COLORADO SPRINGS MILITARY NEWSPAPER SCCHRIEVERHRIEVER SEENTINELNTINEL Th ursday, November 8, 2007 www.csmng.com Vol. 1 No. 18 Base Briefs ‘M odern M ar vels’ crew visits S chriever Turkey trot run set for Nov. 9 By Staff Sgt. Don Branum Branum Don Sgt. Staff by Photo A Turkey Trot run sponsored by the Public Affairs 50th Services is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. Nov. 9 at the Main Is GPS a modern marvel? A three-person Fitness Center running track. fi lm crew from Actuality Productions visited For more information, contact the the base Oct. 30 to fi nd out. Main Fitness Center at 567-6628. Th e crew visited the 2nd Space Operations Squadron here and interviewed 2nd SOPS commander Lt Col Kurt Kuntzelman for an Shoeboxes for Soldiers upcoming episode of the History Channel’s program collecting items “Modern Marvels” TV series. Th e episode is Th e Schriever and Peterson Chapels scheduled to air Feb. 14, 2008, said Actuality are working together to collect and ship Productions producer Kaylan Eggert. items for deployed troops this holiday “We want to capture how the operations season. center works,” Ms. Eggert said. “Th at’s how we Donated items at Schriever can be operate – we like to be the fl y on the wall.” dropped off at outdoor recreation or The first experimental GPS satellite the shopette. launched Feb. 22, 1978. Former President Suggested items include magazines Ronald Reagan made GPS available to the appropriate to the area, snacks, and public in 1983 aft er Soviet interceptors shot other items that may remind them of down a Korean Airlines jet that was in re- home. stricted airspace. For more information, contact Staff Applications of GPS technology were few and far-between until the fi rst Persian Sgt. Scott Devine at 567-3705. Gulf confl ict. Th at changed when the Gulf War coalition VII Corps used GPS to aid its Schriever Law Center to have “left hook” maneuver, surprising an Iraqi modifi ed hours Nov. 15 army that considered its southern deserts Schriever’s Law Center will be closed unnavigable. from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 15 due Former President Bill Clinton turned off to an offi cial offi ce function. Normal selective availability in 2000, allowing civil duty hours will resume Nov. 16 at 7:30 users to access GPS’ high-quality precision a.m. For more information, contact navigation. Since then, its use has taken off . Master Sgt. Th ompson at 567-5050. Th e timing signal is now used for fi nancial transactions, for synchronizing power sys- tems and cell phone towers and even for regu- A&FRC to hold TAP seminar lating traffi c signals. Th e navigation signal Schriever’s Airman and Family sees such diverse uses as automated farming Readiness Center will hold a Transition equipment, small-diameter bombs, artillery Lt. Col. Kurt Kuntzelman, commander of the 2nd Space Operations Squadron here, discusses GPS on the Assistance Program seminar from Nov. systems, airlines and the space shuttle. record with Kaylan Eggert of Actuality Productions Oct. 30 for a segment on the History Channel’s “Modern 13-17 at 2 p.m. Marvels” TV show. The segment will be part of an episode featuring technology that also includes the World See GPS page 12 Th e seminar focuses on establishing Wide Web, DVD and digital video recorders. The episode is scheduled to air Feb. 14, 2008. networks, the job market, starting a draft for a resume, in addition to pro- viding mock interviews and Veteran’s Aff airs information. Mobile readiness team deploys in support of Army Th e seminar is geared toward those reenlisting or separating in a year or By Senior Airman Terri Barriere those who are two years from retiring. 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs Pre-separation counseling is manda- BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq – Th e members of the 732nd tory prior to signing up for this class. Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Mobile Readiness For more information, contact Team are deployed here “in-lieu-of” Army forces and support Elizabeth Archuleta at 567-7347. the Army by recovering government assets that have been damaged, misplaced or unaccounted for in Iraq. Technology, gaming expo Th e team recently forward deployed to Camp Corregidor to lend a helping hand. scheduled for Nov. 15 Senior Master Sgt. Victor Harris, MRT superintendent, Th e 50th Space Communications said it’s the team’s job to go to forward operating bases, go Squadron, in celebration of its 55th through container expresses that are unaccounted for, and anniversary, will host a technology identify what’s not suppose to be there. Aft er that, team and gaming expo at the Main Fitness members inventory the items and return them to their proper Center Nov. 15 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. locations. Free use of high-end gaming systems “We go around and collect pallets no one has claimed,” he will be available along with high defi ni- said. “Th en we get them back into the system so they can be tion televisions for viewing. Th e 50th reused.” SCS booster club will hold a burger A running tally is kept of the items found, which equates to burn starting at 11 a.m. money saved. Items that are recycled in theater to other units For more information, contact 2nd save the military and government time and money. Lt. David Morales at 567-6518. Not all assets can be reused. Damaged items are sent to a depot for repair. According to Lt. Col. Heather Buono, 732nd Commander’s call set for ELRS Detachment 1 commander, a lot of the things found marked unserviceable in the containers can be repaired, just Nov. 20 not here. A commander’s call will be taking To accomplish their mission, this eight-man MRT works Sr. Nimmo, John Sgt. Master by Photo place at the Main Fitness Center Nov. with fellow servicemembers all over Iraq. A 12-man detail was 20. on hand to assist the team at Camp Corregidor. Schriever Airmen must either attend “We get support from the base populace at the forward the 9:15 a.m. call or the 1 p.m. call. operating bases to help,” he said. “Th ey help us get oriented to the base and take us out to their locations.” More Briefs page 11 As Airmen fi lling taskings typically handled by the Army, working with Soldiers is what these Airmen are trained to Tech. Sgt. Richard Carditl (front) records the product name, quantity and national stock Inside do. number of the items read off to him by Staff Sgt. Benito Isla (left) and Staff Sgt. Dendouang Sergeant Harris said they all received on-the-job training at Moungsiharat inside a container express at Camp Corregidor. Serviceable assets recovered Veterans Day ...... 3 the beginning of their deployment in addition to one month of from the conex are inventoried and redistributed to Army units throughout Iraq. Sergeant Commentary ...... 6 Carditl is deployed from Shriever Air Force Base, Sergeant Benito Isla from Edwards AFB, Feature ...... 10 See Team page 6 Calif., and Sergeant Moungsiharat from Peterson AFB. 2 November 8, 2007 Schriever Sentinel Schriever Sentinel November 8, 2007 3 Veterans Day recognizes price of freedom Commentary by Randy Saunders justice in the council of the nations.” 50th Space Wing Historian In 1927, the Congress asked President Calvin Coolidge to Th e Boston and Western campaigns. Th e Battle of New call on offi cials to display the national fl ag at half-mast on all Orleans. Texas. Bull Run and Gettysburg. Mexico. San Juan government buildings Nov. 11 and to invite the people of the Hill, Puerto Rico. Belleau Wood and Muesse-Argonne, to observe the day. A decade later, Congress France. Normandy, France and Okinawa, Japan. Th e Chosin codifi ed the holiday, passing a bill May 13, 1938 marking Reservoir in Korea. Khe Sahn and the A Shau Valley in Armistice Day as Nov. 11 each year as a day to honor veterans Vietnam. Lebanon. Grenada. Panama. Saudi Arabia. Th e of the Great War and as a day dedicated to world peace. At Pentagon. Tora Bora, Afghanistan. Falluja and Anbar the request of veterans’ organizations and led by Ed Reese Province, Iraq. Th ese battlefi elds bring to my mind some of Emporia, Kansas, Congress passed legislation in May of the countless places Americans have fought and died to 1954 amending the original 1938 law and changing the protect the United States and its sovereignty. name of the holiday to Veterans Day. President Dwight D. Individual acts and occasional proclamations by Congress Eisenhower signed the bill on June 1, 1954. or local governments, in the early years of our republic, had From 1971 through 1977, the date of Veterans Day varied honored those whose sacrifi ces in numerous campaigns and because of passage of the Uniform Holiday Bill in 1968. operations had furthered the security of American liberties However, public concern regarding the historic and patriotic and freedoms. However, an offi cial national holiday recog- signifi cance of the Nov. 11 date led President Gerald Ford to nizing the sacrifi ces of America’s veterans would be nearly sign Public Law 94-97 in 1978, returning the remembrance 150 years in the making. to its original date. On the fi rst anniversary of the World War I armistice that In America’s history, more than 1.2 million servicemembers ended combat operations of the First World War, which had and civilians supporting them have died in confl ict. Countless raged primarily in Europe and the Mediterranean, President others have been wounded, and millions of others have served. Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation commemorating Th e sacrifi ces of these men and women have helped America the fi rst Armistice Day. He declared, “To us in America, the defeat tyranny, protect her sovereignty and liberty and bring refl ections of Armistice Day will be fi lled with solemn pride freedom to millions of people around the world. in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service We have all heard the phrase, “Freedom is not free.” Indeed, and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing freedom is bought and paid for by the men and women Courtesy of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity whose dedication to the ideas of freedom and liberty leads Veterans Day Poster 2007 it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and them to service to our great nation.

Float represents all that is Schriever Schriever to By Lorna Gutierrez assemble the fl oat. He said a lot of work helped head the production. Schriever Sentinel went into making the Schriever fl oat a It was a push come showtime as the last host a Veterans It’s a depiction of many things – a barbed popular attraction. few days were quite hectic. Workers put in wire representing the vast prairie and farm- “Th e workers spent several weeks work- eight-hour days to make sure it was ready Appreciation Day land that is Schriever, trees and mountains ing on the fl oat in bits and pieces,” Sergeant for the rodeo. that represent the nearby terrain, a missile Primo said. “It took a better part of a month, “It’s great to see what we can accomplish By Staff Sgt. Daniel Martinez and pictures of satellites. All of these depic- from design to the fi nished product.” as a team,” Sergeant Primo said. “Everyone 50th Space Wing Public Affairs tions can be seen on the Schriever fl oat. Th e shirts did much of the assembly, brings their own ideas. It’s a combined ef- Approximately 40 veterans from the Th is year’s fl oat, which won the Best Sergeant Primo said, while the 50th fort from the entire wing.” Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Th eme award at the 2007 Pikes Peak or Civil Engineer Squadron did the major- Th e fl oat must be loaded on a fl atbed and Legion of Colorado Springs will be on hand Bust Rodeo Parade, will be making another ity of the building and design and the strapped down with some parts needing Nov. 9 for a Veteran’s Appreciation Day appearance at the Veterans Day parade 50th Operations Group did much of the reassembly once it arrives at its location. As here. Nov. 10 in downtown Colorado Springs. painting. Master Sgt. Chester Spires, who it makes its way downtown in the Veterans Schriever’s Veterans Appreciation Day will Master Sgt. Michael Primo, secretary of recently got reassigned to the 821st Air Day parade, its design will allow onlookers commemorate the Air Force’s 60th anniver- Schriever’s First Sergeant Council, helped Base Group at Th ule Air Base, Greenland, to see the many elements of Schriever. sary in addition to thanking some of the men and women who have served their country. “We want them to feel appreciated and respected,” said Capt. Kevin Hall from the 50th Space Operations Squadron, who is spearheading the event. “We, of course, would not be here today if it was not for their service,” Capt. Hall said. “Similarly, I hope that Schriever per- sonnel gain wisdom and insight from the men and women who protected our nation before us.” Veterans will have the opportunity to tour the base while gaining insight on Schriever’s various missions. Th e veterans are scheduled to arrive at 8:30 a.m. and will be greeted by Col. David Buck, the 50th Space Wing vice commander. Th ey will receive a mission brief before heading out to tour the base. Airmen will be on hand

Courtesy photo Courtesy to serve as escorts. Schriever Airmen ride the fl oat down Tejon Street in downtown Colorado Springs during the 2007 Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Parade. 4 November 8, 2007 Schriever Sentinel Two Chiefs ready for stars

PUBLISHER By Lorna Gutierrez Schriever Sentinel Lon P. Matejczyk “The Air Force is placing [email protected] Making command chief master sergeant is a lot of trust in those of us no easy feat – out of 2,500 who applied, 77 were Editorial selected. Two of those are from Schriever. chosen, and I personally Editor For Chief Master Sgts. Valise Godley and Mark do not take it lightly.” Mike Boyd Repp, their character and records made the deci- [email protected] sion a bit easier. Chief Master Sergeant Valise Godley Staff Reporter Chief Godley, one of the 12 Outstanding Lorna Gutierrez Airman of the Year for 2004, and Chief Repp, a her to make the Air Force a career and eventually [email protected] former 14th Air Force senior NCO of the year, lead Airmen in this great way of life. ADVERTISING were nominated for the position six months Chief Repp was working as a Baltimore County, ago. Md., fi refi ghter when he took a four-year leave Advertising Director/GM “You have to be outstanding in your career of absence from the fi re department to better Tex Stuart fi eld, whatever your Air Force specialty is,” said his education and travel. He’s never looked back [email protected] 50th SW Command Chief Master Sgt. Clarence and said every day he tries his best to set a good Rob Carrigan Moore. “But more than that, the Air Force is example for his daughter. [email protected] looking for a broad leader – someone who has “From the moment of her birth, my daughter been in one or more career fi elds or has done Tammy Fogall has been a daily inspiration to me to do the right one or more special duties.” thing. I strive to be a good role model and father, [email protected] Command Chief Master Sgt (E-9) Both chiefs sit in group superintendent po- and that carries over to my roles as supervisor Kathleen Gannon sitions. Chief Moore said he thinks that has and superintendent,” Chief Repp said. Chief Repp said he felt a brief sense of accom- [email protected] helped them learn to manage squadrons and One thing Chief Moore admires about both plishment upon learning that he’d been selected, Linda Stuart work with commanders. He also thinks it helps Chief Godley and Chief Repp is their heart. followed by plenty of self-analysis to make sure [email protected] them interact with fi rst sergeants, handle issues “Neither one of them will have a problem he’s ready for the job at hand. and work with people whose missions they’re Not all will come easy for the new command Classifi ed Ad Manager telling their commander that the baby’s ugly or not accustomed to. chiefs. Heidi Witherington something’s not right. Th ey won’t have a problem Chief Godley, who was raised in inner-city telling them that something’s broken and we “Th ey’ll have to realize that wherever they go, [email protected] Chicago, said she learned a lot from her moth- need to fi x it,” Chief Moore said. “Th ey won’t it’s a very steep learning curve to be command ART DEPARTMENT er, who raised her six siblings aft er their father have a problem disagreeing with the wing com- chief,” said Chief Moore. Besides technical knowl- Art Director died. mander, which is hard for a lot of people. Th ey’d edge, they’ll also have to build relationships with Rowdy Tompkins Chief Godley entered the Air Force when she do it respectfully, behind closed doors, and when fi rst sergeants, other chiefs, group superinten- realized staying in Chicago would not be in her dents and squadron and group commanders. [email protected] they’d come out, they’d fully support whatever best interest. She and her best friend, now a chief it was the wing commander decided. Th e heart Both Chief Repp and Chief Godley know they Assistant Production at Little Rock AFB, Ark., joined the military to- means they have the will and best interest of have a long road ahead of them, but they’re up Manager gether. It was a decision that has resulted in many the Airmen.” for it. Chief Repp said he wants to make sure he Jeff Adcox proud moments. Chief Godley said her heart was humbled upon provides plenty of opportunities as a command [email protected] “I was in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, during learning that she’d been selected as command chief to develop leadership. the fi rst Gulf War and working at the interna- chief. “I’m proud to be a noncommissioned offi cer tional airport,” Chief Godley said. “It was there “Being promoted to chief master sergeant is in the ,” Chief Repp said. I realized the contributions I was making to the a big deal, and to then be recognized as one of “If I were not so long in the tooth, I’d be setting cause of freedom. Watching the F-16s take off the few chosen as command chief candidates is my goal to be the chief master sergeant of the every few minutes and knowing that I played a an awesome and humbling experience,” Chief Air Force.” signifi cant role in keeping our nation free really Godley said. “Th e Air Force is placing a lot of As for Chief Godley, “Th e Air Force is a great struck me hard.” trust in those of us chosen, and I personally do family and a great way of life, and I want to do It was then she said that she knew God intended not take it lightly.” my part to continue that tradition.” Schriever Sentinel November 8, 2007 5 SIDC aims to improve fi eld communications By Tech. Sgt. Kurt Arkenburg wireless mesh network that, much like a cell phone network, throughout the complex. 90th Space Wing Public Affairs will reroute information through the clearest path to limit Th e demonstration here should give the SIDC more con- F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. – Members signal degradation. crete data on the system’s abilities, and a better picture of of ’s Space Innovation and As Major Zornes and others involved with the program the range and quality of the signal sent. With that informa- Development Center were on hand in Warren’s Quebec developed the Combat Airborne Network, or CAN, they tion, they can continue to improve the system and grow its fl ight area recently but they weren’t looking to the area’s continued to look for applications in every aspect of op- operational uses across the services, Major Zornes said. Peacekeeper past; they were demonstrating the future. erations. For F.E. Warren AFB, they see increased situ- “Th is demonstration will go a long way to solidify the Th e SIDC continued demonstrations of its Combat ational awareness during convoy or security forces response system,” he said. “Its success here is a great example of the Airborne Network, said Maj. Jeff rey Zornes, deputy chief operations, elimination of communications “dead spots” Air Force’s total-force concept ... toward improving opera- of the U.S. Air Force Tactical Exploitation of National and potentially a deployable emergency wireless network tions for all branches of service. Capabilities’ Commercial Integration Division. “We’re hoping to gather range and signal quality data to further this platform’s opportunities in any (area of respon- Photo by Staff Sgt. Don Branum sibility),” Major Zornes said. Development and initial operational checks were con- ducted in Colorado Springs, Colo., and Chandler, Ariz., but when it came to “kick the tires and light the fi res,” F.E. Warren Air Force Base got the nod to host the demonstration. “Warren’s missile fi elds seemed ideal for the second round of demonstrations,” Maj. Zornes said. “Th e landscape, weather patterns and sparse population help in ... gather- ing quality information and provide a quiet environment for the demonstration.” Th e area’s sparse population allows for more control of another demonstration variable – interference from wireless communications signals. As anyone who’s driven throughout Warren’s missile complex knows, there are few cell phone relay antennas and plenty of dead spots with no wireless coverage. Th e system, which uses one or more high-altitude balloons, eff ectively becomes the communications link for ground forces and a command and control tool for strategists away from the front line. “We are excited to host a demonstration that highlights security forces applications in Warren’s missile fi eld,” said 1st Lt. Andrew Pisut of the 90th Communications Squadron here. During a mock security forces response, the airborne wireless network will allow more information to pass between the response team and the missile alert facility. In addition to voice and data, the SIDC hopes to demon- strate streaming video and platform survivability capabilities, Major Zornes said. Open ranks, close inspection “Th e more applications and abilities we can demonstrate Master Sgt. Tim Brown examines Airmen’s uniforms during an open-ranks inspection at the First Term Airmen’s Center here Nov. 6. FTAC Airmen with this system, the more benefi cial it will be to warfi ght- undergo inspections on their service, service dress and battle dress uniforms, with one of the inspections conducted in an open-ranks format. ers on the ground around the world,” Major Zornes said. Sergeant Brown is 50th Mission Support Squadron fi rst sergeant; also pictured is FTAC instructor Tech. Sgt. Leah Wilson. Deploying multiple balloons will allow specialists to create a 6 November 8, 2007 Schriever Sentinel Beating the holiday blues U.S. Postal Service announces Commentary by Lorna Gutierrez Holiday stress should not be confused with Schriever Sentinel Seasonal Aff ective Disorder, which is a type holiday mailing deadlines People oft en associate the holidays with of depression oft en attributed to fewer hours U.S. Postal Service festive music, laughter, time spent with of sunlight during the winter months. MHA INDIANAPOLIS – Th e U.S. Postal To make sure package family and feasts. Despite the upbeat at- recommends the use of phototherapy – a Service has announced mailing dead- contents arrive in good shape: mosphere, many get a reverse eff ect – the few hours of exposure to an intense amount lines for sending packages and letters to holiday blues. of light and exposure to natural light in the servicemembers overseas in time for the „ Extreme Temperatures: Desert tempera- What causes these blues? According to mornings or aft ernoons – to treat SAD. holidays. tures typically exceed 100 degrees. Mental Health America, contributing factors If you’re prone to the holiday blues, keep the Nov. 13 is the deadline for sending holi- „ The Box: Select a strong box with room include stress, fatigue, unrealistic holiday below tips in mind. Also, try not to buy into the day packages to troops stationed overseas for cushioning. On recycled boxes, cover all expectations, overcommercialization, fi nan- commercialization that inevitably comes with using Parcel Post to all Air/Army Post cial constraints and an inability to be with the holidays. Most holidays were not inaugu- Offi ce (APO) or Fleet Post Offi ce (FPO) previous labels and markings with a heavy family and friends. rated with the purpose of making you spend ZIP Codes. black marker or adhesive labels. Even though symptoms are oft en similar to money on a particular product – there was Th e U.S. Postal Service is encouraging „ Cushioning: Cushion contents with clinical depression, the holiday blues are usually another reason behind the holiday, one that early deadlines to ensure packages reach Styrofoam or bubble wrap to keep items temporary and come and go with the season. oft en becomes lost amongst the festivities. their destination in time for the holi- from shifting. Consider double-boxing fragile days, said Al Eakle, a spokesman for the items, with cushioning inside and between MHA also has recommendations to help cope with holiday stress: greater Indiana District of the U.S. Postal the boxes to absorb shock. „ Look toward the future and leave “yesteryear” in the past. Service. “Mail is one of the greatest morale „ Batteries: Battery-powered items will „ Volunteer – do something good for someone else. boosters we can give our Soldiers, Sailors, sometimes get turned on during ship- „ Enjoy free activities such as window shopping and looking at decorations. Marines, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen ment. Remove and wrap the batteries „ Try something new. during the holidays.” Mr. Eakle said. separately. „ Spend time with supportive and caring people. “When they see packages or letters waiting „ Sealing: Tape the opening of the box „ Save time for yourself. for them, it brings them that much closer and reinforce all seams with 2 inch wide to family and the comforts of home.” tape. Use clear or brown packaging tape, The University of Maryland Medical Center also recommends: Delivery confi rmation is available for reinforced packing tape or paper tape. Do „ Eat right. almost all military destinations outside not use cord, string or twine. „ Get plenty of rest. the United States. Delivery confi rmation „ Include a card describing the contents: „ Exercise regularly. provides customers with the date, ZIP Code and time the package was delivered. Th is Improperly wrapped packages can fall apart „ Set realistic goals, i.e., organize your time and prioritize. information can be accessed online at www. during shipment. Including a card inside, list- „ Allow yourself to feel sad or lonely. These are normal feelings for the holiday season. usps.com. ing the sender’s and recipient’s addresses „ Contact someone with whom you’ve lost touch. Th e U.S. Postal Service has also intro- plus a description of the contents, helps in The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends against: duced a Military Care Kit, or “Mili-kit” to make it easier for military families and collecting the items. „ Drinking too much alcohol friends to send care packages to their loved „ Overindulging in holiday food, particularly those high in sugar and fat ones stationed overseas. Since the inception individual service members, as required by „ Having unrealistic expectations of yourself or others of the Military Care Kit, the U.S. Postal U.S. Department of Defense regulations. „ Dwelling on the past Service has shipped more than 150,000 Th e Postal Service places APO/FPO „ Focusing on what you don’t have kits. Each kit contains three fl at-rate boxes, mail on special charter fl ights, commer- two cube boxes, nine address labels and cial airlines and military service aircraft „ Spending money on what you don’t have 16 customs forms. Th e kit is free and may to reach armed services members overseas be ordered by calling the USPS Expedited as quickly as possible. Package Supply Center at 800-610-8734. For more information on sending mail Th e Priority Mail fl at-rate boxes included to servicemembers, including deadlines in the kit can be shipped to any APO/FPO broken down by APO/FPO, visit the Postal in the world, regardless of weight, for $8.95. Service’s “Supporting Our Troops” page at All packages and mail must be addressed to www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/. Team: Works together

From page 1 the equipment out of here and back to a unit that needs it. Th ere is no way we could do that out here by ourselves.” combat-skills training at Ft. Hood, Texas, Major Christensen said he expects the prior to their deployment. team could fi nish in weeks what it would Army Maj. Dave Christensen, 1st have taken the soldiers several months to Battalion, 9th Infantry Brigade 3rd Infantry accomplish by themselves. Division executive offi cer, is working with Only half way through the mission, the the team at the camp and said their help team has already recovered more than $1 has been instrumental. million of inventory. “Th ese guys are great,” said Major “We have only just scratched the surface Christensen. “Th e expertise they bring and and will continue to hit it hard until the job the systems they can tap into, actually get is done,” said Sergeant Harris. Schriever Sentinel November 8, 2007 7 8 November 8, 2007 Schriever Sentinel Schriever Sentinel November 8, 2007 9 JTF-Bravo completes second mountain hike By Tech. Sgt. Sonny Cohrs Th e lieutenant said he wasn’t too Joint Task Force-Bravo Public Affairs exhausted from the hike, although ALDEA BELLA VISTA, he did feel sore the next day. His Honduras – Soldiers, Sailors and reason for participating wasn’t for Airmen from Soto Cano Air Base the exercise, though, but rather to completed the second in a series of gain the experience of helping the fi ve mountain hikes to deliver food local community. here Oct. 20. “Th ere wasn’t anything to gain Th e hike, rated as “physically on my level but to give back to the challenging” by its organizers, took local area,” he said. “I’ll defi nitely approximately four hours as the go on the next hike.” servicemembers navigated the steep It was the second hike here for terrain to the village at an estimated Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jon Sweeten, J-3 4,950 feet above sea level. Th e group Current Operations offi cer. trekked 2.5 miles one way, taking “We went about 2,000 feet higher numerous breaks en route. As the on this hike than we did on the last group neared the peak, the clouds one,” Commander Sweeten said. “It surrounding them quickly gave way was defi nitely challenging getting to a rain shower. all of that food up to the top.” Despite the rain, the group of 48 He said it was an enjoyable ex- volunteers pressed on to their des- perience overall. tination, delivering approximately “Th e biggest benefi t for me was 450 pounds of donated food to the just being able to help the people up village. on this mountain. It’s very hard for “This was a follow up hike them to get food up where they’re to the first one,” said Chaplain at, and this was a wonderful way (Capt.) Chad Bellamy, who is de- to spend a Saturday.” ployed here from the 50th Space Th e goal of the hike club is to Wing at , do a series of fi ve hikes, Chaplain Colo. “We laid a good foundation, Bellamy said. Th e organizers are and we saw a lot of new faces this making preparations for a third time.” hike to the village of La Sampedrana Atop the mountain, the group in November. stopped for a lunch of Meals Ready With this recent hike to Aldea to Eat at the local school before Bella Vista depleting the supply of starting their decent back down donated food for this project, the the mountain. JTF-Bravo Chapel is earmarking

Th is was the fi rst hike for 1st Lt. Sunday’s tithes to buy food for the Yepsen Erika 1st Lt. by Photo Juan Fiol, the installation trans- remaining hikes. portation offi cer for Joint Task “Th e money taken up in that Force-Bravo. off ering will go purposely to- “I thought it was really good, and ward purchasing food,” Chaplain I enjoyed it a lot,” Lieutenant Fiol Bellamy said. “We want to go on said. “I’m not an avid hiker, but it hikes with a purpose – that pur- Chaplain (Capt.) Chad Bellamy supports Herberth Gaekel as he stretches to hand food to a Honduran Oct. 20 in Bella Vista, Honduras. was challenging – I defi nitely got pose being to bless and give to a Mr. Gaekel, from the Joint Task Force Bravo fi re department, helped the JTF-Bravo chaplain plan the hike to deliver food to people in a good workout.” needy community.” the village of Bella Vista. Approximately 50 servicemembers from Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, participated in the hike. 10 November 8, 2007 Schriever Sentinel Upgraded A-10 Thunderbolts prove worth in Iraq

By Staff Sgt. Markus Maier U.S. Central Command Air Forces Combat Correspondent Team AL ASAD AIR BASE, IRAQ (AFPN) – A new version of the A-10 Th underbolt II has been fl ying over Iraq providing close-air support for the ground troops from Al Asad Air Base for nearly two months. As part of the Precision Engagement Upgrade Program, the Maryland ’s 175th Wing has been converting it’s A-10s from A to C models. “We are the fi rst A-10C model squadron to deploy to combat,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Smith, the 104th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander. “We just transitioned to the air- craft six months prior to coming here, and the C-model was offi cially declared combat ready just two weeks before we deployed. I am very proud of our unit. We’ve put in a monumental eff ort, as individuals and as a group to get to this point.” Th e A-10C might look the same on the outside, but the Perez Angelique Sgt Staff by Photo recent upgrades have turned the aircraft , which was originally designed to battle Russian tanks during the Cold War, into an even more lethal and precise close-air-support weapons system. A few of the key upgrades are a “fi rst ever” for the aircraft , said Capt. Rich Hunt, a 104th EFS A-10C pilot. One of them Senior Airman Larry Lewis, Staff Sgt. Chris Miller, and Tech. Sgt. David Rey load a Joint Directed Attack Munition to an A-10 Thunderbolt II at Al Asad is the situational awareness data link. Air Base, Iraq. The A-10C’s are assigned to the 104th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, which is made up primarily of members from the 175th Maryland “Previously, for me to keep track of all the other airplanes Air National Guard. Airman Lewis and Sergeants Miller and Rey are Maryland Air National Guard weapons loaders. The 104th EFS is the fi rst unit to that are around me or to help us perform the mission, I use the C-model A-10 in a combat zone. Its upgrades have made air power more effi cient and have streamlined the close-air-support mission. would literally have to write those down with a grease pencil inside my canopy or write them down on a white piece of Something else the new C-model provides to the pilots street are friendly Iraqi civilians,” Captain Hunt said. “We paper on my knee board in order to keep track of all that,” is the integration of advanced targeting pods, which have know we have to destroy the stronghold, but we don’t want Captain Hunt said. “Now I have a color display that has also been upgraded. Th e new pods include long-range TV to cause any collateral damage whatsoever. So the JDAM all of the other airplanes that are up supporting the same and infrared cameras with zoom capabilities and a laser has been outstanding for us. We’ve had unbelievable suc- mission across all of Iraq right now. And they are all digi- target designator. cess where we’ve been able to strike the stronghold without tally displayed through that data link on my map. So now, “Primarily, we still use the pods for weapons strikes,” causing any damage to the houses around it. especially at night when awareness is a little bit lower, I can Captain Hunt said. “However, in Iraq we fi nd ourselves sup- “Between the situational awareness data link, the target- look at that beautiful map display and know exactly what porting the troops on the ground by doing a lot of counter ing pod with the ROVER down link to the controller on the other airplanes are around me.” improvised explosive devices missions.” ground and the JDAM, the A-10C on this deployment has Th e new system also provides the pilot with other critical Th e pods infrared capability can be used to detect buried been an amazing success for us,” the captain said. information, such as what the other airplanes might be target- IEDs by picking up on their heat signature. Th e A-10 has been around the Air Force since the 1970s and ing, what munitions they have on board and fuel levels. Th e new targeting pods have also been outfi tted with the with these new upgrades will remain well into the future. “Th at awareness provides us with a ton of valuable infor- ROVER downlink capability, allowing the aircraft to transmit “As technology moved further ahead, we stayed pretty far mation in a very user-friendly manner,” the captain said. “(It the live video feed to a joint terminal attack controller on behind,” Colonel Smith said. “And now, all over sudden, we allows us) to do our mission with a lot clearer understanding the ground. Th is allows for more precise strikes with less have leapfrogged all the way pretty much to the front edge of exactly what is going on around us in the battle space and chance of a chance for collateral damage. of all the technology for everybody.” what our wingmen may be targeting.” “In Iraq that is especially important because it’s a very But the colonel also said while they are the fi rst unit to Another vital feature the data link off ers is secure diffi cult situation when we provide close-air support in fl y the C-model in combat, their main focus is not on the communication. such a densely urban environment,” the captain said. “By upgrades. “All of the data that goes across that data link display is the controller being able to look through my targeting pod “In our minds we are just fl ying like we normally do,” secure,” he said. “Using that data link, I can also text mes- real time, we can compare exactly what we are looking at Colonel Smith said. “We don’t see ourselves as the fi rst A-10C sage. We use that in more of a command and control situ- and make sure we have an absolutely 100 percent positive model in combat, we see ourselves as A-10 pilots out helping ation. For example, if we are fl ying a mission hundreds of identifi cation of the target.” the guy on the ground. I have great respect for the men and miles away and our operations desk here gets information Another upgrade that increases the A-10’s precision is that women on the ground. Th ey are the ones who are really put- through the classifi ed computer network of a mission that it can now employ the Global Positioning System-guided ting their lives on the line when they are out there. Our job we may have to support, they can text message right to my joint direct attack munitions. is to ride shotgun for them – to sit there in position, and airplane – and only to my airplane – and tell me exactly “Sometimes we fi nd ourselves where we have to destroy ready for them when they need us. And now we have more what I need to know.” a terrorist stronghold location. But in the house across the tools available to do it faster and more precisely.”

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View our publication online at www.csmng.com. Schriever Sentinel November 8, 2007 11 AEHF operations fl oor prepares for primetime By Staff Sgt. Don Branum projection screens and TVs line the walls, to share information with the launch and 50th Space Wing Public Affairs “The new fl oor will allow us affording the mission commander the op- early orbit team located on a different op- Builders are putting the fi nal touches on to command and control both tion to get an in-depth look into opera- erations floor, explained Gary Karbousky, tions at any of the command and control facility project manager for the AEHF Ops a new operations fl oor for the 4th Space the and AEHF satellite Operations Squadron here, in preparation stations. Floor. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled constellations, with a state-of- By way of comparison, 4th SOPS mission Development of the new ops fl oor began for Nov. 15. the-art audio-visual system commanders today have one small screen in 2004 during Lt. Col. Ronald Huntley’s Th e new ops fl oor, designed to accommo- which will give us increased they use to monitor telemetry at an alter- tenure as 4th SOPS commander. Funding date 4th SOPS’ next-generation Advanced nate site. Th e upgrade means engineers can came through in Fiscal Year 2006, said Mr. situational awareness.” resolve satellite anomalies in a separate area Karbousky, who has worked with 4th SOPS Extremely High Frequency satellite system, while the rest of the crew continues to operate for 15 of his 20 years at Schriever. will add a new dimension of situational Lt. Col. Tommy Roberts, Milstar and AEHF satellites. “Seeing this thing come together has just awareness for mission commanders, opera- 4th SOPS commander “It gets pretty cramped in here when you been a hoot for me,” he said. tors, communicators and satellite engineers, have a Milstar anomaly,” said mission com- Th e Space and Missile Systems Center said 4th SOPS commander Lt. Col. Tommy “Others will be able to see what’s going on mander Capt. Armon Lansing, 4th SOPS’ at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., Roberts. (in the ops fl oor) without crowding the ops Operations Support Flight commander. “If funded the $1.5-million project, Colonel “Th e new fl oor will allow us to command fl oor or running hard copies from one fl oor I know what I’m looking for (on the small Roberts said. Aleut Global Solutions, S.I. and control both the Milstar and AEHF to another,” Captain Edwards said. screen), I can sort of see it, whereas once I International and Herman Miller were the satellite constellations,” Colonel Roberts Overcrowding is a situation that would get it on a big screen, multiple people can primary contractors. said, “with a state-of-the-art audio-visual be hard even to fathom in the new facil- start working on it right away.” Th e current ops fl oor will remain in busi- system which will give us increased situ- ity, which measures nearly three times Th e design of the new ops fl oor will also ness while 4th SOPS personnel bring new ational awareness.” the square footage of the current Milstar provide a better team dynamic, Colonel equipment and soft ware online. Th e AV system will off er everyone in the ops floor. The design is loosely based on Roberts said. “We’ll be manning two operations fl oors squadron – both on and off the ops fl oor the command center at U.S. Northern “On the current fl oor, space operators are until everything checks out,” Captain – a better picture of what’s going on in the Command. The mission commander sits separated from communications operators,” Edwards said. “Once that happens and the Milstar and AEHF constellations, said Capt. in the rear position of the room, giving him he explained. “Th ey’re brought together on (AEHF) satellites are safe in orbit, we’ll Sarah Edwards, Chief of 4th SOPS’ Future the ability to quickly survey operations at the new ops fl oor.” move over to the new equipment on the Operations Section. each of his crew’s stations. Closed-circuit Mission commanders will also be able new fl oor.”

BASE BRIEFS Volunteer income tax Ami Harris at 567-5050. More details are to come. If a servicemember retires other than on representatives needed For more information, contact 2nd Lt. Jane the fi rst of the month, they have up to 30 Running club seeks members McDonald at 567-5156. days aft er the retirement date to submit an Th e 50th Space Wing Judge Advocate offi ce enrollment or reenrollment. needs volunteers for the 2008 tax season. A running club is being assembled for Schriever personnel interested in group TRICARE provides new guidance on A servicemember retiring on the fi rst of At least two representatives from each the month who fails to submit an enroll- unit should be assigned with an appoint- morning runs. transitioning from active duty For more information, contact Richard ment or reenrollment application must ment letter signed by their squadron A servicemember can submit an initial Witmer at 567-4644. then be submit the form by the 20th of commander. enrollment or reenrollment for TRICARE the month. Th is will result in a break in Tax training is scheduled Dec. 3-7 from Prime before their retirement date for both TRICARE Prime coverage which may not 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Building 3 on Peterson Wing Holiday Party scheduled for themselves and their families without having continue until the fi rst day of the next or Air Force Base. Volunteers should have basic Dec. 14 a break in coverage. Th is situation does not second month. computer skills. Th e 50th Space Wing Holiday Party is require the enrollment form to be submitted For more information, contact Mr. Ric For more information, contact Staff Sgt. scheduled for Dec. 14 at the Crowne Plaza. by the 20th of the month. Carlson at 556-1016. 12 November 8, 2007 Schriever Sentinel First sergeant gives teddy bears to Iraqi children By Senior Airman Travis Edwards down next to one little boy who appeared to 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs be sleeping, and the nurse checking his vital BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq – Soft , huggable signs next to him told me he was in a coma. security ... many things can describe what a Not but a few seconds later I saw his hand teddy bear feels like, but to many Iraqi chil- caressing the bear; the nurse told me it was dren and families in the Air Force Th eater involuntary movement, but I know that child Hospital here, it is a reminder of the love and knew that bear was for him.” level of care they received. Sergeant Dunn also told the story of a little Master Sgt. Dave Dunn, 332nd girl who had been shot while watching TV. Expeditionary Medical Group fi rst sergeant, “I was inside the hospital when the doors makes it his personal mission to visit the to the helipad blew open.” He said the doors intensive care ward everyday. He gives out only fl y open like that when something criti- teddy bears there for an informal program he cal is happening. “In the litter was a little and his wife call “Project Poppa Bear.” girl, couldn’t have been older than 10 – had “I was talking with my wife a few weeks a head wound ... it didn’t look like she was aft er I got here about what I could do for going to make it.” the children in the hospital. It is hard to see He went on to say, doctors at the AFTH them everyday and not feel something,” said were able to stabilize her and she is still recov- Sergeant Dunn. “I wanted to be able to do ering in the hospital today with a big stuff ed something for them, so she said, ‘Why not bear right by her bed. give them a teddy bear?’“ “I am only limited to the number of bears I Th e name fi ts as Sergeant Dunn is af- have on hand,” the sergeant said. “Fortunately fectionately nicknamed the “Bear” by his my wife and mom got together with their troops because of his gruff but caring nature. According to the fi rst sergeant, toys are im- church back at home near Lackland (Air portant part in the recovery process. Force Base, Texas) and are sending me 200 Th e children at the hospital enjoy the plas- more bears to give out. But there are never tic toys they share, but a soft , plush teddy too many.” bear that they can keep goes a long way to Sergeant Dunn said he is only able to give build relationships and remind them of the the children the stuff ed bears because of the compassion displayed by the servicemembers wonderful work done by doctors and nurses in the hospital. at the AFTH. “When I saw that little girl, it In the fi rst four weeks of starting “Project made me think of my own. I couldn’t help Poppa Bear,” Sergeant Dunn and his family but feel for her parents, I was so happy when have given away more than 50 stuff ed bears to I heard they (the doctors) saved her life.” injured Iraqi children and their families. Whatever adjective used to describe teddy “It’s amazing to see the look on their faces bears, the one that Sergeant Dunn will re- once I give them a bear,” he said. “I sat a bear member is loving and caring. Photo by Senior Airman Travis Edwards Travis Airman Senior by Photo

An Iraqi child embraces the bears given to him during his recovery at the Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Master Sgt. Dave Dunn started “Project Poppa Bear” to help the children in the hospital. Sergeant Dunn is the 332nd Medical Group fi rst sergeant. GPS: Technology mar vel From page 1 sode requires about a week of preproduction, eight to 12 days of fi lming and two weeks of Some of these applications came as a sur- post-production. prise to the Actuality Productions crew. But is GPS a modern marvel? When you “I knew GPS had a lot of uses, but I didn’t consider that it supports more than 1 billion know you used it at the gas pump,” remarked users and provides more than $100 billion in Kem Stralka, the crew’s sound expert. revenue to the world economy, the answer is an Th e GPS segment will be a portion of the unequivocal yes, Colonel Kuntzelman said. overall episode focused on the technological “GPS is the world’s gold standard for all- marvels of the 1990s, Ms. Eggert said. weather, day-and-night, 24/7, 365-days-a- “Th e main thing we do is explain how year precise positioning, navigation and things work – how a little receiver is able to time transfer,” he said. “GPS is absolutely a tell you where you are,” she said. modern marvel, and we have the world’s best Other segments in the episode will feature active-duty and Reserve Airmen, govern- the development of DVDs, digital video re- ment civilians and contractors, all working corders and the World Wide Web. Each epi- as one team to make it happen.” 20 November 8, 2007 Schriever Sentinel