Going the distance Page 7 MARCH 10, 2017 • VOLUME 8 • NO. 10 8 • NO. • VOLUME 2017 10, MARCH Weapons Fest in GuamPage 5 No. 220 No. PERMIT Last C-130s leave JBERPage 4 PHOTO FEATURE 90th FS is Aussome!Squadron wows at air show ABOVE: An F-22 Raptor from the 90th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson banks left causing mas- sive vapor contrails during the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition (AVALON) in Geelong, Australia March 3. The F-22 Demonstration Team from Langley Air Force Base, Va., impressed the crowd showcasing the Raptor’s capability and maneu- verability. AVALON 2017 showcased U.S. defense aircraft and equipment, particularly the latest in fifth-generation capabilities such as the F-22 and F-35 Lightning II and is the largest, most comprehensive event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. (U.S. Air Force photos/Master Sgt. John Gordinier) TOP: A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor departs the runway to begin an aerial demonstration during the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Expo- sition (AVALON) March 2. AVALON attracts aviation and aerospace professions, key defense personnel, aviation enthusiasts and the general public. The U.S. participates in AVALON and other similar events to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to regional security and stability. ABOVE: Air Force Maj. Rock Dickinson, F-22 Raptor Demon- stration Team pilot, autographs an F-22 poster March 3. RIGHT: Air Force Capt. Dakota Newton, F-16 Viper Demon- stration Team safety officer, communicates with F-16 pilot Maj. Richard Smeeding during the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition March 5. The 90th Fighter Squadron, which was in Australia for training, participated in AVALON. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson/ JBER Public Affairs Chief 673d Air Base Wing Commander Maj. John Ross (USAF) Col. George T.M. Dietrich III (USAF) ARCTIC WARRIOR Public Affairs Operations Chief Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson/ The Arctic Warrior is published by Wick Communica- available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, Jerome Baysmore tions, a private firm in no way connected with the Department color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, 673d Air Base Wing Vice Commander of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or the Department physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit Col. Adam W. Lange (USA) of the Army, under exclusive written contract with the Joint factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Public Affairs Superintendent Base Elmendorf-Richardson Public Affairs Office. To advertise in the Arctic Warrior, please call (907) Senior Master Sgt. J. LaVoie This civilian enterprise newspaper is an authorized pub- 561-7737. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson/ lication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of by the Arctic Warrior staff. 673d Air Base Wing Command Chief the Arctic Warrior are not necessarily the official views of, or Editorial office and mailing address: JBER Public Af- Arctic Warrior staff Command Chief Master Sgt. endorsed by, the U.S. government, Department of Defense, the fairs, 10480 Sijan Ave., Suite 123, Joint Base Elmendorf-Rich- Chris McCann - editor Department of the Air Force or the Department of the Army. ardson, AK 99506; telephone (907) 552-2549. Garry E. Berry II The appearance of advertising in this publication, includ- Send emails about news stories and story submissions Jeremiah Erickson - managing editor ing inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by to [email protected]. Deadline for article and Justin Connaher - photo editor Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson/ U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the Department photos is 4:30 p.m., Monday, for the week of publication. Ed Cunningham - webmaster of the Air Force, the Department of the Army, or Wick Com- Articles and photos will be published on a space-available 673d ABW Command Sergeant Major munications of the products or services advertised. basis and are subject to editing by the Arctic Warrior staff. Sgt. Maj. Ronald E. Sheldon Jr. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made Submission does not guarantee publication. 2 VOLUME 8 • NO. 10 • MARCH 10, 2017 NEWS Aussome! MARCH 10, 2017 • VOLUME 8 • NO. 10 3 NEWS Alaska Air National Guard bids farewell to last two C-130s By AIR FORCE MAJ. National Guard of its eight “legacy” begin writing yet another successful Its missions include the rescue JOHN CALLAHAN C-130H Hercules aircraft and the chapter in our wing’s proud history. triad – HH-60 Pavehawk Helicopters, 176th Wing Public Affairs tactical airlift mission. Our nation and state know they can HC-130 J-models, and Guardian On the bright, chilly morning of These aircraft have, one by one, count on us being ready whenever Angel pararescuemen; inter-agency March 5, a small crowd of onlook- been transferred to other state Guard called upon.” rescue coordination; U.S. airspace ers and well-wishers listened to the units or retired from service. A March 4 ceremony and bar- monitoring and defense; and a full sound of the Alaska Air National “With over four decades of in- becue provided current and former complement of agile combat support. Guard’s C-130H Hercules turbo- credible service, today’s C-130 crews and maintainers the opportuni- Since 2007, these missions have props recede into the distance for departures mark a significant mile- ty to share memories and inspect the also included strategic airlift, which the last time. stone for the 176th Wing,” said Col. wing’s two remaining C-130s for the the wing’s 249th Airlift Squadron ac- The wing’s divesture of the last of Steve deMilliano, last time. They unanimously praised complishes in a “classic association” the 144th Airlift Squadron’s C-130s commander of the the airframe’s famed with Joint Base Elmendorf-Richard- marks a sea change for the organiza- 176th Wing. “Their We’re versatility. son’s 517th Airlift Squadron. tion, one of the nation’s largest and aircrews and main- “excited to ... “I’ve been all the In a “classic association,” ac- busiest Air Guard wings. tainers have served way down to Monte- tive-component and Air National Since 1957, its tactical airlift air- with honor and dis- begin writing video, Uruguay and Guard Airmen work together as to- craft – first C-47 Skytrains and later tinction. This 70th Cape Town, South tal force partners in accomplishing C-123 Providers – have been at the anniversary year for yet another Africa,” said Rob- the mission, but the active-duty Air heart of the its varied missions. the United States Air successful ert Paulson, a former Force owns the airframes. The first C-130s, “E” models, ar- Force highlights that C-130 crew chief who This association is in the process rived in 1976, followed seven years aircraft and missions chapter in our attended the event. of converting to an “active” asso- later by the updated “H” models. For will eventually change, wing’s proud “[The C-130] did so ciation, with the 249th assuming more than four decades, these blunt- and our Airmen are the many things – any- ownership of the airframes. nosed turboprops have been familiar constant ensuring mis- history. thing to support the Leaders of the 176th Wing and sights in Alaska’s skies, their rugged sion success. Despite ” goals of our country.” said they appreciate that mission design and short-airfield capabilities any bittersweet feelings we may have The divestiture of the C-130s changes present new opportunities serving the state well. with the final two C-130H aircraft and their tactical airlift mission still for the squadrons. Now, Air Force structure changes departing today, we’re excited to leaves the 176th Wing as one of For photo coverage of the last included in the 2017 Presidential see our dedicated Airmen embrac- the most operationally engaged Air C-130H departing JBER, visit http:// Budget have divested the Alaska Air ing the opportunities of the future to Guard organizations. tiny.cc/fx5pjy. 4 VOLUME 8 • NO. 10 • MARCH 10, 2017 NEWS Combat Mobility Flight adapts to home-station mission Air Force Staff By AIRMAN 1ST CLASS to clear out the tower of para- Sgt. Justin Nal- VALERIE MONROY chutes and reconstitute the ley, 773d Lo- JBER Public Affairs parachutes for heavies and gistics Read- container delivery systems iness Squad- ron combat Many people coming to so that we can load them up mobility flight Alaska go through adapta- on the planes,” said Air Force supervisor, ob- tions to suit their new en- Staff Sgt. Justin Nalley, 773d serves Senior Airman Harold vironment. Similarly, the LRS combat mobility super- Thuesen, 773d 773d Logistics Readiness visor. LRS combat Squadron Combat Mobility In order to clear out the mobility super- visor, as he un- Flight adapts to meet mission tower, all the parachutes tangles para- requirements. need to be packed and ready chute cords. During deployments, the to go, explained Senior (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman CMF is responsible for estab- Airman Brock Kemp, 773d 1st Class Val- lishing and operating aerial LRS combat mobility tech- erie Monroy) ports in remote locations to nician. support overseas contingen- “We start by rigging all der the parachute unusable,” “They are the technical ex- experts to ensure that it’s cy operations; at home, their parachutes for loads that we Kemp said. perts who make sure all the going to perform the way it’s mission changes but is no drop,” Kemp said. “Basically Though anyone in the rigger checks are completed supposed to,” Thuesen said. less important. we lay the parachute out, fan combat mobility flight may to the standard.” The rigger career field in At Joint Base Elmen- it out, make sure all the lines rig, each packed parachute After the QC completes the Air Force is small; the job dorf-Richardson, the CMF are straight and nothing gets must go through an inspec- their inspection, riggers and is primarily a U.S.