HAVE YOU READ YOUR KA TODAY?
May 11, 2012
Volume 36, number 19
Team Ramstein completes fully integrated evacuation exercise by Staff Sgt. Travis Edwards 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs More than 70 Airmen were on hand May 3 to test Team Ramstein’s ability to evacuate noncombatants from a mock conflicted area.
Service members from the 86th and 786th Force Support Squadron, 435th Contingency Response Group and the 1st Combat Communications Squadron all played a part in processing, screening and providing security and transport for the members roleplaying as evacuees in a non-
combatant evacuation operation exercise. The exercise helped base agencies prepare in the event that U.S. citizens need to be evacuated from foreign countries. “We went from a bare base to fully operational in six hours,” said Capt. Chris Price,
435th CRG Contingency Response Element director of operations. The exercise allows Team Ramstein to practice the Air Force’s role in evacuating personnel in a controlled environment. “The last time Ramstein participated in a NEO exer-
cise was in 2006,” said Price. “With this exercise, we are revalidating the (NEO) concept and learning what the process looks like. We do this while learning the fundamental elements involved in the transfer of personnel in a See EXERCISE, Page 6
by Staff Sgt. Michael J. Taylor 21st TSC Public Affairs
Photo by Senior Airman Caitlin O’Neil-McKeown
Senior Airman Cody Foster (left) and Staff Sgt. Thomas Perkowski (right), members of the 569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron, detain a simulated armed suspect, Airman 1st Class John Braswell, during an operational readiness exercise scenario May 5 on Kapaun Air Station.
ORE preps Airmen for real-world situations by Airman 1st Class Hailey Haux 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs The 86th Airlift Wing and the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing began the first of two operational readiness exercises for the year Saturday through today on Ramstein. “The objective of an ORE is to prepare the airlift wing to deploy and execute its combat mission in support of directives of leadership,” said Lt. Col. Brian Langridge, 86th
AW inspections and readiness chief. The 86th AW and 435th AGOW both participated in the exercise, showcasing each wing’s capabilities. The 86th AW command chief gave Airmen something to think about when he left them with a real-world example on the importance of readiness. “The Army practiced everyday for two
SCHWEINFURT, Germany — “All but war is training, and everything that everyone in the military does requires training,” said Sgt. Maj. John Buchanan, the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s assistant chief of staff for operations, training and exercise sergeant major. The 21st TSC is headquartered in Kaiserslautern. Soldiers stationed around Europe were subjects of intense training during the 21st Theater Sustainment Commandorganized and sponsored Pathfinder Course, held April 16 to May 3 at the Camp Robertson training area here. The course was organized to ensure Soldiers in units and positions that require pathfinder skills would receive the necessary training. Of the 60 Soldiers selected to attend, 22 made it to graduation. “Pathfinder is one of the most challenging and mentally straining courses that the Army has,” said Buchanan, a native of Springfield, Ill. “It’s very tough; the washout rate is somewhere around 50 or 60 percent, so Soldiers have to be mentally ready for the challenge.” Army Pathfinders are Soldiers who are trained to provide navigational aid and advisory services to military aircraft in areas designated by supported unit commanders. Their secondary mission includes providing advice and limited aid to units planning air assault or airdrop operations. During the Pathfinder Course, students are instructed in air-
See ORE, Page 3
Be sure to take precautions to prevent ticks on your body. Check yourself over after transiting outdoors in forested areas.
NEWS
TIP OF THE WEEK
FEATURES
See PATHFINDER, Page 6
CMSAF visits AFAFRICA Airmen, Page 9
Rwanda benefits from Army books, Page 17
338
As of May 8
646