Military and civilian acts dazzle JBER and Alaska communities ARCTIC THUNDER through aerial, ground and static demonstrations OPEN HOUSE Photo story, A-3 JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON’S SOURCE FOR NEWS ARCTIC WARRIOR August 1, 2014 www.jber.af.mil Volume 5, No. 30 WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER The new command chief at JBER Find out what his priorities are By Air Force Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera JBER Public Affairs rowing up in the small town of Rod- man, N.Y., with a population of 739, Gthe 26-year Air Force veteran wanted to travel and see the world after high school. While in high school, an Air Force re- cruiter spoke to the students and caught the attention of one senior-year student, Garry Berry. Intrigued by what the recruiter said, l Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Nenno, assistant jumpmaster assigned to B Company, 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment, See BERRY A-3 rehearses troop door safety inspection procedures Saturday aboard a C-17 Globemaster III in preparation for a show-of-force demonstration at the Arctic Thunder Open House. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. John R. Nimmo, Sr.) Shields talks arsenal,” Lambeth said. “It provided the Demonstration public with a glimpse of what our operations and training entail and should give them antiterrorism comfort and peace of mind knowing that showcases rough men stand ready to visit violence on Editorial by Army Maj. Gen. those that threaten our nation’s security, way Michael Shields of life or interests.” U.S. Army Alaska commanding general advantages of Anger said JBER is uniquely qualified to perform demonstrations such as these The protection of our Soldiers, civilian C-17 fact file because of the units assigned to the base. and family members is my greatest concern. For the Army, the 1st Battalion (Airborne), The Department of the Army designated a joint base The C-17 Globemaster III is a cargo air- craft capable of strategic and tactical 509th Infantry Regiment (paratroopers), the August as Antiterrorism Awareness Month. By Air Force Staff Sgt. Blake Mize airlift owing to its large cargo bay, long 1-501st Infantry (air assault element) and the During this time, the Army promotes its JBER Public Affairs range and fully reversible engines, which 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment (UH antiterrorism awareness program, iWATCH, allow it to land on short, unimproved air- -60s) participated in the demonstrations. which is designed to educate Soldiers, family BER” HAS BECOME PART OF fields. With a payload capacity of 170,900 The 517th Airlift Squadron (C-17) and the members and civilians throughout the com- the common vernacular around pounds, the C-17 is capable of dropping 90th and 525th Fighter Squadrons (F-22s) munity about the importance of reporting Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson 102 paratroopers. The jet has an unrefu- represented the Air Force. These and many suspicious activity or behavior to military “J eled range of about 2,400 nautical miles and the surrounding communities, but when other units all call JBER home. police or local law enforcement. you stop to think about what the letters of and can be refueled by an aerial tanker. “As one of only a handful of joint bases I am directing USARAK to focus efforts the acronym actually mean, the term takes The crew normally consists of a pilot, a worldwide, we [the Air Force and the Army] on the following themes for this year’s anti- copilot and a loadmaster. The plane is on a much deeper significance. powered by four F117-PW-100 engines have the unique ability to train side-by-side terrorism awareness. This focus will guide Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Rich- (very similar to those used in a commer- on a daily basis, enhancing our ability to commanders and managers on high pay-off ardson each boasted a rich history within cial Boeing 757), which produce 40,440 execute our missions together in very real tasks that directly support the Army’s Anti- the fabric of our military’s past. When the pounds of thrust each. combat situations such as in Iraq or Afghani- terrorism Awareness Program: two installations combined forces in 2010 to stan,” he said. • Recognize and report suspicious ac- form one of the United States’ first true joint tured their objective, a group of opposing Lambeth said he agreed. tivities – including implementation of Army bases, the accompanying capabilities com- forces. About this time, F-22 Raptors took “The Army and Air Force routinely iWATCH and eGuardian threat reporting. posed a war-fighting and defense machine. off to protect the airfield from notional air- work with each other to accomplish similar • Antiterrorism exercises. Those capabilities were on display July craft taking off from a hostile airfield nearby. missions,” Lambeth said. “The fact that this • Antiterrorism measures in contracting. 26 and 27 at JBER’s Arctic Thunder Open They circled over the field to provide air is a joint base, and that the 4-25th Infantry • Reinforce our communities to practice House 2014 during the joint forces demon- superiority for the operation. To reinforce Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) is an positive operations security. stration portion of the event. the ground forces, a C-17 landed and deliv- airborne-capable unit, means that mutual “The training displayed a show of ca- ered two Humvees armed with .50-caliber cooperation is not only crucial and ben- I also want to emphasize the importance pability and force that demonstrated to the machine guns. Lastly, the UH-60s returned eficial, but symbiotic as both forces work of maintaining our vigilance and situational public the multi-dynamic assets, capabilities with a sling-loaded M119 105-mm howitzer collectively to protect the Pacific region.” awareness to guard against a multitude and ability of both the Army’s forces and to provide even more suppressive fire. Once Anger also said that although these were of ongoing threats. Terrorism remains an Air Forces’ forces to work collectively to the area was secured, the F-22s were released only exercises, the capabilities displayed are enduring, persistent, and worldwide threat accomplish a mission,” said Sgt. 1st Class from the area and the Soldiers crossed the very real. throughout the Pacific region and our Robert Lambeth, platoon sergeant of 3rd airfield to interact with the crowd. “I think what is important to note is the homeland. Terrorism comes in many forms Platoon, Delaware Company, 1st Battalion “These capabilities are provided from our demonstration our spectators will see is not and can happen at any time. Remember, (Airborne), 501st Infantry. nation’s treasure, the taxes our spectators pay performed by Hollywood actors,” he said. a vigilant effort of detection and preven- The demonstrations showcased many each and every day,” Anger said. “We have “These are sons and daughters, husbands tion is our greatest weapon in the fight of the primary operators stationed at JBER, a responsibility to be good stewards of these and wives, fathers and mothers of average against terrorism, high risk behavior and said Air Force Lt. Col. Shawn Anger, 3rd resources and demonstrate to the public that Americans who at some point in their life accidents. Operations Group deputy commander and we have not squandered their hard-earned decided to do something very important. “If you see something, say something.” mission director of the demonstrations. First, money and are deserving of their trust. Our Although they may make it look easy at the To report suspicious activity on JBER, 50 paratroopers simulated a combat insertion nation’s citizens have very high confidence in open house, the training it takes to execute call the Military Police desk at 907 384- wearing full combat gear by dropping out of our military. This does not happen by luck, but these types of missions and the deployment 0823. a C-17 Globemaster III at 1,000 feet above through execution of professional demonstra- sacrifices these Soldiers and Airman have People, training and equipment are the the field. Once they landed, they established tions such as this one that give Americans the made since 9/11 are absolutely remarkable. most basic ingredients of mission success. a fighting position, where they received sup- confidence that they are protected 24 hours a We are extremely fortunate to live in a com- Our people are our most precious resource. port from an air assault unit that arrived via day, 365 days a year.” munity where our countrymen understand I also believe the glue that bonds people, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Together, “It showcased many different capabili- this and support our mission the way they training and equipment together consists of these units suppressed and eventually cap- ties that the Army and Air Force have in their do. Thank you, Alaska for all your support.” leadership, teamwork and discipline. POSTAL CUSTOMER POSTAL Publishing Inside Arctic Thunder in Alaska: B-1 JBER Airman tells harrowing tale Anchorage PAID JBER Honorary Commanders Program kicks off ....B-1 A JBER journalist recalls a Matters of Faith: Our values speak volumes ............B-2 complex attack shortly after U.S. Postage U.S. Community Happenings community calendar .........B-3 his arrival in Afghanistan at PRSRT-STD Birth announcements ...............................................B-4 Bagram Air Base ECRWSS Sports: Roller derby invades JBER ..........................B-4 Commentary, A-2 A-2 News August 1, 2014 Daily life in Afghanistan JBER Airman recalls security forces heroism Editor’s note: The author is the superin- tendent of Public Affairs at JBER and is deployed with the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing. Commentary by Senior Master Sgt. Mike Hammond JBER Public Affairs KABUL, Afghanistan — Having re- cently arrived in Kabul, I will say it has been an eventful and busy time already.