TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE — While Travis Exchange shoppers are gift-hunting and preparing for the holidays, they can also lend a helping hand to airmen, guardians and military families facing difficulties by donating the Air Force Assistance Fund at checkout at the Exchange and online.
Shoppers at the Travis Exchange and Express may donate to the Air Force Assistance Fund in increments of $1, $5, $10 or more when checking out. Online donations may be made in $5 increments at ShopMyExchange.com.
Since the Exchange partnered with the the Air Force Assistance Fund in 2017, military shoppers have donated more than $2.3 million to help airmen, guardians, retirees and their families in need. Year-round giving at the Exchange was introduced in 2020.
“The holidays can be a particularly difficult time of year,” Exchange Direc tor/CEO Tom Shull said in a press re lease. “Every dollar Exchange shoppers donate helps support service members and families who may be struggling.”
The Air Force Assistance Fund pro vides financial assistance and sponsors educational scholarship grants for mil itary family members and offers com munity programs to make life better for service members and their families. To learn more about the Exchange’s sup port for the funds, visit https://publicaf fairs-sme.com/Community/give.
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE — Families at Travis Air Force Base gathered Dec. 6 for a Christmas tree lighting, music from the Band of the Golden West and a visit from Santa Claus.
The community event helped to mark the start of the Christmas season at the base.
Seasonal festivities continue Monday at the base with the 5th Annual Grand Menorah Lighting and Hanukkah Celebration at the corner of Skymaster Drive and Travis Avenue – organized by Chabad of Solano County and Team Travis. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and will include live music, singing and dancing, greetings by base officials, hot drinks and holiday foods.
The event will occur rain or shine. For more information, call the
ABOVE: Santa talks to a little boy during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Travis Air Force Base, Dec. 6. Families at Travis gathered for a Christmas tree lighting, music from Band of the Golden West and a visit from Santa.
FAR LEFT: Team Travis families gather around a Christmas tree during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Travis Air Force Base, Dec. 6.
LEFT: The U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West performs during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Travis Air Force Base, Dec. 6.
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ON THE COVER
Honorees walk to the stage during the Distinguished Flying Cross presentation at Travis Air Force Base, Dec. 9.
Hun Chustine Minoda/U.S. Air Force
Senior Airman Alexander Merchak 60TH AIR MOBILITY WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS
VANDENBERG
BASE — Airmen with the 22nd Airlift Squadron assigned to Travis Air Force Base transported a Surface Water and Ocean Topography satellite from Nice Cote d’Azur Airport, Nice, France, to Vandenberg Space Force Base in support of a multinational mission, Oct. 13-17.
The international mission led by NASA and the French space agency Centre National d’Études Spatiales will be the first to survey nearly all water on Earth’s surface.
The 22nd Airlift Squadron put to use the only C-5C Super Galaxy in the Air Force capable of this mission. This is the sole aircraft able to support the mission due to its enhanced cargo capabilities, according to U.S. Air Force Capt. Justin Wilson, 22nd Airlift Squadron C-5 evaluator pilot and aircraft commander.
“In just under seven weeks, with coordination between NASA and Centre National D’Etudes Spatiales, we were able to develop a plan to safely transport the satellite from France where it was undergoing final assembly and testing to its launch site,” Wilson said. “The timeline for us to depart Travis, arrive in France, onload the SWOT satellite, transport it to Vandenberg, offload and begin movement of the satellite to the pre-launch preparation facility was 88 hours.”
The modified C-5C carried a total of 138,600 pounds of cargo.
While there are two C-5Cs with this modification, this is the only one operational as the other C-5C is currently getting a major maintenance and avionics upgrade, Wilson said.
International partners from four countries have joined forces to develop Surface Water and Ocean Topography, which will be able to provide comprehensive high-definition views of freshwater bodies from space, observe fine details of the ocean’s surface topography and measure how bodies of water change over time.
The satellite was scheduled for launch Friday at Vandenberg Space Force Base. For more updates, visit https://swot.jpl.nasa.gov/.
U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Daniel Peterson 349 AIR MOBILITY WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE — Reserve citizen airmen from Travis Air Force Base participated in the long-held holiday tradition known as Operation Teddy Bear from Dec. 5-9.
Operation Teddy Bear is an annual event where volunteers from the 349th Air Mobility Wing visit local area elementary schools bearing gift bags with toys, games, and school supplies.
“Operation Teddy Bear has been a part of the 349th AMW’s history for over 25 years,” U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Rafael Hernandez, 349th Air Mobility Wing first sergeant, said. “It has allowed us to connect with our local communities, who we are not only a part of, but who
support us.”
One of the schools visited was Linford L. Anderson Elementary, located in Dixon, where some of the volunteers had personal connections, whether it be grandchildren enrolled there, or a spouse on the faculty. A student, whose father is currently deployed, personally thanked the volunteers for their service and for coming to their school.
“I appreciate all of the service members coming out just like our kids look forward to it,” said Rayito Farris, the principal at Linford L. Anderson Elementary. “I think it is just so good for them to get a little something.”
Farris said she loves seeing members of the 349th Air Mobility Wing getting involved and supporting the schools near Travis Air Force Base. She expressed
that having members of the community in uniform arrive with Santa can leave a lasting impression on the students.
“It really is giving back to the community that the service members live in,” Farris said. “I think that is even more powerful for the kids to see.”
With another successful Operation Teddy Bear mission in the books, this time-honored tradition will live on to be enjoyed by the children, teachers, and 349th airmen alike.
“This tradition, that we get the privilege of being a part of, is one of the many reasons I am proud to wear my uniform,” Hernandez said. “As we move forward, we can only try to make Operation Teddy Bear better for the future and continue to show our appreciation for our local communities.”
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TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE — Military Star is wishing the U.S. Space Force a happy birthday with special one-day-only savings for cardholders.
Travis Air Force Base airmen and military shoppers may use their Military Star card Tuesday to receive:
n 10 cents off every gallon of gas at the Travis Expresses instead of the everyday
n 15% off at participating Travis Exchange restaurants instead of the everyday 10% discount.
n $10 off a purchase of $25 or more at Travis Exchange mall vendors. (Coupon required. Visit the main store customer service desk to receive the coupon.)
“It’s an honor to celebrate our newest military branch,” Travis Exchange General Manager Phonda Bishop said in a press release. “We’re grateful to guardians and Space Force families
for their service and sacrifice to our nation.”
Additional Space Force birthday savings can be found at the Travis Exchange and at ShopMyExchange.com, including 20% off select Space Force souvenirs and tactical gear. Visit ShopMy Exchange.com/savings-center/ weekly-ads to view the weekly sales and specials.
To apply for a Military Star card, see a store associate or visit MyECP.com.
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE — Travis Air Force Base pets can get in on the holiday cheer in the Army & Air Force Exchange Service and Mars Petcare holiday pet costume contest.
Now through Dec. 31, Travis shoppers can dress their fur babies up in their festive finest and submit a photo at ShopMyExchange.com/sweepstakes to win an Exchange gift card. Two grand-prize winners will each receive a $500 Exchange gift card,
and eight runners-up will each receive a $250 gift card in the worldwide sweepstakes.
“Four-legged family members can get into the spirit of the season and earn holiday gifts for their humans,” Travis Exchange General Manager Phonda Bishop said in a press release. “It’s a fun way for the Exchange to
celebrate the holidays and the pets who mean so much to the military community.”
Authorized Exchange shoppers 18 and older may enter. Retirees, honorably discharged veterans and Department of Defense and Coast Guard civilians may enter, too. Entries will be judged on originality, creativity
and adherence to the contest’s theme.
No purchase is necessary to win. Limit one entry per person. Entries must be sent as a JPG, PNG or PDF and include the pet’s name, the entrant’s legal first and last name, mailing address, email address, phone number and local Exchange location.
Patrick Hansen 75TH AIR BASE WING SAFETY OFFICE
HILL AIR FORCE BASE — A Christmas tree fire is an all-toocommon Christmas tragedy. The combination of a flammable tree and electric lights can be explosive and even deadly.
One solution is to invest in an artificial Christmas tree, but many people still cling to using the traditional live tree. To ensure that you always have a safe and merry Christmas, heed these tips from the National Christmas Tree Association.
n Check the tree for freshness. When shopping at the tree lot, grasp tree branches about 6 inches from the tip. Slide your hand toward the tip and check for falling branches. The needles on the outer branches should not fall easily.
n Pick a tree up and hold it about a foot above the ground. Now tap the stump of the tree on the ground and check for needle loss.
n Check the fragrance and color of the tree. The fresh tree should be a deep green and should give off an evergreen fragrance.
n At home, stand the tree
alone and let the limbs settle into place. Tree sap naturally seals the stump of a cut tree so the tree cannot take up water through the stump end. At the base of the tree, make a fresh cut about ¼ inch above the old cut so water can enter the tree fibers.
n Check the needles often to see if they are drying out or if there is excessive needle loss. Check the water level regularly.
n Position the tree away from heat sources such as a heater or fireplace.
n Check tree lights to be sure wire insulation is unbroken and bulbs are tight. Unplug the tree lights when you go out or retire for the night.
n Dried evergreen trees burn with explosive force. Limit the time a tree is up. Plan to put the tree up no more than two weeks before Christmas and take the tree down as soon as Christmas is over.
The job of people at a base safety office is not to stop you from doing something but to help you do it safely. Call the Travis base operator at 707-424-1110 and ask for the Safety Office if you have questions or require assistance this holiday season.
Navy Adm. Charles Richard passed command of U.S. Strategic Command to Air Force Gen. Anthony J. Cotton during a ceremony Dec. 9 at the LeMay Command and Control Facility at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III oversaw the ceremony and told the audience that the command is adjusting to face new challenges.
Austin said U.S. Strategic Command’s mission is to responsibly manage the U.S. nuclear deterrent.
“Your mission is to deter war –and to do it with unmatched professionalism,” he said.
Part of this professionalism is the ability to deal with new
situations.
“The United States is on the verge of a new phase – one where, for the first time, we face two major nuclear powers as strategic competitors,” Austin said. “The People’s Republic of China is expanding, modernizing and diversifying its nuclear forces. And Russia is also modernizing and expanding its nuclear arsenal.”
As Russia’s war on Ukraine continues to go badly for President Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader has resorted to nuclear threats.
“As the Kremlin continues its cruel and unprovoked war of choice against Ukraine, the whole world has seen Putin engage in deeply irresponsible nuclear saber-rattling,” Austin said. “So, make no mistake: Nuclear
powers have a profound responsibility to avoid provocative behavior, to lower the risk of proliferation, and to prevent escalation and nuclear war.”
Strategic Command oversees the U.S. nuclear triad, which is being modernized to face this new world. The secretary noted that he was in California the previous week to unveil the B-21 Raider. This new conventional and nuclear-capable bomber – the first since the B-2 – will become the backbone of the Air Force’s fleet for decades.
“We’re working to modernize the other legs of the triad through new Columbia-class submarines and the Sentinel ICBM [intercontinental ballistic missile] system,” the secretary said. “Strategic Command is here to deter
conflict and keep the peace, and that means a safe, secure and effective U.S. nuclear arsenal as the ultimate backstop to deter
and Australia.”
The command is also working to build a truly integrated deterrence, that lies at the heart of the U.S. National Defense Strategy, which includes the conclusions of the Nuclear Posture Review.
“Our nuclear capabilities don’t exist in a vacuum,” Austin said. “We must integrate our nuclear deterrent across all domains, including space and cyberspace. And we must also reduce the risk that escalation in one domain could spill over into another. As our National Defense Strategy and Nuclear Posture Review make clear, that type of integration is more essential than ever to prevent conflict and catastrophe.”
Nuclear deterrence is not a numbers game, the secretary warned. That idea could spur a dangerous arms race.
“So, [the command] is developing the credible capabilities and the concepts that we need to prevent conflict in this century,” he said. “You are integrating our efforts across all domains. And
you’re weaving our capabilities together with those of our allies and partners.”
Austin said the talk of deterrence does not lessen the United States’ work to eliminate nuclear dangers.
“We are working to reduce the global role of nuclear weapons through arms control, nonproliferation and strategic stability,” he said. “For decades, the United States has used these tools to decrease the potential for nuclear war – all underwritten by our strong deterrent. We remain committed to putting diplomacy first and to enhancing transparency and predictability. And we stand ready to pursue new armscontrol arrangements with willing partners operating in good faith.”
Austin said it’s up to U.S. Strategic Command to continue to deter nations from using the world’s most dangerous weapons.
“For three years, the vital work of this command has been led by Adm. Charles Richard,” Austin said. “He has led Stratcom with vigilance and resolve at a time of evolving threats –and during a global pandemic. He has focused relentlessly on China’s expansion of its nuclear
capabilities . . . and on Russia’s dangerous escalatory behavior.”
Austin said Richard has worked to ensure that the Unit ed States’ extended-deterrence commitments to our allies remain ironclad. The secretary thanked the career submariner for his 41 years of service and leader ship and wished Richard and his family “a fair wind and follow ing seas.”
Austin welcomed Cotton, who comes to the position from Air Force Global Strike Command. The Air Force general will con tinue overseeing the important DoD investments in nuclear com mand and control and in the mod ernization of the nuclear triad.
Still, “deterrence has never been just about the numbers, the weapons or the platforms,” Austin said. “The heart of American deterrence is the people who protect us and our allies. It’s the young missileers who keep the watch; the sailors who patrol the depths of the oceans; and the
pilots who remain ready at a moment’s notice. It’s the technicians and operators who keep our systems humming.”
Strategic Command defends the United States and its allies from catastrophe, Austin said.
“Let us always ensure that the most dangerous weapons ever produced by human science are managed with the greatest responsibility ever produced by human government,” he said.
The Washington Post
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration doubled down Thursday on its high-tech containment of China, expanding a ban on commercial exports of advanced U.S. technology that it said aids Beijing’s military and hypersonics programs and enables human rights violations.
The addition of some three dozen Chinese companies to a U.S. export blacklist, including one of the country’s largest chipmakers, follows the Commerce Department’s crackdown in October on the sale of advanced semiconductor chips to China for use in artificial intelligence and supercomputers.
The administration also blacklisted a company that The Washington Post recently reported facilitated sales of U.S. technology to military institutes involved in China’s hypersonics and missile programs.
The moves come a month after President Biden and Chinese
President Xi Jinping met in Bali and sought to put a “floor” under the downward spiraling relationship. Beijing has accused the administration of “abusing” export controls to “wantonly block and hobble” Chinese enterprises and to “maintain its sci-fi hegemony.”
The 36 companies placed on the Entity List are effectively barred from receiving U.S. technology. All but one, which is a Chinese subsidiary located in Japan, are in China. And significantly, 21 of those newly listed firms are also being hit with a further control - known as the foreign direct product rule (FDPR) - that bars foreign companies from selling to the Chinese entities goods that are produced with American technology or equipment.
“Today we are building on the actions we took in October to protect U.S. national security by severely restricting the [People’s Republic of China’s] ability to leverage artificial intelligence, advanced computing, and
other powerful, commercially available technologies for military modernization and human rights abuses,” said Alan Estevez, undersecretary of commerce for industry and security. “This work will continue, as will our efforts to detect and disrupt Russia’s efforts to obtain necessary items and technologies for its brutal war against Ukraine, including
from Iran.”
The most high-profile company listed is Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. (YMTC), a Chinese “national champion” that makes memory chips used to store data, which are vital to consumer goods but also emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, 5G communications and cloud computing - fields that
are key to China’s goals of achieving technological dominance and a world-class military.
Earlier this year, the Financial Times reported that the Biden administration was investigating reports that YMTC appeared to have violated U.S. export controls by selling chips made with American technology to Huawei, a
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE — The 21st Airlift Squadron transported 15 Marines and approximately 68,000 pounds of equipment during their annual exercise Dec. 2, which included live-fire training in controlled environments.
The exercise, dubbed Steel Knight, saw personnel transported from Camp Pendleton to Dugway Proving Ground in Utah.
U.S. Marines with Battery Q, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, board a C-17 Globemaster III during exercise Steel Knight, at Camp Pendleton, Dec. 2. The 21st Airlift Squadron transported 15 Marines and approximately 68,000 pounds of equipment during their annual exercise which included live-fire training in controlled environments.
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Hikvision. Hikvision was put on the Entity List in 2019 for “activities related to human rights violations and abuses” in China’s Xinjiang region.
Chinese tech giant that has been on the Entity List since 2019 and more recently subjected to the foreign direct product rule.
The administration feared that YMTC might sell chips to other companies on the Entity List, Commerce said. Among those companies, according to the rule the Commerce Department issued Thursday, were Huawei and
Entity List decisions are made jointly by the Commerce, State, Defense and Energy departments.
YMTC’s designation is largely symbolic, analysts said, in that the rules rolled out in October by Commerce already barred U.S. companies and individuals from supporting firms that make chips with 128 layers of NAND flash
memory and above. YMTC recently announced that its fourthgeneration 3D NAND chip contains 232 layers of memory.
“They’re basically already entity listed and subject to something like a foreign direct product rule – just under a different name,” said Kevin Wolf, a former assistant secretary of export administration at the Commerce Department.
The Oct. 7 rules prompted some U.S. suppliers to halt installation of new equipment at YMTC facilities. China filed a
dispute over chip-related trade restrictions this week with the World Trade Organization.
In technological prowess, YMTC still lags global rivals such as Micron of the United States and Samsung of South Korea, but it has made progress closing the gap in recent years.
The blacklist included several other firms of note, including “PXW Semiconductor Manufactory Co.” in Shenzhen. Known in China as Pengxinwei IC Manufacturing Co., it is run by a former Huawei executive and is
building a plant near Huawei’s headquarters. Some industry insiders have said they suspect that the plant was being built to help the tech giant evade export controls.
Another is Shanghai Micro Electronics Equipment Group, a key player in Beijing’s semiconductor ambitions and the only Chinese firm capable of producing advanced lithography equipment, which is used in the development of high-end semiconductors.
2nd Lt. Casey Sturdiva 60TH AIR MOBILITY WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE — U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Corey Martin, 18th Air Force commander, recognized mobility airmen Dec. 9 for their actions during Operation Allies Refuge with the Distinguished Flying Cross at Travis Air Force Base.
A total of 27 airmen from two Travis-led missions received the award for their acts of heroism and extraordinary achievements while participating in aerial flight. Three of these decorated Airmen were not in attendance.
“The world witnessed history during that airlift, borne on the shoulders of mobility heroes,” said Gen. Mike Minihan, Air Mobility Command commander. “This recognition is long overdue for what our heroes did during those historic 17 days.”
Moose 98’s Critical Care Air Transport Team is the first Critical Care Air Transport Team to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Additionally, 19 of the recipients were awarded the “C” device for exceptionally meritorious service or achievement under combat conditions.
“You were asked to bring your expertise and your grit to a problem set that you had not experienced before and you did not disappoint,” Martin said. “Because of your individual aircrafts collectively, over a hundred thousand lives were changed positively.”
The Distinguished Flying Cross recipients represented 19 different units and were comprised of two separate aerial missions: Reach 651 and Moose 98.
The Reach 651 crew conducted a mission to rescue evacuees from Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Aug. 22, 2021, during increased threats of suicide bombings.
To mitigate possible threats or hijacking attempts, crew members searched every evacuee prior to boarding and quickly directed them to their seats.
“Going into the mission, it was something that I never experienced,” said Staff Sgt. E-Quantay Mason, Phoenix Raven team lead with Reach 651. “You can train for a lot of things but once you get put in that position, it fluctuates.”
During the flight, the crew provided lifesaving actions to a suddenly ill
passenger. Additionally, crew members carefully deescalated a potentially danger ous situation and ensured the safety of all service members and evacuees on board.
The flight safely evacuated more than 450 personnel to Al Udeid Air Base.
“I am extremely proud of my crew for their tireless efforts throughout the mission to ensure the flight deck was se cure,” said Maj. Drew Dela Cruz, C-17 pi lot and Reach 651 aircraft commander. “The extremely good judgment they used and their calculated actions during chaos was crucial.”
The crew of Mose 98 conducted a critical care aeromedical evacuation mission from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 26, 2021, in response to a suicide bombing near the airfield.
Moose 98 was the first aircraft to land after the bombing. The crew provided the first critical care air transport team on the ground after the attack and aeromedical evacuation.
“I remember it felt like a movie. Like when you see those war movies with the litter patients coming on and the red lights. There were tracers, flares, fires and gunshots going off,” said Senior Airman Alexis Sanchez, C-17 loadmaster with Moose
98. “I remember being like, ‘Is this real?’ ”
The flight transported the most severely wounded personnel to receive immediate care. The wounded consisted of service members, foreign nationals and children, many of whom were critically injured. Operating under extreme circumstances, supply deficiencies, threat of fire and unstable ground security, the crew managed to load numerous patients onto the
aircraft.
After loading severely injured patients, walking wounded patients continued to arrive at the aircraft for treatment with no warning. The crew triaged, treated and stabilized patients to allow for a safe departure. They continued to provide lifesaving care during the flight to Ramstein Air Base.
“Although I was told what to expect, it was very shocking to see very young Marines, sailors, and soldiers walk on the ane with traumatic injuries, but my crew responded fast and effectively,” said Maj. Katelyn Dunahoe, flight nurse with Moose 98. “The braveness and selflessness they all displayed is indescribable.”
The efforts of Moose 98 culminated in the single largest aeromedical evacuation airlift in Kabul Coalition Hospital’s history.
Despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Moose 98 successfully delivered all patients to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, alive.
“When I think of the names of the other people that have gotten [the Distinguished Flying Cross], Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart, that’s wild,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Raucci, flying crew chief with Moose 98. “It’s a huge honor.”
Rep. John Garamendi also reflected on the importance of this milestone and expressed his thanks for the execution of rapid global mobility by Travis airmen. He honored each of the recipients with an official record of congressional proceedings. The Congressional Record summarizes the day’s floor and committee activities as well as includes proclamations and tributes in
of notable events,
From Page 15
dates and people.
“The valor and heroism displayed by the men and women of Travis were extraordinary and worthy of recognition,” Garamendi said. “Simply put, Travis Air [Force] Base is the very best our nation has to offer.”
The medals presented by Martin on Dec. 9 are among 96 Distinguished Flying Cross medals approved in a September awards board held by U.S. Air Forces Central Command.
Martin presented the Distinguished Flying Cross to the following airmen:
n Lt. Col. Raul R. Montiague n Lt. Col. William A. Street n Maj. Katelyn E. Dunahoe n Maj. Katie B. Lunning n Maj. Pete N. Traylor n Maj. Dominick A. Vitale n Capt. Cody M. Apfel n Capt. Jedd E. Dillman n Capt. David L. Stuppy n Capt. Spencer D. Yacos n Master Sgt. Matthew A. Newman n Tech. Sgt. Matthew D. Keefer n Tech Sgt. Michael A. Raucci n Staff Sgt. Idaliz Alicea n Staff Sgt. Katherine Rosa Orellana n Staff Sgt. Courtney Smith n Senior Airman Mario Hernandez n Senior Airman Deniece A. Lobban n Senior Airman Alexis C. Sanchez
n Maj. Alexander A. Arcidiacono n Maj. Drew P. Dela Cruz n 1st Lt. Ryan S. Corvin n Staff Sgt. Brandon S. Jensen n Staff Sgt. E-Quantay L. Mason n Senior Airman Kimberly S. Heiser n Senior Airman Matthew S. Williams n Airman 1st Class Jeremy Eda