NEWS
FEATURE
COMMUNITY
LEISURE
Honoring our fallen heroes, Page 3
KMC honors Kindergraves, Page 5
Flushing the old, in with the new, Page 7
Smallest town in Pfalz holds medieval market, Page 18
June 1, 2018 | Volume 42, Number 22
Read the KA also online at KaiserslauternAmerican.com
86th MXG Airmen achieve perfection
Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Bass 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Airmen assigned to the 86th Maintenance Group on Ramstein Air Base, launch C-130J Super Hercules aircraft every day. But it’s been three years since they launched one like this. The 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron’s responsibility is maintaining the 86th Airlift Wing’s fleet. The 86th Maintenance Squadron works to maintain all the support equipment and individual parts needed to maintain the fleet. On May 18, the maintainers launched a ‘Black Letter’ aircraft, a plane with zero maintenance issues from nose to tail, inside and out. “To black letter an aircraft you have to sign off on every discrepancy on the
Staff Sgt. Kyle Shea (front), 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron dedicated crew chief, and Airman 1st Class Kyle Hodge, 86th AMXS assistant crew chief, pose for a photo inside the C-130J Super Hercules they maintain May 18 on Ramstein Air Base. Shea and Hodge worked together to achieve a ‘Black Letter’ aircraft. Black Lettering means there are no maintenance issues on or in the aircraft.
See PERFECTION, Page 2
USAFE hosts staff talks with German air force by Capt. Mayrem Morales U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs Senior leaders from U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa met German air force senior leaders during the second Headquarters USAFE – HQ GAF Staff Talks, May 22 to 23. Approximately seven USAFE senior leaders and four German senior leaders participated in this year’s staff talks. The event allowed senior leaders to discuss issues that were addressed during the first-ever HQ USAFE – HQ GAF Staff Talks last June and plan a way forward for new items of interest in order for both air forces to cultivate a common strategic vision and focus on a bilateral cooperation. “Since May of 1955, we’ve had a
relationship with Germany. They’ve been our host nation since the end of World War II,” said Brig. Gen. Dieter Bareihs, Director of Plans, Programs and Analysis for Headquarters USAFE - AFAFRICA. “We faced a lot of challenges back then and we will continue to work together to face future challenges.” Staff talks commenced with opening remarks from Bareihs and Brig. Gen Jan Kuerbart, German air force headquarters deputy chief of staff plans and programs. U.S. and German senior leaders went on to present briefings which outlined each nations’ air force capabilities, exercises, and strategies across both Europe and Africa. These presentations facilitated discusSee STAFF TALKS, Page 3
Senior leaders from U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa met German air force senior leaders during the second Headquarters USAFE - HQ GAF Staff Talks, May 22 on Ramstein Air Base. The event allowed senior leaders to cultivate a common strategic vision and focus on bilateral cooperation. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Rachelle Coleman