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Air Force NEWS

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US conducts B-52 bomber overflight in South Korea

Friday, January 15, 2016 | Vol. 5 No. 2

Veterans Curation Program uncovers careers

Bobby Jones

Jesse D. Brent, an archaeological laboratory technician identifies faunal animal bone collections with Sonny Trimble VCP founder, and Director, Center of Expertise for Archaeological Curation and Collections Management at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

By Bobby Jones Staff Photographer

A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, conducted a low-level flight in the vicinity of Osan Air Base, South Korea, in response to recent provocative action by North Korea Jan. 10.

A combined dozen of Army, Air Force, Marine and Navy veterans stood proudly at their workstations as a stream of potential employers canvassed their job applications and greeted them during a Veterans Curation Program (VCP) Meet and Greet at their Alexandria laboratory Nov. 12.

With other locations in St. Louis, Mo., and Augus-

see Bomber, page 3

see Careers, page 3

Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton

Organization stands for the love of pets

By Hannah Troyer Editor

It was love at first sight.

Navy Petty Officer Third Class, Laura Bailey, finished breakfast at the Southside Diner in Baltimore when she saw him – an energetic, lovable Pit-bull mix up for adoption through a mobile adoption facility.

“The rest is history. He is a love,” Bailey said. “I walked over to him and he pretty much just leaned into me.

He’s just the sweetest dog; and he was so sweet when I first met him. He’s even sweeter now that we’ve gotten to know each other and build that trust, but he just stole my heart.”

But Sam, as he is now affectionately called, was not planned. Bailey was set to leave for three weeks of training in October in a mere two months. Bailey would support a two-week training exercise called Operation Bush Master, a combat zone readiness training military medical students at The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences participate in once a

year.

With no close family members nearby, Bailey decided to deploy Sam — to Germantown, Md. While trying to figure out what to do with Sam for three weeks, Bailey remembered a commercial featured on the Armed Forces Network for Dogs on Deployment – a nonprofit that helps single servicemembers place their dogs or cats with boarders at no cost for the duration of their training or deployment.

Bailey made an account with the website and determined what she was looking for in a possible boarder for her furry family member – a person who would make him feel safe, loved and a part of the family.

“I really didn’t know much about it, but I didn’t really have anything to lose at that point, Bailey said. “I looked into and it sounded almost too good to be true. It didn’t cost any money. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect really. I registered hoping for the best and got a message from Karen.”

Karen White, Germantown, is the Rockville coordinator for Dogs on Deployment and a registered boarder.

She had been a part of the organization for a few years but never boarded a dog until Sam. “I felt like it was something I needed to do,” White said. “When you register to be a boarder you don’t ever have to take an animal, but you see the animals in need in your area that you can do a search criteria for. She was close, needed it and it felt like I needed to just do it.”

Following Dogs on Deployment protocol, the two women talked and scheduled a meet-and-greet to determine how Sam got along with Karen, her husband, Bob, and their dogs.

Bailey said she was put at ease and felt that Karen and Bob were the right people to care for Sam. “When I walked into their house, it was really welcoming, but they also really seemed to know what they were doing with dogs,” Bailey said. I wanted someone who had dog experiences be-

Hannah Troyer

Dogs on Deployment Rockville Coordinator, Karen White, laughs with Dogs on Deployment member, Laura Bailey and her dog Sam. By boarding Bailey’s dog, White and Bailey formed a bond.

cause it’s one thing to call a friend and have them watch your dog. It’s another to leave them. Since they had dogs, I knew they would know exactly what

see dogs, page 4

Andrews Gazette

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Friday, January 15, 2016

Hot tickets Commentary Around Town Make a difference January 16 DMV’S Got Talent Harmony Hall Regional Center, 10701 Livingston Road, Fort Washington Tanya Lewis is hosting DMV’s Got Talent at 8 p.m.

Tanya is an all-around entertainer, actress and comedianne and her performance will have you cracking up. Tanya will be joined by singers Willie Blount, Martina Green, Souls 4 Real, Maharold Peoples Jr. and Virtuoso Horns as well as dancer, Marvin Hodge. To find out more information and costs, visit www.arts.pgparks.com or call 301-203-6070.

January 18-Feburary 29, weekends What Remains: The Archaeological Discoveries of African American Life in Prince George’s County Harmony Hall Regional Center, 10701 Livingston Rd., Fort Washington This year’s Black History Month exhibit focuses on African American life in Prince George’s County from the late 1600s to early 1900s. Archaeologists conducted research and recovered artifacts from sites including Mt. Calvert Historical and Archaeology Park, Northampton Slave Quarters and Archaeology Park, Cherry Hill Cemetery, Montpelier Mansion and Riversdale House Museum. Using artifacts, interactive displays and images, the exhibit illuminates spirituality, home life, children and consumerism. The cost of this event is free. To find out more information, visit www.arts.pgparks.com or call 301-203-6070.

January 22 NextLOOK: Clown Cabert Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mount Rainer Clown is an evolving art form which celebrates a universal sense of fun. Through performance, workshops, and audience interaction, Clown Cabaret keeps the tradition alive with laughter. In The Heist, a trio of menacing gangsters conspires to execute the Greatest Robbery of the 21st Century: a piggy bank.

A film noir motif carries the story without dialogue, making the show accessible to audiences regardless of language or age. The Heist is a robust physical comedy. Presented by The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. The event is at 7 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to pay what they wish to attend. To find out more information, visit www.theclarice.umd.edu or call 301-405-2787.

Comprint Military Publications Andrews Gazette is published by Comprint Military Publications, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force or any branch of the United States military.

The appearance of advertising in these publications, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or the products and services advertised.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, martial status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non merit factor of the purchases, user or patron.

Maxine Minar, president mminar@dcmilitary.com John Rives, publisher

jrives@dcmilitary.com

Matthew Getz, page design mgetz@somdnews.com Hannah Troyer, editor htroyer@dcmilitary.com Bobby Jones, photographer bjones@dcmilitary.com

By Chief Master Sgt. Mike Heath 30th Medical Group

Will you make a difference in someone else’s life today? We have all heard someone say, “Take care of your people and their families.”

Have you ever stopped to think why we hear this so often?

As Airmen, our number one responsibility is to accomplish the mission. However, without smart, dedicated, hard-working people and the unconditional support of their families, the mission would not get accomplished. This philosophy is not new. In fact, it’s been a fundamental concept in our Air Force culture for many years, but are we truly putting forth our best effort on a daily basis to be involved in the lives of our people and understand the needs of our Airmen?

Genuinely caring for your Airmen is essential and helpful when providing honest and realistic performance appraisals. Mentor those whose development with which you are charged. Make sure they can do your job someday. Teach them from your expe-

riences — the good, the bad and the ugly.

Share your successes and failures and tell them how you handled them. Make it a teaching moment so you can make them better leaders.

Taking the time to develop Airmen is not an easy task and it’s not something that can be done only online or by computer based training. It takes human interaction, patience, effort, and an ability to evolve. Enable and motivate people to accomplish the mission.

Give a sense of accomplishment and make sure they are recognized for it. If done properly, no doubt you will instill confidence in others and ensure the success of tomorrow’s leaders.

It’s not about you. It’s about other people. When you take care of your people, help them accomplish their goals and live up to their potential, and great things will happen. Not only will the mission get accomplished, but innovation and excellence will ensue.

These things can happen when you realize it’s not about you and you take care of your people. You

and I share a common blessing in that we are members of the finest country in the world. I have faith that you will endeavor to make our country even better in the future by making a difference in someone else’s life today.

I was entrusted with the incredible responsibility to be a supervisor more than 25 years ago. I started something that first morning as I prepared for work.

As I was so proudly putting on my Air Force uniform I looked into the mirror and said, “Will you make a difference in someone else’s life today?” I have asked that question every day since.

When I get home at the end of my duty day, as I take off my uniform, I look in that mirror again and ask myself, “Did you make a difference in someone else’s life today?” Sometimes the answer is no, so what do I do the next day?

Try harder!

So I ask you; will you make a difference in someone else’s life today? If you do, it could inspire an Airman for a lifetime.

Retiree Corner Increased Copays Military pharmacies and Tricare Pharmacy Home Delivery will remain the lowest cost pharmacy option for Tricare beneficiaries with the new pharmacy copays changes, effective Feb. 1. Most copays for prescription drugs at Home Delivery and retail network pharmacies will increase slightly. All drugs at military pharmacies, and generic drugs through Home Delivery, are still available at no cost to beneficiaries. Copays for brand name drugs through Home Delivery increase from $16 to $20, for up to a 90-day supply. At retail pharmacies, generic drug copays go from $8 to $10, and brand name drug copays go from $20 to $24 for up to a 30-day supply. Copays for non-formulary drugs and for drugs at non-network pharmacies will also change. Beneficiaries can save up to $208 for each brand name prescription drug they switch from retail pharma-

cy to Home Delivery. To see the new Tricare pharmacy copays or move your prescription to Home Delivery, visit www.tricare.mil/ pharmacy.

Help Wanted Volunteers are needed at Retiree Activities Offices at Joint Base Andrews, Md. and Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, D.C. A mainstay on each base for more than 25 years, the Retiree Activities Office supports military retirees and their families living in the national capital area. Volunteers are asked to contribute five hours a week on the day of their choice.

Office visitors and callers normally have questions in such areas as health care, legal matters, casualty assistance and finance. Office files, computer outlets and phone directories provide a wealth of information. The Air Force operates 106 RAOs around the world from its Personnel Center at Randolph AFB, Texas. Interested persons are asked to call the RAO

at Andrews, 301-981-2726, or at Bolling, 202-767-5244, for more information.

ID Cards Most Department of Defense ID card issuing facilities have ended walk-in service and are requiring customers to schedule an appointment. The goal is to regulate customer traffic and wait times.

Local offices information: Joint Base Andrews, call 301-981-1776; Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, 202-433-4012 (Anacostia) or 202404-3281 (Bolling). For a list of all ID card issuing facilities, go to www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/appi/ site?execution=e1s1.

The Retiree Activities Office is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please consider joining the volunteer staff. Visit the office in Building 1604 at California and Colorado Avenues or call 301-981-2726. Call to ensure a volunteer is on duty. The RAO website is www.andrews. af.mil.

For more news from other bases around the Washington, D.C. area,

visit www.dcmilitary.com.

Andrews Gazette

Friday, January 15, 2016

bomber, from page 1

By DoD News A U.S. B-52 Stratofortress from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, conducted a low-level flight in the vicinity of Osan Air Base, South Korea in response to a recent nuclear test by North Korea, according to a U.S. Pacific Command news release.

The B-52 was joined by South Korean F-15 fighter aircraft and U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcons, the release said.

“This was a demonstration of the ironclad U.S. commitment to our allies in South Korea, in Japan, and to the defense of the American homeland,” Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., the PACOM commander said. “North Korea’s nuclear test is a blatant violation of its international obligations. U.S. joint military forces in the Indo-Asia-Pacif-

ic will continue to work with all of our regional allies and partners to maintain stability and security.”

The bilateral flight mission demonstrates the strength of the alliance between the U.S. and South Korea and the resolve of both nations to maintain stability and security on the Korean Peninsula, the release said.

Headquartered in Hawaii, PACOM is responsible for all U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps forces over half the Earth’s surface, stretching from the waters off the west coast of North America to the western border of India and from Antarctica to the North Pole.

The B-52 is a long-range strategic bomber and part of the command’s continuous bomber presence in the Indo-Asia-Pacific. Upon completion of the flight over South Korea, the B-52 returned to Guam.

Security Forces Police Blotter The Security Forces Blotter is intended to keep members of the Joint Base Andrews Community informed and aware of the crimes and offenses that occur throughout the base each week.

If you have any information that may help Security Forces solve a crime or prevent a criminal act, please contact BDOC (Base Defense Operations Center) at (301) 981-2001, CRIME STOP LINE 981-2677 COPS or the investigations section at (301) 981-5656.

Jan. 05 at 11:08 a.m.: Security Forces responded to a vehicle accident at the Executive Airlift Training Center.

Further investigation revealed the driver entered the parking lot and struck another vehicle causing minor damages.

Jan. 06 at 1:36 a.m.: Security Forces responded to the Main Gate for an individual suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol. Security Forces made contact with the individual and attempted to conduct field sobriety tests, but the individual became resistant and refused the tests.

The individual was apprehended and charged accordingly.

Jan. 08 at 11:44 p.m.: Security Forces responded to the Firestone for an individual suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol. Security Forces made contact with the individual

and initiated field sobriety tests which confirmed the individual was unfit to drive a vehicle. The individual was apprehended and charged accordingly.

Jan 09 at 5:12 p.m.: Security Forces received an anonymous notification via LiveSafe regarding traffic at the Main Gate. Security Forces responded back explaining the reason for the traffic.

AS A REMINDER Please remember, while driving on the installation you must have a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, vehicle registration and proper Military Identification or approved installation access credentials. All credentials must be up to date and presented when requested.

For reporting any emergencies or non-emergencies please feel free to utilize the “LiveSafe” App. “LiveSafe” is an anonymous reporting app that can be downloaded for free on your smart device.

There has been an increase in attempts to enter the installation with a controlled dangerous substance in the vehicle. All vehicles entering the installation are subject to be searched; anyone caught attempting to bring controlled dangerous substances on the installation will be charged and may lose their base privileges.

3

Senior Airman Kristin High

Lt. Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy, the deputy commander of United Nations Command Korea and commander of the U.S. 7th Air Force, Lt. Gen. Wang-keon Lee, the South Korean Air Force Operations Command commander and members of the U.S. and South Korean air forces prepare to watch a low-level pass from a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

Careers, from page 1 ta, Ga., the VCP provides vocational rehabilitation and training for recently separated veterans using archaeological collections administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Hired as archaeological technicians, the veterans go through a fivemonth program – with salary – and are trained in data entry, report writing, digital photography and scanning technologies. Their efforts support the Corps’ mission of archiving, documenting and recording important archeological materials. The program helps veterans learn transferable technically skills for government or private jobs.

“Our job is to hire post 9/11, honorably discharged, sergeant and below veterans to work in the center,” Gina Foringer, owner of Environmental Research Group said. “Our primary goal is to find vets who need it the most, like service disabled to the degree that they’re unemployable. When they go through this program, they become employable. It’s a life transformation for them.”

“This (program) was something that even I couldn’t imagine where I could hire 30 veterans at a time and have them gainfully employed in a training program and getting paid. For my company, this is a dream come true.”

The classes – provided twice a year – help veterans from all types of military backgrounds and skills to handle artifacts – including learning how to sort artifacts and index, Excel software and digital photography at the forensics level.

But they’re also learning about office professionalism.

“They’re learning what to wear to work every day and act in a civilian professional environment. They don’t teach that in the Army,” Foringer said.

“We know how to fight, deploy, bunk down in a field site and make ourselves at home one night at a time.”

During the open house tour the technicians spoke candidly about their training experience at the center and

Bobby Jones

Christi Moore, an archaeological laboratory technician at Alexandria VCP, examines a color slide of a vintage Rolls Royce during an archive training session.

demonstrated some of their newly acquired methods in rehabilitating archaeological collections.

William Milline, a former tank commander in the Marines soon to graduate from the VCP, said the program is helping him find employment. He recently got out of the service in July and entered the program in November.

“The program is something that has really helped me with my transition into civilian life,” Milline said. “This program helped me with understanding everything again, by talking with normal people again and not (using) military jargon.”

After his graduation in February, Milline will work for the Veterans Affairs Academy doing procurement and writing review contracts.

Sonny Trimble, VCP founder and Director of the Center of Expertise for Archaeological Curation and Collections Management at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wants to support the troops who protected him while excavating mass graves in Iraq.

He met with each employee at the Alexandria site on the first leg of his trip to all of the VCP facilities.

“The whole point of this lab is to support combat members who couldn’t get jobs when they returned home,” said Trimble. ““I got very close to those soldiers and Marines that kept me alive out in the desert.”

For more information about the Veterans Curation Program, please visit their website at http://www.veteranscurationprogram.org/.

Andrews Gazette

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PETS, from page 1 to do with him.”

A contract was signed between the two parties that outlined what to do in certain circumstances so no questions were left unanswered during the three weeks.

Sam felt at ease, too.

“He was a part of our family for three weeks. He slept in the bed with my husband and I and the other dogs and snored away with everyone else and couldn’t have been happier,” White said.

Sam is one of more than 850 dogs nationwide that have been successfully deployed through Dogs on Deployment since its creation in 2011 by a dual military couple.

Monica Ruiz, Falls Church, Va., has boarded five of the 850 dogs and has been a boarder since Nov. 2012 when her own dog had to be put down. Ruiz’s deployments range from one to nine months and is currently boarding a German Shepard for a service member. The deployment is scheduled to last a year.

Ruiz shares the same sentiment as White when it comes to bonding with the boarded pets – and their family members.

“Being a volunteer boarder has been one of the best things of I’ve done in my life,” Ruiz said. “It’s really hard to say goodbye to a dog who has become such a huge and important part of my life. But, seeing the joy on the owners’ faces and the excitement

Friday, January 15, 2016

of the dogs to be with their people again makes it all worthwhile. The joy of that reunion – and knowing that I’ve played a part in making it possible – is why I do what I do.”

And while the three’s deployment processes went seamlessly, too often, service members are unaware of the service the organization provides.

“You see all the time someone serving turning in a pet into a shelter, and it just breaks your heart because once they relinquish ownership of their animal there’s not much we can do about it,” White said. “But if they had known about us beforehand, we could have helped them.”

As a coordinator, White spends lots of time attending local events to get the word out and raise donations for the organization. White, Bailey, and Ruiz realize the organization is “definitely filling a need” and “takes a huge weight off service members shoulders,” according to Ruiz.

“Pets are family. And especially for us single folks, our friends go off on deployments and they leave their (spouses) and children behind and that’s tough,” Bailey said. “But they get to come home to them. Us single folks come home to sometimes a dog or a cat. And he is my family.”

Since Sam’s deployment, White and Bailey haven’t been able to hang out in person, but are now Facebook friends and keep tabs on each other’s everyday lives.

If she were to deploy or go through weeks of training again, Bailey said she would chose Karen again

Monica Ruiz

Piper, a 2-year-old German Shepard, is Monica Ruiz’s fifth dog she has boarded since Nov. 2012. Piper gets along well with Ruiz’s lab, Sasha.

“in a heartbeat.”

“I don’t think any of the boarders sign up to do it to be anything but supportive of the troops,” White said. “You’re doing it for the pure love of country, man and dog. It’s corny, but it’s true.”

“It’s a huge service for the country- putting their lives on the line — and I just think the least you can do is watch their dog or cat. They should be able to come home to everyone they love.”

People interested in deploying their pet or boarding a pet should visit https://dogsondeployment.org for more information.

New commander takes Center closes for reins of 459 ARW MLK holiday

By Senior Airman Kristin Kurtz 459th Air Refueling Wing Public

The 459th Air Refueling Wing welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony held in Hangar 10, here Jan. 10.

Major Gen. John C. Flournoy Jr., commander, 4th Air Force, was the presiding officer of the ceremony in which Col. David A. Owens Jr., assumed command of the 459 ARW. “I can’t think of a more qualified officer, aviator and family man that I’d rather see leading this wing,” said Flournoy. “He is the perfect choice to lead the men and women of the 459th Air Refueling Wing into the future.”

Owens comes to the wing from the 445th Airlift Wing at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio where he served as the commander of the operations group. He was responsible for a equipped C-17 flying squadrons, an Operations Support Squadron and an Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, as well as safe the execution of over 5,000 annual flying hours As the wing transitions to new leadership, the outgoing commander, Col. Thomas “TK” Smith Jr., shared parting words for his former Liberators.

“Don’t forget, your commanders can’t make a difference without your followership and commitment to making us a World Class Air Force,” said Smith. “You continue to show this is not a second job but truly a profession.

Every citizen in this country is indebted to you for this military profession you’ve embraced.”

Owens echoed the appreciation for

By Kathy Canfield 779th Medical Group

U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kristin Kurtz

Maj. Gen. John C. Flournoy Jr. (left), 4th Air Force commander, passes the 459th Air Refueling Wing flag to Col. David A. Owens (right) during the change of command ceremony here Jan. 10. Owens took command of the 459th ARW from Col Thomas “TK” Smith Jr.

the Airmen of the 459 ARW. “I am honored, truly honored to give you my very best. You bring such a tremendous capability to this great nation and I think you for that,” said Owens. “I hope you don’t think you are working for me, you are working for the American people. I am working for you.”

Malcolm Grow Medical Clinics and Surgery Center (MGMCSC) will be closed for observance of the Martin Luther King holiday on Monday, Jan. 18.

There will be no scheduled appointments, pharmacy or laboratory services.

Prescription refills requested before noon on Jan. 15 will be available for pickup after noon on Jan. 19. Prescription refills requested after noon on Jan. 15 will be available for pickup after noon on Jan. 20.

The Emergent Care Center (ECC) will remain open to provide emergency and urgent care services. Emergency Care is defined as a threat to life, limb or eye sight, such as severe bleeding, chest pain or broken bones. Urgent Care is defined as care for an illness or injury that requires treatment within 24 hours but is not life threatening.

Examples include: earache, toothache, rising fever, joint sprain or urinary tract infection.

TRICARE Prime enrollees are required to use the MGMCSC ECC or other military treatment facility emergency room for urgent care unless outside the local area. Visits to civilian urgent care centers require

prior authorization. Failure to do so could result in you incurring the cost for the visit.

The Nurse Advice Line (NAL) is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for free medical information and advice for TRICARE beneficiaries. To reach the NAL call 1 (888) 999-1212, option 1-4.

If your condition is not urgent and you can wait for treatment, please contact the appointment line at 1-888999-1212 on Tuesday to schedule an appointment.

For more news from other bases around the Washington, D.C. area,

visit www.dcmilitary.com.

Friday, January 15, 2016

Andrews Gazette

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Airmen get combative, test skills

By Senior Airman Mariah Haddenham 11th Wing Public Affairs

Bare feet shuffle across blue mats as airmen and soldiers find themselves in a battle of vigilance and reflexes during the Basic Combatives Course at Fort Belvoir, Va., Jan. 4-8.

The course supports the “total solider concept” producing well-rounded, skilled and more confident service members with approximately 10 students participating in the course at a time and 12 classes graduating per year.

“A ‘total soldier concept’ means that it’s not about knowing how to shoot a gun or fly a plane, you need to know how to do everything,” Sgt. 1st Class Ralph Alfonso, U. S. Army Combatives School director and instructor said.

“Students leave here upon graduation with the ability and knowledge to go back to their units and teach them combatives as well.”

According to ‘History of the Modern Army Combatives Program’, the first U.S. Army Combatives Manual was published in 1852 and was a translation of a French bayonet fighting manual.

Meanwhile, Air Force Strategic Air Command under General Curtis E. LeMay implemented a Judo program in 1950, sending 13 instructors to Japan in 1952 to the first Kodokan, a premier Judo school in Tokyo.

While most branches have their own combatives programs, many eventually died out. In 1995, the commander

Senior Airman Mariah Haddenham

Senior Airman David Hoch, 11th Security Forces Squadron response force leader, applies an arm bar on a classmate during the Basic Combatives Course at Fort Belvoir.

of the 2nd Ranger Battalion ordered a re-invigoration of combatives training.

While adjustments were made to the original program, by 2002 the program gained so much popularity that it became Army-wide training requirement.

Since the creation of the program, service members from all military branches have attended the course and returned to their units with what the instructors refer to as a ‘perishable skill’.

“Combatives need to be practiced regularly,” Alfonso said. “The skill is

like a muscle, it needs to be worked and trained to perform at the best of its ability. Students who take the knowledge back to their units, and train with them regularly are keeping those skills current.”

Students learn to clinch, conduct take downs, maintain distance between the enemy in order to utilize either their primary or secondary weapon system, grapple and submit and escape tactics to move themselves to a more dominant position in the event of a physical altercation.

The course is geared towards combat situations where service members will need to access the situation, close the distance, gain and maintain a dominant position and finish the fight. In all, the students learn more 30 techniques, but new skills aren’t all the students take away.

“We show our students how realistic training – such as grappling – places the students in uncomfortable, stressful situations, and have them work through the feelings of fight or flight,” Staff Sgt. Dennis Jones, USACS military District of Washington master combatives instructor said. “By the end of this course, the soldiers and airmen should leave with the confidence to close with, engage and destroy the enemy.”

Any service member who wishes to participate in the course just needs to provide their most recent physical fitness assessment, fill out a safety questionare and complete a combatives injury screening form.

“Some of our Ravens have taken the course, including myself, and I would definitely recommend it to other service members,” Staff Sgt. Gabriell Viera, 811th Security Forces Squadron executive aircraft security team leader said. “A price can’t be placed on the skills we have been taught, and I’m grateful to have gone through this learning experience with my team.”

For more information about United States Army Combatives School go to http://www.hqbn.belvoir.army.mil/ combatives.asp.

Prince George’s library introduces Discovery Centers Prince George’s County Memorial Library System is rolling out themed children’s areas called Discovery Centers. The Discovery Centers-which each have different themes such as castles or space-promote literacy by encouraging learning through creative play.

“As we renovate library branches, we’re designing and building colorful Discovery Centers that appeal to children much like children’s museums,” Michael Gannon, chief operating officer of the library system said. “They’re destinations for families where children can visit with their parents and grandparents.”

Prince George’s County Memorial Library System offers six Discovery Centers with two more under construction and three more in development. All are free as part of the library system.

The Discover Centers feature colorful carpeting and walls, props and displays and child-friendly reading spaces. A bridge crosses a carpet moat in Beltsville Branch’s Discovery Cas-

tle area; a teddy-bear astronaut sits in a spaceship in Fairmount Heights Branch’s Discovery Space; and a childsize circus tent stands in Hillcrest Heights Branch’s Discovery Circus.

Other Discovery Centers include Discovery Treehouse at the Glenarden Branch, Discovery Glen at the South Bowie Branch and Discovery Farm at the Spauldings Branch.

In addition, the library system is building Discovery Reef at the New Carrollton Branch, scheduled for completion in late 2016 or early 2017, and Discovery Island at the Laurel Branch. Scheduled for completion in the fall of 2016, Discovery Island will include lighted dinosaur footprints, a glass floor exposing a full-size velociraptor skeleton replica and two children’s seating areas, one within a large dinosaur rib cage and the other decorated with volcano lava and light effects.

Discovery Centers planned for the future include Discovery Town at the Bowie Branch, Discovery Village at the Hyattsville Branch and Discovery

Courtesy Photo

The children’s area of the South Bowie library branch was recently remodeled into a “discovery center” to encourage kids to visit and read.

Bay at the Surratts-Clinton Branch.

“We’re designing our Discovery Centers to be bright, fun and irresistible to children, but they also serve a purpose,” Gannon said. “Outfitted with books, technology and early-literacy

tools, they stoke children’s curiosity and help them learn to read, a basic ability that’s absolutely essential to their success as adults.”

- Prince George’s County Memorial Library System

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Friday, January 15, 2016

Installation VAP IRS Form: 1095 helps members vote available on myPay

By Senior Airman Dylan Nuckolls 11th Wing Public Affairs

Americans will be heading to polling booths for several elections in 2016, including primaries, caucuses and the general election in early November.

For service members and their families, that means making sure they’re registered to vote in time for the upcoming elections.

One of the main avenues to receive help in the voting process on Joint Base Andrews is the Installation Voting Office.

“The mission is to provide information and assistance for voting registration issues and absentee ballot procedures,” Installation Voting Office Director Cheryl Gritton said. “All military and civilian personnel, as well as voting age dependents, contractors and any other civilians who have access to the office (can receive help.)”

The voting office can assist members of JBA with every step in the voting process, so that all members need to do is fill in which candidates to vote for, according to Gritton.

“People who decide everything, from

where new roads go, to what dogs are scary, are elected. People who affect your life every day are elected, so you have to vote for the people who will make your life better,” Gritton said.

“Voting is the true power.”

The voting office is located on the second floor of the Community Commons.

An option for online users is the Federal Voting Assistance Program and can be accessed by fvap.gov.

The site lists all the information to get through the voting process as well as connect members to their state voting website.

DOD members can also contact their unit voting officers for information.

It is important for members to register to vote and request an absentee ballot because it takes time for local voting offices to process absentee ballot applications and ballots according to Todd Braun, Installation Voting Assistance officer.

The election in November includes electing the U.S. president as well as 34 U.S. senators, 435 U.S. representatives, 12 state governors and several state and local elections.

By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Command Information

All active-duty, Guard, Reserve, retiree and civilian Airmen will need proof of health care coverage when filing their federal tax returns for 2015.

“This is the first year that Affordable Care Act requires health care validation for filing their taxes and Airmen need this information,” Robert W. Burke, the Air Force Accounting and Finance office director, finance division said.

Under the ACA, U.S. citizens and legal residents are required to obtain and maintain a minimum standard of health care insurance called minimum essential coverage. The proof of minimum essential coverage will be

Sessions aim to improve legislation for Air Force missions

By Sean Kimmons

Air Force News Service

A day after the Air Force flew a B-52 Stratofortress over South Korea in the wake of their northern neighbor’s nuclear bomb test, Air Force officers discussed the service’s nuclear capabilities with policymakers.

The hour-long discussion – part of an ongoing series – touched on North Korea’s Jan. 6 test and why the Air Force responded with a show of force.

It also delved further into the U.S. military’s triad system, which deters a nuclear attack using strategic bombers, missile silos and submarines.

Organized by the Air Force Legislative Liaison Office at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill, the Air Force 101 sessions inform policymakers on various topics.

“AMU HELPED ME REACH HIGHER” AMU ALUM AND VETERAN WES O’DONNELL (MBA 2011)

provided by the Department of Treasury Internal Revenue Service Form 1095. TRICARE is one of many health providers qualifying for this coverage.

In January 2016, Defense Finance and Accounting Service is required to provide each employee with the IRS Form 1095 for employment during 2015. A hard copy form is scheduled to be mailed to each employee and the form will also be available electronically through myPay under the taxes section.

“The Air Force would like to stress the importance for Airmen to elect to receive the form electronic only,” Burke said. “This action will save the Air Force $200,000 and cause no environmental impact.”

“We don’t write policy. That’s not our job,” Maj. Justin Ballinger and a legislative liaison said. “What we do is educate how the policy and legislation affects us and what we can do with what is given to us.”

The bi-monthly sessions cover “airpower from the ground up” and hot topics such as a briefing on cyber security that had officers talk about policies related to Air Force missions.

“They spoke on the things that the current legislation allows us to do and some of the things that we’re handcuffed with,” Ballinger said.

The sessions by the liaison office – which Ballinger described as an arm of the executive branch – also save time and energy to highlight Air Force matters.

“The more folks we can reach out

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Andrews Gazette

Friday, January 15, 2016

SESSIONS, from page 6 to and educate, the better returns we get when it comes to responsiveness for policy and other issues,” he said.

At the latest session, three Air Force officers spoke to about 60 policymakers on nuclear operations — an issue recently thrusted into the spotlight.

“It gives us an opportunity to build that initial foundation for a lot of them,” Maj. Nathan Perry, the chief of airborne capabilities for Air Staff 10 that handles the service’s nuclear mission said. “If a handful of them left this door smarter than they were when they walked in on nuclear deterrence, then mission accomplished.”

To Perry, who has flown B-2 Spirits, the session was a unique chance for him and others to communicate in person with policymakers who may alter the future of nuclear operations one day.

“For us to be able to say that we are credible and reliable all the time,” he said of nuclear deterrence, “we have to be able to correspond about it, talk about it and prove it.”

Allowing Capitol Hill staffers to interact with Airmen who’ve had prior experience on a specific issue may also indirectly shape new policy.

“Being over here talking and sharing our experi-

ence, we absolutely influence the process,” Maj. Stephen Bonin, a senior emergency actions officer with the National Military Command Center who once served as a missile maintainer said.

The goal of the sessions is to improve the decision making of policymakers.

“I can’t tell you what the composition of the triad should be or how many weapons we should have,” Bonin said, “but I can tell you all the information so you can make an informed decision.”

Eric Mattson, a Hill staffer who works for U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer of Washington, said the session helped expand his knowledge on nuclear capabilities.

“As I work here there may be a time when I will work with this kind of policy,” Mattson said. “I think it’s important for us as policymakers to know what can be done better.”

One aspect that the Air Force is pushing to modernize is its aging aircraft, of which many are part of the triad system. In October, Air Force officials awarded a multibillion-dollar contract to build 100 long-range strike bombers to replace legacy bombers, such as B-52s that are more than 50-years-old.

Bombers play a critical role in nuclear deterrence since they’re easily visible, unlike submarines or intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The low-level flyover of the B-52 and fighter air-

7

Sean Kimmons

Maj. Nathan Perry, the chief of airborne capabilities for Air Staff 10 that handles the Air Force’s nuclear mission, discusses nuclear operations with policymakers during an Air Force 101 session at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C., Jan. 11.

craft only a few hours from the demilitarized zone of the Korean Peninsula was a prime example.

“That’s what the bomber portion gives you,” Perry said. “It allows the whole world to see that we’re getting it done. It’s definitely a game of chess and it takes a lot of work.”

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