Category: Veterans News

The Air Force Career Skills Program, or CSP, prepares Airmen through vocational and technical training for a specific career or trade when transitioning from military to civilian employment.

Master Sgt. Angela Santos, superintendent, Education and Technology Branch, Air Force Cryptologic Office, 25th Air Force, first heard about CSP from a friend and headed to the Transition Assistance Program office here, to learn more.

“That is where I learned all I needed to about this program,” Santos said. “The most important thing to know is that it is a self-initiated opportunity.”

According to Jose Ontiveros, 802nd Forces Support Squadron CSP coordinator, the program is intended to assist transitioning service members by helping them find an internship, apprenticeship or certification program, which can be completed in the 180 days before the last day on active duty.

“There are no rank or term restrictions; officers or enlisted, separating or retiring are eligible, as long as the service member is expecting at least a good conduct discharge,” he said.

Santos, who began her program in April, hopes to acquire additional skills she may need for her next career.

“I want to pick up new technical skills, network, and ease my transition into the civilian workforce overall,” she said. “If my internship results in a job offer, that would be ideal, but even if not, I will still be appreciative for the experience.”

While Santos selected her internship program, there are three options to choose from, depending on how a service member wants to benefit:

Apprenticeship: These are generally a combination of on-the-job training and related instruction that may be sponsored jointly by an employer and union groups, individual employers or employer association;

Internship: These opportunities are for entry-level job-seekers. Internships may be completed in state or

Fifteen members from the Australian Defence Force Academy recently spent time at Kadena Air Base, learning about the 18th Wing’s capabilities and visiting historical sites.

The cadets and cadre were hosted by the 18th WG’s History office during their tour of base and the surrounding battlefields from World War II.

“The students and staff from the Australian Defence Force Academy visited Okinawa to get a detailed and hands-on look at the U.S. military experience during the Battle of Okinawa, which lasted roughly 83 grueling days from April 1 to June 23, 1945,” said William McEvoy, 18th WG chief historian.

The ADFA comprised of cadets from all three Australian military services.

“Having all the military service organizations present for this military history tour was very important for us because this is the first time the Australian Defence Force Academy has come to Okinawa,” said Australian Army Lt. Col. Ross Cable, Australian Army Knowledge Group historian and Australian Armored Corps officer. “There is so much history across the Asia-Pacific region.”

Cable explained how excited he was to visit Kadena AB because it’s a fantastic location for a battlefield tour. Many of the Japanese defense locations and fortifications are still intact and the terrain is largely unchanged since the war.

“Okinawa is one of the best locations we can take our cadets to see historical battle sites,” Cable explained. “We can stand on Kadena Air Base and can see the exact invasion beaches, airfield and ground through which the American forces attacked. The same holds true for other battlefields like Hacksaw Ridge. Plus, it’s extremely affordable and easy to travel here as opposed to other battlefield locations around the Pacific.”

One of the priorities of Kadena AB is readiness and warfighting integration, which McEvoy echoed during his

When Lt. Col. Dick Cole pushed the throttles forward April 18, 1942 to coax the lumbering, indecisive B-25 Mitchell bomber off the rolling deck of the USS Hornet for an audacious raid on Tokyo, he had no conception of space as a warfighting domain. “Cyber” would not be a word for several more decades; drones, GPS and mid-air refueling were nothing more than fanciful science fiction.

But as Airmen and families celebrated the life of Cole with a memorial befitting the last remaining member of the famed “Doolittle Raiders,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein said Cole’s legacy carries a deeper meaning.

The Doolittle Raid and Cole’s passing focuses attention not only on the man who was celebrated, but on the influence the mission – and the 80 men involved – had in charting a course that is apparent across today’s Air Force.

Goldfein explained the larger significance during remarks Thursday at Cole’s memorial service at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, noting that the effort, ingenuity and bravery that led to the mission being conceived, planned and executed are the same forces that define the Air Force today, only with additional “tools” including drones, satellites, stealth, GPS and an array of cyber capabilities.

Once airborne from the Hornet, Goldfein said, “Col. Cole and his fellow Raiders cemented the very notion of joint airpower with the clear statement that America’s Air Force, working side by side with our joint teammates, can hold any target at risk anywhere, anytime.”

That capability – and the ability to demonstrate it – became the backbone of successful deterrence during the Cold War and after. The 16 B-25s and 80 crew that flew the mission were among the earliest examples of sophisticated joint operations and multi-domain applications that today

Piti, Guam (April 19, 2019) – Commander, Submarine Squadron Fifteen formally dedicated Konetzni Hall during a ceremony April 19, in Piti, Guam.

The building, named after Vice Adm. (ret.) Albert Konetzni, has served as the CSS-15 and Naval Submarine Training Center Pacific Detachment Guam headquarters building since 2013 although it was never formally named.

A career nuclear submariner, Konetzni successfully commanded at all levels including a stint as
Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) from 1998 until 2001. During this time, he was instrumental in bringing forward deployed submarines to Guam.

“I decided to help solve the problems regarding submarine force levels by establishing a permanent submarine presence in Guam,” said Konetzni. “The SUBPAC staff did an outstanding job in studying, analyzing, and drafting a proposal to establish a squadron of three fast attacks in Guam. The concept was approved and forwarded to Navy senior leadership by U.S. Pacific Fleet in the year 2000, the 100th Anniversary of the Force! The rest is history and the Squadron was stood up in 2002.”

Konetzni challenged the DoD and Congressional bureaucracy to save a squadron of submarines from a scheduled early decommissioning and destruction. His actions saved billions of taxpayer dollars, but also ensured proper maritime defense.

One potential savings was to reduce transit time in the vast Pacific. He initiated the study, planning, and execution of the return of submarines to Guam. The increase in demand for the unique capability attack submarines offer the military and intelligence community was legitimate. Positioning submarines further west saved considerable transit time and kept them ready to respond more quickly to national tasking. The resultant savings translated into an increase in the number of operating days available.

Other remedies to improve efficiency included assignment of mini-AORs (Areas of Responsibility) so that missions, port visits,

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (April 19, 2018) – The Guam-based “Island Knights” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 responded to a mariner in distress aboard M/V APL Saipan on April 17.

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam notified HSC-25 that the mariner aboard M/V APL Saipan sustained injuries from an explosion that occurred onboard the ship in the engine room.

The HSC-25 Alert Search and Rescue led by Aircraft Commander Lt. Gabriel Pogliano was on scene within 35 minutes of the initial call from U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam.

“When I received the medevac request with the patient’s condition, I knew time was of the essence,” said Pogliano. “My instinct was to get on scene as soon as possible to give the patient the best chance of survival.”

The crew was unable to land on the ship upon arriving due to its structure and quickly found an area to lower their SAR Medical Technician, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Richard Derrick to assess the patient and provide immediate care.

“The ability to get him safely aboard the ship is a testament to the skill of our hoist operator, [Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 1st Class] William Medlin, and my copilot Lt. j.g. Luke Stanley.” said Pogliano.

The rough sea state, winds and a high hover requirement made it unsafe to hoist a rescue litter to the aircraft. The SAR crew decided to leave Derrick on the Saipan to provide care until the ship could return to Guam.

“The moment I made it on deck my primary focus was the care and safety of the mariner,” said Derrick. “Given the confidence of my training and access to medical care within ship’s company, I felt it was best suited to stay onboard until the ship could port in Guam.”

The incident was the 10th

OKINAWA, JAPAN – “As allies, it’s vital that we know how to work together,” says Cpl. Joseph Roche, a joint fires observer with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. Roche, along with other individuals with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, spent the week conducting fire liaison observation and exchange alongside service members with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force.

“It’s been a learning experience. It takes practice communicating in English, and using the proper format to conduct a joint call-for-fire drill,” said 1st. Lt. Takaki Naoto, a platoon leader with Fire Power Leading Company, Field Artillery Battalion, Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade.

Six JGSDF members and a group of senior JSDF officers arrived on Camp Hansen April 9th, 2019, to be greeted by key leaders of the 31st MEU. At the Command Post, JSDF officers actively engaged in a Rapid Response Planning Process brief with the command, including introductions and an overview of ongoing events with the exchange for the week.

“Utilizing the SAVT improves the quality of our training,” said Naoto, in reference to the Supporting Arms Virtual Trainer Facility, where a handful of enlisted JGSDF personnel tested their skills plotting coordinates alongside joint fires observers with BLT 1/4. “We’ve been exploring different skill levels, starting from the very basic of call-for-fire drills with artillery and mortars,” says Roche. “After running through very basic missions, we do full tactical execution templates on the simulator.”

The simulator, equipped with an immersive 360 degree projection and surround sound system, takes users through a variety of training environments and combat scenarios. In the simulator, the “Marines and JGSDF members rehearse coordinating artillery, conducting call-for-fire drills, and establishing close-air support,” says Roche. “This training ensures we’re on the same page as our allies. We know we can conduct these operations jointly, when

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein presented eight Airmen with the 2017 and 2018 Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award April 17, 2019, at the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes in Arlington.

The award was named in honor of the first Air Force Academy graduate to receive the Medal of Honor for his bravery and courage while evading capture and during his subsequent captivity as a prisoner of war after being shot down over Vietnam Nov. 9, 1967.

The 2018 award recipients: Lt. Col. Martin O’Brien, 1st Lt. Jason Quadros, Master Sgt. Robert Perz and Master Sgt. Veronica Babauta, alongside the 2017 award recipients, were all honored during the ceremony.

“Each of our honorees have their own story. Their commonality is the highest quality of leadership in the performance of their duties and in the conduct of their lives,” Goldfein said. “Just like Capt. Lance Sijan.”

Sijan’s younger sister, Janine Sijan-Rozina, accompanied Goldfein for the presentation of the annual award.

“There was a moment in Lance Sijan’s life that he realized that the cavalry wasn’t coming, and for some that might mean defeat, but for others (like my brother) he leaned into that challenge and he turned it into rocket fuel,” Sijan-Rozina said. “When you have been faced with that same moment, what will you do? I believe you’ll turn it into rocket fuel too.”

First given in 1981, the award recognizes Airmen who have demonstrated outstanding leadership abilities while assigned to organizations at the wing level or below.

“Of all the things we do as leaders, the largest impact that we have on our Airmen is to provide inspirational and courageous leadership,” Goldfein said.

Following the award presentation, officials hosted the first resiliency event within the Pentagon walls. Airmen and their families gathered

Ten federal agencies — including the Departments of Homeland Security, Defense, Justice and State — began an important dialogue at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland for government-wide collaboration in working dog operations.

The government-wide working dog team kickoff meeting, April 16-18, gave federal agencies the opportunity to talk through things like program challenges, sourcing strategies and best practices in an effort to build stronger, more sustainable canine operations for the future.

The event began with tours of JB San Antonio-Lackland’s canine campus to include DoD kennels, dog evaluation, veterinary and rehabilitation services and breeding program areas; and on-base transportation security administration training facilities.

Mission briefings and open discussions on each federal organization’s canine patrol or detection programs followed the tours and allowed program managers, canine subject matter experts and various acquisition and contracting experts to talk through all aspects of canine operations and sustainment.

“We were listening to working dog program managers and (subject matter experts) talk about their programs, especially relating to things they buy from industry whether a product or a service,” said Scott Heise, Air Force Security Forces Center, Air Force Security and Protection Category Management Council director.

Although the federal category manager for security and protection is the Department of Homeland Security, Heise and the Air Force were designated as the execution lead for this week’s meeting designed to lay the groundwork for a category intelligence report and future inter-agency collaboration.

The intelligence report is expected to be key to “maximize mission effectiveness with every dollar that we spend,” said Peter Herrmann, a member of the Air Force Installation Contracting Agency at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and the category program manager supporting Heise’s efforts.

There are a lot of great opportunities for collaboration between some or all agencies at the event,

SINGAPORE (NNS) — Commander, Task Force 73 announced the beginning of the 25th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise series between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the armed forces of partner nations, April 19.

CARAT, the U.S. Navy’s oldest and longest continually-running regional exercise in South and Southeast Asia, strengthens partnerships between regional navies and enhances maritime security cooperation throughout the Indo-Pacific.

“Twenty-five years of CARAT speaks for the enduring partnerships in this region,” said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Joey Tynch, commander, Task Force 73. “CARAT represents a quarter century of partners and allies in the region bringing their enthusiasm, knowledge, and perspectives to this exercise. CARAT also represents our future continuing to work together and strengthening our relationships.”

Each CARAT exercise features a shore phase with professional symposia and a robust at-sea phase that incorporates complex evolutions that increase combined operations. Both feature a broad range of naval competencies ranging from explosive ordnance disposal and live-fire gunnery exercises to search and rescue and humanitarian assistance and disaster response. CARAT also builds personal relationships through professional exchanges, sports and social events, community service projects and band concerts.

“CARAT is an adaptable and evolving exercise,” said Lt. Cmdr. Emilie Krajan, theater security cooperation officer for Task Force 73. “We work together with each partner nation as they develop tailored scenarios to address our shared maritime security concerns.”

The CARAT series begins at sea in the southern region of the island nation of Sri Lanka, where U.S. Sailors and Marines join the Sri Lanka Armed Forces to conduct partnered training focused on building interoperability and strengthening relationships, along with sharing best practices.

The week-long exercise at Hamantota port, located at the southern part of the country, will offer Sailors and Marines a chance to conduct underwater diving sessions,

Exercise Patriot Hook 2019, an annual joint-service exercise coordinated by the Air Force Reserve Command, took place at Vandenberg Air Force Base, April 10 through 15. The five day long exercise demonstrated the execution of civil relief operations that would typically occur following a natural disaster and provided realistic mission training for AFRC members and other service affiliates.

Other members from AFRC also participated in the exercise at March Air Reserve Base, Naval Air Station North Island and Burbank Bob Hope Airport, due to their strategic locations in California.

The exercise was designed to integrate different branches of the military and first responders of federal, state and local agencies. They trained for real-world scenarios, where they would need to mobilize quickly and deploy military aircraft in the event of a regional emergency or natural disaster.

“This is the third exercise that our unit has participated in this year, and the difference of our capabilities, from when we started to now, is substantial,” said Army Capt. Ricardo Tolentino, 314th Military Intelligence Battalion officer in charge. “The old way of thinking was, waiting until we’re tagged to deploy and at that time no one is prepared. By proactively doing exercises, such as Patriot Hook 2019, when the time comes for my unit to deploy, we will be ready.”

Each unit’s attendance was crucial for the achievement of the exercise. The C-17 Globemaster III and crew members assigned to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, provided much needed assets as the members tested their rapid disaster and medical response skills. Wright-Patterson AFB crewmembers, airfield managers, aerial porters and loadmasters aided in the movement of equipment and prepared cargo for a mock deployment. Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts, and members of the 314th Military