COMMANDER’S CORNER: WE ARE NOT A FAMILY - PAGE 2 Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Vol. 63 No. 29
Search and recovery team learn what ‘knot’ to do By 2nd Lt. Justin Davidson-Beebe 21st Space Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — From Pikes Peak to Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado is world famous for its mountainous landscapes. Tourists travel from all over to explore and enjoy Colorado’s towering formations. The mountainous terrain that made the state famous is also treacherous, and creates challenging environments for search and recovery teams within 21st Force Support Squadron when called into action. One of the major challenges search and recovery faces is the need to climb rock faces. To ensure their personnel are prepared to respond to emergencies in the mountains, 21 FSS has a training program in place with Outdoor Recreation. “The search and recovery team trains in the mountains twice a year, and they also do search and recovery training on base. Search and recovery is part of the services Air Force Specialty Code, but members are screened through mental health to be part of the team,” Tech. Sgt. Rosey Summerville, 21 FSS, facility manager, and a member of the search and recovery team said. The rescue climbing training program is an intense two-day course provided by 21 FSS Outdoor Recreation, where search and recovery personnel within 21 FSS learn everything from tying knots for climbing to proper search and recovery procedures in a mountainous environment. The training day begins with a simple question from John Sedmak, 21 FSS, Outdoor Recreation specialist, “If you could have anything come See Search and recovery page 9
(U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Justin Davidson-Beebe)
NORTH CHEYENNE CAÑON PARK, Colo. – John Sedmak, 21st Force Support Squadron, Outdoor Recreation specialist teaches 21 FSS search and recovery personnel how to rappel down a cliffside at North Cheyenne Cañon Park, Colorado, July 11, 2018. The students learned how to rappel to ensure readiness for mountain-based missions.
Snowball Express families have fun in summer sun
(U.S. Air Force photo by Audrey Jensen)
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Jennifer Johnson (middle), who attended the Noncommissioned Officers Association Chapter 300 event at a Sky Sox baseball game with her family in Colorado Springs, Colorado, visits with another Snowball Express family, July 6, 2018. This is the second year in a row Johnson, who lost her husband to cancer, and her family attended the Sky Sox baseball game.
By Audrey Jensen 21st Space Wing Public Affairs
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Jennifer Johnson took pictures with her phone as her and her fiancé’s kids sang, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” together over the loud speaker at Security Service Field on a warm July evening. Johnson, a Colorado Springs resident, and her family were just one of five families who attended the second annual Snowball Express event at a Sky Sox game in Colorado Springs,
Colorado, July 6, 2018, hosted by Chapter 300 of the Noncommissioned Officers Association. Johnson, who is retired military, lost her husband to colon cancer. Now, she is engaged to Army Sgt. 1st Class Josias Pico, who brought his kids from Hawaii to the baseball game. This is the family’s second year attending the Sky Sox game with other Snowball Express families. “It’s great to know people care like this,” Johnson said. “To be eligible for some organizations, your spouse has to be killed in action, but Snowball See Snowball Express page 8
AIR FORCE UPDATES TO AFI-36-2903, DRESS AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFNS) — The Air Force announced a series of uniform updates to Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel, effective July 13, 2018. “These changes stemmed from the 100th Air Force Uniform Board, which incorporated direct feedback from Airmen,” said Lt. Gen. Gina Grosso, Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower, Personnel, and Services. “There are additional Uniform Board initiatives that are ongoing and still being analyzed for consideration and implementation by senior leaders.” The notable changes are, but not limited to: Grooming and Appearance Standards - No minimum hair length for females, but up to a maximum bulk of three-and-half inches from scalp, allowing for proper wear of headgear. - Females are also authorized locs, which must be lightly fused or interwoven to present a neat, professional appearance. Dress Uniform - All enlisted personnel may wear three-and-a-half inch or four-inch chevrons. - All or some ribbons and devices may be worn on service dress uniform. - All, some or no ribbons and devices may be worn on blue service uniform. Outer Garments, Headgear, Rank Insignia and Accessories - While off duty in civilian clothes males are authorized to wear earrings on or off installation. - Females are authorized to wear round or square white diamond, gold, white pearl or silver earrings as a set with any uniform combination. - Eyeglasses and sunglasses may have a small logo that can contrast with frame color or lenses. Conservative, clear, slightly tinted or photosensitive lenses are also authorized. - Airmen may wear either a sling style backpack or two strap backpack. - Handbags for all uniform combinations will be solid black leather or vinyl without ornamentation with black or white stitching. Physical Training Gear - Short- and long-sleeved solid white, black or light gray form fitting undershirts may be worn and visible under the short-sleeved shirt. - A balaclava (black) may now be worn with PT gear while performing physical fitness activities outdoors.
INSIDE News Briefs Classifieds Crossword
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Hardships of LGBT community
Sports & Field Day
AF Week in photos
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