HAVE YOU READ YOUR KA TODAY?
April 7, 2017
Volume 41, number 14
Ramstein welcomes back 76 AS deployers by Airman 1st Class Savannah L. Waters 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Six months can go by in the blink of an eye, but for some, it can feel like six years since they’ve said goodbye to someone they love. As the plane landed, excitement filled the air as family and friends gathered on the tarmac for the return of 10 76th Airlift Squadron members, one 86th Operations Support Squadron member, and four contract maintenance personnel April 1 on Ramstein. Coming back from a sixmonth deployment at Kabul Air Field, Afghanistan, this C-20H modified Gulfstream IV aircrew was the only flying squadron in the 86th Operations Group that was See DEPLOYERS Page 2
Photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Magbanua
Maj. Jeffrey Aubry, 76th Airlift Squadron pilot, is welcomed home from a six-month deployment with flowers April 1 on Ramstein. While deployed, the 76 AS served as the official transportation for the commander of Resolute Support Mission, U.S. Army Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr. Resolute Support Mission is a NATO-led train, advise, and assist mission for the Afghan security forces, consisting of more than 13,000 military service members.
721 APS delivers knowledge to new Airmen
Remember to pick up a copy of next week’s
KAISERSLAUTERN AMERICAN
SPECIAL
Spring EDITION!
LIFESTYLES
See KNOWLEDGE, Page 6
Photo by Senior Airman Tryphena Mayhugh
Airman Garrett Johnson, 727th Air Mobility Squadron air transportation technician, marshals a 25k loader away from a C-17 Globemaster III after he and other Airmen loaded cargo onto the aircraft March 21 on Ramstein. Johnson and the other Airmen were students of the 721st Aerial Port Squadron’s Unit Learning Center, which provides 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing Airmen upgrade training for their career field.
FEaTurE
For many new Airmen, completing upgrade training within their career field can feel like an uphill battle. There are career development courses and on-the-job training to complete, all while keeping up with the day-today demands of their job. The 721st Aerial Port Squadron has devised a solution through their Unit Learning Center for new 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing Airmen in their career
field to complete 5-level training, the next level after graduating from technical school, in a timely manner. “We’re the only station that does it this way for our 5-level upgrade training, and we offer it to the entire wing,” said Staff Sgt. Jacquelyn Alvarez, 721 APS NCO in charge of the Unit Learning Center. “It’s unique in that we bring everyone here to do it at Ramstein. It’s nice to get them involved in the Air Force culture as well as the culture of the career field to
NEWS
by Senior Airman Tryphena Mayhugh 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Inside training days with the medical group, Page 3
A story of resiliency, Page 8
Gartenschau open for 2017 season, Page 14