WASHINGTON(AFNS)—Speakingseparatelyataninfluential gatheringtwoblocksfromtheWhiteHouseMarch9,theDepartment oftheAir Force’shighest-rankingcivilianandmilitaryleadersoffered emphaticvariationsonasimilartheme–theneedtomodernizefaster, thinkfaster, andnurturetheculturesneededtoconfrontpotential threatsandadversaries.
“Iamfocusedonmodernization,” SecretaryoftheAir Force Frank Kendallsaidduringakeynoteaddress closingthe13thAnnualDefense ProgramsConferencestagedbyMcAleeseandAssociates.
WithRussia’sinvasionofUkraineenteringitsthirdweekandChina’scontinuedmilitaryexpansionandmodernization,noonehasto lookfartounderstandwhy, hesaid.
“It’sstillChina,China,Chinaforme,” Kendallsaidinoutliningthe challengeshe’sfocusedon.“Russia…isasignificantpowertobeconcernedwith. We’vehada wake-upcall;we’vehadanemotionalevent thatsays,‘Yes, waratscaleamonggreatpowers, amongmodernpowers canactuallyhappen.’Itcanalsohappeninthe Pacific.”
China,hesaid,“HasvastlymoreresourcesthanRussiadoesand hasbeeninvestingforalmost30yearstofieldforcesthatcankeepthe UnitedStatesoutofthatregion,(and)defeatusifwetrytointerferein somethingtheymightdo. So, thethreatsareincreasingovertime.”
Thoserealities, aswellasothers, includingNorth Korea,arethecatalystfor Kendall’s“SevenOperationalImperatives,” hisblueprintfor reshapingtheAirandSpace Forcestomeet challengesnowandinthe future.
Thosethemes–theneedforurgent changetoreshapetheAirand
SecretaryoftheAirForceFrankKendallspeaksduringtheMcAleese FY2023DefenseProgramConferencein Washington,D.C.,March9, 2022.KendallspokeaboutthechallengesandprioritiesfortheDepartmentoftheAirForce.
Space ForcesamidChina’sriseandRussia’sambition–aswellashardeningoperationsinspacewerethefocusinremarksearlierintheday fromAir ForceChiefofStaffGen.CQBrown,Jr.,andChiefofSpace OperationsGen. John W. “Jay” Raymond.
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ROBINSAIRFORCEBASE,Ga.(AFNS)—Air ForceReserveand AirNationalGuardseniorleaderscametogethertodiscusscapabilities and challengesduringtheAir ForceAssociation’s WarfareSymposium inOrlando, Florida,March4.
Maj.Gen. John P. Healy, deputytothe chiefoftheAir ForceReserve, Lt.Gen.MichaelA.Loh,directoroftheAirNationalGuard,andMaj. Gen.DarylBohac, NebraskaNationalGuardadjutantgeneral,participatedinaroundtablediscussionledbyHeather Penny, seniorresident fellowattheAFA’sMitchellInstituteforAerospaceStudies.
HealyhighlightedtheReserve’ssupportofOperationsAlliesRefuge andAllies WelcometodemonstratehowReserveAirmenarealways readyandwillingtoanswertheirnation’scall.
“Wehad13volunteercrewsreadytogoin24hours,” Healysaid. “And,in72hours–thebenchmarkformakingsurewegetoutthedoor –wehad80crewsand36tails(supportingOperationAlliesRefuge). BytheendofAugust,weendedupexecuting37missionswherewe broughtAfghansinneedoutofthecountry.”
Healy saidthe Reserve then deployedmorethan500Airmento supportOperationAllies WelcometoensureAfghansinneedhadthe
SCOTTAIRFORCEBASE,Ill.(March04,2022)– TheGovernmentAccountabilityOffice’srecentdenialofprotestsmadeagainstthe awardoftheGlobalHouseholdGoodsContract(GHC)allowsfor U.S. TransportationCommand(USTRANSCOM)andHomeSafeAllianceLLC tobegincontractperformanceandaplannednine-monthtransitionperiod.
Thecontract, awardedonNov. 4,2021,providescompletedoor-to-door globalhouseholdgoodsrelocationtransportationand warehouseservices forDepartmentofDefense(DOD)personnel, U.S. CoastGuardmembers, andotherfederalemployees.
ThetransitionperiodwillincludeHomeSafeAllianceLLCdeveloping andtestinginterfaceswiththegovernment’sinformationtechnology(IT) system,establishingcustomerservicesupportcapabilities, andproviding necessarytrainingonthecontractor’sITsystem.Thecurrentschedule callsforthetransitionperiodtoruntoDecember2022.
“We’reexcitedtobeginimplementingthecontracttoimprovethe householdgoodsshipmentprocessforservicemembers, civiliansand
U.S.AirForceAirman1stClassJakeBaker,6thSecurityForcesSquadronmarinepatrolman,scansthewaterssurroundingMacDillAirForceBase, Florida,March7.From2020through2021,MacDill’smarinepatrolunit respondedtothreetimesasmanyincidentswithinthecoastal restrictedarea.
U.S.AirForceAirman1stClassRickyKing,6thCommunicationsSquadronRadioFrequency TransmissionSystemstechnician,posesforaphotoatMacDillAirForceBaseMarch 7. Air MobilityCommandselected KingasanomineefortheNoncommissionedOfficersAssociation Vanguard Award,whichhonorsservicemembersofeverybranchfortheir actsofheroism.Kingwasnominatedforhistimely responseinaiding victimsofavehiclecollision.
U.S.AirForceCol.CharityA.Banks,6thMaintenanceGroup(MXG) commander,andBrig.Gen.DarrenR.Cole,AirMobilityCommander directoroflogistics,engineeringandforceprotection,singtheAir Forcesongduringthe20226th/927thMaintenanceGroup“Knucklebuster”atMacDillAirForceBaseMarch4.Theterm“knucklebuster” stemsfromthefactsthatmaintainerswouldoftengohomeattheend ofthedaywithbustedorbruisedknuckles.
by Tech.Sgt.ArmandoA.Schwier-Morales SecretaryoftheAirForcePublicAffairs
ORLANDO, Fla.(AFNS)—SeniorMasterSgt.Brent Kenney, 52nd Fighter Wing, SpangdahlemAirBase, Germany, receivedthe2022 Spark TanktrophyattheAir ForceAssociation’s WarfareSymposium, March4.
Kenney’sidea,“ProjectArcwater,” isasimple, green,expedited wayto saveenergyandprovidedrinking waterbyusingsolarfabricandenvironmental waterharvestinginanagilecombatemployment.Thiswill cuttheoperationalenergyandlogisticsassociatedwithoperationsall aroundtheDepartmentoftheAir Force.
It wasa closecompetitionasthesixsemi-finalistteamspitchedtheir ideastoAirandSpace Forceseniorleadersandindustryexpertsduring thesymposium.Asjudgesdeliberatedbetweenthepitches, audience membersonlineandinpersoncasttheirvotesandselectedArcwateras afanfavorite. Shortlyafter,Arcwater was awardedasthe2022Spark
Photoby Tech.Sgt.ArmandoA.Schwier-Morales SeniorMasterSgt.BrentKenney,52ndFighterWing,Spangdahlem AirBase,Germany,pitcheshisideatojudgesattheAirForceAssociation’s WarfareSymposiuminOrlando,Fla.,March4.Kenneywas namedtheSpark Tank2022championwith“ProjectArcwater,”asimple,green,expeditedwaytosaveenergyandprovidedrinkingwater byusingsolarfabricandenvironmentalwaterharvestinginanagile
Kendallagreedthatspaceisakeycomponent.HepraisedRaymond forhowhe’sdevelopedtheSpace Forcebut,likeRaymond,saidmore mustbedone.
“WehavealotofworktodointermsoftheSpace Forceandtransitioningfromaforcewhich wasdesignedforaperiodwhenwecould operatewithimpunityinspace. … We arestartingdownthepaththat takesusinthedirectionofhavingmoreresilientcapabilitiesinspace,” Kendallsaid.
Thatwehavearrivedatan“inflectionpoint”inhistoryissomething RaymondandBrownintheirremarkslaterintheday, highlighted.
“Weliveinaverycomplex,strategicsecurityenvironment.Probably themostcomplexstrategicenvironmentthatwe’vehadinoverthree generations,” Raymondsaidinamorningsession.
“Wehavesomeproblemsthatwe’refacingthatarebecomingmore complex,morecomplicatedwithincreasinguncertaintyandwillall takeleadershiptosolve,” BrownsaidonlyhoursafterRaymondspoke.
Theremarksfromallthreeofficialswere, inlargemeasure, echoesof commentseachdeliveredlastweekattheAir ForceAssociation’s WarfareSymposiuminOrlando, Florida.Buttheyalsoprovidedmoredetail abouttheplansandprioritiesofeachserviceandtheconsequencesif thosegoalsaren’trealized.
“Spaceplaysacrucialroleinaddressingthese challengesbecauseit underpinseveryinstrumentofnationalpower:diplomatic, informational,military, andeconomic,” Raymondsaid.“…Afewyearsago, wecould assumeunfetteredaccesstospaceandfreedomtomaneuverinspace. Youcan’tassumethatanymore.”
Like Kendall,Raymondsaidtherecannotbedelayandhedescribed howtheSpace Force, initsthirdyear, isbeingbuiltforspeedandtoensuresustainedsuperiorityinthatcriticaldomain.
“Wehavetogetthisright,andwedon’thavetimeto waste,” saidRaymond,whohasledtheSpace Forcesinceit wasborninDecember2019.
“Our challengersaremovingfastandultimatelyseektosurpassthe UnitedStatesastheworld’sleadingspacepower.TheSpace Forcemust deliverfasterthanourcompetitorsandextendournation’sadvantage inspace.Thecompetitioninspaceoverthenextdecadewillbefierce. We can’taffordtolose,” hesaid.
RaymondalsosaidtheSpace Forceismovingaggressivelytoharden capabilitiesinspace, makingthemmoreresilientinsteadofthevulnerablehardwarethatcamebeforeand wassuitabletoadomainthat was peacefuland“benign.”Thoseconditionsarenolongerpresent.
“Competitorsareescalatingtheircoerciveandmalignactivitiesin alldomainsandareimposingnewtransboundary challengesonthe jointforce,” hesaid.“ChinaandRussiaaredemonstratingcapabilityto contestouradvantageandbuildcapabilitiesthatenhancetheirpower, puttingourforcesatrisk.Spaceunderwritesthejointforce—ourjoint missionsdon’t closewithoutspace.Wecan’tfight,communicate, target, precision-strike, ormaneuver…withoutspace,” hesaid.
“Toensureweareabletocontinuetoofferthesecapabilitiestoday andinthefuture, theSpace Forceisembarkingonanunprecedented shiftinourSpace Forcearchitecture,” Raymondsaid.
Brownmadeasimilarpoint,notingthattheAir Forcemustadroitly “balancerisk”ifitistosucceedinmeetingtoday’s challengeswhilealso shapingitselfforthefuture.
Navigatingthose challenges, hesaid,demandtheAir Forcebringto lifehisstrategicapproachtotransformingtheservicecalledAccelerateChangeorLose, andaddresswhatheoutlinedasfourtypesofrisk: “warfightingrisk,whichpertainstotheAir Force’srateofmodernizationrelativetoadversaries;”“foundationalrisk,” whichincludesnurturingandsustainingAirmen,ensuringreadiness;“executionrisk,” which isshorthandforbudgetandacquisitionhurdles;and“industrialbase risk,” whichreferstotheimpactofbudgetinstabilityoncurrentand futurecompaniesthatfeedtheservice’smanufacturingneeds.
EventhoughBrownspokeonthesamedayCongressfinalizedafull budgetforthecurrentfiscalyear, heemphasizedthatdelayingbudgets hasadirectandadverseimpactonsecurity.
“Anygoodstrategyneedstobeactionable, anditneedstoberesourced.Iknowwe’regetting closetoabudget,butcontinuingresolutionsaredevastatingtoactuallyallowingustomoveforward,” Brown said,usingthetermforatemporarybudgetthatkeepsthegovernmentfromshuttingdownintheabsenceofacompleted,final,full-year spendingplan.
“Thinkaboutit. We’resixmonthsintothefiscalyearandwe’rejust nowgettingabudget. We’vepassedonebudgetinthepastdecade. If youlineallthoseCRstogetherit’soverthreeyearsweworkedwithout abudget.…Ifyou’retryingtoaccelerate change, youcan’tbespotting youradversariesthreeyears.”
LikeBrownandRaymond, Kendallnotedthedangersofdelayedannualbudgets, warningthattheyhampermodernizationatatimewhen adversariesare closingthegapthatinthepastseparatedthe U.S. and itscapabilitiesfromtheirown.
“Wehaveanarrowwindowofopportunitytomodernizeourforceand realizethe changethatisrequiredtodefendourhomeland.Timetruly isoftheessence,” hesaid.
“Continuedinvestmentinnewcapabilitiesensuresthenationhasthe cuttingedgetechnologyneededtoremaincompetitiveandstayaheadof ouradversaries,” Kendallsaid.“Whiledivestinglegacyandagingplatformsisanecessaryfirststep, thisalonewillnotfreetheresources(the DepartmentoftheAir Force)requirestomodernize. Significantadditionalresourcesarerequiredtoattainthe(forces)thenationneedsfor thefuture.”
Brownexplainedwhatthatmeansintherealworldandwhythe U.S. mustincreaseitspace.
“SinceDesertStorm(in1991),theAir Forceisnowhalfthesizeand the averageageofourfleethastripled,” hesaid.“Bycomparison,since the1990s, (China’s)Air Forcehasmodernizedtheirfighterfleet,increasedtheirflighthoursbyover60%.…Ourrateofmodernizationhas notkeptpacewithouradversaries.”
“ThefutureAir Forcemustberesourcedappropriatelysowecanprevailinafutureconflict. We mustfundthetransitionoftheAir Force todaytotheAir Forcewe’llneedfortomorrow,” hesaid.
Tankwinner.
TheArc Watersystemisasimple, green,and expedited waytosaveenergy, providedrinking water, andsupportcontingenciesacrossthe worldinasmallagilepackage.Theproject was submittedaspartoftheSpark Tank2022competition.(UnitedStatesAir ForcesinEuropeAir ForcesAfricacourtesyvideo)
“It wasanamazingexperience,” Kenneyexplained.“Beingpartofthisprocess wasamazing, gettingtoknowalltheseotherinnovators andseeinghowtheyarejustaspassionateas youare.”
TheSpark TankinitiativeallowsAirmen fromaroundtheforcetoputforwardsome oftheirbestinnovativeideasandcompeteto makeitreality.
KenneycreatedArcwatertoprovideasystem thataimstosignificantlydecreasethelogistics oftransporting waterandenergyneedsatoffthe-gridlocationsthroughsolarpanels, a water harvester, andAC/heatingtool,creatinggallons ofpotable wateroutofthinair.
Accordingto Kenney, nowthatArcwateris the2022Spark Tankwinnerandhassupport fromDAF, itcanshifttoreachingitsfullpotential.
“WithoutthesupportofthosethatIwork withinmyoffice, Iwouldnotbehere,” Kenney said.
MACDILL
AstheDepartmentofDefensecommemoratesInternational Women’sDayand Women’sHistoryMonth, wearereflectingonprogresswehavemadetowardsgenderequityandequalityathomeandabroad,andcelebratingtheinvaluableexpertiseofwomenthroughoutDoD.
In2021,theDepartmentsawthefirstwomanleaderconfirmedbyCongressasDeputySecretaryofDefense. We aremakingprogressinempoweringwomenleadersandarangeofinitiativestoenhanceopportunitiesfor womenandminoritiesacrossthedepartment—allofwhicharevitaltoenhancing U.S. nationalsecurity.
“Aroundtheworld,ourAllies, partnersandmajorinternationalorganizationsarecelebratingtheadvancementsgenderparitybringstotheworld,” saidDeputySecretaryofDefenseDr. KathleenH.Hicks.“These advancementssupportbettergovernanceandamorestableandlessturbulentworld.Ourworkonwomen, peace, andsecurityiscriticalnotjustfor U.S. nationalsecurity, butequallyimportantly, forthesafety, equality andopportunityofwomenandgirlsaroundtheworld. We areproudtojointheinternationalcommunity inrecognizingtheachievementsofwomenaroundtheworld.”
Overthelastyear, theDepartment:
Appointedtwowomenascombatantcommanders:Air ForceGeneral Jacqueline VanOvosttookcommand of U.S. TransportationCommandandArmyGeneralLauraRichardsontookcommandof U.S. SouthernCommandinOctober2021.TheyjoinretiredAir ForceGeneralLoriRobinson,whocommanded U.S. Northern
Command,asDepartmentpioneers.
ReleasedtheroadmapforimplementationoftheIndependentReviewCommissiononSexualAssaultinthe Military(IRC):SecretaryAustinestablishedtheIRCinearly2021tocounterthescourgeofsexualassault andsexualharassmentinthemilitaryacross withfocusacrossfourlinesofeffort—accountability, prevention, climateandculture, andvictimcareandsupport.TheDepartmentisnowimplementingall82oftheIRC’s recommendationstoensurethatallservicemembersareabletoserveinenvironmentsofdignityandrespect. Expanded Women, Peace, andSecurity(WPS)Programming:DoDWPSprogramsworktoensurethatthe DoDexemplifiesadiverseorganizationwithwomen’smeaningfulparticipationacrossthe Joint Force advanceopportunitiesforwomeninpartnernationsecuritysectors, andprotectwomenandgirlsduringconflict andcrisis Notably, theDoDleverageditsworkforceoftrainedGenderAdvisors(GENADs)tosupporttherelocationandresettlementofAfghanevacueesduringOperationAllies Welcome(OAW)–thefirsttimethatthe Departmenthaseverdeployedthiscapabilityduringanoperation.
“Alongsideourpartners theDepartmentofDefenseisworkingtodevelopaninclusive, holisticapproachtowardsthesecurity challengesoftodayandtomorrow Incorporatingdiversegenderperspectivesiskeyinthis effort,frommitigatingtheunintendedconsequencesofmilitaryactionandprotectingcivilians, toaddressing transnationalsecurity challengesthatimpactallofussuchas climate changeandglobalpandemics,” said MichelleStrucke, DASDforGlobal PartnershipsintheOfficeoftheUnderSecretaryofDefensefor Policy.“I amexcitedtorecognizetheoutstandingcontributionswomenhavemadetotheDepartment,tohighlightmen
theirfamilies,” saidAir ForceGen. Jacqueline VanOvost, USTRANSCOMcommander.“Thestability, capacitymanagement,andaccountabilitydeliveredthroughGHCwill benefitourpeopleandthemovingindustry.”
TheGHCisexpectedtodeliverquality, on-timepacking, shipping, anddeliveryofcustomers’householdgoods, alongwithmoderndigitaltoolstoimprovecommunication betweenthemovemanagerandthecustomerthrough new, improvedcentralizedmanagementoftheDOD’sapproximately325,000annualhouseholdgoodsshipments.
“Movingisanadventurebutalsoaninherentlystressfulprocess.WeexpecttheGHCtobeamajorstepin DOD’seffortstoimprovetherelocationexperiencefor ourservicemembersandfamilies,” saidAir ForceBrig. Gen. JoelSafranek,directorofUSTRANSCOM’sDefense PersonalPropertyManagementOffice.“We arefocused whollyondeliveringanimprovedrelocationexperience forDODemployees, servicemembers, andtheirfamilies.”
Monday, April11:12:10DailyMass
Tuesday, April12:*NoDailyMass
Wed,April13:12:10DailyMassand Penance Servicefrom17:30-19:00
Thursday, April14:19:00MassoftheLastSupperfollowedbyEucharisticAdorationuntil2130 (**No1210DailyMass)
Friday, April15:14:15StationsoftheCross
Saturday, April16:2000Easter VigilCelebration (**No1730Mass)
Sunday, April17:0930EasterSundayMass& EasterEggHuntafterMass
WASHINGTON(AFNS)—StartingMarch1,eitherparentofaDepartmentoftheAir Forcemilitary-to-militarycouplemaynowhave upto12monthstorequestseparationfromtheserviceafterthebirth oradoptionofa child.
Amilitary-to-militarycoupleisdefinedasaDAFactivedutymembermarriedtoanotherDAFactivedutymember.
Caregiverseparationand childbirthseparationgivebothparents moretimetolearnhowtobalancefamilyandcareer, allowingthemto continuetocontributetotheDAFmissionbeforemakingadecisionto separate.
“Aspartofourongoingdiversityandinclusionefforts, thisisapositivestepwecantaketoallownewparentsmoretimetodecidehow tobalancetheircareerswithanew child,” saidLt.Gen.Brian Kelly, deputy chiefofstaffformanpower, personnel,andservices.“It’svital thatwecontinuetofindcreative waystodevelopandretaintalented andskilledAirmenandGuardians.”
Additionally, newparentsareencouragedtousetheMyVectoronlinementoringsystemtofindmentorswhocanprovidesupportand guidanceastheynavigateserviceandfamily.
“Thisnewfamily-friendlypolicyrecognizesthework-lifebalance ourGuardiansseekandprovidesgreateropportunityfor choice,” said PatriciaMulcahy, deputy chiefofspaceoperationsforhumancapital.
Thisinitiativeisinadditiontopregnancyseparation,whichcurrentlyallowsforvoluntaryseparationforpregnancybeforethebirth ofa child,and childbirthseparation,whichcurrentlyallowsforvoluntaryseparationforupto12monthsafterthebirthofa child.Otherinitiativesincludenewparentalleaveguidanceauthorizedinthe FY22NationalDefenseAuthorizationAct,whicheliminatesprimary andsecondarycaregiverdesignationsandprovidesforupto12weeks ofleavefornewparents.TheOfficeoftheSecretaryofDefenseand theserviceswillimplementthatnewpolicywithinthecomingyear.
InanefforttobalancemissionwhiletakingcareofAirmenand Guardians, onlyonespousewillhavetheopportunitytoseparateundereitherthepregnancy,childbirth,orcaregiverprovisions.Theother spousemaynotseparateunderanyoftheseprovisions, butmayqualifytovoluntarilyseparateunderhardshiporanyotherreasonsfor voluntaryseparationunderAFI36-3208,AdministrativeSeparation ofAirmenandAFI36-3207,SeparatingCommissionedOfficers.
MACDILL THUNDERBOLT
Membersmayapplyfor caregiverseparationunder the“miscellaneousreason” provisionalreadyincluded inbothofficerandenlisted separationinstructions, whichapplytobothAirmen andGuardians.Therequestsareevaluatedbased onindividualmeritand maybedisapprovedifitis determinedthattheseparationisnotinthebestinterestoftheDAF.
Membersmayapplyas earlyasthedayfollowing childbirthoradoption,applicationsmustbesubmittednolaterthan12months followingbirthoradoption, andtherequesteddateof separationmustnotbe morethan12monthsfrom theapplication date. Waiversofactivedutyservice commitmentswillbeevaluatedonacase-by-casebasis.
Formoreinformation aboutpersonnelprograms, visitmyPers.
propersuppliesandinfrastructuretosettleandfeelwelcomedintothe UnitedStates.
ThegeneralwentontohighlighttheReserve’songoingsupportofCOVID-19operations, pointingoutthatReserveAirmenarecurrentlyaugmentinghospitalstaffinbothNew YorkandCalifornia.Manyofthese Airmenareontheirseconddeploymentsincethepandemicstarted.
Intherealmofspace, HealysaidthattheReservehas1,500Airmen workingspacemissionsat11locationsaroundtheworldandthatReserveAirmenmakeupnearly25%ofthecurrentSpace Force.
HealysaidthatReserveAirmenareatremendousvalueforAmerica’s taxpayers, notingthattheReserveaccomplishes25%oftheAir Force missionfor3%ofthecost. Fromenlistmentorcommissionthroughretirement,Reservistscost28centsonthedollarcomparedtothelifecyclecostofactive-dutyservicemembers, hesaid.
Whenaskedabout challengescurrentlyfacingtheReserve, Healy mentionedthecommand’sagingfleetofaircraft.
“Whatisconstantlyonmymindistherelevanceofmaintainingour fleet,” hesaid.“The(Air Force)secretarysaidyesterdaythe average ageoftheirfleetis30yearsold. Well,oursisatouchmorematureat 33yearsofage.And,44%ofouraircraftareovertheirinitiallifeexpectancy.”
Healysaid“hiccupsinthelastcoupleofyears”withNationalGuard andReserveEquipmentfundingandongoingcontinuingresolutions havemadeitdifficultfortheReservetoupdateitslegacysystems, but heisoptimisticaboutthefuture.
“We’relookingforwardtothefutureandworkinghardtomaintain missionmodernizationtothebestofourabilityandproviderealistic trainingtomeetourcombatantcommander’sneeds,” hesaid.
LohpraisedGuardAirmenfortheirexemplaryperformanceoverthe pastfewyears.
“Whenyoulookatwherewe’vebeenoverthreedecadesofcontinuous mobilizations, butespeciallythelasttwoyearswhichhavebroughtthe longestandlargestmobilizationsinourhistorysince World WarII,it’s prettyimpressive,” hesaid.“On average, morethan14,000GuardAirmenwereondutyoverthelasttwoyears, supportingcombatantcom-
mandersoverseas, defendingthehomelandandprovidingsupportto abroadrangeofmissions, includingCOVID-19,naturaldisastersand civilunrestoperations.”
LikeHealy, Lohpointedtomaintaininganagingfleetofaircraftas oneoftheGuard’sbiggest challenges.
“Howreadyandwillingare60-year-oldaircraft?”heasked.“Modernizationrecapitalizationkeepsmeupatnight.”
Hewentontotalkaboutshiftingdefenseprioritiesfollowingatwodecades-long warinAfghanistan.
“WeheardSecretary Kendalltalkyesterdayandlastyearatthis AFAofhistopthreepriorities–China,ChinaandChina,” hesaid.“So, howarewegoingtomodernizetheforcetogetafterChina?Andthen,of course, thisyear, Russiaisherealso.”
LohpointedtoseveralexamplesofhowtheGuardispreparingto meetthe challengesofthefuture, includingfullyoperationalF-35sin Vermont,conversionshappeninginAlabama, WisconsinandFlorida, bringingtheF-15EXonline, standingupformaltrainingunits, welcomingnewC-130Js, andestablishingacyber warfarewinginOhio.
ThegeneralhighlightedtheGuard’seconomicvaluetotoday’sAir Force.
“With20%oftheaircraft,weconduct94%ofthehomelanddefense day-to-daymission,andweperformallmissionsetstheactiveduty doeswithonly7%ofthebudget,” Lohsaid.“Wearethefoundationfor nationaldefense, andweneedhelpandadvocacytocontinuetomakeus astrongpartnerinthis Total Force.”
TheGuard’s“responsetotheeventsfollowing January6 waspretty amazing,” Bohacsaid.“Weput25,000bootsonthegroundinournationalcapitalwithinaweekbecausetheNationalGuardralliedona moment’snotice.”
HesaidrelationshipsarecriticalforGuardresponseslikethisand countlessothers.
“It’stherelationshipswithouremployers, ourcommunitiesandmost importantly, thefamiliesthatenableustodowhatwedoforournationandstate,” hesaid.“Whetherit’sAir ForceReserveorAirNationalGuard,withoutthoserelationships, withoutcareandnurturingof those, weputthemissionatrisk.”
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whowelcomeandacceleratethese changes, andIlookforwardtodeepeningthisimportantworkalongsideourAlliesandpartners.”
“OneofourprimaryobjectivesintheDepartmentisto betterenablemeaningfulparticipationofwomenacross theranksofour Joint Force Ournationaldefenseisstrongerwhenwefullyleveragetheskillsandcapabilitiesof allourpeopletothemaximumextentpossible.That’swhy whenwomeninourArmed Forcescansucceed,thenour militaryismorelikelytosucceed,too,” saidBeth Foster, ExecutiveDirectorof ForceResiliencyintheOfficeofthe UnderSecretaryofDefensefor PersonnelandReadiness.
“Thispastyear, wehaveseenfirsthandhowapplying Women, Peace, andSecurityprinciplestoeffortssuchas OperationAllies Welcomeenhancesourmilitarycapabilitiesandbetteraccountsforthesafetyandsecurityofan entireaffectedpopulation,” respondedBrigadierGeneral RebeccaSonkiss, DeputyDirectorforCounterThreats andInternationalCooperationinthe JointStaffJ5.“Integratingagenderperspectivetoinformourmilitarystrategy, plans,andoperationsiscrucialtobuildingamoreresilient Joint Force, capableofidentifyingandaddressing strategicandoperationalblindspots.”
Youthbasketballregistration opennow–Apr. 8,2022 Signupattheyouthcenter. Opentoages5-15withcurrent immunizationrecords. Call8287438toregisteryour child.
Bay Palmsgolfcomplex2022 clubchampionship,Mar. 19-20
8a.m.shotgunbothdays Open topatronswithaccesstobaseand amateursonly Prizes awarded. Lunchanddrinksprovided.Registerby Friday, Mar 18atthegolf course.
Teensnightout,Mar. 25 6 p.m.–9 p.m.callingallteens ages13-18. Joinusatthe Youth Centerthelast Fridayofevery monthforteennightout.
AirFest2022,Mar. 25-27
10:30a.m.on Fri.March25th AirFestwillbeginasaMilitary onlyday. Gatesopentothepublicat8a.m.Sat.–Sun.Bringthe familyandseethefreeairshow.
Grabalaneandacupoffrozen yogurtwithyour choiceoftoppings!Thebowlingcenterisopen Wed.– Fri.11a.m.–6 p.m.
6FSSishiringinthefollowing areas:
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childandyouth
Forjobinformation,visit: https://macdillfss.com/open-jobs/ Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com
AirForceChiefofStaffGen.CharlesQ.BrownJr.droppedthepuckatAmalieArenaFridaytocelebratetheUnitedStatesAirForce75thBirthday.
Monday-ThursdayMass
Formoredetailsandinformation,visittheChapel
