Three McChord air crews demonstrated their air mobility capabilities by delivering more than 250 82nd Airborne Division soldiers, Polish and British Forces and their equipment to Poland during Exercise Swift Response 2016, June 7.

Exercise Swift Response 2016 is a significant month-long military crisis response annual training event for multinational forces in the world that includes more than 5,000 participants from 10 North Atlantic Treaty Organization nations including the United States.

C-17 air crews with the 4th, 7th and 8th Airlift Squadrons at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, flew in formation with several other C-17 crews from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina; Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, to work with other units to provide tactical airlift support to the Army and our allies in Europe.

The flight from Pope Army Air Field to the drop zone in Poland took more than nine hours and required some serious preparation.

One C-17 in particular flown by Lt. Col. Jaron Roux, 62nd Operation Support Squadron commander, carried more than 72 paratroopers, a rigging platform, a British Howitzer and an Army Humvee.

And in the dark of the night, Roux, his crew and the other air crews loaded their aircraft and departed on their 4,000-mile journey over international waters with one common goal; to provide safe and reliable rapid global airlift.

All three of the McChord tails received fuel from the KC-10 or KC-135 air refueling tankers midflight to enable their mission, since the aircraft necessitated additional fuel to prevent having to land for it.

The flawless 15-minute-long execution performed by the KC-10's crew for Roux and his jet allowed for 80,000 pounds of fuel to be transferred to the jet while maintaining their route.

Just a few hours later, the crew was put to the test, yet again.

When the back door of the C-17 opened for the equipment air drop in Poland, the nearly 100 Army soldiers inside the jet looked on in awe.

With the swift pull of a parachute out of the back of the aircraft, a few seconds later, the equipment was gone.

Next up was the paratroopers.

One by one, with the assistance from the jump masters and two C-17 loadmasters, the paratroopers began to jump from the side doors of the C-17.

All paratroopers and their equipment made it safely on the ground to perform their tactical training.

Army Capt. Justin Schumaker, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade 82nd Airborne Division, was on the aircraft to support the paratroopers and assist in their jump.

"Everybody did really well," said Schumaker. "These guys jump at least once every three months, but it's not every day they get to jump into Poland. They were definitely excited."

Roux said overall, the McChord air drops were very successful.

"We executed the plan," said Roux. "The crews were always where they needed to be and when, to provide safe and reliable global airlift.

The exercise provided an opportunity for all partners to train like they fight.

"Whenever we go to a fight, we are never alone," said Roux. "It will always be a joint effort with our coalition partners."

The 4th Airlift Squadron welcomed the two newest Team McChord ‘honorary' "Pilots for a Day," Nicholas and Daniel Duffy on May 26 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

McChord's Pilot for a Day program invites children of all ages, military or civilian, to be a guest of the 62nd Airlift Wing and one of McChord's squadrons for an entire day. The program strives to give each child a special day and a break from whatever challenges they may face.

The brothers, who have overcome their own personal challenges, were accompanied by their parents Angela and Sgt. Stephen Cid, 66th Theater Aviation Command, Washington National Guard.

The brothers started the day at the McChord Field Fire Station where they were able to put on fire fighter gear and explore the fire station, as well as put out a simulated aircraft fire.

After the fire station stop they were given a military working dog demonstration, visited the McChord air traffic control tower and the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron.

Following a catered lunch, the brothers were able to experience a simulated parachute freefall with a Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape specialist.

From there they toured a C-17 Globemaster III and had a chance to sit in the cock pit. They then transitioned from the C-17 to the flight simulator where they had a chance to participate in a C-17 simulation fight.

Staff Sgt. Brooke Breeden, 4th AS C-17 loadmaster, started coordinating the day's events nearly two months before it occurred.

"In the past I've been part of small portions of the Pilot for a Day program," said Breeden. "I wanted to experience the whole thing and see the children's faces. I wanted to give them something good to remember forever."

The boys' father Sgt. Stephen Cid, said the day's events were nothing short of perfection.

"It was seamless," said Cid. "Everyone was waiting and prepared for us."

Cid said he knows just how much time and effort it takes to get this type of facetime with military members who have important jobs to do.

"Today it wasn't about everyone's mission, it was about this mission right here, today was about the boys," Cid said. "There could've been many reasons for them to say ‘no' or they couldn't support it, but they did. They (the boys) went where most people don't get the opportunity to."

Angela Cid, the boys' mom, said the biggest event to happen all day was the boys were the center of everyone's attention.

"Today was all about them," said Angela Cid. "They were glowing all day."

She said watching them interact with people who have her respect was humbling.

"The boys respect people in uniform," said Angela Cid. "To watch these individuals who are in charge of so many important things was incredible. There is no amount of thank you's that I can say to express my gratitude."

Stephen Cid said he's been in the military for 18 years and until this day he had never seen the inside of an air traffic control tower or the cock pit of any aircraft.

"I can't thank everyone who has played a part in this enough," said Cid. "We will be talking about this for a long time to come."

In the parent's words, busy airmen slowed everything down for two little boys who usually the world speeds up and passes by.

Nick's favorite part of the day was food and his brother Daniel's was the flight simulator.

Daniel said the simulator gave him the feeling of actually flying a plane, nerves and all.

"I was stoked," said Daniel. "It was amazing. All I'm going to say is ‘God bless the 4th AS'."

Nick said that aside from the incredible food and snacks the best part of the day was being treated with respect.

"I felt like I was older than I actually am," said Nick. "It felt good."

The day concluded with pizza and ice cream and some farewell words from the unit.

"We are all happy to have you here," said Lt. Col. Elizabeth Scott, 4th AS commander. I know you've both faced some challenges in life but you've embodied our motto (Fly, Fight, and Live Proud) by overcoming the struggles. We're proud to have you here as part of the fighting fourth."

Behind the scenes of the McChord flightline, Team McChord airmen work around the clock to sustain the Air Force's C-17 Globemaster III fleet.

One example of that work here at Joint Base Lewis-McChord is the 62nd Maintenance Squadron avionics flight who has successfully worked with mission partners to provide better C-17 aircraft parts to keep the aircraft flying longer.

Currently, the Air Force is working with Boeing to replace old models of the C-17s' multi-function display units used by pilots as part of their flight controls.

Although the displays are regularly being changed out, the demand for the new unit is expected to exceed the rate at which units are being produced. Due to this high demand, the avionics flight here has found a way to prevent this from happening. They have recently started taking old C-17 multi-function display units refurbishing them and putting them back into supply.

"This results in greater mission effectiveness and cost savings," said Tech. Sgt. Jesse Thorn, 62nd MXS avionics flight section chief. "We are taking condemned assets and reverting them to operational status."

Valued at $192,000, each C-17 multi-function display unit that's refurbished results in savings for the Air Force and provides a surplus of replacement assets for the Air Force's C-17 fleet.

Since taking on the task of refurbishing the units in February, the flight has refurbished 10, resulting in a total of $1.9 million in savings for the Air Force.  

"We have a really good working relationship with Boeing because of the knowledge base we have," said Thorn. "We are continually working on control and verification of technical data and maintaining obsolete equipment."

In addition to taking on the task of refurbishing obsolete equipment, in May of 2015, the avionics flight also undertook the task of maintaining and improving an inventory of surplus replacement testing equipment for the entire Air Force.

The flight now maintains the Air Force's surplus supply of light-source assemblies, which are used to measure luminance of C-17 multi-function display units.

The flight identified the supply of spare light-source assemblies were not being tracked efficiently and were often not meeting calibration standards.

When in storage and not regularly calibrated, avionics shops trying to use the replacement equipment would often have to wait an additional 30 days for a device to be calibrated resulting in halting of work and productivity.

"We ran into this problem before and nothing was done; we didn't want to see this continue to be a recurring issue," said Carla De Ruysscher, 62nd MXS avionics technician. "We don't want other bases to have to worry when they get these parts - whether or not they're going to work."

Team McChord's avionics flight has taken on the responsibility to maintain all of the Air Force's spare units to prevent these delays. They are responsible for maintaining the devices and ensuring they are calibrated annually.  

The result of this venture is 30 days of potential time-savings for each device maintained. Since taking on this task, the flight has filled six orders, saving the Air Force approximately 180 days that could have been delayed due to calibration.

"When we are contacted for a light-source assembly, we send the best one to them. They don't have to worry if it's working properly or that it has been calibrated because we've already got them covered," said Master Sgt. Andrew Wasson, 62nd MXS avionics flight chief. "The time-savings alone makes a giant impact to the Air Force and the C-17 Fleet."

Because "good enough" is not acceptable for the avionics flight, they have also worked to improve the longevity of the light-source assemblies by replacing the batteries from alkaline to lithium batteries.

"They will last longer and have minimal corrosion; they will basically last forever," said Thorn. "This is a testament to the caliber of individuals in this flight. They go the extra mile to get things done and better everyday processes."

Looking to better each task they take on, the flight also strives to support avionics airmen across the Air Force.

"We are all one team and support the same mission," said Staff Sgt. Eric Scott, 62nd MXS avionics technician. "This allows everyone else to have the capability to turn out parts faster."

The flight is always looking to improve whatever it can, said Scott.

"Keeping an open mind and looking to better processes is an important part of what we do," said Scott. "It betters mission-efficiency and effectiveness which reduces station downtime around the Air Force as a whole."

While working to make things better in the avionics arena, the flight's primary objective is the mission, De Ruysscher said.

"Every day we run into problems like this and we try to go the extra step to better things," De Ruysscher said. "Saving the Air Force money is a big priority, but keeping planes in the air is our main goal."

Judge Advocates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord gave legal advice to an unusual audience on May 25.

Members of the 62nd Airlift Wing Legal office visited with students of Carter Lake Elementary School on McChord Field, during the nation-wide Law Day.

Law Day is a program sponsored by the American Bar Association, a professional organization which oversees the legal profession, designed to teach children about the legal system and how it can affect their everyday life.

The theme for this year's day was "Miranda: More than Words."

"Law Day is a day where we (attorneys) get to talk about our legal profession and what we do," said Capt. Laura Quaco, 62nd AW chief of legal assistance and preventative law. "I put together this volunteer opportunity to give students a little insight on what we do as judge advocates for the United States Air Force."

The students started with a short class version of the book, The Three Little Pigs, before they were split into groups and learned some judicial system terminology.

"The kids were real eager to learn the lingo," said Senior Airman Tracy Kuenher, 62nd AW paralegal.

After the students went over some of the terminology, the prepared themselves for the mock trial of the "Big Bad Wolf".

"I think we made the mock trial a lot of fun for the kids," said Quaco. "We spruced up the script and selected students to act as the jury panel and give them a chance to deliberate."

Once the jury was done deliberating, they were allowed to give their verdict.

Two out of the three classes thought the "Wolf" was innocent.

"Some of the students were eager to dish out harsh punishment to the "Wolf"," said Keunher. "But I think they learned a valuable lesson regardless if they handed out heavy or lenient sentences."

Quaco said she believed that the kids enjoyed the Law Day activity that was planned for them.

"I asked them how they liked it and they all screamed and yelled," said Quaco. "A lot of them were really interested in the whole courtroom scene and that makes me happy because educating our youth early can ultimately help lead to less crime through heightened awareness of potential victims."

The Air Force released a flight plan directing development activity as a result of a yearlong study focused on developing capability options to ensure joint force air superiority in 2030 and beyond.

According to the unclassified version of the Air Superiority 2030 Flight Plan, released May 26, the gap between the U.S. military's air superiority capabilities and potential adversaries' means, as it currently stands, the Air Force's projected force structure in 2030 may not be capable of fighting and winning against those adversary capabilities.

In order to counter emerging threats, air superiority must be viewed as a condition the Air Force sets to enable joint forces to accomplish mission objectives, and not as an end in and of itself. Providing the capabilities to do this will require multi-domain solutions developed through a more agile acquisition process.

"After twenty-five years of being the only great power out there, we're returning to a world of great power competition," said Lt. Gen. Mike Holmes, the Air Force deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and requirements. "We need to develop coordinated solutions that bring air, space, cyber, the electronic environment and surface capabilities together to solve our problems."

The flight plan, put together by an enterprise capability collaboration team composed of Air Force operators, acquirers and analysts, says that to achieve air superiority in 2030 and beyond, the Air Force needs to develop a family of capabilities that operate in and across the air, space and cyberspace domains, including both stand-off and stand-in forces.

The speed of capability development and fielding will be crucial to retaining the U.S. advantage. The service can no longer afford to develop weapon systems on acquisition and development timelines using traditional approaches. According to the ECCT, air superiority capability development requires adaptable, affordable and agile processes with increasing collaboration between science and technology, acquisition, requirements and industry professionals.

"There's no silver bullet," said Col. Alexus Grynkewich, the Air Superiority 2030 ECCT lead. "We have to match tech cycles - some of them are really long. Engines take a long time to make, but information age-tech cycles are fast. Software updates are constantly moving. So how do you move from pacing yourself off industrial age mindsets to information age mindsets?"

The answer, Grynkewich said, is parallel development of maturing technologies for sensors, missions systems, lethality and non-kinetic effects, on appropriate time cycles, of an integrated and networked family of capabilities. The next step is to pull technologies out of each of those parallel efforts when they are ready and developing prototypes, experimenting and gaining more knowledge to determine if the developments are what's needed in the field.

"What the flight plan lays out is a series of capability development needs, as well as initiatives to prototype and experiment with a number of concepts," Grynkewich said. "You can start building and then move forward if experimental capabilities are determined to make enough of a difference in highly contested environments of the future."

In order to achieve air superiority in 2030 and beyond, bringing agility to multi-domain acquisition is crucial.

"We've talked about acquisition agility a number of times in terms of, ‘How do we save money' and not wasting taxpayer dollars is absolutely important," Grynkewich said. "But there's an operational imperative that says we have to do this faster, and if we don't, we're at a risk of failing as an Air Force and a joint force."

Air Superiority 2030 is the first enterprise capability collaboration team to release its flight plan. The ECCTs examine, comprehend and quantify operational needs, including current and emerging capability gaps that span the Air Force enterprise. Future topics will likely cover other core Air Force mission areas. 

Seven C-17 Globemasters departed McChord Field Tuesday, May 17, to conduct air land and air drop operations as part of a Large Force Exercise at the Mountain Home Range Complex in Idaho.

"This is a proof of concept for Air Mobility Command's next generation exercise Mobility Guardian," said Maj. Sean McConville, 62nd Airlift Wing Tactics Director. "We didn't necessarily exercise all the capabilities in legacy Rodeo (previous exercises) that we wanted to. AMC leadership asked us to rebuild Rodeo as a flag-level exercise for the Mobility Air Forces."

With a team of five and just a few short weeks, Capt. Chris Wojtowicz and Capt. Joseph Fry, C-17 pilots, successfully coordinated the mission plan for countless aircrews to put their skills to the test during this specific training.

The McChord tails teamed up with F-15 Strike Eagles from the 389th Fighter Squadron and 366th Operations Support Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base to simulate operating in a non-permissive environment.

"We decided to do a joint forcible entry operation as part of Mobility Guardian," said McConville. "It's one of the most difficult skillsets that we have on our docket, and with the focus over the last fifteen years on relatively permissive operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, we have a significant portion of the crew force - to include the instructor corps - that doesn't even know that they're on the hook for it."

"The Mountain Home Range gives us the airspace and the threat emitters to provide our crews with very high fidelity training. An extraordinary amount of work went into this. Because this is a new thing for a lot of crews here, we wanted to be sure that we were getting it absolutely right."

The F-15s provided detached escort and reactive close air support, a first for McChord local training missions, and the range provided simulated tactical surface-to-air missiles.

The Mountain Home range has both liberal airspace and threat emitters that can replicate hostile radar on a scale that no other base in the region can, according to McConville, which is why this training was unprecedented.

"McChord is leading the way," said McConville. "The AMC commander said he wants us to be ready for operations in semi- and non-permissive environments and to be ready for evolving counter-terrorism threats. This is us doing just that ... four weeks later."

When AMC executes Mobility Guardian, it's not going to be seven C-17s going to execute the mission down in the Mountain Home Range, it's going to be 15 C-17s, 15 C-130s and at least 12 tankers, with a much larger escort package.

"Running through the sortie on a smaller scale gives us the opportunity to build relationships with Air Traffic Control, the 266th Range Squadron, the 389th Fighter Squadron, and it helps us identify some potential stumbling blocks sooner rather than later," said McConville.

This LFE provided more than one first for the McChord C-17 crews.

In fact, it was the first time the crews attempted to connect the data link used by C-17s to the fighter's data link using capabilities in their range.

It was also the first time for a McChord intelligence unit to utilize their Global Rapid Response Intelligence Package in a training scenario.

First Lt. Christy Vachavake, 62nd Operation Support Squadron chief of Intel training, said the GRRIP system is a portable system that attaches to a satellite.

"It can provide access to resources should we need it in an isolated or austere location," said Vachavake. "It is basically an extension of an Intel analyst and it serves as a backup."

The training conducted during this LFE proved to be immeasurable for McConville and the other air crews.

"There are always things to be learned in big exercises," he said. "All in all it was a big win for the 62nd AW because it is the absolute, highest level training that we can get."

McConville said recent operations have seen the C-17 operating in a context that 15 years ago nobody would've ever thought, and by doing this training we are setting up our airmen for success.

"This was Mobility Guardian, but on a smaller scale," he added, "this was a huge win for AMC in general and a case study in the institution of getting it right; leadership at McChord and Mountain Home empowered the operational level to make decisions using existing training resources. What we ended up with was an awesome training opportunity that is greater than the sum of its individual parts."

Airmen and families stretched and laced up their shoes as they prepared for the start of a run. With the yell of "go", airmen took off running at this year's 62nd Aerial Port Squadron 5K Memorial Run May 18, on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

The memorial run, an annual tradition among port dawgs, is done to honor all aerial porters known as port dawgs that have passed on.

"I think most importantly, this is a time to take a moment to honor those who have served before us and their sacrifice," said Maj. Faith Posey, 62nd APS commander. "This builds pride in being part of our career field and solidifies our heritage."

This year's run marks the third consecutive year that aerial porters from around the Air Force have ran to honor fallen port dawgs. This year's run honored five fellow port dawgs from around the Air Force that passed in 2015.

"There are more than thirty locations to include deployed locations across the globe participating in this year's run," said Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Miller, 62nd APS air terminal manager. "I think part of this is about heritage and recognizing we are a better Air Force because of those who have gone before us."

This year's run was very important to McChord Field port dawgs after they recently lost one of their own, said Miller.

"This year is a little more personal because it's also about one of our immediate family members," said Miller. "This hits close to home and our family; we want people to know we haven't forgot about their sacrifice."

Besides honoring fallen port dawgs, the purpose of the memorial run is to raise donations for a good cause through the sale of memorial shirts. Collectively, this year's run generated $5,680 in donations for the Fisher House Foundation through the sale of 380 shirts.

"Here it's about family and building an aerial port community," said Miller. "This is one way we can show we care about our own and are there for them."

Unifying the aerial port community, the run was open to active-duty, Guard and Reserve airmen and their families to run and support each other.

"It's great to get out here with my family and remember those that have gone before us," said Staff Sgt. Zachery Morton, 62nd APS cargo processing supervisor. "It gives us all a common ground to come together as one and to support one another."

Quickly becoming a regular tradition among port dawgs, the run helps build morale and community among airmen, said Staff Sgxt. Addison Richey, 62nd APS passenger services supervisor.

"Every time we can get together for an event, it is bonding time and helps build stronger relationships among us," said Richey. "We are a small family and whenever one of us passes away it impacts us all."

After a rocky and bumpy start to adulthood, Capt. Jason Henry, 627th Logistics Readiness Squadron operations officer, engaged himself with his local services recruiters and ultimately chose to serve in the Unites States Air Force.

Joining the Armed Forces directly after high school was not in the plans for Henry.

"Prior to coming into the Air Force, I went to Penn State University," said Henry. "I grew up a fan of their football program and Joe Paterno."

Henry said the realization of finally deciding to join the Air Force was when he dropped out of Penn State University because his grades was less than stellar and he had accumulated too much debt from student loans.

"I didn't want to have to drop out," said Henry. "I knew I wanted to make something of myself one day so I decided to explore other opportunities to better myself."

Henry enlisted into the Air Force in 1995 as a weapons troop, then later cross-trained to be a radio operator on the E-3 Sentry (airborne warning and control system) before beginning his commissioning process.

Henry loved the Air Force and knew that he wanted to do more than just serve. He wanted to lead airmen and lead by example.

"Back at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma in 2000, I met then-Capt. Matthew Smith, now Col. Smith, who changed my life forever," said Henry. "He motivated me both personally and professionally and is the apex of what it means to be a servant leader.  He is the officer and man I've wanted to emulate since the first day I met him and has been a mentor to me all these years, and continues to do so to this day."

While working his way through the enlisted ranks, Henry took the Officer Training School route after he finished his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State University in 2001.

But it wasn't a smooth transition from technical sergeant to lieutenant for Henry.

"I was turned down for OTS twice," said Henry. "Then I had a board cancelled. I honestly thought about giving up my pursuit of a commission, as I thought to myself ‘Maybe I am supposed to be a chief?'"

But Henry did not give up and stayed resilient. On July 6, 2006, Henry was sworn in as a commissioned officer and pinned on second lieutenant.

"Transitioning from the rank of technical sergeant to second lieutenant will be the best day of my career," said Henry. "My mother, who has since passed, was there to witness the event, and for my mom to know how proud of me she was at that very moment in time when she, my father and wife, pinned on those gold bars, no rank or job I will attain in or after the service will ever compare to it."

Henry said he does not take being a commissioned officer in the USAF for granted.

"I take every opportunity I have to lead and mentor my airmen," said Henry.

All the all hard work and leadership that Henry displayed throughout the 627th LRS doesn't go unnoticed, as he was recognized as the Team McChord 2015 company grade officer of the year.

"It was truly humbling when I was announced as the CGO of the year," said Henry. "During that moment I reflected back on all the successes of our airmen and civilians in the 627th LRS over the last year.  I also reflected on my opportunity to represent our service (Air Force) in Baghdad, Iraq, with the 1st Infantry Division from Fort Riley, Kansas supporting our servicemembers on the ground, to include the Iraqis.  I also thought of my wife Robyne and our daughters, Emerie and Ellasyn, for the sacrifices they have made on my behalf to serve in the Air Force."

A ceremonial guardsman wearing white gloves raises his hand to render a salute as a white sedan pulls up to the curb. He proceeds to the vehicle where he respectfully retrieves an urn containing the remains of a fellow comrade.

The urn holds the remains of Airman 2nd Class Conrad Sprague, which were presented to his family during an honors ceremony May 10, at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington.  

Sprague was one of 11 crewmembers and 41 passengers aboard a C-124 Globemaster II that crashed into Mount Gannet, Alaska, while en route to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, from McChord AFB, Nov. 22, 1952.

For the last 63 years, Sprague was considered missing in action until earlier this year when his remains were identified by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.

"The last thing I remember is seeing him the day he got on the plane," said retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Denis Sprague, surviving son of Airman 2nd Class Conrad Sprague. "For all this time he has been MIA, we never got an official ceremony."

Since the crash of the aircraft, no servicemembers from the flight were recovered until after June 2012, when an Alaska National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk crew spotted aircraft wreckage and debris while conducting a training mission over Colony Glacier, immediately west of Mount Gannett.

Since being discovered, recovery operations have taken place every summer, resulting in the recovery of 17 airmen's remains, including Sprague's.

"We heard the news in 2013 and were asked to provide DNA samples," said Denis. "I got notified six months ago that they had uncovered three pieces of my father's remains."

Medical examiners from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used testing conducted by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, along with other forensic evidence, in the identification of Sprague's remains.

"All I've ever had to hold onto was a piece of the plane that was recovered," said Denis. "That's as close as I've been able to come to it."

Because Sprague died while serving, he was given a ceremony with full military honors. The ceremony included a firing party, a flag-folding ceremony, presentation of the colors and the playing of "Taps".

"The reason this was special is because we got to bring a fellow airman home," said Tech. Sgt. Justin Nolan, McChord Field Honor Guard NCO in charge. "It shows the Air Force does care. After decades missing, he was brought back - to me, that's special."

"This was something he deserved - it's a right he earned for his service," said Senior Airman Matthew Feigum, McChord Field Honor Guard ceremonial guardsmen. "I hope this provided them a little more closure than they had before."

For Denis, the ceremony was a long-anticipated event that provided a conclusion to that point in his family's history.

"The closure is the most important thing," said Denis. "I wanted some closure on this part of my life that was left wide open for so long. I had some recollection of what happened, but was never able to say goodbye."

A Washington native, Airman 2nd Class Conrad Sprague was survived by his wife Dorothy Jean and his three children Denis, Christopher and Constance. Sprague is no stranger to the community and is related to one of the city of Tacoma's founders - Medal of Honor recipient Brig. General John Sprague.

To Conrad Sprague's family, he died a hero and deserved the honor he received.   

"He was a true hero because he died doing what he thought was right - just like we all are willing to do who put on the uniform," said Denis.

Starting at Pope Army Air Field, North Carolina, and ending at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, airmen from the 62nd Airlift Wing participated in a training exercise May 2-3 sponsored by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

The three 62nd AW aircrews flying C-17 Globemaster III aircraft assisted in inserting more than 350 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division, from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, over a training area in Texas to simulate how a joint force would infiltrate and seize an airfield in hostile territory.

"This type of training is very realistic of how we would (enter) into a contested area with enemy close by so the troops can secure the airfield for future operations," said Capt. John Shaw, 62nd AW C-17 pilot. "This is about getting a small combat package into a secure area for more troops and cargo later on."

Along with the three 62nd AW C-17s from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, there were three C-17s from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, and one from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Also integrated in with the C-17s were C-130 Hercules, a KC-135 Stratotanker, a B-1 Lancer, and a Navy EA-18G Growler.

"It doesn't really get more complex than what we are doing here," said Col. David Owens, 62nd Operations Group commander. "We had close air support integration, bomber integration, mixed formation with the C-130s, there is really nothing else we could add."

Although the plan for the exercise was complex and the timeline for the aircrews was compressed, the exercise was successful.

"It went very well. We were able to get all of the jumpers on the drop zone and they were able to complete their objectives," said Shaw. "The crews were able to a take ninety-five percent solution (from the mission planning cell) and execute it safely and accurately."

There has been and will continue to been an increase in these type of exercises for not just the 62nd AW, but all of Air Mobility Command.