Northwest Military Blogs: McChord Flightline Chatter

Posts made in: 'Training' (20) Currently Viewing: 1 - 10 of 20

July 19, 2013 at 12:22pm

JBLM airlift wings join the fun Down Under

U.S. soldiers of 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Richardson, Alaska, parachute out of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Exercise Talisman Saber 2011 July 17, 2011.

As you know by now, Talisman Saber 2013 is a bilateral exercise designed to train Australian and U.S. forces in planning and conducting combined task force operations, in order to improve combat readiness and interoperability. More than 28,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and women are taking to the sea, land and sky in northern Australia as part of the massive exercise. We have mentioned the 446th Airlift Wing's participation in the exercise earlier this week.

Wanting in on the fun, the airmen from the 62nd Airlift Wing are Down Under too. The 62nd AW Public Affairs Office reports:

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July 16, 2013 at 2:03pm

On the ground with the 5th Air Support Operations Squadron

Airman First Class William Cole, 5th Air Support Operations Squadron keeps eyes on a target while an Apache helicopter hovers to provide fire support. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

As I stood up and shook out my arms, I noted that Staff Sgt. Kris Harpoon, Airman 1st Class Micah Hancock, Airman 1st Class James Tran, Airman 1st Class William Cole, Airman 1st Class Jacob Stevens, 2nd Lt. Matthew Kinahan and Kreal were doing the same.

These 5th Air Support Operations Squadron airmen had been working hard for the past 80 hours with little food and less sleep. 

From running an obstacle course and sharpening their first aid skills to perfecting vehicle rollover practices and utilizing their land navigation abilities, the eight airmen I joined up with last Friday morning had every right to be tired.

The 5th ASOS is an Air Force asset that is vital to Army operations. Its primary mission is to provide tactical command and control of air power assets during combat operations.

Read my full story in Thursday's Northwest Airlifter. Below are a few photos I snapped Friday morning.

>>> Airmen assigned to the 5th Air Support Operations Squadron protect an injured Airman while an Apache hovers nearby during a training exercise. 

>>> Two High Value Targets, or HVTs, are detained while other members of the 5th ASOS prepare to egress from the objective.

>>> Airman First Class Jacob Stevens adopts a defensive position during a simulated attack.

LINK: 5th ASOS sergeant earns Bronze Star

July 1, 2013 at 4:53pm

Julius A. Kolb Airman Leadership School graduates

Photo courtesy of 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office

The following Airmen graduated from Julius A. Kolb Airman Leadership School June 27 at McChord Field.

Senior Airman Audry Akelkok, 62nd Medical Squadron
Senior Airman Scott Bean, 627th Civil Engineer Squadron
Senior Airman Zachary Beyer, 22nd Special Tactics Squadron
Senior Airman Taylor Christian, 1st Weather Squadron
Staff Sgt. Devin Davis-Roberson, 627th CES
Senior Airman Byron Fonseca, 62nd AMXS
Staff Sgt. Derek Haupt, 62nd AMXS

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June 29, 2013 at 3:03pm

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response down day marks cultural change at JBLM

Col. Wyn Elder, 62nd Airlift Wing commander, explains reporting options for victims of sexual assault June 25 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Photo credit: Airman 1st Class Jacob Jimenez

Airmen and civilians across Joint Base Lewis-McChord stood down normal operations June 24 and 25 to emphasize the need to eliminate sexual assault in the Air Force.

The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response down day is a Department of Defense initiative to reiterate zero tolerance of sexual assault and focus on fostering a climate of dignity and respect.

"If we are going to eliminate sexual assaults, we have to start by improving our culture and climate," said Col. Wyn Elder, 62nd Airlift Wing commander. "We've got to start now - it's up to you to create a culture in your workplace where you and your co-workers can be comfortable."

Read more...

June 19, 2013 at 8:43pm

Most McChord services to close for training day June 25

The McChord side of Joint Base Lewis-McChord will conduct a mandatory wing training day Tuesday.

Most McChord base services will be affected the entire day by this training.

We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause and recommend contacting the respective office you want to visit before coming to McChord Field Tuesday.

All Morale, Welfare and Recreation services, the McChord Exchange and its neighboring stores and food court, the commissary, child development centers, on-base banks and Burger King will not be affected by this training day.

For more information, contact the 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office at 253.982.5637.

Master Sgt. Todd Wivell is a journalist with 62nd AW Public Affairs.

June 6, 2013 at 2:27pm

Sequestration forces scale down of funerals for retirees

Federal budget cuts are straining honor guard programs across the nation. Today, the U.S. Air Force says it's forced to trim military funeral honors of retirees due to the sequestration. Below is a report filed by Capt. Lindsey Hahn, a journalist with the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs.

Due to the impact sequestration has on resources, Air Force Services is adjusting requirements for military funeral honors of retirees.

Air Force policy will revert to requiring a minimum of two personnel for retiree MFH details, consistent with statute and DoD policy.

The Air Force historically went a step further by providing a seven-member detail for all retiree funerals.

Read more...

Filed under: Training, Memorial, News To Us,

June 6, 2013 at 12:11pm

Advanced Combat Operations Training at JBLM

A KC-135 Stratotanker from Fairchild Air Force Base refuels a C-17 Globemaster III from Joint Base Lewis-McChord during an air refueling above Western United States, May 31. Photo credit: Senior Airman Taylor Curry

Sequestration has cut the Air Force's flying budget, but tanker aircrews are finding new ways get more training and experience out of each minute in the air.

The tactics and employment flight at Fairchild Air Force Base has teamed up with Travis Air Force Base and Joint Base Lewis-McChord to participate in quarterly Advanced Combat Operations Training (ACOT) exercises. The latest exercise occurred May 31, when a Fairchild associated unit from March Air Force Base sent two aircraft and crews that coordinated mission planning in what's called a large formation, consisting of four KC-135 Stratotankers.

These four tankers met large formations of C-17 Globemaster IIIs and KC-10 Extenders in the skies above Western United States to refuel. While this is the task that tanker crews perform every day all over the world, these rendezvous and refuelings were done without radio communication between the refuelers or the receivers.

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May 7, 2013 at 6:47pm

Canadian Detachment helps support U.S. air defense

Canadian military personnel - from left, Master Cpl. Madeleine Voyer, Capt. Todd Guillemette and Capt. Jonathan Lang - work on the operations floor at the Western Air Defense Sector recently. Photo credit: Maj. Trent Brahmam

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - As part of NORAD's commitment to providing aerospace warning and aerospace control for North America, many Canadian military members find themselves assigned to or training with the Western Air Defense Sector at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

According to Canadian Capt. Kevin Long, 51st Aerospace Control and Warning Operational Training Squadron senior director and assistant officer in charge, weapons, the Canadian Armed Forces detachment members serve in a variety of roles within WADS.

"Many work on the operations floor as air weapons officers, air surveillance technicians and mission crew commanders," Long said. "Additionally, several members also work in staff positions including the Canadian Detachment commander, Lt. Col. Mark Roberts. Moreover, with the exception of one member, our chief clerk, all of the members of the Canadian Detachment at JBLM hold operational qualifications within the sector and fully participate in accomplishing the mission."

Tasked with the mission of using radar and communications systems to monitor air traffic from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean and from the Canadian border to the Mexican border, members of the detachment work with members of the Washington Air National Guard.

Read more...

April 5, 2012 at 10:18am

Air Force putting new emphasis on firearms training

From the Macon (Ga.) Telegraph: ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The Air Force's force doesn't just come from the air anymore.

Recognizing the increasing role airmen play in ground operations, and facing an enemy that can appear anywhere at any time, the Air Force has started a new firearms training course aimed to simulate real combat conditions. Previously the training consisted basically of pointing a gun at a target and firing. Now elements are added that include moving before shooting, firing at the right target while avoiding the wrong one, and getting accustomed to commands airmen may hear in the field in the event of a firefight.

Also every airman must qualify each time they deploy, no matter what their job may be.

The new course also at least doubles the amount of rounds fired in training. For airmen who use weapons as a regular part of their duties, it more than doubles it.

Robins Air Force Base started the training Dec. 1. The five firearms instructors in the 78th Security Forces Squadron teach the two-day classes with 24 students at a time. The previous training only took one day.

"It's a big upgrade because (the students) used to never move," said Tech Sgt. Chainey Moates, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the training. "They just sat still and stayed in positions. Now they are actually going real time doing what they would be doing down range. It's actually getting their heart rate up and gets their adrenaline pumping, and that's what they would be having to deal with down range."

See the rest of the story here.   

Filed under: Training,

April 4, 2012 at 1:00pm

Mentoring program discusses leadership techniques

Senior Master Sgt. Andrew Goodnight, 627th Force Support Squadron, discusses leadership techniques during a speed mentoring session March 23, 2012, at the McChord Field Chapel Support Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. During monthly speed training sessions, senior noncommissioned officers provide advice concerning topics ranging from enlisted performance reports to fitness evaluations.

(U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Leah Young)    

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