Gulf Defender Friday, February 16, 2018 tyndall.af.mil gulfdefender.com 325FWTyndall SERE Specialists maintain readiness at Tyndall By Senior Airman Cody R. Miller 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE — As one thinks about the hundreds of careers in the U.S. Air Force, from air- craft maintainer to security forces specialist to critical care nurse, one vital job may elude them, Air Force Sur- vival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape specialist. Staff Sgt. Jonathan Buchanan, 325th Operations Support Squadron NCO in- charge of SERE operations and training, is one of two SERE specialists stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base. “The main role of a SERE specialist is to train per- sonnel that are deemed as a high risk of isolation,” said Buchanan. “High risk of iso- lation personnel are usually individuals such as pilots or aircrew; really anyone that flies in an aircraft for their regular duties. Special operations personnel are Staff Sgt. Jonathan Buchanan, 325th Operations Support Squadron NCO in-charge of SERE operations and training, surveys a potential on this list as well and often training area around Tyndall Air Force Base for Tyndall’s SERE program, Jan. 17, 2018. The SERE specialists at Tyndall have the special duty of receive the training prior to a ensuring that all qualifying personnel keep their training up-to-date and refreshed. [U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY SENIOR AIRMAN CODY R. MILLER] deployment.” The SERE specialists at Tyndall,” said Buchanan. pilots and aircrew. what to do in case of high Tyndall have the special duty “We make sure they remem- “If something were to go winds and even how to live in of ensuring that all qualifying ber their training if they were wrong with any mission and their life raft for an extended Dental ....................... 2 personnel keep their training ever put in a situation where they have to eject over water, amount of time.” Reaper ....................... 4 up-to-date and refreshed. they’d need to utilize it.” our goal is for the aircrew’s Tyndall’s SERE specialist Education....................5 This includes making sure Because much of the air- water survival training to also take a large role in orga- Budget ....................... 6 that pilots are qualified to craft training that takes place kick-in like muscle memory,” nizing special survival and Voting ...................... 12 deploy. on Tyndall occurs over the said Buchanan. “We train evasion exercises. Classifieds ................16 “We support pilots and Gulf of Mexico, water sur- them to be ready to know how flyers from all the units on vival can be a big concern for to land with their parachute, See SERE, 2 2 Friday, February 16, 2018 | Gulf Defender Prevention is the Name of the Game By Airman 1st Class According to National Matthew Ford Institute of Dental and 325th Aerospace Craniofacial Research, Medicine Squadron fl uoride helps to repair and strengthen enamel TYNDALL AIR FORCE due to demineralization BASE — According to the and even decreases Center for Disease Control the bacteria’s ability and Prevention, cavities to produce decay. It is are one of the most com- important to expose mon conditions effect- children as early as ing children in the United 6 months to fl uoride. States. Approximately one Children living in areas in five children, ages 5 to with fl uoridated tap water 11, have at least one decay- have historically had fewer ing tooth. Cavities form cavities than those who do when the plaque in your not. child’s mouth, gums and tongue feed off sugars and starches that create an acid acids in the mouth rise. and attack their teeth. Thoughtful planning of The good news is that meals and snacks can reduce cavities are extremely pre- the acidity in your child’s ventable. Brushing and mouth and allow for the flossing, nutritional adjust- remineralization of enamel. ments and regular dental For dental tips, visit www.cdc.gov/oralhealth. [U.S. AIR FORCE GRAPHIC BY SENIOR AIRMAN DUSTIN MULLEN AND The NIDCR advises against visits can all hugely impact PHOTO BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS TYBEE HURST] providing your child with your child’s overall oral anything that contains health. Tooth decay can toothpaste. The ADA recom- plaque between your child’s decay. It is important to sugar or starch after bed- begin as soon as their first mends if the child is under 3 teeth that brushing misses, expose children as early as 6 time brushing as the pro- tooth appears so you can years of age to use a smear, you should begin flossing for months to fluoride. Children tective saliva production never start too soon teach- or rice-grain sized amount your child once daily as soon living in areas with fluori- is decreased during sleep. ing good oral hygiene habits. on a soft-bristled toothbrush as teeth that touch erupt. dated tap water have histori- The American Academy of Brushing and flossing are and gently rotate in small According to National cally had fewer cavities than Pediatrics suggests having the simplest actions that can circles along the gum line. If Institute of Dental and Cra- those who do not. A dentist or your child’s first dental visit be taken to secure your child the child is under 6, monitor niofacial Research, fluoride doctor should be consulted to by the age of 1. Along with with a healthy mouth. Twice them and make sure they spit helps to repair and strengthen discuss your child’s specific home care, regular dental daily, use a pea-sized amount out the toothpaste rather than enamel due to demineraliza- needs for fluoride treatment. checkups and cleanings of American Dental Asso- swallowing it. Since floss- tion and even decreases the Whenever food or drink you’re ensuring your child has ciation approved fluoride ing removes food debris and bacteria’s ability to produce is consumed, teeth eroding a lifetime of healthy smiles. with other units during large payoff for keeping our guys “One of my favorite things are willing to help us out. SERE scale exercises such as Stealth ready for anything.” about SERE is the latitude at The bottom line is that we’re Guardian and we have a role Buchanan commented on which we’re able to operate,” only two guys and we can’t From Page 1 during events such as Check- what it was like to work on he said. make a lot of these exercises ered Flag,” said Buchanan. Tyndall with other Airmen “We’re able to work with and training happen without “These can take months of from varying Air Force Spe- anyone and usually all the the help of other agencies on “We’re able to coordinate coordination, but have a huge cialty Codes. supporting agencies on base Tyndall.” AT YOUR SERVICE HOW TO SUBMIT NEWS Force Base is tyndall.af.mil. 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The offi cial news source for Tyndall Air shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without permission from the Gulf Defender. Gulf Defender | Friday, February 16, 2018 3 4 Friday, February 16, 2018 | Gulf Defender MQ-9 Reaper Airmen arrive at Shaw By Airman 1st Class operations with aircraft at reconnaissance) capabilities Kathryn R.C. Reaves different locations, includ- and, in different campaigns 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ing those deployed overseas. or in different scenarios, “The way we operate the the balance of attack and SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, aircraft from here at Shaw ISR shifts,” said David. S.C. — MQ-9 Reaper sup- will be entirely remote,” said “What’s really amazing port Airmen recently began David. “We connect to them about the MQ-9 Reaper is arriving at Shaw Air Force by different means depend- that its missions can shift Base, South Carolina, in ing on what phase of flight over the course of a sor- line with Secretary of the they’re in. For the take-off tie, minute by minute.” Air Force Heather Wilson’s and landing phase, that’s Once all Airmen are in Jan.