COMMANDER’S CORNER: AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE 21ST SPACE WING - PAGE 2
Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
Thursday, June 28, 2018
Vol. 62 No. 26
Reservist helps treat PTSD with horses By Staff Sgt. Frank Casciotta 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Frank Casciotta)
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Tech. Sgt. Tanesha Fierro, an Air Force Reservist assigned to the 34th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, scratches a horse’s chin during an equine therapy session at the Norris Penrose Events Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, April 4, 2018. Fierro volunteers with the local therapy group helping veterans and active duty military personnel suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Changes in marital status, changes in TRICARE coverage
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — There are veterans and active duty members suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder every day and one reservist, here, is aiding in their recovery by combining her two passions — helping people and horses. Tech. Sgt. Tanesha Fierro, an aviation resource manager assigned to the Air Force Reserve’s 34th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, spends one night a week at the Norris Penrose Events Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, volunteering with an equine therapy program designed to help veterans and active duty members overcome their PTSD. In 2016, Fierro was volunteering with a therapeutic riding program for children with disabilities when she was approached by another volunteer who asked her if she would be interested in a similar program working with Soldiers and Airmen suffering from PTSD. “Anytime there’s an opportunity to help someone, I’m there,” Fierro said. “I was just honored and excited to get involved in another equine therapy class.” During an equine, or horse, therapy session, patients spend time grooming and performing simple exercises with the horses. As a volunteer, it’s Fierro’s job to ensure the safety of both horse and patient. “Horses are such special creatures,” said Fierro. “They can sense if you’re hiding something and people with PTSD seem to be guarded. The horses pick up on that and won’t cooperate until that shield comes down, which is what makes this so effective.”
$866M contract sustains six missile warning radars By Capt. Duane Lankford Acting Program Manager, SMORS
TRICARE Communications
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Did you get married or divorced recently? If so, you’ve experienced a TRICARE Qualifying Life Event (QLE). With TRICARE, QLEs are certain life changes, like moving, getting married or divorced, becoming Medicare-eligible, and more. These changes may trigger a change in your TRICARE eligibility and options. A QLE for one family member creates a QLE for all family members. This means all family members may switch enrollment plans when one person in the family has a QLE. Getting married or divorced allows you and your dependents 90 days to enroll in or change your TRICARE health plan coverage outside of the annual open season. It may allow you to enroll in a new TRICARE plan or change your TRICARE health plan coverage within 90 days of the QLE. See Coverage page 11
(Courtesy photo)
CAVALIER AIR FORCE STATION, N.D. — A close up view of the face of the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System. This view shows transmitters that send and receive space and missile data. The PARCS is a ground-based Integrated Tactical Warning/Attack Assessment Sensor, an important component of the national military command system.
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PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — The Air Force awarded a contract to Northrop Grumman Corp. June 1, 2018, to provide sustainment and maintenance for six radars throughout the northern hemisphere. The contract, awarded by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, directly supports the continued operations of the Early Warning Radar (EWR), Upgraded Early Warning Radar (UEWR),and Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System radars. The radars are responsible for ballistic missile warning and defense for the continental United States, among other missions. The $866 million, single-award, indefinite delivery indefinite quantity sustainment and modification of radar sensors, or SMORS, contract period is five years, costing an estimated $150 million per year. “This new contract will focus on long-term missile warning, missile defense and space situational awareness, ensuring mission availability through improved depot-level See Warning page 11
SPECIAL SECTION
INSIDE News Briefs Crossword Classifieds
See Reservist page 12
Ambassador selected for stair-climb event
AF week in photos
Page 5
Recreation and Lesure Events
Page 14
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