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Preview training flight preps airmen for boot camp airmen practice for Warfighting test
airmen practice for Warfighting test training flight preps airmen for boot camp F F reedom lyer C ontents v p 4 iew oints s e a v i 5 enior nlisted dvisor isits nstallation s f a e a 5 eCurity orCes irMen arn wards w p f r i 6 ing reps or eadiness nspeCtion n a t b b t 8 ew irMen rain efore asiC raining e s ditorial taff C . M J. u ol iChael nderkofler CoMMander M . k a C aJ elly nn harland publiC affairs Chief C . a e M s . d t. J apt llison Cung aster gt onna effries publiC affairs offiCer nonCoMMissioned offiCer in Charge s J. J t . s . J w hawn ones eCh gt onathan hite editor Journalist o n the Cover Chief Master Sgt. James Whiteley, acting command chief master sergeant of the 514th Air Mobility Wing, takes a protective position during an expedi- tionary readiness exercise at Gulfport Contingency Readiness Training Center, Miss., April 27. Photo by Shawn J. Jones This funded Air Force Reserve magazine is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military and their family. Contents of Freedom Flyer are not necessarily the official views of the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Air Force. All photos are Air Force photos unless otherwise indicated. The editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the 514th Air Mobility Wing public affairs office, 2217 W. Arnold Ave., Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. 08641. 2 F F reedom lyer www.514amw.afrc.af.mil Staff Sergeants Keisha Kydd (left) and Katrel Bishop, 42nd Combat Commu- nications Squadron, set-up a satellite terminal during an operational readiness exercise here March 26. Photo by Shawn J. Jones F F 3 www.facebook.com/514thairmobilitywing reedom lyer V P iew oints memorial Day also good for making new memories lt. col. anthony polashek 514th Operations Group deputy commander Greetings and salutations to all as we approach another great New Jersey summer! Many base the beginning of summer not on astronomical or meteorological data, but rather on the arrival of Memorial Day weekend (a federal holiday instituted in 1971, making a three- day weekend when the weather is generally good for most of the country). Though Memorial Day has only been officially recognized by this name since 1966 when declared by President Lyndon John- son, the roots of this recognition go back to the period following the Civil War (also referred to as the “War between the States” by some in the South or even “The War of Northern Aggression” by Courtesy Photo those who are serious about being from the south!). Lt. Col. Anthony Polashek, 514th Operations Group, visits with Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk, The custom of decorating the grave sites of fallen veterans, the navigator and last surviving crew member of the Enola Gay, a B-29 Superfortress along with numerous other community tributes and remem- which dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, during the final stages of World brances in recognition of the tremendous loss of life experienced War II. Polashek encourages all Airmen to celebrate Memorial Day in a manner that recog- nizes the contributions and sacrifices of American servicemembers. in the terrible war, was for the most part, celebrated separately by those affiliated with one side or the other. Regardless of which side your family was on, it’s hard to In a small town, it may be easier to follow these changes and imagine the magnitude of the devastating losses our country appreciate them, since every family is familiar with the others. bore during this incredibly difficult time or the intensity of the Walking through that cemetery was like reviewing the chapters emotional pain from those losses that remained very powerful of our town’s family history, recognizing the losses our friends throughout the following decades. and relatives had borne in the century or so of that town’s exis- Other wars followed, and after World War I, the focus of tence (dating back, oddly enough, to the Civil War reconstruction Memorial Day expanded to recognize the sacrifices of fallen vet- era), and particularly so for the veterans whose plots were deco- erans from all conflicts. If you are curious, a good synopsis of rated for the occasion. Memorial Day’s history can be found at www.usmemorialday. I was always proud of our veterans, and proud of the towns- org/backgrnd.html. people who honored them. As the people would finish their pri- If, for you, Memorial Day has primarily been about a great vate visitations, we would make our way the few blocks to the weekend to barbecue, I offer the following experience for your American Legion Park and have a wonderful, all-day picnic. The consideration. weather was more often good than bad, and for a young sprout My hometown has about 300 people in it, and the Memorial like me, it was always a great day. Day observance there is one of the biggest events of the year. I remember the pride with which these generations of veter- I remember as a small child watching the parade and seeing ans had marched, the somber visages as they recalled their fallen the veterans from the local American Legion post march by in comrades, and the pride they shared in our community recogni- their uniforms. My grandfather was a World War I veteran, and tion during this great traditional event. These same folks that I he would be there, as was my father and his brother, both World saw around town seemed very different when they were in uni- War II veterans, and their younger brother, who served later. form, and it was clear they were very proud to honor their fallen Our neighbor across the street led a contingent of Korean War comrades in this way. vets, and eventually, we had our share of Vietnam vets as well. After the solemn ceremonies and not a few tears in the crowd, The parade would travel through about half of the paved streets I also remember the great sense of community and fun at the in the small town, and end at the church on the top of the highest very well-attended celebration where the older folks could relax hill, where a service was held, followed by a very moving out- and visit while the younger generations engaged in more active door ceremony with a 21 gun salute in the cemetery. events, with good food and drink for all. The Ladies Auxiliary would deliver decorations to the So, that’s my personal anecdote and plug for Memorial Day. deceased veteran’s markers, the formal ceremonies would end, Thanks for all you do in the service of your country. Please and families would visit the final resting places of their veterans. join me and all who love the United States of America by par- Over the years, those who marched in the parade part of the ticipating in Memorial Day in a way that honors those who have event eventually migrated to being the recipients of attention in fallen for our country. Please be safe and have a great holiday the final part, most after long rewarding lives. weekend. 4 Freedom Flyer www.514amw.afrc.af.mil top noncommissioned officer discusses enlisted issues airman 1st class ryan throneberry 87th Air Base Wing public affairs The Defense Department’s highest ranking enlisted member visited here April 14 and 15. Marine Corps Sergeant Maj. Bryan Battaglia, senior enlisted advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is the principal military advisor to the chairman and the Secretary of Defense on all matters related to the enlisted force. Battaglia’s visit was intended to give him a closer look at some of the installation’s missions and its enlisted ser- U.S. Air Force Illustration vicemembers, which hail from all five branches of the airmen earn honors military. Battaglia’s message focused on the importance of capt. allison ecung keeping faith as budget cuts force the reshaping and 514th Air Mobility Wing public affairs reorganization of the military. He said servicemembers should know that addressing the unique needs of mili- tary families and the development and education of the Nine Airmen of the 514th Security Forces Squadron were enlisted force are two top priorities of the military’s most honored for their support of Operation Enduring Freedom senior leaders during a homecoming awards ceremony for deployed service “Have trust in your leadership,” he said. “If our Sol- members returning from Afghanistan. Family and friends of diers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen the Airmen were present as Col. Ellie Nix, 514th Mission Sup- have faith in us and vice versa, we will get through these port Group commander, described and commended them for challenging times.” their outstanding actions downrange. He said the reshaping and restructuring of the military Three of the Airmen were awarded the Bronze Star, which has happened many times in his career, and despite its is the fourth highest combat award. To be eligible to receive inherent challenges, U.S. servicemembers have always a bronze star, servicemembers must distinguish themselves delivered the world’s finest military. by heroic or meritorious service while engaged in an action To help address the significant Reserve population on against an enemy of the United States. the joint base, Battaglia was joined by a subject-matter Maj. Sean Lambe earned a Bronze Star, which is his second, expert on issues that are particular to citizen servicemem- for his rapid response to over 36 rocket attacks in which he bers. helped save several critically wounded individuals. Command Sgt. Maj. John Gipe, the senior enlisted The family of Tech. Sgt. Herbert Dubose was present as he advisor to the assistant secretary of defense for reserve was awarded both the Bronze Star and the Army Commen- affairs, said he is seeing progress in efforts to educate leg- dation Medal with valor for personally saving multiple lives islators who are well-intentioned, but don’t always con- while deployed. sider the Reserve component when drafting legislation. For his actions coordinating with international forces and Gipe also said reservists should expect to be treated quick reaction time evacuating a critically injured victim, fairly by their civilian employers when reporting for mili- Chief Master Sgt. Dean Roberts was awarded the Bronze Star tary duty, but they should not take undue advantage of the Medal. protections afforded to them. Master Sgt. Michael Fletcher received the Defense Meri- “It’s a two-way street,” Gipe said. torious Service Medal for his life-saving response during a Reservists have a responsibility to work with their rocket attack while serving as superintendent of military police civilian employers to perform military duties at times that investigations. the least disruptive when possible, he said. Giving respect Master Sgt. David Tingle, received the Joint Service Com- to the needs of civilian employers helps ensure they will mendation Medal for his performance of flightline security continue to support and employ reservists in the future. duties and for training more than 80 multinational troops on Battaglia’s final message was to encourage service- NATO policies. Four airmen were also recognized with the members to remember why each of them chose to serve. Joint Service Achievement Medal. Tech. Sgt. Jack Humphrey “We are a special breed of people, ladies and gentle- was lauded for his actions as flightline security chief, and Staff men,” Battaglia said. “We are part of the greatest team Sergeants John Andres, Philip Jawny and George Teamoh sport in the world. America loves us because we are a were praised for their roles in flightline security operations, trusted institution who serves with integrity and we will as was Tech. Sgt. Michael Zigarelli for his combat military never waiver the high ground. That’s what your country policing efforts. thinks of you. Isn’t that worth serving for?” F F 5 www.facebook.com/514thairmobilitywing reedom lyer Photos by Shawn J. Jones reaDy for a fight top left: Senior Airman Alexis Tomlinson, 514th Aerospace Medical Squadron, helps to unravel a firehose during an expeditionary readiness exercise at Gulfport Contingency Readiness Training Center, Miss., April 27. Airmen from New Jersey’s 514th Air Mobility Wing and 87th Air Mobility Wing joined Airmen from Minnesota’s 934th Airlift Wing for the exercise to help them prepare for an operational readiness inspection scheduled for March 2013. top right: Airmen board a C-17 Globemaster III on the flightline here prior to heading to the readiness center. center: As part of the exercise, Staff Sgt. Heidi Schneider, a readiness specialist with the 514th Civil Engineer Squadron, collects data related to contamination levels within the installation in order to advise the commander on an appropriate course of action. bottom right: Senior Airman Daniel Condo, a financial management specialist with the 514th Air Mobility Wing, has his mobility records reviewed while practicing the deployment portion of the readiness exercise. To further prepare for March’s inspection, the Airmen will report to the training center again in October for an operational readiness exercise. 6 Freedom Flyer www.514amw.afrc.af.mil P C : ulse heCk What can Freedom Wing Airmen do to better prepare for the readiness inspection? senior master sgt. senior master sgt. master sgt. lt. col capt. Joseph sulia lavar Jordan amanda heffner tim Donnelly margaret chandler 514th Logistics 514th Aeromedical 514th 514th 514th Readiness Squadron Evacuation Squadron Civil Engineer Squadron Mission Support Group Aerospace Medical Squadron “More focus on donning “Timely communication “We now can focus on “We can provide “Don’t leave casualties the gas mask and self aid of training requirements specific areas such as greater leadership up alone and keep reas- buddy care. More detail from the deployment command and control, and down the chain to sessing them. You won’t to cargo preparation for manager to the inspection wear of the new M-50 more effectively source always be able to imme- deployment and rede- participants is critical. gas mask and our ability- the tasking’s personnel diately transport them to ployment.” Making sure your mem- to-survive-and-operate requirements and better the medical unit.” bers are ready, trained, processes.” plan the sequencing of and equipped is highly forces during the deploy- important.” ment and redeployment phases of the exercise.” Senior Airman Nicole Lauby (left) and Airman 1st Class Hunter Alvis provide security near an entry control point during the training exercise. Lauby is assigned to the 934th Security Forces Squadron at Minneapolis Air Reserve Station, Minn., and Alvis is assigned to the 87th Security Forces Squadron here. F F 7 www.facebook.com/514thairmobilitywing reedom lyer Photos by Tech. Sgt. Jonathan E. White Airmen fill out paperwork during a classroom session of the 514th Air Mobility Wing’s new development and training flight May 6. The flight introduces newly enlisted Airmen to vari- ous aspects of Air Force culture in order to facilitate their transition into basic military training and into the units to which they will report after training. new reservists learn basics before basic training tech. sgt. Jonathan e. White ure, disciplinary issues or medi- 514th Air Mobility Wing public affairs cal issues. To counter this trend, Air Force Reserve Command Many Reserve Airmen enter- started development and train- ing basic military training no ing flights at six test locations longer have to worry about fear and saw immediate results. The of the unknown. 514th Air Mobility Wing started The newly formed develop- its flight in April, and Gentile ment and training flight fills said feedback has been positive the gap between the time new from both trainees and estab- Airmen enlist and the time they lished members of the wing. ship off to Lackland Air Force Besides the formal training Base, Texas, for basic training – the trainees receive, Mullin said a period which often lasts many the opportunity to network with months. Filling this time gap noncommissioned officers and Tech. Sgt. Timothy Mullin (blue running shorts) leads Airmen during the development provides benefits to new Air- fellow new Airmen is invalu- and training flight’s physical training session May 6. men and to the Air Force. able. Instead of waiting around for “We try to make the transi- 514th Air Mobility Wing. Each “The only person I had ever months and losing the enthusi- tion from civilian life to mili- of the five instructors can offer met from the Air Force prior to asm and momentum that came tary life a little less drastic,” their experience as noncommis- leaving for basic training was with the decision to enlist, new said Tech. Sgt. Timothy Mullin, sioned officers who have gone my recruiter,” he said. “It also Airmen who attend the devel- an instructor with the flight. through basic training, but their would have been nice to meet opment and training flight on Mullin said he expects his ace in the hole is the flight’s pro- other people who were report- training weekends can get paid students to have an advantage gram manager, Master Sgt. Joe ing to boot camp with me.” to train and learn. in the early stages of their Air Gentile, who previously served Gentile said he welcomes The Air Force benefits by Force careers. as an Air Force basic training senior leaders such as com- having Airmen who have been “I wish this program existed instructor. manders, chief master sergeants prepped to succeed in basic when I was a new Airman,” he Gentile works closely with and first sergeants to visit the training. said. “I had no idea how to tell recruiters and the flight’s flight to observe or to address Those who participate in the the difference between enlisted instructors to maintain the the trainees as well as to join development and training flight and officer. It was all brand new effectiveness of the program. them for physical training. are taught Air Force history, to me.” He said that in the past, too He also said the trainees customs and courtesies, core Mullin is joined by four many Reserve Airmen were could benefit from the advice of values and rank structure. They other instructors who come being sent home from basic Airmen who are freshly gradu- also engage in physical training. from various units across the training due to academic fail- ated from basic training. 8 F F reedom lyer www.514amw.afrc.af.mil above: Col. Michael Underkofler (left), 514th Air Mobility Wing commander, passes the 514th Maintenance Group guidon to Col. Anthony Esposito during the change-of-command ceremony in which Esposito became the group’s commander May 5. Chief Master Sgt. Linda Menser, the group superintendent stands behind the colonels. right: Esposito, who spent the vast majority of his military career within the group addresses his Airmen and guests upon taking command. Col. Oreste Varela (right) relinquished his command and will pursue employment closer to his family in Photos by Tech. Sgt. Jonathan E. White Massachusetts. L - F W A ong time reedom ing irmAn returns to commAnd mAintenAnce group Flights of Airmen from the 514th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, the 514th Maintenance Squadron, the 514th Maintenance Operations Squadron and the 714th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron stand at attention in formation during the ceremony. F F 9 www.facebook.com/514thairmobilitywing reedom lyer freedom flyer editor named Defense Dept’s top journalist from air force reserve command public affairs A panel of judges selected Tech. Sgt. Shawn Jones, 514th Air Mobility Wing public affairs, as the top print journalist in the Department of Defense. The department announced the Thomas Jefferson Award win- ners April 19. The competition is the premiere military awards program for print and broadcast journalism. The Thomas Jef- Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jonathan E. White ferson Awards Program recognizes outstanding achievements in furthering the objectives of the Defense Department internal information program. gratitude “I didn't really think I had a good chance to win," he said. "The judges at the lower level competitions were very critical of my work, so I was genuinely surprised when the results were announced.” Mark Dimond (left) discusses the legacy of the Chowhound, a B-17 Flying In addition to serving as a traditional reservist, Jones is the Fortress that crashed during the liberation of France in World War II, with civilian editor of the wing’s Freedom Flyer magazine. Four of his Lt. Col. Jonathan Bradley, 732nd Airlift Squadron, May 5. Dimond, a sur- five award-winning articles appeared in the magazine, which was viving relative of one of the Chowhound’s final crew, held a picnic as a way named the best printed publication in Air Force Reserve Com- to say thank you to the squadron’s Airmen who brought the remains of the mand. B-17 back home in September after it spent more than half a century in a Jones, the first Air Force reservist to win the award, said he French farmer’s barn. was especially pleased to represent citizen Airmen in a Defense Department-level contest. 10 F F reedom lyer www.514amw.afrc.af.mil
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