TRAVIS TAILWIND
INTO THE BLUE
“We
“This
“The
Show off your school spirit for a chance at $3,000 in Exchange gift cards
a rmy & a ir Force
exchange Service
Public a FFairS
TRAVIS AIR FORCE
BASE — Travis shoppers can win a share of $3,000 in Exchange gift cards in the P&G Show Your School Spirit sweepstakes.
Authorized shoppers aged 18 years and older can enter at ShopMyExchange. com/sweepstakes through Aug. 14 by submitting a photograph showing off their school spirit.
Eight total winners will be chosen to receive the following prizes:
n Four grand prize winners will each receive a $500 Exchange gift card.
n Four runnersup will each receive a $250 Exchange gift card.
Winners will be notified no later than Aug. 29 by Exchange HQ via email
and/or phone.
“With the fall academic year fast approaching, there is no better time to show off your school spirit for a chance at these exciting prizes,” Travis Exchange’s Cathie Byrns said. “We look forward to seeing what the best customers in world have in store for this great sweepstakes.”
No purchase is necessary to enter. All authorized Exchange shoppers, including veterans, Department of Defense civilians and Common Access Card (CAC) holders can enter. Veterans can visit https://aafes. media/paveterans to learn more about their shopping benefit while DoD civilians and other CAC holders can visit https://aafes.media/ cacbenefitspa.
Indo-Pacific exercise tests large-scale patient movement
Military Star cardmembers at Travis can enjoy 20% off first-day purchases
a rmy & a ir Force exchange Service
Public a FFairS
TRAVIS AIR FORCE
BASE — Travis shoppers can enjoy extra savings this month with 20% off first-day purchases with a new Military Star card.
From Aug. 14-21, shoppers who open and use a new Military Star account will receive 20% off all purchases made on the first day instead of the regular 10% discount. The 15% discount can also be combined with any other Military Star or Exchange promos available.
“As the summer winds down, this is a perfect opportunity to enjoy extra savings for a busy shopping season,” Travis Exchange’s Cathie Byrns said. “Whether shoppers are gearing up for fall or shopping back-to-school for their children, extra Military Star discounts allow them to maximize their savings.”
Military Star offers exclusive cardmember savings, such as: n 5 cents off every gallon of gas from Expresses and select Navy Exchange
See Exchange, Page 3
Serving Travis Air Force Base and the surrounding community 1250 Texas St., Fairfield, Calif. 94533 707-425-4646 | Fax 707-425-5924
Publishers: Foy S. McNaughton and T. Burt McNaughton
Advertising Manager: T. Burt McNaughton Editor: Todd R. Hansen Layout : Aaron Rosenblatt
DaviD vergun
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE NEWS
TRAVIS AIR FORCE
BASE — Exercise
Ultimate Caduceus 2025, involving about 1,000 military and civilian personnel, began July 21 and continued until August 1.
“The exercise created realistic crisis scenarios that prompted a largescale military patient movement response from within the IndoPacific region,” said Air Force Col. Christopher Backus, command surgeon, U.S. Transportation Command. “Ultimate Caduceus will assess TRANSCOM’s ability and capacity to conduct global patient movement at scale and in a field training environment.”
Patients were received at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and Travis Air Force Base, and then transported to federal coordinating centers and medical facilities in and around Honolulu, Sacramento and Albuquerque, said Army Maj. Latoya Toler, exercise branch chief, TRANSCOM surgeon general.
Besides TRANSCOM, other personnel involved in the exercise are from U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Air Force aeromedical evacuation crews, Army Reserve Medical Command critical care air transport teams, Department of Veterans Affairs, Defense Health Agency, Department of Health and Human Services, as well as other regional health care and emergency response teams.
“Ultimate Caduceus is a great opportunity for DHA to highlight our
ability to deliver both health care to warfighters and capability to combatant commanders as a combat support agency. At the enterprise level, we remain focused on aligning military health and private
sector resources against warfighter requirements and optimizing patient demand on transportation assets,” said Anthony Ross, Defense Health Agency liaison officer to TRANSCOM. This exercise actively
tested how the emergency response teams work together as part of the National Disaster Medical System to save lives during a potential national crisis.
“Success to me is to increase interoperability across medical teams and systems so we can provide the highest level of care to those who need it most,” Backus said.
As the DOD’s sole manager for global patient movement, TRANSCOM leads aeromedical evacuation missions using high-capacity aircraft and en route care teams to transport personnel from the field to definitive care anywhere in the world.
“This joint and combined DOD, interagency and civilian partner medical team is something to be proud of and you can be assured they’ll move mountains to bring premier care to those who need it,” Backus said. More than 20 civilian hospitals participated,
Petty Officer 1st Class Anita Chebahtah/Department of Defense file
Maj. Ashley Sam, Critical Care Air Transport Team doctor, and Capt. Liz Chang, registered nurse, both assigned to 375th Operational Readiness Squadron, discuss a simulated patient aboard a C-17 Globemaster III during exercise Ultimate Caduceus 2025 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 26.
Kenneth Abbate/U.S. Air Force file
U.S. Army military working dog, Vina, lays down as a simulated patient during Exercise Ultimate Caduceus 2025 at Travis AFB, July 26.
F-16s relocate to Osan Air Base as Super Squadron test prepares to enter Phase II
Br Atton
51ST FIGHTER WING
OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea — The first F-16 Fighting Falcons relocated from Kunsan Air Base to Osan AB, July 28, marking a major step in preparation for the continuation of the U.S. Air Force’s Super Squadron Test. These F-16s are the first of many being temporarily re-assigned to Osan AB for Phase II of the test, the temporary transfer supporting Seventh Air Force’s efforts to maximize capabilities and increase combat effectiveness on the Korean Peninsula.
“Osan is receiving additional F-16s as part of the Air Force’s Super Squadron Test Part II initiative, which is a force-optimization test designed to see if a larger, consolidated squadron can generate more combat power and operate more efficiently,” said Capt. Bryce Hughes, 51st Maintenance Group Officer and Sortie Generation Flight commander.
Over the next several months, approximately 31 F-16s and 1,000 airmen will be re-assigned from
Kunsan AB to Osan AB in time for the start of Phase II, beginning in October. To complement these efforts, maintainers already assigned to Osan AB are also integrating with the 36th Fighter Generation Squadron to learn how to maintain the F-16s and help maximize combat airpower generation.
“It’s truly impressive how our airmen have been able to adjust,” said Senior Master Sgt. Jason Thomas, 51st Maintenance Group Sortie Generation Flight chief.
“I hear a lot about concepts like multi-capable airmen or mission ready airmen, but our airmen are truly making the concept a reality.”
Phase I of the test began in October 2024, bringing nine F-16s and 150 airmen to the 36th Fighter Squadron and FGS at Osan AB. Phase II of the test is expected to continue through October 2026, capitalizing on data from the first phase and assessing focus areas like maintenance, manpower and logistics requirements at a larger scale.
Throughout the test, the 51st Fighter Wing
See F-16, Page 7
22nd Air Task Force gears up for Northern Strike
A irm An 1st ClAss megAn DelAine 92ND AIR REFUELING WING
BATTLE CREEK AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. — Amid the wetlands of Michigan’s premier military training hub, more than 300 airmen from Beale, Fairchild and Travis Air Force Bases converge to form the 22nd Air Task Force (ATF) during Exercise Northern Strike 25-2, Aug. 4-9.
Partnering closely with the Michigan National Guard and hosted at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, the 22nd ATF will execute operations as part of their 300-level training exercise within their AFFORGEN cycle, designed to certify its ability to deploy, establish operations, and sustain combat airpower under contested conditions. Airmen will forge ready, responsive and lethal combat formations by demonstrating learned skills in a hostile environment.
an operational, combat credible force.
“Northern Strike is an opportunity for our airmen to demonstrate the skills they’ve learned and worked together to establish, robust, defend and operate the airbase; generate combat airpower and survive and operate in a contested environment,” said Lt. Col. Harrison Gipple, 22nd ATF director of plans and integration.
From Page 2
n 10% off food purchases at participating Exchange restaurants.
n Free standard shipping on ShopMyExchange.com, MyNavyExchange. com and ShopCGX. com orders.
Shoppers also earn unlimited 2% rewards on purchases everywhere the card is accepted, including commissaries, concessionaires, restaurants and certain Morale, Welfare and Recreation
From Page 2 and Marine Corps Exchange locations.
which is the most integrated into an Ultimate Caduceus exercise, said Nicole Hardy, TRANSCOM’s Ultimate Caduceus program manager.
“There was also significant rotary wing participation from civilian emergency response teams,” Hardy said.
MIT Lincoln Laboratory participated in the exercise to streamline patient movement data using artificial intelligence and machine learning, said Mark Barnes, TRANSCOM’s liaison to MIT Lincoln Laboratory.
“We’re working to build an interconnected bridge between systems allowing for instantaneous data aggregation and dissemination,” Barnes said.
“Ultimate Caduceus is an annual patient move-
activities, plus purchases at ShopMyExchange. com, MyNavyExchange. com and ShopCGX.com.
All cardmembers enjoy an industry-low APR regardless of credit score and no annual, late or over-limit fees. The first-day discount is dependent upon the application being approved and will be applied as a credit on the first monthly billing statement. For more information, visit https://aafes. media/militarystar25.
ment exercise,” Hardy added. “Exercises have focused on troop patient transfer from the IndoPacific in the past, as well as patient movement from the Middle East and Europe.”
“Over the coming days, we will test our missionessential tasks against unforgiving terrain, tight timelines, and real-world complexity,” said Col. William J. Watkins, 22nd ATF commander. “It will be uncomfortable. It will be exhausting. And it will be worth it, because victory favors the prepared, and preparation is our domain.”
Northern Strike is an annual exercise, strategically designed to integrate units across the force requiring Mission Essential Task (MET) completion. Planners incorporate these METs into a joint, scenario-based framework, enabling multiple units to simultaneously train toward their individual mission objectives. NS 25-2 demonstrates the strength of the Total Force and the Guard’s unique ability to provide world-class facilities and joint training environments.
“We’re proud to provide the coordination and infrastructure needed to ensure our Total Force partners are ready for deployable operations anywhere in the world,” said Brig. Gen. Daniel J. Kramer II, assistant adjutant general of the Michigan Air National Guard.
For the 22nd ATF, NS 25-2 serves as a proving ground for building responsive, ready and lethal units through the inspection of readiness requirements by the National Guard Bureau, First Army and the Department of Defense, a key requirement to become
The goal is for exercise participants to return to their units ready to succeed in the current and future fight armed with lessons learned, new tactics, techniques, and procedures, and realistic experience.
“This isn’t an exercise,” stated Watkins. “This is a declaration. We are not rehearsing for relevance. We are proving it.”
Airmen from various
Master Sgt. Nick Porter, 60th Civil Engineer Squadron project management section chief,
Senior Airman Tallon Bratton/U.S. Air Force file
An F-16 Fighting Falcon taxis along the flightline after landing at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 28.
HOLLOMAN AIR
FORCE BASE, N.M. —
The medics of the 49th Medical Group added a new layer of depth to their monthly training day by incorporating field tactics and wartime medical practice in a MEDIC-X exercise, July 16. The training consisted of 16 stations and substations that ranged from spinal immobilization to infection control to post-mortem protocol, all scenarios that are critically important for a medic to know but unlikely to experience in a clinical setting such as the clinic at Holloman.
member went through the intense two-week Tactical Combat Casualty Care Tier 3 course and realized how important it would be to bring lessons learned to the entire medical group.
“We’re focusing on operating in an austere environment where it’s not going to be calm, it’s not going to be like dayto-day clinic operations,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Natasha Lindbloom, 49th MDG education and training flight commander. “You could tell somebody to recite the alphabet, but if it’s stressful, they’re going to mess it up. We want our people to be able to do this until they can perform these simple tasks under pressure.”
1st Lt touacha her 349TH AIR MOBILITY WING
TRAVIS
AIR FORCE
BASE — After more than four decades of service at Travis Air Force Base, the 45th Aerial Port Squadron was officially inactivated during a poignant cere mony in Hangar 46, Aug. 2.
Airmen, distinguished guests, and family members gathered in Hangar 46 to witness the final chapter of the squad ron, a vital component of the 349th Air Mobility Wing (AMW). The cer emony was steeped in military tradition, hon oring the unit’s storied history and the thousands of airmen who served in its ranks.
Lt. Col. Dennis F. Hale, commander of the 349th Mission Support Group and the ceremony’s pre siding officer, spoke to the unit’s enduring impact.
“While this is a somber event, I want you to con sider that this is not a funeral, but a celebration,” said Hale. “It’s a celebra tion of the 61 years that the 45th Port Dawgs have answered the nation’s call, raising their hands to say, ‘Send Me!’ Even though this flag is about to be furled, the legacy of the 45th lives on and now becomes the heritage of the 55th and 82nd Aerial Port Squadrons and countless other units and professional organizations around the globe.”
The event was narrated by the squadron’s own Senior Master Sgt. Chelsea Eckenrode, who guided attendees through the ceremony’s traditions. Following the national anthem and invocation, a solemn moment of silence was held to honor members of the 45th who have passed away.
Eckenrode also shared the history of the squadron, which was first organized in 1964 at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, before being relocated and designated the 45th APS at Travis AFB on Oct. 1, 1981. She detailed the rich symbolism of the unit’s emblem.
“The globe represents the world-wide network of U.S. Aerial Porters,” Eckenrode explained during the ceremony.
From Page 1
outstanding service, innovative programs and dedication to supporting financial readiness for Air Force members, veterans and their families,” the statement said.
“In 2024, TCU significantly expanded its support for military finan-
“The eagle depicted in national colors represents the unit’s support of a variety of aircraft. Finally, the motto, ‘Pro Patria,’ is Latin meaning ‘For One’s Country’.”
The ceremony’s pinnacle moment began with the publication of the official orders. Citing Special Order GS-0-1-1, the 45th Aerial Port Squadron was declared inactivated.
In his final act as commander, Lt. Col. Conrad M. Evans II saluted the presiding officer and declared, “Sir, I relinquish command.” He then presented the squadron’s guidon to Lt. Col. Hale. With the assistance of Chief Master Sgt. Amie J. Rutten, who served as the guidon bearer, the flag was ceremoniously furled and encased, symbolizing the official end of the squadron’s mission.
The most powerful moment, however, occurred on the hangar floor. Standing before his assembled squadron for the last time, Evans
cial fitness through the launch of its “Knowledge is Power” campaign, offering free online self-assessments, money personality modules and customized tools to help airmen and their families strengthen their financial literacy.”
TCU reached more than 1,000 new enlisted supervisors and first-term airmen.
“Further solidifying its role in the community, TCU was a strong supporter of the 2024 Commu-
addressed them directly.
“It has been truly an honor and pleasure to serve with you,” he said.
Following his words, Chief Master Sgt. Rutten led the unit in a thunderous final chant.
“45TH A-P-S!” Rutten shouted.
“PORT DAWGS... BARK ... AND YOU KNOW IT!” the formation roared back in unison.
At the command of Lt. Col. Evans, the airmen performed their final duty as members of the squadron: they removed their 45th APS patches. The sharp sound of dozens of hookand-loop fasteners tearing in unison echoed through the vast hangar, a stark and final act of transition.
With Evans’ final command, “Squadron, dismissed,” the airmen who formed the heart of the squadron fell out of formation for the final time.
The men and women of the 45th APS will continue their service and bring their expertise to other units within the wing. They
nity Champion Program, which ultimately raised $65,000 in donations to support the Wings Over Solano Airshow and welcomed more than 100,000 attendees. TCU also contributed more than $46,000 to support more than 100 base programs and community events that enhance quality of life, promote morale and honor the service of airmen, veterans and their families,” the statement added.
will be reassigned to the 55th and 82nd Aerial Port Squadrons, ensuring their valuable skills remain a part of the 349th AMW’s global mobility mission.
The ceremony concluded with the playing of the Air Force song, closing a significant chapter in the history of the 349th Air Mobility Wing, Team Travis and the Air Force Reserves.
“Gone are the days when a medic would only be expected to perform duties within their specific specialty – our medics need to be versatile and better equipped to provide speedy and effective support to the warfighter,” said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jason Estrada, 49th MDG senior enlisted leader. “That versatile mindset is what our medical group education and training team has used to shape our MEDIC-X and other hands-on training.”
The Air Force is one of the most lethal parts of the Department of Defense, and the flipside of lethality is the medical skill needed to keep the warfighters in the fight downrange. This more hands-on approach to training was brought about after an education and training
Coupled with the chance to exercise underutilized but combat-effective skills, the exercise served to underscore the importance of medics who are fit to fight and capable of doing what’s needed when it’s needed in a stressful and possibly deadly environment. A low-crawl obstacle course was put together using furniture and gear inside the clinic, streamlining the flow of training and simulating a more realistic urban environment.
“Although we cannot mirror a battlefield environment, we can put our medics in situations where critical thinking and a sense of urgency fuels their training to ‘kick in,’” said Estrada. “Since so few of our current medics possess See Medic, Page 6
Former 45th Aerial Port Squadron
Evans faces opposite from the former members of the 45th Aerial Port Squadron during an inactivation
Tech. Sgt. Victor J. Caputo/U.S. Air Force file
Tech. Sgt. Felix Kietur, 49th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron NCO in charge of medical maintenance, helps demonstrate how a patient is stabilized in the vent of a possible spinal injury during a Medic-X exercise at Holloman AFB, N.M., July 16.
Lt. Col Dennis Hale, 349th Mission Support Group Commander and presiding official, receives the 45th Aerial Port Squadron guidon from 45th APS Commander Lt. Col. Conrad Evans during the squadron’s inactivation ceremony at Travis AFB, Saturday.
Members of the 45th Aerial Port Squadron stand in formation during their inactivation ceremony at Travis Air Force Base, Saturday.
Pacific Air Forces’ International Observer Program showcases interoperability, readiness
Senior A irm
An m Ark SulAicA PACIFIC AIR FORCES
JOINT BASE PEARL
HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii — The Pacific Air Forces’ International Affairs Division organized an International Observer Program event during the exercise Resolute Force Pacific 2025, a four-day tour to provide insight into the exercise, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, July 14-17.
The IOP event allowed partner nations to observe and participate in train ing activities without direct operational involve ment, with participants from the United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Finland, South Korea, Canada, Australia, France, and Japan.
“This exercise defi nitely presents us with a good opportunity to train in an environment that we don’t have in Canada,” said Royal Canadian Air Force Maj. Robbie Hindle,
IAO event delegate.
The visiting delegates received briefings from several PACAF’s Air Staff directorates on subjects including command and
and requirements, and more to illustrate the complexities of executing an exercise at the scale of REFOPAC. “I think this program
is running the exercise,” Hindle said. “Learning how information is flowing, and learning the structure of the exercise,
what training we might be able to tie into different phases.”
The IOP allows U.S. allies and partners to explore how their forces
can integrate into the next REFORPAC iteration, working together to solve complex challenges like Agile Combat Employment, while upholding security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Yasmin Fernandez, Pacific Air Forces European Nations Country director, one of the primary organizers of the IOP for REFORPAC, said, “Bringing our international partners to Hawaii offered a unique opportunity to engage directly with PACAF leadership, experience our mission in action and strengthen multilateral ties.”
Fernandez emphasized that bringing delegates to JBPH-H to deepen operational understanding and enhance trust between nations is a key part of the IOP. This setting allowed for open dialogue and meaningful observation between nations.
ZARENE
Senior Airman Mark Sulaica/U.S. Air
From Page 4
exercises are not a new
concept for medical personnel; in fact, MEDIC-X was rolled out across the enterprise two years ago and has provided quarterly training objectives to all Defense Health Agency members. The ever-changing global environment and nature of future warfare were other driving factors in the 49th MDG collectively getting ahead of the curve and practicing these critical wartime skills on top of staying adept at their daily clinical duties.
“I’m hoping this gives people the mindset of ‘Hey, I know I’m in this job right
now and I’m comfortable, but I’m not always going to be comfortable if we’re put in these situations in real life,’” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Claire Pruitt, 49th MDG education and training program manager.
All airmen take TCCC Tier-1 training that covers the basics of what was formerly known as self-aid and buddy care, while all medics are required to take Tier-2 training to gain more expertise in the ability to treat wounds sustained in combat. Tier-3 training is optional
but available for all medics and provides a realistic, grueling experience of austere field conditions and the physical limits that medics can be pushed to in wartime.
“There’s going to be a bit of a shock factor for people working in a clinic, where even though we’re incredibly busy, a lot of it is just administrative work instead of intense, handson medical practice,” said Pruitt. “I’m trying to integrate some of the things that they did with us in a physical aspect at the Tier 3 training so that these
airmen have more experience, and understand that if they have to do this in real life tomorrow, it’s not going to be easy. They’ll have to think about getting the patient out of the combat zone, treating their wounds, stopping the bleeding, loading them onto a helicopter, etc.”
The success of the first iteration of integrated field work with MEDIC-X has laid the groundwork for an ever-improving series of exercises to better prepare Team Holloman’s medics for unpredictable and challenging fights of
future conflict.
“Today’s potential adversaries are better equipped and more prepared than any potential foe has ever been,” said Estrada. “For that reason, every uniform-wearing member of our military needs to understand that he/she is one bad day, one ill-guided decision, one perceived threatful action away from finding themselves, in support of our country, inside a combat environment where the old rules may not apply.”
OPEN HOUSE
DAF PEO C3BM unveils new strategic framework to counter emerging threats
Department of the a ir force program executive office for commanD, control, communication anD Battle m anagement puBlic a ffairs
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Department of the Air Force Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications and Battle Management announced new strategic anchors, July 30, designed to deliver resilient decision advantage to joint and coalition forces facing evolving challenges.
Maj. Gen. Luke Cropsey, C3BM program executive officer, said the initiative addresses three critical requirements: create credibility and responsiveness with operational partners, develop a comprehensive DAF Battle Network-wide technical strategy, and expand “lethal enablers” to overcome bureaucratic obstacles slowing down delivery.
Building operational credibility and responsiveness
The first anchor implements a “deliver to depreciate” strategy targeting operational gaps through rapid capability deployment, even when solutions aren’t considered perfect.
“At stake is ‘mission utility,” he said. “Can the program office delivery better capability than what the operator has now for immediate use on the way to a longer-term solution? We have to push capability out today, not in months or years,” Cropsey added. “If we’re going to deliver on closing mission threads, we’re going to need a much more robust operational prototyping and experimentation effort operating in concert with integrated assessments.”
Implementing DAF Battle Networkwide strategies
The second anchor identifies key technologies to address mission requirements. Specifically, the PEO is driving
the planning and execution needed to converge the technical underpinning of the DAF Battle Network, or “The Stack,” in a way that allows an acceleration of new technology adoption while simultaneously controlling costs at scale.
“The key technologies needed to close mission threads have to be actively managed,” he said. “We must define the specific weapons platforms, associated development items, communications and the weapons needed by each kill chain, driving their respective schedules and budgets to deliver on those advertised capabilities.”
Targeting lethal enablers
The third anchor aligns supporting activities required to execute the first two efforts. Cropsey emphasized the need for the PEO to move quicker than adversaries, requiring acceleration across acquisition, requirements and resource enterprises.
“Our goal is to define a clear list of priorities by program, align our manpower with those priorities, engage with our key stakeholders and codify our plan and the resulting resource decisions to deliver capabilities to our warfighters now,” he said.
The announcement represents the latest evolution in the department’s efforts to modernize lethal DAF Battle Network capabilities.
The DAF Battle Network is the integrated system-of-systems connecting sensor, effector and logistics systems providing better situational awareness, faster operational decisions and decisive direction to the force.
It integrates roughly 50 programs of record across the department, ensuring resilient decision advantage needed by the Air Force, Space Force, joint and coalition forces to win against the pacing challenge.
It is the DAF’s contribution to Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control.
Travis Air Reserve Experience sets gold standard for recruiting
1st
BASE — The 349th Air Mobility Wing hosted its third annual Travis Air Reserve Experience 2025, an event that has become a benchmark for community-based recruiting and is now being replicated by other units, Sunday.
The event is a direct and innovative response to a challenge facing the entire military: finding the next generation of service members.
“One of the issues that we’re running into is recruiting and retaining airmen,” said Col. Cade C. Gibson, commander of the 349th Maintenance Group (MXG), which hosted the event. “We have an aging workforce, and so we’re losing people daily. What we’re trying to do is bring in the next generation of Air Force leaders and Air Force airmen.”
administered the oath to Shaun Ian Rodriguez, officially welcoming him as the wing’s newest reserve airman.
“The idea is to bring them in, let them actually have a hands-on experience with what they do, so it’s not so intimidating,” Gibson explained. “We actually have had real success stories where airmen come in and say, ‘I didn’t realize that I wanted to be part of aircraft maintenance until I could actually see it and touch it.’”
The event, which started as a brainstorming idea in 2023, has grown each year by focusing on a key to retention: homegrown talent.
“We are a part of this community in Northern California,” Gibson said. “We found that if we can get homegrown talent, they will stay, serve with us tomorrow, and be satisfied in what they do.”
unnoticed. The handson, community-focused approach is now being emulated by other units looking to solve their own recruiting challenges.
Gibson credits the event’s founders and the team that has built upon their vision.
“There is a famous quote that says, ‘If I was able to see further, it’s because I stood on the shoulders of giants,’” he said. “And I feel like that I am standing on the shoulders of giants.”
The event’s success was a wing-wide effort, underscored by the presence of Col. Joseph C. Romeo, 349th Operations Group commander, and Lt. Col. Dennis F. Hale, 349th Maintenance Support Group commander. The day concluded with a farewell address from the 349th AMW Commander, Col. Patrick L. Brady-Lee, reinforcing top-level commitment to the initiative.
will continue to maintain Osan AB’s “Fight Tonight” defensive posture, while working to capitalize on opportunities to increase combat readiness and expand bilateral training with the Republic of Korea Air Force.
“We’re working hand-
in-hand with the Wolfpack to ensure a smooth transition of both personnel and equipment in preparation for Phase II,” said Col. Ryan Ley, 51st Fighter Wing commander.
“The 51st Fighter Wing is leading the charge on the Super Squadron Test. I’m proud of what the Mustangs have accomplished already, and I look forward to testing the limits of what we can do over the next year.”
Rather than relying on traditional job fairs, the Travis Air Reserve Experience 2025 offers a hands-on, interactive approach. The day began with a welcome address from Col. Gibson, followed by a tour of a C-17 Globemaster III. Attendees then explored dozens of displays from units across the maintenance, medical, operations, and mission support groups. They had the chance to operate an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) robot with the 349th Civil Engineer Squadron, learn about the aeromedical mission, and talk directly with aircraft maintainers.
Highlighting the event’s direct impact, the day featured a special oath of enlistment ceremony. In front of attendees, community leaders, and wing leadership gathered on the ramp of a C-17 Globemaster III, Col. Gibson
The success of the model has not gone
For Gibson, the event’s ultimate message speaks to the unique value of the Air Force Reserve.
“The advantage of the Air Force Reserve is you can serve locally, but you could have impact nationally and even globally,” he said. “You can deploy on your terms and really save lives. And that’s what we offer.” The event’s success was spearheaded by Event Project Manager Tech. Sgt. Stephanie White, Attendee Manager Staff Sgt. Monica Lorico, and Senior Master Sgt. Charles G. Wandzilak II, 349th AMW Recruiting Office flight chief. The 349th Air Mobility Wing, located at Travis Air Force Base, is the largest associate wing in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. It is the only Air Force Reserve unit that flies three major weapon systems – the C-17 Globemaster III, the C-5M Super Galaxy, and the KC-46A Pegasus – and has an aeromedical mission.
Dennis Santarinala/U.S. Air Force
Squadron
patient litter loading procedures using a mannequin during the Travis Air Reserve Experience 2025 at Travis AFB, Sunday.
