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1652. AMC realigns lead mobility wings by Tech. Sgt. Karen Petitt Air Mobility Command Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFPN) -- In an initiative to enhance the presentation of mobility forces and streamline manning and resources, Air Mobility Command officials will realign and reduce its lead mobility wing mission from five wings to two. This new LMW structure will take effect with Aerospace Expeditionary Force Cycle 3 in March. When the then-chief of staff of the Air Force, Gen. Michael E. Ryan, first announced the AEF lead wings in March 1999, he designated five AMC wings as lead mobility wings. AMC's LMWs were the 43rd Airlift Wing, Pope Air Force Base, N.C.; 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis AFB, Calif.; 22nd Air Refueling Wing, McConnell AFB, Kan; 319th ARW, Grand Forks AFB, N.D.; and 92nd ARW, Fairchild AFB, Wash. Beginning next March, AMC's LMWs will be the 60th AMW from Travis and the 305th AMW from McGuire AFB, N.J. These wings are charged with providing air mobility leadership to the AEFs. Along with the wing's primary mobility mission, an LMW is responsible for providing mobility leadership and a 33-member initial response team for humanitarian relief operations, disaster response and contingencies. Responding to crises worldwide, the IRT deploys rapidly to assess local conditions, prepares the airfield to serve as a reception base for humanitarian relief, and assists in the beddown of follow-on forces. Working with an AMC tanker airlift control element, the team facilitates the flow of aid to disaster victims. Travis and McGuire were chosen as LMWs, in part, to link them with existing air mobility operations groups -- the 615th AMOG at Travis and the 621st AMOG at McGuire -- to enhance their crisis-response capabilities. The AMOGs provide expertise in mobile command and control, and airfield operations. Their ability to rapidly deploy to austere locations and provide airlift and tanker throughput is key to the LMW's success. "The realignment of our lead mobility wings with our AMOGs is a natural evolution of the LMW concept," said retired Gen. Charles T. "Tony" Robertson Jr., AMC commander during the realignment. "The original five LMWs did a superb job of refining the key processes that now enable us to move to the next level of rapid response capability. "Given the outstanding teams and obvious geographical advantages, Travis and McGuire are the logical home base choices for our next generation of LMW operations," he said. "Our leadership came to this decision based on feedback from LMW training and exercising during the past two years and a natural maturing of the LMW concept," said Col. Steve Hellwege, chief of AMC's operations plans division. "The realignment gives these two wings and their collocated AMOGs the primary mission for short-notice humanitarian response and releases the other wings from this additional duty. Our former LMWs will go on with their core mobility missions and will continue to support other aspects of the AEF. "The LMW redesignations will bring AMC's LMWs in alignment with the Aerospace Expeditionary Wings, the Air Force's two combat-response wings," Hellwege said. "Our LMWs and the AEWs will act much like 'sister wings' for full spectrum AEF operations. The AEWs will respond to combat situations while we handle mobility operations. "Another advantage with the new LMW alignment is their stationing at our major east and west coast mobility hubs," he said. "There will be more airlift assets immediately available to move our equipment and people." Lt. Gen. Ronald C. Marcotte, AMC vice commander, praised the original LMWs for their initiative in taking the LMW plan and establishing a viable rapid response force for humanitarian missions. "They (LMWs) have shouldered the burden of short-notice humanitarian relief with considerable energy and enthusiasm," he said. "They built a fledgling LMW concept of operations into a credible initial-responding force for humanitarian relief. I know the two LMWs and their AMOG partners will continue this record of excellence as they provide theater commanders with the capability to assess airfields at disaster sites, receive follow-on forces, and establish a mobility base for the reception of humanitarian relief." (Courtesy of AMC Public Affairs) 1650. Secretary visits with Air Force career advisers by Tech. Sgt. Dawn Hart Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- It is not too often the secretary of the Air Force flies half way across the country to talk personally with a small group of senior noncommissioned officers. But that is just what happened when Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche flew here recently to tell the Air Force's 92 career assistance advisers how important it is to keep good people in the service. The Air Force established career assistance adviser positions in May 2000, in an effort to address downward retention trends and ensure people were well informed on the benefits of an Air Force career. Now, there is a CAA at almost every Air Force base worldwide. Roche explained his vision of their job to the advisers, who were in town for their worldwide CAA conference at the Air Force Personnel Center here. "You are unbelievably important to the future of the Air Force because of the cost to replace good people, and the opportunity cost of a good person leaving who could have gone further in (his or her) career," Roche said. CAAs serve as a conduit of information between commanders, supervisors and the troops. They address local retention issues and use supervisors as a medium for maximizing existing programs. The advisers ensure airmen get the latest information on benefits, pay and career counseling, as well as Reserve, Guard and civil service, so they are able to make informed career decisions. Roche said the CAAs, a career field that is only a year old, are a linchpin in recruiting and retention efforts. "If we retain well, then we recruit well," Roche said. "The words he said are very encouraging," said Chief Master Sgt. Ramsay Pryce, CAA from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. "We are all excited and energized by the fact that he came. He is striking out in a bold new direction regarding retention and he's very passionate, as we all are, about getting things done." Saying supervisors are the key to a person's decision to re-enlist, the secretary said CAAs need to work with supervisors and directly with airmen to "make sure none of our best leave because they don't know enough about the opportunities. "You need to train supervisors to do the retention and career discussions," he said. The CAAs asked Roche about everything from retraining opportunities to pay and entitlements. The secretary promised to focus on some of the topics and come up with "imaginative and clever" ways of changing programs and policies. "(The secretary's visit) instilled a certain amount of pride in what we do, and it shows a level of commitment these CAAs have," Pryce said. "When we started this whole process of waging the retention war, there was a lot of talk about high-level involvement. Our whole program is about demonstration -- getting out there and touching lives and making a difference. He came down here specifically to touch us and make a difference and show support, rather than just voice support." For more information about the CAA program, visit the AFPC Web site at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/afretention. (Courtesy of AFPC News Service) 1655. Ramstein crews earn 2000 MacKay Trophy by Tech. Sgt. Tim Dougherty Air Force Print News WASHINGTON -- The medical crew from the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and the flight crew from the 75th Airlift Squadron, both from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, were recently selected as the 2000 MacKay Trophy winners. They were awarded this honor for the aerial evacuation of 28 sailors injured in the terrorist attack on the USS Cole in October 2000. Capt. Karey Dufour, a flight nurse instructor at the Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base, Texas, took part in the evacuation as a member of the medical crew. She said she was honored to perform the mission. "When we arrived in Yemen, there were 28 solemn faces," Dufour said. "The sailors made little eye contact -- it was like a wall of gloom." It took a while, but eventually the sailors started feeling more comfortable, said Capt. Karin Petersen, an 86th AES flight nurse. "They kept thanking us for everything and I just kept saying, 'No problem, it's my job,'" she said. Dufour echoed those sentiments and said it was a surprise to find out they earned the award. "We were just doing our jobs. This is what we train for and do every day. We were glad we could help out." Dufour said. "The true heroes in this scenario were the shipmates of the USS Cole, not us. The sailors were grateful for the support they got from the people in Yemen, but they wanted to get out of there. It was an absolute honor and a privilege to care for them." This is the first time an aeromedical evacuation crew has received this award. The National Aeronautic Association presents the MacKay Trophy annually to the Air Force person, crew or organization that made the most meritorious flight of the year. Clarence MacKay, a former industrialist, philanthropist and aviation enthusiast, established the award in 1911. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John Jumper presented the award at a Pentagon ceremony. Along with Dufour and Petersen, award recipients included: Lt. Col. Kirk Nailling; Majs. Kathryn Drake, Lola Casby and Thomas Jenkins; Capts. Donna Fournier and Natalie Sykes; and Staff Sgts. Brad Atherton, Juan Garza, Alan Woodridge, Anna Duffner, Chad Shusko, Ed Franceschina and Heather Robinson. 1654. SLIC opens new era in communications training by Tech. Sgt. Andrew Gates 5th Combat Communications Group Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- The 5th Combat Communications Group here is using the Systems Learning and Integration Center to enhance hands-on training on the systems that combat communicators deploy to the field. It takes the "deployed" out of deployed communication -- at least for training purposes. By taking advantage of this center, trainees can put together tactical networks, simulate satellite connections, and troubleshoot the Air Force's most advanced deployable communications equipment in a learning environment. "This is the first time in the Air Force that a combat communications unit has stood up something like this," said Master Sgt. Frank Norris, the SLIC facilitator. With a routinely hectic deployment schedule, the 5th CCG was losing many of the skilled technicians who had operated its tactical equipment for years. Getting the trainees together with highly skilled technicians was becoming increasingly difficult. "This center allows us to bring together the best of the best combat communicators in one location, and allow them to provide standard training to people arriving at the (5th CCG)," said Norris. "We hope to be able to bring people from technical school to the journeyman level of ability." In the past, one of the best learning experiences for a new trainee was the 5th CCG's quarterly field exercises, known as "Crown Jewels," Norris said. During these exercises, units set up a tactical communications network, incorporating computers, telephones, satellite connections, and air traffic control assets. "This might have been the only practical experience these folks got before they actually headed into a contingency or deployment," he said. With the SLIC, "we want to be able to simulate locally what people used to do in the field," Norris said. "One of the biggest challenges with training tactical communication is teaching in a realistic environment. With the SLIC, we can set up equipment to simulate satellites, or even to simulate our standard tactical entry points -- the places where we connect into a communications network to send and receive (information)." Simulating satellite connections will make training group members a lot easier, he said. Since satellites are not set up solely for training, any realistic satellite training requires a lot of coordination with satellite owners. That can take a lot of time. It also ties up resources that the Air Force might use for real communication traffic. And there is always a chance that a real-world requirement might knock a training connection off the satellite, wasting training time. The SLIC gets around this by using satellite simulators -- equipment that the group owns and controls that gives the same responses as a satellite. "We wanted a central facility that all the squadrons could use, a place where they could all come together and work as a group," Norris said. "This will also provide us an opportunity to let trainees see how systems work together. "Since the group's mission is to put together communication networks, we need to let our trainees get a lot of experience working with the other systems they will use in the field," he said. "This allows us to build a networking capability into our training programs. Our trainees can see how the equipment works together." The SLIC will also be used as a test bed for integrating new equipment into a communication network. For instance, a recent field exercise for the group revolved around integrating the pieces of the theater deployable communication package. With the SLIC, these integration tests can take place long before units head to the field. "We want to provide a facility and an environment where the trainees aren't under pressure, where they can make everything work together before getting evaluated in a field exercise," Norris said. The training they get in the SLIC won't replace technical school training, but augment it, he said. "For example, the Air Force teaches a lot of information at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., about the theater deployable communication package, but it's a very sterile environment. Students can learn about the equipment, but because of time constraints, they don't get to put their hands on the equipment and make it work. Although we can teach a lot of that in individual shops, the students didn't get the flavor of how their particular equipment fit into and worked with the communication network." In the end, the SLIC training the tactical communicators receive will help them do their job better and will keep training where it needs to be -- at the unit. By the time the trainees get to a deployed location, whether a contingency or an exercise, they can do their job as communication experts. "With the SLIC, we can ensure our evaluated exercises are just that, an opportunity for the group commander to see, at a glance, how well one or more of our mission squadrons can meet their tasked requirements and set up their equipment," said Master Sgt. Lonnie Michaelson, the 5th CCG's standardization and evaluation chief. This, ultimately, puts the "deployed" back into deployed communications. (Courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service) 1656. Crossroads poll offers quick quality-of-life answers by Staff Sgt. Amy Parr Air Force Print News WASHINGTON -- People who surf the Air Force Crossroads Web site will soon see a new addition -- quality-of-life quick polls. The polls, which begin Dec. 3, will be short, consisting of only a few questions. The first poll will have two questions, said Lt. Col. Bruce Lovely, Air Force quality-of-life chief. One will pertain to demographics and the other will relate to a QOL item or issue. All questions will have multiple-choice answers. "The poll will be used to develop and target future QOL initiatives," Lovely said. "However, the primary purpose of the quick poll is to increase the quality-of-life awareness level across the Air Force." The results are not scientific in nature and only reflect the opinions of the participants, Lovely said. Respondents can instantly view submission results by clicking on the results button. Results will also be maintained at the Air Force QOL office. Because the questions are designed for the entire force, including active duty, Guard, Reserve, civilian, family members and retirees, Lovely said posting the polls on the Crossroads Web site offers a great benefit to all, but particularly to family members. "Since Air Force Crossroads is a major information source, it's a great vehicle to announce Air Force initiatives," he said. "This avenue allows family members to have a voice and provides (instant) feedback on QOL initiatives." Initially, questions will be displayed or posted for seven days, with a new question posted every Monday, said Master Sgt. Tony Chapman, Air Force QOL superintendent. In the future, adjustments will be made based on requirements and participants' response rate. "All questions will have the underlying (QOL) theme," Chapman said. "(But,) eventually the quick-poll questions will integrate all aspects of Air Force QOL, such as pay and housing. "As the popularity of the polls increase, additional features may to added to enhance QOL feedback, capture items of interest for future questions and address possible concerns," he said. 1653. 2002 Military Family Week essay, art contests open SPRINGFIELD, Va. (AFPN) -- The Armed Services YMCA is seeking entries from military children for its 2002 art contest and readers' essay contest. Art Contest 2002 accepts artwork from children in kindergarten through sixth grade depicting their active-duty, Guard or Reserve military families. Top prizewinners will receive $500 U.S. Savings Bonds, and their artwork will be printed on posters for worldwide distribution next year in observance of Military Family Week. Children of Department of Defense and Coast Guard civilians may enter in an honorary category. Entry deadline is Jan. 28. The 2002 Armed Services YMCA Essay Contest highlights the joys of reading. Essays should be on any subject related to reading. In its sixth year, this contest is open to first- through 12th-graders and offers Savings Bond prizes of up to $1,000. Children of active-duty, reserve and retired members of the uniformed services and of DOD, Coast Guard and American Mission civilian employees can enter. Entry deadline is March 18. Color images of this year's winning poster and the top posters from each of the other services are accessible on the Web at www.asymca.org/art_posters_2001.htm. Full contest guidelines are on the Armed Services YMCA Web site at http://www.asymca.org/. People can also obtain information by sending an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED]; or by calling (703) 866-1260. 1651. Fencer makes lunge at world class success by Karen Abeyasekere 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England (AFPN) -- At 5 feet, 4 inches, 1st Lt. Nicole Mustilli does not look dangerous. But when she has a sabre in her hand, you might just want to stay out of her way. Mustilli placed 21st at the fencing world championships in Nimes, France, in October. Although proud of her achievement, Mustilli, who is the 100th Services Squadron deputy combat support flight commander here, said she believes she still could have done better. "It is an improvement from last year (placing 24th in the world), so that was good," she said. "But if I'd beaten my roommate (on the trip) I would have placed 16th. Unfortunately, I lost to her." But since the opponent she lost to is the number one fencer in the United States, Mustilli has no reason to feel too downhearted. Mustilli herself is rated fourth in the United States. Mustilli started fencing at age 13, when she was a freshman in high school. Her dad was a fencer and continuously provided the encouragement and coaching she needed. Even at an early age, Mustilli said she "really liking winning." So much so that Mustilli went on to compete in at least 100 competitions over the years. Last year, she took part in 13 events. Her successes include the U.S. National Champion (women's sabre category) in 1999 and the World Team Championships 2000 (women's sabre team). She was also named the Air Force Female Athlete of the Year 2000. To become this good takes a lot of hard work and preparation, Mustilli said. "Before the championships I practiced three hours a day, three days a week, at Cambridge Sword, my fencing club in Cambridge," she said. "I like the one-on-one battle you get in fencing, just you and your opponent out there," Mustilli said. "No matter what happens, you have to be in control." "Nicole shows dedication and is very methodical and analytical in the way she approaches things," said Professor Graham Stratton, Mustilli's British coach from the British Academy of Fencing. "I'm most proud of the fact that as a serving officer she has still been able to (fence) at an equivalent level, getting placed as high as she did, especially considering she competed against professional fencers." Winning as many competitions as she has, Mustilli experienced a lot of great moments, though there is one particular occasion that sticks in her mind. "Winning the team world championships last year was the greatest," she said. "It was the first time the American national anthem has been played for a senior team event." There is another great moment that she would like to experience in the future. She has recently found out that the (female) sabre category has been added to the Olympic events in Athens, Greece, in 2004. There are three fencing styles: sabre (Mustilli's favorite), epee and foil. The styles are distinguished by the swords themselves and the areas of the body where points may be scored. Only the foil and epee categories were included in past Olympics, but her specialty is finally a part of the Games. However, ranking 21st in the world does not mean she will qualify for the Olympics. "The year before the Olympics, it's decided according to how you are ranked in the world, and your national rank determines whether or not you make the team," Mustilli said. "I could be among the top 16 in the world and they still only take the top four Americans (though it may even be limited to the top three this year) for the U.S. team-so if I'm the fifth or sixth top American, I don't get a place." So it is the placings Mustilli gets from now on that will determine her Olympic dream. And her ultimate goal for the future? "To bring back the gold medal," she said. 1658. Air Force Clubs Football Frenzy kicks off SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) -- When Staff Sgt. John Stokes walked into his commander's office, his first thought was that there was a problem. He left smiling, though, after learning he won a free trip from the Air Force Clubs Football Frenzy program to see the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants tangle Dec. 9 in Texas. "I visit our club every weekend, watch the games and put my name in the hat (to enter a drawing for the trip)," said Stokes, who is stationed at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. "But I never thought I'd win out of all of Air Force Space Command (entries). This was a great surprise. " For club members who are pigskin fans, this is the first of three Football Frenzy excursions up for grabs. Later this year, five other club members and their guests will receive a trip for two to the Super Bowl in New Orleans; and five club members and guests will head to Honolulu for the Pro Bowl. "This is just one of several ways that we reward our members throughout the year," said Frank Black, chief of the clubs division for the Air Force Services Agency. "We're excited to see so many folks participating in Football Frenzy events -- especially with so much of our attention focused on world events right now," said Al Sonnenburg, sponsorship manager for the Air Force Services Agency. Club members still have time to register for the next two big giveaways -- the Super Bowl drawing on Dec. 7 and Pro Bowl drawing on Dec. 19. People can contact their base club for more information. *COPYRIGHT NOTICE** In accordance with Title 17 U. S. C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for nonprofit research and educational purposes only.[Ref. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml ] Want to be on our lists? Write at [EMAIL PROTECTED] for a menu of our lists! Write to same address to be off lists! <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. 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