The ladies of Ammo are booming

24 Pages·2017·3.03 MB·English

Peninsula - Wide U.S. Air Force Newspaper
Volume 10, Issue 13 April 6, 2018 http://www.7af.pacaf.af.mil
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st
Class Angelica Range,
conventional maintenance
crew chief assigned to the 8th
maintenance squadron, takes
out used chaff barrels from a
chaff box at Kunsan Air Base,
Republic of Korea, March
20, 2018. Munitions Airmen
handle, store, transport, arm
and disarm munition systems
to ensure the safety of Airmen
and the success of the Wolf
Pack mission. (U.S. Air Force
photo by Staff Sgt. Jasmonet D.
Jackson)
The ladies of Ammo are booming
By Staff Sgt. Jasmonet D. Jackson rewarding because you are in a job where you stand me ever since.”
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs out more,” said Airman 1st Class Haley Johnson, Ammo works together in essentially everything,
conventional maintenance crew chief assigned to but due to the presence of only a sprinkle of women
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea the 8th Maintenance Squadron. “You get to choose across the career field the ladies look out for and
-- As a representation of the small few in a whether it’s in a good way or bad.” mentor each other.
career dominated by men, the women working Being the only female in the midst of 10 to 15 “Johnson stepped in without hesitation when
in munitions maintenance ensure they bring males at any time has been the norm for Johnson I first arrived to Kunsan,” said Airman 1st Class
their “A-game” when it’s time to handle, store, since joining the military, even during technical Angelica Range. “This being my first base, I
transport, arm and disarm munition systems to school. Always aiming to give her best and learn as definitely needed a little guidance on how to
ensure the safety of our Airmen and the success of much as she could at her job, she simply stood out navigate in my new job and she did that without
our missions. like a sore thumb for some time. question.”
With a high level of attention to detail and “I really latched onto this female Tech. Sgt. Building munitions is a huge part of ammo,
extreme care, these Airmen take part in the great when I got to my first base, because initially, I was however, they have their hands in many other
responsibility of assembling and processing the the only female for a while,” said Johnson. “She parts of the munitions system.
most advanced munitions in the world. taught me that, I could do and learn just as much
- Continued on page 5 -
“It’s one of those things where it’s kind of as anyone—if not more, and that’s what stuck with
INSIDE
PAGE 8 PAGE 10 PAGE 30
U.S. SOF conduct winter warfare training in Sweden U.S., ROK air force chaplains hold joint training Korea’s Best Springtime Destinations
NEWS
PAGE 2 | CRIMSON SKY April 6, 2018
Crimson Sky
Published by Seventh Air Force
7th Air Force
Commanding General/Publisher
Lt. Gen. Thomas W. Bergeson
Public Affairs Officer/Editor
Lt. Col. Michal Kloeffler-Howard
Editor/COR
Park, Do Young
51st Fighter Wing
Commander
Col. William D. Betts
Public Affairs Officer
Capt. Carrie Volpe
Staff Writers
Technical Sgt. Benjamin Wiseman
Staff Sgt. Benjamin Raughton
Staff Sgt. Franklin Ramos
Staff Sgt. Tinese Jackson
Airman 1st Class Ilyana Escalona
8th Fighter Wing
Commander
Col. David G.Shoemaker
Public Affairs Officer
Capt. Christopher Mesnard
Staff Writers
Senior Airman Colville McFee
Senior Airman Michael Hunsaker
Senior Airman Colby Hardin
SSgt. Victoria Taylor U.S. Air Force Airmen wait in line to get served during dinner, Jan. 24, 2018, at Kunsan Air Force Base, Republic of
Korea. The dining facility staff are responsible of serving nearly 2,000 U.S. service members and any cash paying
This Air Force newspaper is an authorized
publication for members of the Department of customer on a daily basis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Colby L. Hardin)
Defense. Contents of Crimson Sky bi-Weekly are
not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by,
the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, or
8 FW DFAC staff fuel the fight
Department of the Air Force. The editorial content
of this bi-weekly publication is the responsibility
of the 7th Air Force Public Affairs APO AP 96278
Circulation: 7,000
By Senior Airman Colby L. Hardin diverse shops on base,” Said Johnson. do have that sets us apart are the
Printed by Oriental Press, a private firm in no
way connected with the U.S. Government, under 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs “Local employees make up about traditional Korean dishes made
exclusive written contract with the Contracting
half of the staff here. It’s what makes by our staff here. I think a lot of
Command-Korea. The civilian printer is responsible
for commercial advertising. The appearance of our team special.” people really enjoy that.”
advertising in this publication, including inserts or
supplements, does not constitute endorsement KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of This special blend of team work If you wanted to see something in
by the Air Force or Oriental Press of the products Korea -- Morning, noon, or night, is one of the team’s great values and addition to these meals or you have
or services advertised. Everything advertised
in this publication shall be made available for the U.S service members and the supports another unique feature. questions for the service of the staff
purchase, use or patronage without regard to
Korean counterparts are always The 8th Fighter Wing is in a remote members, there are comment cards
race, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital
status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or working hard inside the 8th Fighter location, there are limitations to that can be filled out and will be
any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user
or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal Wing dining facility beyond the what can be accomplished here, but read by the staff on duty.
opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, customer service hours. their special blend results in a menu “I would prefer for people to
the printer shall refuse to print advertising from
that source until the violation is corrected. The hours might say that they’re that you won’t find anywhere else. leave their emails when filling out
only open during the meal hours, “We try to accommodate as comment cards,” said Johnson. “It
Oriental Press Chief Executive Officer
Charles Chong however they [WJDTUP8F1] are many needs as we can,” added helps us give better, more personal
Advertising Manager constantly prepping and cooking Johnson. “Some items just can’t answers to questions that might get
Chris Vaia the food in order to feed the nearly be shipped here making it tough asked. We appreciate it, and love the
Art Director 2,000 service members that come to make some meals. What we feedback we get about our service."
Eric Young-Seok Park
through every day.
Commercial Advertising Serving that many people is
Telephone: [phone] ext. 6815
E-mail: [email protected] no small task, and no one knows
Address: PSC 450, Box 758, APO AP 96206-0758 better than the man responsible for
Location: Dragon Hill Lodge, Bldg. 4050-B
keeping everyone on the same page.
“The people that work here
Visit us online are hard at work,” said Tech Sgt.
Crimson Sky
Alvester Johnson, DFAC manager.
www.7af.pacaf.af.mil “We know working here makes for a
lot of early mornings and late nights,
and sometimes we don’t always get
our weekends or holidays off, but we
know that it’s just what we have to
Submit Letters to the Editor, guest
commentaries, and story submissions do to complete the mission.”
to the bi-weekly Crimson Sky at:
These resilient members know
[email protected] that it takes almost non-stop work
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and even then their routine can hit a
[email protected]
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For all submitted items include a point of
shift. One of those challenges being
contact name and telephone number. All items Contracted employees from the 8th Force Support Squadron, serve
are subject to editing for content and to insure the language barrier between the a service member during lunch, March 22, 2018 at Kunsan Air Base,
they conform with DoD guidelines. Seventh Air
Force Public Affairs and the Crimson Sky bi- service members and some of the Republic of Korea. The dining facility has more than 50 Korean
weekly staff are located at Seventh Air Force
civilian employees. Department of Defense and civilian employees staffed. (U.S. Air Force
Osan Air Base. For information, call Commercial
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NEWS
April 6, 2018 CRIMSON SKY | PAGE 3
An F-16C Fighting Falcon
assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing
lands on the alternate landing
surface (ALS) at Kunsan Air
Base, Republic of Korea, Feb.
9, 2018. The ALS serves as a
secondary location for aircraft
to land in the event the primary
runway is unavailable. (U.S. Air
Force photo by 1st Lt. Brittany
Curry/Released)
Cross-functional teamwork key to F-16
landings, broader Wolf Pack vision
By 1st Lt. Brittany Curry, Staff Sgt. Victoria ability to cross-functionally solve problems. The oversaw the certification and functionality of
Taylor, 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ALS directly relates to our ability to ‘Take the Fight the aircraft arresting system. This safety system
North’, and Airmen from all corners of the Wolf provides pilots with a capability to arrest, or slow
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Two Pack had a hand in this leap in capability.” down, an aircraft that lands without the ability to
F-16C Fighting Falcons (commonly referred to An ALS, as stated in its name, is not the stop on its own.
as Vipers) assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing primary surface for landing and is narrower in "You don’t want to have to deal with an in-flight
successfully landed on the alternate landing surface comparison to the primary runway. While still emergency, but it’s better to be prepared with the
at Kunsan Air Base, February 9, 2018. capable of recovering an aircraft, additional necessary tools and training if there is an issue,” said
Although the challenge of landing on a surface measures for safety must be taken and employed Davidson of the prep work for the ALS landing.
area half the width of the runway depends heavily with coordinated efforts between different Engineers and airfield managers worked together
on the skill and training of the pilots, the overall agencies on base. to ensure there was a clear flight path for the F-16s
success of the operation stemmed from cross- “This was a huge test of teamwork for everyone to land, by identifying and removing any structures,
functional teamwork. involved, and all who took part were critical in us like trees and towers, that were in the way.
Consideration and emergency planning for successfully landing Vipers on the ALS,” said Lt. Col. With the final go-ahead, Airmen with the 8th
use of alternate landing surfaces on base or off is Paul Davidson, 8th OSS commander. “The most Security Forces Squadron secured the ALS, limiting
common throughout the U.S. Air Force. However, important thing about actually landing was the ground traffic to primarily air field management
the activation and execution of the capability is ability to build a plan as a team, put it into action, and emergency vehicles.
less common. and see what worked and what needs to be refined. Each of these sections, and the many other
“Cross-functional coordination amongst We have lessons learned that will last us years to unnamed, enabled the two F-16s to land on the ALS
[multiple] agencies [and] four groups, is what made come.” without a hitch and, with many eyes watching, the
activating the Alternate Landing Surface a success However, before the aircraft ever lined up on success of their endeavors was felt by all.
and proved that the Wolf Pack is a fierce team, the final approach, pilots took time in the F-16 “Maintaining our mission capability is our
which in turn fortifies our combat capabilities,” said simulator to practice their technique and conducted biggest priority here at the Wolf Pack, which
Senior Master Sgt. Kristin Schott, 8th Operations several real approaches under the watchful eyes means everyone working together to launch
Support Squadron air field manager. of the tower controllers. Thus, both the air traffic and recover jets safely,” said Shoemaker. “The
Ensuring different units are working and controllers and fliers prepared for the real deal. success of our teamwork over the course of
coordinating among each other is one of the The 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron ensured many months culminated in live aircraft
key focus areas among Wolf Pack leaders, and the aircraft were mission capable the day of the landing on the ALS for the first time in years.
measurements of success were not limited to solely flight, while the 8th Operations Support Squadron I will always remember driving down the ALS
standing up the ALS. monitored weather conditions and other flightline congratulating and high-fiving Airmen from
“In the Air Force we often use stovepiped considerations which they then communicated to so many Wolf Pack organizations after the
functional expertise to solve problems”, said the pilots. successful landings. Every Airman at Kunsan
Col. David “Wolf” Shoemaker, 8th Fighter Wing To ensure further safety measures, the 8th Civil directly impacts our mission daily, and this was
commander. “The strength of the Wolf Pack is our Engineering Squadron’s power production section a win for the entire team.”
nEWS
PAGE 4 | CRIMSON SKY April 6, 2018
U.S. Airmen rescue U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 35th Logistics
Readiness Squadron pose for a photo at Misawa Air
Base, Japan, April 25, 2017. The 35th LRS personnel
Thai man, rescuer pictured from left to right, Senior Airman John
Proctor, Staff Sgts Scot Boone, Brent Bowes and
Kyle Cherry,all vehicle operator dispatchers, and
presented awards Tech. Sgt. Canaan Hatcher, not pictured, a quality
assurance evaluator, rescued a Thai man Febuary 19,
2017 who was stuck upside down in snow at Niseko
for heroism Mountain, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior
Airman Brittany A. Chase)
By Senior Airman Brittany A. Chase, 35th “Once everyone reached him, we each grabbed a died there.”
Fighter Wing Public Affairs limb and pulled the guy straight out,” said Proctor. According to http://deepsnowsafety.org, 90
“The hole he had been stuck in had to have been percent of people involved in tree well/snow
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- People from around four feet across and about 15 feet deep, leading suffocation hazard research experiments could
the globe travel to Northern Japan for what some straight into rocks.” not rescue themselves. If a partner is not there for
consider the best backcountry snowboarding and Proctor and Hatcher attributed being able to assess immediate rescue, the skier or rider may die very
skiing in the world. the situation and react with no hesitation of what they quickly from suffocation—in many cases, he or she
Many, unfortunately, underestimate the skill needed to do because of the Air Force’s self-aid buddy can die as quickly as someone can drown in water.
level needed to shred unmarked and off course care and combat life-saver training they had to attend, “It was an eye-opening experience,” expressed
areas—often getting stuck in tree wells and falling making saving Vaneer second nature. Proctor. “It made me appreciate that we went
victim to snow immersion suffocation. “I knew this guy needed help so I reacted; once as a group and had a game plan to stick together
On Feb. 19, the worst possible situation happened I arrived, I provided first aid and made sure the throughout each run. We took the extra steps for
when Thailand national, Vaseen, from Bangkok, individual was alright,” Hatcher explained. safety, like making sure we head counted before we
made the decision to snowboard in the back woods. After working as a team to make sure he was continued to the next difficult area.”
“I noticed a board upside down,” said Senior free of any noticeable injuries, both Hatcher and After all was said and done, Vaseen was able to
Airman John Proctor, a 35th Logistics Readiness Proctor escorted Vaseen down the mountain. They go home with his friends due to the heroic efforts of
Squadron vehicle operator dispatcher. “My first ensured his stability and consciousness by keeping Hatcher, Proctor, Cherry, Bowes and Boone.
thought was someone got mad and threw their him talking. “I would like to thank you all for saving me,” said
snowboard. After inspecting it, it started moving “When we were talking, he [Vaseen] said he was Vaseen. “Stuck in that hole, in that helpless position
and I noticed a person attached to it.” upside down for so long with all of his weight on was like waiting to die. That group of guys literally
Once Proctor saw Vaseen attached to the board, his neck; he contemplated giving up,” said Proctor. saved my life, and I’m so grateful for that.”
he reassured him he was safe and help was on the “Especially when every time he yelled out for help, While the knowledge that he saved a man's
way. He then flagged down the rest of his group snow kept falling down on top of him.” life was reward enough, Pacific Air Forces also
and they jumped into action, attempting to remove Vaseen recalled hearing other boarders pass by. recognized one of the rescuers, Cherry, with the 2018
Vaseen as quickly as possible, all the while trying He started feeling helpless and with every cry for Noncommissioned Officer Association Vanguard
not to sink into the hole his body occupied. help, came more snow, packing him farther and Award, highlighting an NCO who has performed a
The group consisted of Proctor and 35th LRS farther down, crippling his hope of being rescued. particularly heroic act that resulted in the saving of
personnel Tech. Sgt. Canaan Hatcher, a quality “It was getting late in the day and starting to a life. PACAF also recognized Cherry with the 2018
assurance evaluator, Staff Sgts. Brent Bowes, Scot snow again when we found Vaseen,” Hatcher Air Force Sergeants Pitsenbarger Award, which is
Boone and Kyle Cherry and Senior Airman John recounted. “I think it's a very real possibility if no presented annually to an Air Force enlisted member
Proctor, all vehicle operator dispatchers. one else would have seen the board he would have who performed a heroic act and saved a life.
NEWS
April 6, 2018 CRIMSON SKY | PAGE 5
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Haley Johnson and Airman 1st Class Angelica Range, conventional maintenance crew chiefs assigned to the 8th
maintenance squadron, inventories new and used chaff and flares at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, March 20, 2018. Although a largely male career
field, Johnson and Range work in conventional maintenance with a total six females. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jasmonet D. Jackson)
- Continued from page 1 -
Staff Sgt. Ilene Clemens, precision guided
missile crew chief, previously worked
in various phases of the bomb making
process—the production side of the house to
be exact. The production flight consists of:
conventional maintenance, storage, trailer
maintenance, line delivery, and precision
guided missiles.
Clemens recollects her similar memories
to what Johnson experienced.
“I could only remember working with
a total of three females at one time,
throughout my four years of being in the Air
Force,” said Clemens. “It’s scary for some,
but not out of the ordinary for me.”
Although only a small number of women
make up the career field filled with men,
Clemens says that doesn’t change a thing.
“This is something that I most definitely
would have chosen even if I’d known how
it would turn out still,” said Clemens.
“You can’t trade the experiences— the
challenges, adversities, the fire! It turns you
into a certain type of person and that’s who
I wanted to be.”
According to Clemens and the rest of the U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Angelica Range, conventional maintenance crew chief assigned to
ladies of Ammo, it’s not about their gender, the 8th maintenance squadron, plucks out used chaff backs at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea,
March 20, 2018. Chaff and flares are used for defensive countermeasures by pilots during aerial
but how well they do their job when it comes
missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jasmonet D. Jackson)
to their love for career field.
nEWS
PAGE 6 | CRIMSON SKY April 6, 2018
Aircrews in T-38C Talons from the 80th Flying U.S. Airmen assigned to
Training Wing practice maneuvers at Sheppard Air the 321st Special Tactics
Force Base, Texas, May 14, 2014. Pilots practice Squadron conduct freefall
take offs, landing, touch and goes and tactical airborne operations near
formation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Danny Webb) Kiruna, Sweden, Feb. 24,
2018. The Arctic winter
training included four weeks
of basic winter warfare
exercises. (U.S. Army photo
illustration by Staff Sgt.
Matt Britton)
U.S. SOF conduct winter warfare
training in Sweden
By Staff Sgt. Matthew Britton,
SOCEUR
KIRUNA, SWEDEN (AFNS) -- There’s
cold and then there’s above the Arctic
Circle cold. So cold that frostbite on
exposed skin can occur within minutes.
Not cold enough to stop special
operations forces from operating in the
environment.
U.S. Air Force Special Operations
Forces assigned to the 352nd Special
Operations Wing and U.S. Army Special
Forces assigned to 10th Special Forces
Group (Airborne) conducted an Arctic
Winter training course from February
to March 2018.
The training consisted of realistic
scenarios and classroom instruction
that spanned the course of six weeks.
“The course included classes and
practical exercises on survival in a
cold weather environment,” said a SOF
operator. “We also trained movement
on skis and snowshoes, advanced snow
mobile movements and live-fire ranges.
In Special Tactics, we need to have the
ability to employ and project global U.S. Airmen assigned to the 321st Special Tactics Squadron conduct movement to a support by fire
access, precision strike and personnel position during Arctic winter training near Kiruna, Sweden, Feb. 23, 2018. The training included four weeks
recovery across the globe, regardless of of basic winter warfare alongside U.S. Army Special Forces. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Matt Britton)
NEWS
April 6, 2018 CRIMSON SKY | PAGE 7
environment.” to our survivability, but also increase
Combined training and the the lethality of our forces.”
exchange of information is critical Training in the Arctic provides
for successful joint military the U.S. and their partners the
operations. opportunity for future operations
“Our success relies on and strategic planning.
interoperability between U.S. “The Arctic Circle holds strategic
and European forces,” said a SOF military, economic and geopolitical
operator. “We use common practices, value,” said a SOF operator. “The
but it is invaluable to integrate intent of our training is to support
and train alongside our partners. our European partners across all
This allows U.S. forces to gain environments in [United States
credibility and build relationships European Command]. The High
that will continue during future North provides an opportunity for us
engagements.” to collaborate with partner nations
The benefits of surviving and in winter warfare exercises and learn
operating in the harsh conditions from past and present experiences.”
weren’t the only lessons learned from The training in the unforgiving
the course. environment expanded the
“Joint and combined training has capabilities of the tactical teams and
been the most beneficial aspect of left them with a new-found respect
our trip to the Arctic,” said a SOF for the cold.
operator. “We have learned several “Training in the Arctic is a very A U.S. Army Special Forces Soldier assigned to the 10th Special Forces
tactics, techniques and procedures humbling experience,” said a SOF Group (Airborne) conducts snow machine movement and evasive
and standard operating procedures operator. “In the words of our maneuver training near Kiruna, Sweden, Feb. 24, 2018. The Arctic
that we have adopted and trained to. partner forces, ‘In training, the winter training included four weeks of basic winter warfare exercises.
(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Matt Britton)
These lessons learned not only add enemy is simulated. The cold is real.’”
General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Lackland Air Force Base and the
Air Force Assistance
Foundation. San Antonio Military Medical
“The four affiliate charities Center.
of the AFAF campaign exist for The General and Mrs. Curtis
Fund begins 45th
the sole purpose of taking care E. LeMay Foundation provides
of Airmen and their families monetary grants for rent and
year of helping Air- from induction into the Air Force other purposes to surviving
through retirement,” said Bill spouses of officer and enlisted
D’Avanzo, Air Force fundraising retirees. Grants include one-
men, families chief at the Air Force Personnel time payments to help with
Center. “These funds provide unexpected expenses and
emergency financial relief, monthly assistance to help
educational assistance and family surviving spouses remain
By Richard Salomon,
support, and have a direct impact in their homes and live with
Air Force’s Personnel Center Public Affairs
on the lives of Airmen and dignity.
families.” One-time donations are
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO- that support Air Force active- The Air Force Enlisted Village accepted by cash or check to
RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) duty members, Guardsmen and supports the Bob Hope Village in one or more of these AFAF
-- The 2018 Air Force Assistance Reservists as well as spouses, Shalimar, Florida, near Eglin Air funds. Active-duty members and
Fund campaign runs from March immediate family members and Force Base. The fund provides retirees can donate monthly from
26th through May 4. veterans. The charities are: the homes and financial assistance their military pay accounts to
Air Force bases worldwide Air Force Aid Society, Air Force to retired enlisted members' one or more of the funds. Active-
participate in the AFAF campaign, Enlisted Village, Air Force Villages surviving spouses who are 55 and duty members can choose to have
which raises money for charities Charitable Foundation and the older. It also supports Hawthorn payroll deductions for three to
House (also in Shalimar) which 12 months, while retirees can do
provides assisted living and so for 12 months. Under certain
memory care for residents, conditions, Guard and Reserve
including limited nursing members can sign up for payroll
services when needed. deductions for three to 12 months
The Air Force Aid Society beginning in June.
provides Total Force Airmen and “The AFAF continues to be a
their families worldwide with major factor in our resiliency and
emergency financial assistance, readiness, even after 45 years of
educational support and the campaign,” D’Avanzo said.
various base-level community “This year also marks 76 years of
enhancement programs. the Air Force Aid Society helping
Airmen and 50 years of the Air
The Air Force Villages
Force Enlisted Village providing
Charitable Foundation supports
homes to surviving spouses.”
independent assisted living and
For more AFAF information,
The 2018 Air Force Assistance Fund campaign runs from March 26 to memory and nursing care for
visit www.afassistancefund.
May 4.The AFAF has four different charities: the Air Force Aid Society, retired officers and their spouses,
org. Visit AFPC’s public website
Air Force Enlisted Village, Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation surviving spouses and family
and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation. (U.S. Air Force members. Communities are for more information about
courtesy photo) personnel programs.
located in San Antonio, close to
nEWS
PAGE 8 | CRIMSON SKY April 6, 2018
U.S., ROK Air Force chaplains
hold joint training
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Charlotte C. Oliver Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Dondi Costin, the U.S. Air Force chief of chaplains,
American Forces Network Daegu Korea and more than a dozen chaplains and chaplain assistants from U.S.
Pacific Air Forces spent time with U.S. Airmen and their South Korean
counterparts in a week-long visit to Daegu Korea. (U.S. Navy photo by
Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Charlotte C. Oliver)
Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Dondi Costin, as well as their mental and physical
U.S. Air Force chief of chaplains, fitness.
and more than a dozen chaplains “We’re here to help Airmen, help
and chaplain assistants from U.S. Soldiers, Sailors and Marines – our
Pacific Air Forces spent time with warfighters – and their families to
U.S. Airmen and their South Korean get the job done,” said Costin. “The
counterparts in a visit to the Republic chaplain’s job is to walk alongside
of Korea March 20 – 23, 2018. with the chaplain assistant, walk
Costin and Chaplain (Col.) Sung alongside the warfighters and their
IL Kim, Republic of Korea (ROK) air family members, through good times
force chief of chaplains, led the first and bad times. We’re there for every
of its kind joint training and cultural Airman, whether a person is a person
exchange between the religious of faith or of no faith; the chaplain
support teams. This training is corps is there for them.”
part of a series of ongoing training Through joint training the
bilateral engagements between the chaplains from both nations were
two nations. able to garner a better understanding
The chaplains and their assistants of how each service approaches the
worked together to build not only the same challenges and to better enable
resiliency of their respective forces Airmen to be more resilient.
but build upon their alliance and “The position of a chaplain is one
Dondi Costin, the U.S. Air Force chief of chaplains, and chaplain (Col.)
friendships as well. that builds on spiritual resiliency,”
Sung IL Kim, Republic of Korea (ROK) air force chief of chaplains
The group shared ideas and said Chaplain (Maj.) David bow their head in prayer March 21, 2018, at Daegu Air Base, Korea.
experiences from both on and off Sarmiento, from the 163d Attack More than a dozen chaplains and chaplain assistants from U.S.
the battlefield about how to better Wing, California Air National Guard. Pacific Air Forces spent time with U.S. Airmen and their South Korean
assist U.S. and South Korean forces “We’re able to be the sounding block counterparts in a week-long visit to Daegu Korea. (U.S. Navy photo by
in maintaining their spiritual fitness for the Airmen because we have Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Charlotte C. Oliver)
NEWS
April 6, 2018 CRIMSON SKY | PAGE 9
absolute confidentiality. We’re A responsibilities the chaplains
there to serve in any way possible said they strive to achieve is ensuring
to encourage them, to look out for Airmen are prepared for the trouble
them emotionally, physically and that comes and are given the tools
most importantly, spiritually.” they need to have a better chance at
Resiliency is an individual’s bouncing back and demonstrating
ability to recover readily from their resilience reguardless of their
illness, depression, adversity or any religious preference.
other adverse condition. For those who don’t observe a
Costin said that many Airmen religion, one goal the chaplain corps
may feel that the word resiliency strives to achieve is to help those
eludes to another program and Airmen take principals of different
that they will tune it out. He and belief systems and apply them to
the chaplain corps are striving for improve their spiritual fitness.
Airmen and other warfighters to Chaplains want to ensure that
incorporate resiliency as part of a Airmen and other warfighters have the
normal lifestyle. skill sets, attitudes, and capabilities
“People talk about resiliency as required to be physically fit, to be
being the ability to bounce back,” socially fit, to be mentally fit and to be
said Costin. “We know from human spiritually fit to carry out the mission.
experience that difficulties are going “The most important thing about
to come, we know that we’re all going us is not the rank on our shoulders,
to have trouble, and the question is but the symbol of our faith,” said
are we going to be prepared when Costin about the chapel corps role in
these troubles come?” the mission.
Care in the air: Teams deliver patient care
in challenging environments
By Shireen Bedi, Air Force Surgeon General Public Affairs where you have limitations not limiting circumstances.
encountered on the ground,” said “I give a lot of credit to these teams
Cox. “If I have an intensive care and what they do,” said McIntee. “It
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO- can quickly become life-threatening patient on a ventilator and her is already a high stress situation
RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- during AE.” oxygen level drops, I can’t assess when treating a critical patient in a
The The back of an aircraft is a The environment at altitude also the patient the way I would in the hospital room that is well lit. To be
challenging place to deliver medical affects how medics treat certain hospital. I can’t listen to their lungs able to deliver that same care in the
care. For Air Force medical crews, health issues. Some medications because the aircraft is too loud, and air is just incredible.”Airmen and
treating patients in the air is just require different dosages, and some I am working with a different kind 50 years of the Air Force Enlisted
part of the job. conditions need different treatments of ventilator. I have to work around Village providing homes to surviving
Crews transporting seriously ill during air transport. the limitations and rely on what is spouses.”
or injured patients, called critical “Treating pain on the ground, available on the aircraft.” For more AFAF information,
care air transport teams, are when patients are usually stationary Constant training and pre-mission visit www.afassistancefund.org.
uniquely qualified and prepared on a bed, is much simpler than in planning are critical for CCATTs Visit AFPC’s public website for
for the challenges flight places on the air,” said Cox. “On an aircraft, to maintain mission readiness and more information about personnel
patients. While critical care in the vibration and temperature extremes to deliver care under difficult and programs.
air is different from the traditional can increase the dosage required for
hospital setting, CCATS deliver en the patient. Patients may even need
route care that is just as effective. more IV fluids because there is lower
“It’s dark in the back of a cargo humidity in the air at altitude.”
plane during flight,” said Lt. Col. (Dr.) There are times where the team’s
Daniel Cox, medical director for the efforts to control the impact of
Air Force Medical Service En Route flight can only go so far and they
Medical Care Division. “It’s noisy, have to make life-saving decisions
there’s significant vibration, and the with the aircrew.
temperature can change quickly. “Some intensive care patients
Oxygen concentrations and pressure require a cabin altitude restriction
in the air change when you change be placed within the aircraft to
altitude. That all affects the patient.” keep a patient stable in flight,”
CCATTs account for these said Lt. Col. (Dr.) Marie McIntee,
environmental factors when Chief of Physical Standards and
monitoring the severity of a patient’s Development for the Air Force
conditions. Often, a minor issue on Medical Service. “In those cases, the
the ground can quickly become a aircraft may have to adjust its flight
life-threatening event in the air. plan and fly at a lower altitude.”
“For example, a patient who has a Assessing a patient’s medical
U.S. Air Force Capt. Arik Carlson, 10th Expeditionary Aeromedical
small amount of air in his chest that status becomes more challenging
Evacuation flight critical care air transport team (CCATT) nurse,
causes a collapsed lung is usually during flight, requiring different
explains the role of CCATT to Partnership Flight Symposium participants
not much of a problem in a hospital assessment methods and tools.
at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Jan. 17, 2018. The CCATT’s mission is to
setting,” said Cox. “But because air “Medics have to find ways to assess operate an intensive care unit in an aircraft during flight. (U.S. Air Force
expands as you rise in altitude, this the patient in this environment photo by Tech. Sgt. Rachelle Coleman)
Photo nEWS
PAGE 10 | CRIMSON SKY April 6, 2018
C ol. Stanley Martin,
379th Expeditionary
Aeromedical
Evacuation Squadron
commander, wears a
protective coat while
Lleonard, a military
working dog with the
379th Expeditionary
Security Forces Squadron,
performs a controlled
aggression tactic during a
demonstration at Al Udeid
Air Base, Qatar, March 12,
2018. The dogs are trained
to detect explosives and
narcotics as well as perform
controlled aggression
tactics when detaining
suspects. (U.S. Air National
Guard photo by Staff Sgt.
Patrick Evenson) ▲
Airman 1st Class Andre Brown, 2nd Audiovisual Squadron,
operates a camera rig during a video shoot for an Air Force
Space Command production called “Space Superiority”, March
20, 2018, at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial
Bradshaw)▲
A 100th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter extinguishes a fire
inside a mock aircraft, as part of annual proficiency skill
training at a burn pit at RAF Mildenhall, England, March 21,
2018. All firefighters are required to conduct live-fire training at least
twice a year to stay proficient and keep their qualifications current.
(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Emerson Nuñez)◄