JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash.  -- When the newest member of Team McChord was asked what was the best part of his Pilot for a Day experience, his response was "the explosion."

The 4th Airlift Squadron hosted Pilot for a Day, 14-year-old, Josh Loux, March 18.

"These types of events are fun," said Capt. Raegan McDowell, 4th AS pilot and Pilot for a Day coordinator. "We strive to make this a special day for Josh and his family, and look forward to showing him 'Airlift Excellence' first hand."

Pilot for a Day is an Air Force program that enables challenged youth a chance to visit an Air Force squadron, becoming part of the team in the process. The participants are usually selected through a partnership with a community hospital or foster program.

Josh was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, one of the most common chronic lung diseases in children and young adults. 

Joined by his mother, father, brother, sister and two friends, the group started the day with an explosive ordnance disposal demonstration. 

"You want me to yell loud? Really loud? Really, really loud?" said Josh. "Fire in the hole! Fire in the hole! Fire in the hole!"

The group also got a chance to tour the fire station, sit in the pilot seat of a C-17 Globemaster III and "fly" in an aircraft simulator. 

The Gig Harbor, Wash., teen is home schooled and his family is part of the Harper Christian Home School Co-op. 

"We are very grateful to the kids and families of the Co-op," said Mrs. Deedee Loux, Josh's mother. "Everyone has treated him like any other kid."

Josh's friends, Mac and Cole, also had a good time touring McChord Field, playing foosball in the 4th AS Heritage room and laughing together. 

"Josh was very appreciative, he had lots of fun," said Captain McDowell.    

CAMP MURRAY - The Washington National Guard will bid farewell to the 116th Air Support Operations Squadron in a ceremony on Saturday, March 26 at 6:00 p.m. in Building #92 on Camp Murray.

The unit will serve in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and will be
based in Afghanistan.  Approximately 20 Washington Air National Guard
members will comprise the deploying force of the 116th.

"We are extremely proud of the 116th.  They are well trained, experienced
and ready to accomplish any mission they are given," said Major General
Timothy J. Lowenberg, the Adjutant General and commander of the Washington
National Guard.

The 116th is headquartered at Camp Murray and is part of the Washington Air
National Guard's 194th Regional Support Wing.  The citizen-airmen of the
116th are Tactical Air Control Party members; often considered the furthest
extension of Air Force influence on the Army's battlefield.  TACP airmen
deploy into combat with Special Operations teams and serve as close air
support experts, advising ground commanders on the use of Air Force assets
in combat.  They serve as forward air controllers, winning battles by
guiding weapons onto target.

Pre-deployment training for the 116th began last fall and included events at
Fort Irwin, California and Fort Stewart, Georgia.  The deployment is
scheduled to last approximately four months.  Although individual members of
the unit have deployed previously, this is the first deployment in the
squadron's history of this size.     

Going to the movies nowadays can be expensive. A family of four can spend on average at the movie theaters about $70 for tickets, popcorn and soda, according to the National Association of Theater Owners. Joint Base Lewis-McChord families not wanting to shell out a ton of money to have an enjoyable movie-watching experience need look no further than the newly renovated and open McChord Theater on McChord Field.

The theater has a distinct advantage going for it - all movies are free. Operated by the McChord Community Center staff, the McChord Theater shows free movies at 4 and 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Popcorn, candy and soda are available for purchase, and popcorn is the most expensive item on the list - $1.50.

"Our movies are free, and that's unheard of," said Erika Scott-Small, a recreational aide and theater manager with the Community Center.

Building 742 houses the one screen, 300-plus seating capacity theater. Closed until earlier this month for renovations, the cinema house now boasts new paint, new blue paneling and trim and new carpeting in the foyer. Not many people attended the weekend showings prior to the renovation, but since it's reopened, word is getting out, Scott-Small said.

Two weeks ago, about 60 people showed up for the premiere of "Tron: Legacy" during a Saturday evening show, and 50 servicemembers and their families came to McChord last Saturday to see "Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." Saturdays have PG through R rated movies, she said, and Sunday is family day, so children can come to G or PG movies.

Concessions pay for themselves, as the profits from M&Ms, Oreo cookies or Airhead candies purchased at the theater go back into the fund to buy more candies.

"People just can't believe the deal they get at our theater," Scott-Small said.

The movies are sent out from AAFES across the Air Force. The Saturday movies are a little older than what can be found at Carey Theater on JBLM Lewis-Main, and that's because Carey charges a bargain $1 admission and McChord does not, Scott-Small said.

Sunday movies are typically more current because Scott-Small picks the children's movies directly from her own library. She only chooses films that she deems appropriate for her 3-year-old son, Brandon. For example, Child, Youth and School Services are seeing "MegaMind" in the theater Sunday; both for their movie-watching enjoyment and to be exposed to the small film house.

"With the weather the way it has been, it's nice to be indoors, doing something free, where you can bring the whole family," she said.

For more information on movie show times, visit the McChord Theater website at www.jblmmwr.com/other_pages/cc/theater.html or call 982-0718.

Visit the base theater on Jackson Blvd., across from the Chapel Support Center.

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Whether it's at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., or Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, these are just some of the areas where mobility Airmen and other people from Air Mobility Command bases are stepping up to help people returning from Japan.

Shortly after an 8.9-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck Japan on March 11, Department of Defense officials approved voluntary departures for DOD personnel and family members to return to the United States. U.S. Northern Command is leading the departure operation -- naming it "Operation Pacific Passage."

According to USNORTHCOM Public Affairs, Travis AFB, Seattle-Tacoma IAP and Denver International Airport, Colo., are the main arrival locations. 

"The arriving families, including their pets, are being met by military representatives from U.S. Army North, who help them with follow-on arrangements such as temporary lodging, food and other support requirements," a NORTHCOM press release states. "Air Forces Northern's national security emergency preparedness directorate has deployed two emergency preparedness liaison officers to the Seattle-Tacoma airport and is ready to support with others if needed, officials said. Joint reception coordination centers have been set up at both locations."

It's at those joint reception centers where mobility Airmen and others have provided, and continue to provide, even more assistance. For example, on March 19, Airmen and other personnel from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., helped welcome home the first group of people. 

Following a 10-hour flight, 233 Department of Defense personnel and family members were welcomed by a host of people. According to a report by 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs, the returning people were met by members of the 62nd AW, "the 627th Air Base Group, Joint-Base Lewis-McChord, the USO and Naval Base Kitsap, who helped them with their luggage and escorted them to the Joint Reception Coordination Center." 

According to U.S. Transportation Command Public Affairs, at Scott AFB, Ill., the civilian aircraft used to bring the returning families home are chartered by USTRANSCOM personnel, and they are part of a "total team" dedicated to this operation.

"The teamwork to bring families in from Japan has been phenomenal," said Vice Adm. Mark Harnitchek, deputy commander, U.S. Transportation Command. "From civilian airlines and charters, U.S. Pacific and Northern Commands, the USO as well as community support groups and volunteers, the support for our military family members coming home from Japan is unsurpassed. The families are receiving tremendous service at their points of departure in Japan, and their reception at Seattle-Tacoma International, Travis Air Force Base and Denver International as well as superb support helping them schedule movement to their desired destinations in the United States."

Just like at Seattle-Tacoma IAP, the effort to meet, greet and take care of people returning at Travis AFB, Calif., is also a joint effort. The Joint Reception Coordination Center there welcomed their first batch of more than 500 returnees on March 22. A U.S. Army officer who helped set up the reception area at Travis AFB gave high praise to the people of the Air Mobility Command base in a 60th Air Mobility Wing report.

"Hats off to all the joint efforts of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines," said Lt. Col. U. L. Armstrong, acting defense coordinating officer, Region 9, Oakland, and lead officer for U.S Army North's efforts at Travis AFB. "The wing commander here, Col. James Vechery, and his team provided a good detailed plan as we arrived, enabling us to set up quickly and prepare to assist the families," said Colonel Armstrong.

In a Navy News Service report, a Navy family member who arrived at Travis AFB from Japan was happy with the welcome and support she and her 3-year-old daughter received after their flight.

"Everyone has been real friendly getting us through this situation," said Angelica Hogan. "All the help and the smiles have been wonderful. They've really been catering to the kids." 

In the Joint Base Lewis-McChord report, Col. Kevin Kilb, 62nd AW commander, praised everyone involved in the support of Operation Provide Passage. 

"I'm proud of the team and their great work and pleased we have the opportunity to welcome and take care of these family members," Colonel Kilb said. 

Army Col. Wayne Shanks, also from U.S. Army North supporting the effort at Seattle-Tacoma IAP, may have said it best in another DOD news report.

"The underlying thing is that we're here to help the people coming out of Japan," Shanks said. "We're doing whatever we possibly can to assist them."

(Tech. Sgt. Renni Thornton and Airman 1st Class Michael Battles, 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs, 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs, Melinda L. Larson, Naval Air Station Lemoore Public Affairs, and Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden, American Forces Press Service, contributed to this report.)

Team McChord assists the Columbian Air Force by refueling an aircraft March 22, 2011, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The aircraft moved more than 190 passengers, mostly Columbian citizens, from Japan's Narita International Airport after an earthquake and tsunami stuck the island March 11. The aircraft transported the passengers back to Columbia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Leah Young)    

MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. -- Reservists train to the same standard as active-duty Airmen.  And some Reservists train to a higher standard.

Senior Airmen Steven Hooper, 446th Force Support Squadron here, has graduated from technical training with perfect scores in the 81st Training Group, Keesler AFB, Miss.
 
Airmen Hooper, graduated March 1 from the personnel apprentice course in the 335th Training Squadron at Keesler AFB.    

SPOKANE, Wash. - Nearby Fairchild Air Force Base is sending KC-135 refueling tankers to assist in aerial refueling for U.S. and allied fighter jets enforcing the Libya no-fly zone.

The 92nd Air Refueling Wing said five of the base's tankers left Saturday for North Africa, and another is due to leave Wednesday.

The tankers will be flown and maintained by Fairchild-based crews with the 92nd Air Refueling Wing and the 141st Air National Guard, according to The Spokesman-Review of Spokane.

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - Air Mobility Command officials here announced winners of the command's 2010 AMC Judge Advocate General Corps Awards on March 21. 

In a message from the AMC Staff Judge Advocate, Brig. Gen. David C. Wesley, the winners were highlighted.

"The winners in each category will compete in an Air Force-level competition," Wesley said in the message. "Congratulations to all who competed. The competition was very keen as every package reflected outstanding performance."

Following are the 2010 AMC-level winners.

-- Outstanding Young Judge Advocate of the Year Award (Albert M. Kuhfeld Award) -- Capt. Sarah W. Carlson, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

-- Outstanding Air Reserve Component Judge Advocate of the Year Award (Reginald C. Harmon Award) -- Maj. Tara A. Mather, Travis Air Force Base, Calif.

-- Outstanding Civilian Attorney of the Year Award (James O. Wrightson, Jr. Award) -- Mark W. Hanson, Grand Forks AFB, N.D.

-- Outstanding Paralegal Senior NCO of the Year Award (Karen Yates-Popwell Award) --Master Sgt. James D. Conger, Joint Base Charleston, S.C.

-- Outstanding Young Paralegal of the Year Award (Steve Swigonski Award) -- Tech. Sgt. Bobbie Lynn M. Sherman, 18th Air Force, Scott AFB, Ill.

-- Outstanding Air Reserve Component Paralegal of the Year Award (David Westbrook Award) -- Senior Airman Tiffany K. Baines, Joint Base Charleston, S.C.

-- Outstanding Legal Service Civilian of the Year Award (Harold R. Vague Award) -- Renee M. Monday, 18th Air Force, Scott AFB, Ill.

"All should take pride in their contributions to AMC and the Air Force," Wesley said in the message. "Best wishes to each of these winners at the Air Force-level competition next month."

MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. -- Dignity, honor, and respect are the words they carry out their mission by. They are the people who work behind the scenes in Overseas Contingency Operations with a very delicate and crucial mission - a mission most people don't like to talk about - preparing the remains of fallen U.S. servicemembers, so they can be returned to their families.

A five-person team of Air Force Reservists from the 446th Force Support Squadron Sustainment Services Flight here return, beginning March 21, after a six-month deployment supporting Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations at The Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs, Dover Air Force Base, Del. 

"When they come here (AFMAO) they give all of themselves," said Senior Master Sgt. Steve Harris, Sustainment Services Flight superintendent, who is the NCO in charge of the team and wrapping up his seventh deployment. "They are willing to give their all to make sure our nation's heroes get nothing but the best care."

The Reservists are coming back to their homes in Seattle, Bremerton and Puyallup. In all, the team prepared the remains of almost 300 of their comrades in arms and performed about 100 dignified transfers. They also ensured the housing of almost 100 family members since the Fisher House for Families of the Fallen opened there in December 2010. And it doesn't matter which service it is or if the remains came from a servicemember who died in combat or one that died from natural causes - each servicemember's remains are prepared in meticulous detail. 

The mortuary affairs mission is to fulfill our Nation's sacred commitment of ensuring dignity, honor, and respect to our fallen and care, service, and support to their families.

For more information on Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, visit their website at http://www.mortuary.af.mil/ or contact AFMAO Public Affairs at (302) 677-2275 or by e-mail at afmao.pa@us.af.mil.