Air Refueling Wing, Joint Base Andrews, Nelson last served as an Individual Mobilization Maryland, and held various leadership positions SFS ASSUMPTION OF COMMAND @1000 JANUARY UTA JAN. 7-8 970TH AACS AUDITORIUM Augmentee to the Chief, Air Advisor Branch, Joint including Chief of Training, Chief of the Exercise Base Anacostia-Bolling, Maryland. She arrived at Evaluation Team, flight commander and command- SEP. 11 Tinker Sept. 7, and is now serving as the second in er of the 756th Air Refueling Squadron. While sta- command of the largest Air Force Reserve flying tioned at Andrews, she also volunteered for several unit in the state of Oklahoma. tours at Headquarters, Air Force, in Information Op- OCTOBER UTA OCT 15-16 SUPER UTA Nelson received her commission in 1990 following erations and Special Access Programs, and further 4TH QUARTER AWARDS DUE FEBRUARY UTA FEB. 2-5 graduation from the Air Force Acad- volunteered for a DIA Air Attaché tour to Suva, Fiji. emy. She began her flying career at Robins Air Force Nelson is a veteran of Operations Southern OCT. 15 Base, Georgia. While on active duty, Nelson flew Watch, Allied Force, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Free- DATES AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. FOR various models of KC-135s for more than 10 years. dom, New Dawn and numerous other operations EXERCISE UPDATES, CHECK THE 507TH WEBSITE HERE. In 2002, she joined the Air Force Reserve with the and contingencies in support of the nation’s security OCT. 27-30 Defense Intelligence Agency as a Foreign Area Air strategy.

6 // On-Final 7 // On-Final Soaring to Sixty: KC-135 remains backbone of air refueling By Tinker Air Force Base Public Affairs Published August 31, 2016 of the U.S. Air Force. The KC-135 is a true testament of tankers,The Air along Force’s with fleet special eventually mission totaledvariants 732 for planesrecon- thewould dedication not be flying of generations if it was not of for Airmen the men past and and women pres- The KC-135 Stratotanker celebrates its 60th anniver- naissance,produced betweenelectronic 1954 surveillance, and 1965. ThisVIP andfleet airborneincludes ent from engineers and aircrew to mechanics on the sary this year and from the start, Tinker Air Force Base command posts. In 1976, Air Force Reserve Command ground.” has played a crucial role in the longevity of the jet while The Stratotanker’s capabilities go beyond those of operating and maintaining this strategic aircraft. The KC-135 has been the stalwart refueling asset just . As an airlift platform, the KC-135 usedreceived to supporttheir first the KC-135. United States’ readiness and war can carry up to 83,000 pounds of cargo and almost 40 direction of General Curtis Lemay, needed an air refu- capability since reaching initial operating capability. For passengers. It can also perform in an aeromedical evac- In the mid-fifties, , under the uation role, capable of transporting litter and ambula- aircraft of the day. At the time, B-52s often had War as part of the nuclear deterrence “Global Reach” ca- tory patients using patient support pallets and a medial toeling lower aircraft their that landing could gear keep to up create with enoughthe fighter drag and to pabilityyears the of aircraft Strategic flew Air missionsCommand in and support other ofcombatant the Cold commands. Even with the recent introduction of the next genera- causing stress on the gear and burning many pounds The KC-135 was the primary on-station refueler dur- tioncrew air of refuelingflight nurses aircraft, and medical the KC-46 technicians. Pegasus, Air Mobil- ofmatch valuable the speed fuel. of the propeller driven KC-97 in flight, ity Command has continued to invest in upgrades and The introduction of the KC-135 eliminated this prob- of Operations Desert Shield/Storm, Northern /South- life-extension projects for the KC-135. The latest up- lem with its ability to reach speeds exceeding 450 mph erning theWatch, Vietnam Allied Conflict. Force, Iraqi/Enduring It has also been Freedom the backbone and is grade is the KC-135R Block 45 which provides an im- while carrying more than double the off-loadable fuel Crew chiefs with the 507th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron now heavily tasked to support strikes against ISIS in the of the KC-97. at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., connect a drogue adapter with an updated autopilot and digital panels. Tinker’s role began almost immediately after the to a KC-135R Stratotanker July 10, 2016, during RIMPAC here at Tinker. provement to the flight deck that provides flight crews contract for the purchase of 29 aircraft in 1954. The 2016 in Hawaii. (Photo by Master Sgt. Grady Epperly) Middle East many of those missions are flow by crews Mocio and his civilian deputy, Charles Darnell here at TinkerThe Legacy are responsible Tanker program for lifecycle office management headed by of the Boeing’s Payne Field in Washington state. KC-135’sBecause first of its flight maintenance took place function, Aug. 31, 1956,Tinker fromhas AFB, California in June 1957. Just a few months later, the KC-135 are conducted here at the Oklahoma City Air began before the first jet was even delivered to Castle perhaps the longest continuous association of any - LogisticsKC-135 fleet Complex. while maintenance, repair and overhaul of Air Force base, as plans for the aircraft’s maintenance nance trainer. Mr. Darnell notes the importance of the aircraft to the the first aircraft visited Tinker to become a mainte Air Force’s reliance on the KC-135. A U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet prepares to receive fuel from a KC-135R Stratotanker assigned to the 465th Air Refueling Squadron at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., July 20, 2016, during Rim of the Pacific 2016. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Lauren Gleason) SEE SOARING, p. 10

A KC-135R Stratotanker from the 507th Air Refueling Wing performs a fly over during the Star Spangled Salute air show at Tinker Air Force Base June 21, 2014. (Air Force Tankers were essential in allowing heavy fighter- to photo by Senior Airman Mark Hybers) reach North Vietnamese targets and return. Tinker Air Force Base’s role began almost immediately after the contract for the purchase of 29 aircraft in 1954. The KC-135’s first flight took place Aug. 31, 1956, from Boeing’s Payne Field in Washington State. (U.S. Air Force photo) In 1994, the 507th Air Refueling Wing began oper- ating and maintaining the KC-135 on operational mis- sion’s here. The 507th is an Air Force Reserve Command unit and is continuously supporting worldwide contin- gency operations and U.S. Strategic Command’s national emergency requirements with eight KC-135 Stratotank- ers. The Citizen Airmen of the unit are proud of their contribution to the history of this airframe. “We take a lot of pride is operating and maintaining the KC-135,” Col. Douglas Gullion, 507th Air Refueling Wing commander said. “It’s an amazing aircraft but it

8 // On-Final 9 // On-Final September A CLOSER PROMOTIONS

BALDWIN, JOSEPH J., 970 AACS Tech. Sgt. Michael Moore CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT

465TH AIR REFUELING SQUADRON DE LORENZI, JO B., 507 CES IN-FLIGHT REFUELING TECHNICIAN ORR, JASON, 507 MXG MASTER SERGEANT

ADAMS, JOHN K., 35 CBCS WHAT IS A LITTLE KNOWN MOORE, MICHAEL C., 465 ARS FACT ABOUT YOU? I am afraid of snakes. TECHNICAL SERGEANT WHAT IS YOUR CIVILIAN JOB? WHEN DID YOU JOIN THE I am an Oklahoma City MILITARY? SANCHEZ, LISA R., 507 CES Police Officer. THORNBERRY, BRIAN, 507 MDS August of 2007. STAFF SERGEANT WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF WHAT DO YOU DO FOR YOUR JOB? FUN? The people and the op- ANTHONY, TAYLOR L., 507 LRS I like to hunt anything portunities to travel, and DIGGS, CALEB W., 507 CES that moves, from deer and FAITH, ZACKARY E., 513 AMXS I love the family atmo- hogs to ducks and turkey. GAITHER, LATONDA M., 513 OSS sphere that we Okies NJOGO, DANIEL G., 72 APS have. THOMAS, MICHEAL T., 507 SFS AS A KID, WHAT WAS YOUR Being part of a flying SENIOR AIRMAN DREAM JOB? squadron allows me to To be a police officer. see the world. I’ve been to Japan, Hawaii, Guam BILSBURY, KATHERINE A., 507 MDS WHAT IS YOUR CAREER DONNDELINGER, ALEC, 507 LRS and Turkey. GOAL? ORTIZ, RUTH B., 507 CES

I would like to make Chief AIRMAN FIRST CLASS Master Sgt. one day.

WALLACE, MELISA J., 507 LRS

AIRMAN 10 // On-Final Story and photos by Tech. Sgt. Lauren Gleason FORGING TAKING THE LEAD STORY AND PHOTOS BY TECH. SGT. LAUREN GLEASON THE KC-46:

NEW TRAINING CENTER OPENS TO PREPARE TANKER AIRCREWS By Senior Airman Dillon Davis, 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Af- fairs

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFNS) -- A new training U.S. Sen. James Lankford, from Oklahoma, gives a speech at the “Forging the 46” event, wenty-five students from Tinker and other re- Enlisted leaders from the 507th Air Refueling Wing and other units center for the KC-46 Pegasus was Aug. 30, 2016, at , Okla. The 730th AMTS falls under the 507th Air in the Air Force Reserve Command, along with 507th Air Refueling Refueling Wing, and many of the Okies will be training on the new aircraft. The event serve units in the Air Force Reserve Command Wing commander Col. Doug Gullion, pose for a graduation photo officially dedicated here Aug. 30, consisted of an assumption of command for the reactivated 56th Air Refueling Squadron, graduated from a one-week leadership course upon completion of the NCO Leadership Development Course dedication of the new KC-46 training facility, speeches from key Air Force and community T Aug. 12, 2016, at the Hill Conference Center. along with the activation of the leaders and concluded with a tour of the new facility for attendees. (U.S. Air Force photo/ here Aug. 12. 56th Air Refueling Squadron, Airman Jackson N. Haddon) Course instructor, Senior Master Sgt. Kenneth issues that we all deal with in the workplace,” said which will be the formal training Wright, a Health Services Management superinten- Wright. “We will try to find ways for you to cope with unit for the Air Force’s next-gen- stand again, on the shoulders of gi- truly a paradigm shift in air refu- dent from the 908th Aeromedical Staging Squadron at situations in your work center.” eration refueling aircraft. ants, as we reach a new milestone eling and continuation of the long Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, says the Noncom- Staff Sgt. Mary Ly, an environmental electrical The integration of the KC-46 in dedicating our newest formal tradition of the 56th (ARS).” missioned Officer Leadership Development Course is technician with the 507th Maintenance Squadron into the Air Force is one of the top training unit, the 56th ARS.” Community partners made a taught once a month throughout Air Force Reserve here, said the interaction made her realize the value of three aircraft modernization pro- The new center, named the Lev- point to recognize the unique part- Command. Each of the 24 instructors in the cadre working as a team. grams intended to maintain global erett Formal Training Center, will nership between Altus AFB and teaches approximately three classes a year. “Actually practicing the scenarios was really ben- vigilance, reach and power. be vital to future Air Force aerial the city of Altus. “This class is a safe environment for discussing real eficial and gave me a basis for when tough situations “Today’s event marks an impor- refueling and joint service opera- “With the KC-46 coming to Al- happen in real life,” Ly said. tant milestone for (Air Education tions since it will serve as the first tus, a lot of good things are going Col. Doug Gullion, 507th Air Refueling Wing commander, speaks to the enlisted leaders upon their graduation from NCO Leadership Not all of the students were from the local area. and Training Command) and the stop for all KC-46 aircrew mem- to happen and it’s all thanks to the Development Course Aug. 12, 2016, at the Hill Conference Center at Tech. Sgt. David Alton, a firefighter with the 914th ,” said Lt. bers. community,” said U.S. Sen. Jim Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. Civil Engineer Squadron, traveled to Tinker from Ni- Gen. Darryl Roberson, the AETC “Members of the 56th ARS are Inhofe from Oklahoma. agara Falls Air Reserve Station, New York. commander. “Safety, proficiency AETC’s and the Air Force’s first The 56th ARS will begin train- “The course definitely improved my skills at writ- and the ability to make the com- KC-46 aircrew members,” said ing aircrew members this fall. KC- ing enlisted performance reports and writing in gen- plex seem routine were the hall- Lt. Col. Daniel Ruttenber, who as- 46 aircrew students train using eral,” Alton said. “I would recommend it to anyone mark of the Air Force’s refueling sumed command of the unit. “The pilot and boom operator simula- who wants to be a better leader.” training with Altus (Air Force 56th ARS activation and dedica- tors to conduct hands-on training 507th Air Refueling Wing commander, Col. Doug Base) leading the way. Today, we tion of the formal training unit is before in-flight training missions. Gullion, was on hand to speak to and congratulate the SOARING (continued from p. 7) tion, nuclear standoff, global mobility currently in service are spread across students. “Without the tankers, we don’t do the is all enabled by the tanker programs active-duty, and Air The Air Force Reserve Command NCOLDC was mission we have to do across the globe,” managed here at Tinker,” the colonel Force Reserve Command units across established in 1989 in order to equip enlisted person- he said. “The tanker is core to the Air said. “We have the largest organic Air the continental U.S. and overseas bas- Force projection needs.” nel with valuable leadership training. Colonel Mocio elaborated on that aircraft enters or leaves this facility.” forces of Chile, France, Singapore and The five-day course enlisted leaders how to recog- point by saying air refueling enables all ForceThe PDM legendary operation. tanker, Every continues five days anto Turkey.es. The aircraft(Greg Davis, is also Maj. flown Jon by Quinlan the air nize leadership skills in an organization, how to rec- the Air Force missions. be the backbone of the Air Force’s air and Capt. Joe Simms contributed to this ognize the impact of power in a group, how to develop report) “Strike projection, bomber projec- team-building skills and other leadership qualities. refueling fleet. The 414 Stratotankers 12 // On-Final 13 // On-Final

AIRMAN OF THE QUARTER DIAMOND SHARP AWARD

Lt. Col Hood departs

NOT PICTURED: SENIOR NCO OF THE QUARTER:

MASTER SGT. AUBRIE MISKELL, 507 MDS

Senior Airman Brandy Hill, 465th ARS, holds her award for Airman of the Quarter, alongside 507th ARW Commander, Col. Staff Sgt. Jacob Keeler, 507th AMXS, is awarded the Diamond Sharp Award by the 1st Sgt. Council for his outstanding per- Douglas Gullion, Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Brown and community partners from the Moore Chamber of formance during Rim of the Pacific Exercise in Hawaii. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Lauren Gleason) Commerce and Tinker Federal Credit Union Aug. 7, 2016. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Lauren Gleason) COMPANY GRADE NCO OF THE QUARTER OFFICER OF THE FITNESS EXCELLENCE QUARTER:

CAPT. KRISTINE CORSER, 507TH MXG, CGO

Tech. Sgt Allen Hockenbrock, 507th MXS, holds his award for NCO of the Quarter, alongside 507th ARW Commander, Col. Senior Airman Jorge Martinez, 507th CES, Staff Sgt. Tylyn Dennis, 507th MXG, Senior Master Sgt. Justin Hopkins, 465th ARS, Douglas Gullion, Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Brown and community partners from the Moore Chamber of and Tech. Sgt. Jared Fritze, 507th AMXS, are recognized by Col. Douglas Gullion, 507th ARW commander, for excellent Commerce and Tinker Federal Credit Union Aug. 7, 2016. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Lauren Gleason) fitness scores Aug. 7, 2016. Not pictured are Senior Airman Austin Ferrari, 507th MXS, and Staff Sgt. Craig Garrison, 507th OSS. Fritze scored a 100 on his test, Dennis scored a 99.9, Hopkins scored a 99.8, Martinez scored a 98.9, Ferrari scored a 98.9, and Garrison scored a 98.5. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Lauren Gleason) 6 // On-Final

14 // On-Final PHOTOS BY TECH SGT. LAUREN GLEASON 15 // On-Final EVERY AIRMAN PLAYS A ROLE IN SUICIDE PREVENTION INTERTWINING THE CIVILIAN By J.D. Levite, Air Force Surgeon General Public Affairs FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- The Air comfortable turning to for help. need help. Plus, they can always AND MILITARY WORLD Force is determined to prevent “[Leaders] really need to get - suicide, but you don’t need to be involved with their Airmen and sultants at Airman and Family Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Abion a specialist or doctor to do that. get to know them personally so findReadiness Military Centers. and Family Life Con Sometimes all it takes is start- they can identify when things are Something new the Air Force is hen Senior Airman Josh Lemley arrived ing a conversation. Everyone has not going well,” Foster said. “They doing is embedding Military and to work that morning, he wasn’t expect- a role to play. That’s a key part can see subtle changes in their Family Life Consultants directly ing the change of status in threats and of the Department of Defense’s behavior and in their personality into the squadrons. MFLCs don’t Wimmediate tension to fill the room so quickly. #BeThere Campaign, which en- and in their work productivity so replace mental health or medi- Lemley’s first deployment was to Incirlik Air Base, cal services, but they Turkey, where his unit supported the A-10 Wart- do provide access to hog, the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control a short-term coun- System, as well as AC-130 combat support missions selling service. Air- against terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria. men with embedded While deployed, he and his unit were briefed re- MFLCs will have in- garding the threats to the base. He said their training creased access to this paid off when it was time to complete the mission, service at the point and despite the dangers, he and his unit remained where they need it. vigilant and got the job done. Lemley said he gained “We’re decreas- a new perspective on the world after completing his ing the barriers, de- first deployment. creasing the stigma, “Compared to being at home station, you get an im- increasing availabil- mediate sense of accomplishment, especially against ity and increasing the the Islamic state of Iraq and Syria,” said Lemley. “It’s use of services,” Fos- all towards a good cause and it’s a really good feel- courages making a difference they can intervene early and help ter said. “They know the culture ing.” through every day connections. that Airman get the tools and the of the squadron they’re a part of When the crew chief with the 507th Aircraft Main- “We’re sending the message right resources that they need.” and that makes it easier for Air- tenance Squadron returned to Oklahoma before that it’s ok to have problems and Commanders have a huge role men to trust them and feel like the coup d’etat in July, he was still concerned for his it’s ok to talk about them. Hav- to play in preventing suicides they can go to them.” team back in Turkey. ing problems and talking about because they have such a large He said ideally by catching The extensive training that aided him during his them with people you work with things early or referring Airmen deployment also prepared him to garner a civilian openly is a sign of strength, not to the appropriate care at the position as a fuels maintainer on the B-52 Stratofor- weakness,” said Maj. Joel Foster, createamount an of influence,environment said Foster.that is right time, MFLCs could help Air- tress at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex Chief of Air Force Deployment conducive“They have to help-seeking the influence be to- men in all four areas of Air Force here. Health who supports the Suicide havior, to promoting a healthy resiliency by keeping them physi- “It showed that I not only had experience with mili- Prevention Program with annual lifestyle and encouraging a sense cally, emotionally, psychological- tary standards and protocol, Occupational Safety training. “The fact that everyone of balance in life,” he said. “If we & Health Administration standards, but their stan- can intervene is part of the mes- have all of those factors operat- “The bottom line here is if you dards as well,” Lemley said. saging we’re trying to promote. ing, then Airmen will feel a sense havely and your spiritually life well-ordered, fit. and Lemley, a traditional Reservist, is finishing his Com- Every Airman is a censor.” of connectedness. They’ll have a you are engaged in all four do- munity College of the Air Force degree, in addition He said Airmen should look out strong support system to buffer to performing regular duties and staying current on against the stressors of life.” is not something you would re- training and fitness. As a traditional Reservist, all of in mood or behavior, substance There are already a number sortmains to.” of Airmen fitness, suicide these tasks must be accomplished within the one abuse,for certain indications red flags, of likeproblems changes at of resources for Airmen in need, Recent studies have shown weekend a month and three weeks out of the year. home or domestic violence. Su- such as Wingman Online or Mili- when one person commits sui- Lemley said he will do whatever it takes to ensure - tary One Source, and the Air Force cide it can impact up to 100 that happens and that the mission is complete. geants, and peers need to get to is introducing new initiatives all other people that they knew knowpervisors, their commanders, Airmen more first person ser- the time. For example, Airmen and worked with, and eventually Senior Airman Josh Lemley, a crew chief with the 507th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, locates equipment to assist with KC-135 maintenance on Aug. 10, 2016, at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt. Brian Abion) ally because they’re the ones Air- always have access to mental those numbers can impact pro- men with problems should feel health clinics on base when they ductivity and readiness.

16 // On-Final 17 // On-Final window looked out over a passing patchwork quilt of Oklahoma farmland. UNDER ITS WING About 15 minutes later, somewhere over central Oklahoma, the B-52, an eight-engine jet the size of Story by Silas Allen, The Oklahoman a house, swung into view, filling the pod’s window. The bomber edged closer to the tanker’s tail, eventu- itting in the cockpit of a KC-135 Stratotanker ally closing to a distance of less than 30 feet. on the morning of Aug. 26, Capt. Dan Sha- As both planes hurtled from eastern Oklahoma heen draped the fingers of his right hand over into western Arkansas at speeds greater than 400 the throttle and pushed it forward. mph, Stanton turned three knobs on the control pan- SThe plane lurched forward on the ramp for a mo- el — one marked “azimuth,” another marked “tele- ment before Shaheen eased back on the throttle. scoping” and a third marked “elevation” — with a “Ooh, easy, killer,” Maj. Jenette Milburn said from deft touch that pointed the tanker’s boom toward the right side of the cockpit. the bomber’s fuel port. As Shaheen, of Blanchard, expertly guided the 136- When Stanton deemed the bomber within range, foot jet onto a runway, Milburn, of Spring, Texas, told he pushed a black lever forward, and the tanker’s him about what he might expect during his pilot’s boom telescoped out even further. Stanton continued examination next month. Once the tower cleared the turning knobs to coax the boom into the port. When plane for takeoff, Shaheen again pushed the throttle the boom reached its target, a small green light on forward, sending the 87-ton plane lumbering down the control panel marked “contact” lit up. the runway. Shaheen gently pulled back on the yoke, Success. and the plane took flight. Stanton disconnected the boom and ran through Shaheen, 30, and Milburn, 42, are members of the the same procedure about a half-dozen more times. 507th Air Refueling Wing, a 1,100-member U.S. Air On most tries, the boom found its target almost im- Force Reserve unit that maintains and flies eight KC- mediately. Other times, it took some cajoling. 135 tanker jets at the base. The unit has played a role “As you can see,” Stanton said, “it’s not always in a U.S.-led coalition’s fight against the self- pro- perfect.” claimed Islamic State. After about an hour, the B-52 broke away and Earlier this year, several groups of airmen from the banked south, back to Louisiana, while the KC-135 unit deployed to Incirlik Air Base in Adana, Turkey, turned back to the west for its return to Tinker. from where they refueled bombers carrying out air Plane’s history strikes against the terrorist group. Some of the unit’s Although the 507th has only been flying the KC- airmen are preparing to return to southwest Asia in 135 since 1994, the tanker’s history is considerably December. A B-52 Stratofortress receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker operated by the 507th Air Refueling Wing Aug. 26, 2016, over Oklahoma. Local media visited longer. The plane was brought into service 60 years the 507th ARW and got the opportunity to fly on a refueling mission. (U.S Air Force photo by Maj. Jon Quinlan) Training mission ago, to keep the B-52 in the air at the height of the On this day, though, the plane’s crew was complet- about other traffic in the area, Milburn’s civilian job Cold War. ing a training mission, a midair rendezvous with a as a pilot for Southwest Airlines and the weather. Despite the KC-135’s age, defense officials expect B-52 Stratofortress flying out of Barksdale Air Force “The B-52, an eight-engine “It’s a nice day up here,” Shaheen said. the tanker to stay in the air for at least the next 20 Base, which is near Bossier City, La. “Yeah. So far,” Milburn said. years. In an actual mission, the KC-135 could offload as jet the size of a house, When the plane reached the Texas Panhandle, Sha- Maj. Jon Quinlan, a spokesman for the 507th, said much as 100 tons of fuel into the tanks of another air- heen steered it back to the east, for the second leg that long life expectancy is due in part to a series craft. But because this mission was only for training swung into view, filling the pod’s of the flight. Shortly before 11 a.m., about an hour of cockpit upgrades the planes received earlier this purposes, the tanker’s boom operators would prac- into the flight, Master Sgt. Steven Stanton stood up year. New digital cockpit displays replaced old an- tice connecting the KC-135’s transfer system to the from his seat on the right side of the cockpit, walked alog instruments, bringing the tanker into the 21st window. The bomber edged century. B-52 but wouldn’t transfer fuel to the bomber. through the cabin to the back of the plane and Other than that difference, though, the mission climbed down a few stairs into what the crew calls Earlier this year, officials greenlighted production looked much like it would if the plane were refuel- closer to the tanker’s tail, “the pod,” a cramped space no bigger than a small of the next generation of U.S. Air Force aerial tanker, ing bombers over the Syrian desert, Milburn said. pup tent. the KC-46 Pegasus. Although the KC-46 will be an “It’s exactly the same,” she said. eventually closing to a dis- Stanton lay on his belly on a cushion, his chin rest- important piece of the Air Force’s refueling capabil- A few minutes after takeoff, Shaheen steered the ing in a device to help keep his head tilted up. In ity, it initially won’t be able to replace the capacity plane west, toward the Texas Panhandle, before lev- tance of less than 30 feet.” front of him sat a control panel crowded with knobs, the KC-135 provides, Quinlan said. eling off at 22,000 feet. Shaheen and Milburn chatted switches, lights and levers. A few inches beyond, a

18 // On-Final 19 // On-Final CHAPLAIN’S

Proclamation By Ch. (Lt. Col.) Dwight Magnus CORNER or more than two at home and abroad. In the military to thrive, and whose centuries, brave face of natural disasters and support has been vital to the patriots have humanitarian crises, they are success, stability, and secu- given of them- quick to respond and offer rity of our Nation. The Fellowship of the Red Bandanna selves to secure assistance; during periods of NOW, THEREFORE, I, our fundamen- BARACK OBAMA, Presi- Ftal rights to life, liberty, and keep us safe and protect our dent of the United States of reater love has no one the pursuit of happiness nationalconflict andinterests. strife, they help America, by virtue of the than this: to lay down -- and in times of both war These citizen-Soldiers, authority vested in me by one’s life for one’s friends. and peace, members of the Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and the Constitution and the GJohn 15:13 National Guard and Reserve Coast Guardsmen deserve laws of the United States, do As stories began to emerge from the survivors of the South have stood ready to don our the full backing of their civil- hereby proclaim August 21 Tower of the World Trade Cen- uniform, answer our Nation’s ian employers and the prom- through August 27, 2016, as ter, several mentioned a myste- call, and protect our way of ise of a secure and stable life National Employer Support rious young man who stepped life. This week, we recognize here at home. From the busi- of the Guard and Reserve out of the smoke and horror to the important role played by nesses that seek to recruit Week. I call upon all Ameri- lead them to safety. They did the families, employers, and and retain these patriots in cans to join me in express- not know who saved their lives, communities of these men the workplace to the sup- ing our heartfelt thanks to but this they did remember this: and women in ensuring they porters who provide lead- the members of the National Wrapped around his mouth and can step forward and serve ership and resources, this Guard and Reserve and their nose was a red bandanna. our country when they are unconditional care for our civilian employers. I also call For 76 minutes, the man in needed most. Guardsmen and Reservists the red bandanna barked orders, and led people to safety down There are more than one and their families is part of private organizations, and on State and local officials, stairwells. He said, “I found the million members of our Na- what makes our military the all military commanders to stairs, follow me. I know the way tional Guard and Reserve. observe this week with ap- out. I will lead you to safety.” He Throughout the year, they world has ever known. propriate ceremonies and urged them to keep going down, greatest fighting force the dutifully train and prepare During National Employer activities. and then headed back up, never Courtesy graphic/911memorial.org so that when they are called Support of the Guard and Re- IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I to be seen again. at a moment’s notice to serve serve Week, let us honor the have hereunto set my hand Six months later, on March 19, following in his father’s foot- so when the time came he was their Nation, they are able members of our Guard and this nineteenth day of Au- 2002, the body of the man with steps. After college, he joined ready. to serve with the honor and Reserve for their steadfast gust, in the year of our Lord the red bandanna was found in- Sandler O’Neill and Partners as Both willing and able, Welles did not miss his moment. He dedication that have long dedication to us all -- both in two thousand sixteen, and tact alongside firefighters in a an equities trader and worked on the 104th floor of the South went up while everyone else was been hallmarks of our Armed and out of uniform. And let of the Independence of the makeshift command center in the South Tower lobby buried Tower. His dream was to become coming down. Forces. Balancing their lives us acknowledge the families, United States of America the under 110 stories of rubble. a firefighter or public servant. Are you willing to go up while as civilians with their respon- employers, and businesses Slowly, his story began to come On Sept. 11, at the age of 24, everyone else is coming down? sibilities in uniform, they de- whose encouragement and BARACK OBAMA out. The man was named Welles Crowther became both, and also Are you willing to be God’s rep- CANADIAN F-18fend REFUELINGand protect our people two hundred and forty-first. Crowther, and he had graduated a hero -- the “man in the red ban- resentative of the moment? Are from Boston College where he danna.” you willing to join the fellowship flexibility have enabled our played lacrosse, always wearing Welles was willing; willing to of the Red Bandanna? his trademark red bandanna un- serve and to make a sacrifice for der his helmet. At 16, he became the good of others. Blessings, a junior volunteer firefighter, He was prepared; he trained Ch. (Lt. Col.) Dwight Magnus

20 // On-Final 21 // On-Final Senior Airmen Teyler Williston and Ryan Swaim, Firefighters with the 507th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire flight, work together to flush the fire hose prior to extinguishing a fire during live fire training Sept. 9, 2016, at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. Tinker Fire Dept. and the 507th CES Fire flight regularly conduct joint training exercises designed to train and equip the fire fighters with necessary skills and experience needed to keep citizens safe. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lauren Gleason