Team Dover youth is All-American wrestler

July 30, 2013, 2:26 pm

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Achieving greatness is something all athletes aspire to, but few seldom obtain. One youth here has accomplished that goal at the ripe old age of 12.

Francis Morrisey, son of Master Sgt. Francis Morrissey III, recently retired from the 436th Maintenance Squadron, won the Eastern Nationals Wrestling Championships in the Junior Division 78-pound weight class May 4-5 in Salisbury, Md.

Morrissey defeated Cole Handlovic in the finals 5-1 to take home the title. With the victory in the Nationals, Morrissey made All-American and finished his season with an impressive 134-17 record which included 38 tournament championships, seven second place finishes and five third place finishes.
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AFI 1-1 gives Airmen words to live by

July 30, 2013, 2:49 pm

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In the Air Force, it starts with the basics, literally. Air Force Instruction 1-1 meets the criteria for providing that initial understanding to all who serve in the Air Force.

At 31 pages, AFI 1-1 (Air Force Culture: AIR FORCE STANDARDS) details what Airmen must know about the Air Force environment, conduct and appearance. Areas covered include customs and courtesies, professional relationships, personal grooming and use of social media.

"Our compliance with high standards is what has made the U.S. Air Force dominant in the air, space and cyberspace for over six decades," said Col. Brian Newberry, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander. "Our Airmen are true to our core values, providing a firm foundation to fly, fight and win without peer. The first step on this path to air dominance is to internalize our high standards and values, which AFI 1-1 succinctly spells out so we can learn these core standards and live them."
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Running feats-- Scott employee goes big with little foot wear

July 30, 2013, 3:10 pm

≫ Next: 93rd ARS earns AFA Shilling Award

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Frank Jones wears a suit jacket, khakis and a green bow tie to work, but it's not his unusual work attire that people notice--it's his bright green barefoot running shoes.

Jones, 375th Air Mobility Wing community support coordinator, began running in 2002 when the Air Force began its transition into being more physically fit.

"The extent of my running used to be once a year, when I did the physical fitness test," said the retired colonel. "I realized I should probably do more than that because the Chief of Staff wanted us fit. So, I started running and the more I ran, the more I realized I enjoyed it. I got to where I am today, which is running six or seven miles every day and longer runs on the weekends."
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93rd ARS earns AFA Shilling Award

July 30, 2013, 3:25 pm

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The Air Force Association announced recently that the 93rd Air Refueling Squadron earned the 2013 David C. Schilling Award.

The 93rd ARS is the second refueling squadron to receive the award in its 65 year history.

"We had an incredible year in 2012. Not only the 93rd but the whole Operations Group," said Lt. Col. Patrick O'Brien, 93rd Air Refueling Squadron commander. "We couldn't have done this without the support of Team Fairchild and I couldn't be more proud of the men and women of the 93rd ARS."
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62nd APS Airman receives Spirit of Service Award

July 30, 2013, 6:07 pm

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Tech. Sgt. Christopher Javier, 62nd Aerial Port Squadron passenger service supervisor, was recently awarded "The American Legion's Spirit of Service Award for the state of Washington" at a ceremony in Yakima, Wash., July 19.

This award recognizes military members who excel in their performance on-duty, and who are also actively involved in their local community. Javier received this award for his exceptional military service throughout his 11-year Air Force career.

"I have always had good leadership and mentors and I am never afraid to go out there and get involved," said Javier. "The strong support of my leadership and peers has always pushed me to excel into that next level in my career."
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Drive to Arrive

July 31, 2013, 8:06 am

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When behind the wheel there should only be one objective: to safely reach the desired destination.

Picture this: You're making a quick run to the store for some much needed items. During the drive you receive a text. You have two choices: You can read the text and attempt to send a quick response or ignore it until you have reached the store.

So what is a safe and interesting way to help play out this scenario?

Enter UNITE International's Arrive Alive drunk and distracted driving simulator.
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Memorial Service Held for Fallen Airman

July 31, 2013, 8:10 am

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Friends and family gathered at the Prairie Rose Chapel here July 30 to pay respects to the memory of Tech. Sgt. Matthew Hullman, 319th Medical Operations Squadron.

"Last week, we lost one of our warriors," said Lt. Col. Brett Nishikawa, 319th Medical Operations Squadron commander. "We are diminished for having lost him, yet we are far better for having known him."

Hullman was declared dead following a shooting incident on base July 21. That incident remains under investigation.
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Airman of the Month: striving for excellence

July 31, 2013, 8:41 am

≫ Next: Devildog 101: Airman completes Corporals Course

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A young Airman from Henderson, N.C., wants to one day be a politician, but in the meantime is being recognized by her peers as a hard working professional here.

Airman 1st Class Tatjuna Talisa Johnson, 436th Contracting Squadron contracting specialist, is being recognized as Team Dover's Airman of the Month.

Master Sgt. Anita Walls, 436th Contracting Squadron NCO in charge of base operations flight and Johnson's supervisor, said her Airman will do anything you ask her to do and is eager to do it. She gets the job done fast and that allows them to do more. Walls also said Johnson's personality sets her apart from her peers.
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Devildog 101: Airman completes Corporals Course

July 31, 2013, 3:31 pm

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Joint professional military education is quickly becoming a more common event at many military installations across the Department of Defense.

One Airman here at McConnell Air Force Base decided to follow the joint-route by taking the U.S. Marine Corps Corporals Course as part of her preparation for promotion to staff sergeant.

"They told me there were going to be a lot of classes," said Senior Airman Shalamar Coleman, 22nd Air Refueling Wing knowledge operations manager. "It was going to be two weeks, including weekends, so I thought I was going to be very, very busy. At the same time, I didn't know we were going to be writing papers like we did. It was awesome. I definitely learned a lot."
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Two hats one man

August 2, 2013, 7:38 am

≫ Next: Investigation report details January fatality at MacDill

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During the week, Robert Foster is the battalion commander for the City of Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, but for one weekend out of each month for the last 20 years, he dons a different kind of uniform and provides lifesaving medical care as an Air Force Reserves chief master sergeant and 927th Aeromedical Staging Squadron superintendent.

"My primary role [as the 927th ASTS superintendent] is to lead and manage approximately 150 medical personnel ranging from emergency medical technicians to surgeons," said Foster. "However as the battalion commander, my primary responsibility is emergency scene management which includes acting as the on-scene commander for calls such as motor vehicle crashes, high-rise rescues, medical emergencies and structure fires."
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Investigation report details January fatality at MacDill

August 2, 2013, 9:48 am

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Air Mobility Command released details of a Ground Accident Investigation Board report today, following the Jan. 14 death of an Airman in a warehouse accident at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

The investigation found that Staff Sgt. Emily Clayburn died while performing routine duties moving a crated KC-135 tanker refueling boom located on a warehouse loading dock. Investigators found that the crated boom had been placed on two warehouse dollies, and it rolled off the loading dock after Clayburn released the brakes on one of the dollies. She was subsequently struck by the falling crate, which weighed between 2,340 and 2,700 pounds, and died instantly. Clayburn was assigned to the 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron at MacDill.
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Hit and Run

August 2, 2013, 10:43 am

≫ Next: Master sergeants save 4-year-old girl's life

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Struck by a car and left for dead, Senior Master Sgt. Maurice Milstead was experiencing every cyclist's nightmare scenario.

On February 14, 2012, the 19th Equipment Maintenance Squadron fabrication flight superintendent, set off to work like any other morning. He woke up around 4:30 a.m., made his morning cup of espresso and geared up for a chilly commute. The 14-mile-ride was one that he had made at least a hundred times. While not without risk, the 45-minute trip from his home in Austin to Little Rock Air Force Base could hardly be described as playing in traffic.
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Master sergeants save 4-year-old girl's life

August 2, 2013, 1:10 pm

≫ Next: McChord members return from U.S.-Australian exercise

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After experiencing a nightmare contractor story often read about in the paper or seen on an investigative news show, the Heitman family pool was installed and ready for the summer swimming season.

Master Sgt. Jeremy Heitman, 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron security manager, and his wife of 18 years, Joy, had prepared their four children, ages 18, 16, 7 and 4, with swim lessons and explicit rules about pool time, such as always wearing floatation devices and only swimming with mom or dad.
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McChord members return from U.S.-Australian exercise

August 2, 2013, 10:43 pm

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Sixteen Airmen from the 62nd Airlift Wing recently returned from their participation in a coalition exercise between the U.S. military and the Australian Defense Force. That exercise is known as Talisman Saber 2013 and was executed in eastern Australia from July 15th through July 29th.

Joining more than 28,000 of their fellow Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Australian counterparts, the Airmen from McChord were part of an exercise that trained forces from both nations to operate as a combined joint task force.
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Finding the Passion of Service

August 2, 2013, 11:07 pm

≫ Next: The maintenance and operations linchpin

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"When I was a captain, I received some unexpected news that I had been selected to fly the MQ-1 Predator," said Col. David Kumashiro, 62nd Airlift Wing commander. "I was at a point in my career where I was uncertain whether I was going to make the Air Force a career. I had been flying the line for several years and was in all honesty a little burned out.

"That assignment probably ended up being the best thing that ever happened to me. I was thrust into a world I knew nothing about--a new technology, a new combat mission, and a new Air Force "clan." In fact, the Predator was so new that few senior leaders had experience in how we employed the platform and, as a result, had no choice but to trust the expertise and leadership of our young crew force.
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The maintenance and operations linchpin

August 6, 2013, 10:39 am

≫ Next: Before the last C-17: Carrying the load

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When it comes to equipment safety and reliability, no one understands the ins and outs of proper maintenance better than an "AGE Ranger."

These "rangers," aerospace ground equipment gurus, are always caked in grease and covered in sweat as a result of their hard labor. They are the Air Force's equivalent of equipment surgeons; they diagnose, dissect, and repair that which is broken.

Whether it be periodical inspections, a time compliance technical order fix, or the repair of a Hobart power unit's tow bar, making sure that each and every piece of equipment is fully operational is their be all-end-all objective.
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Before the last C-17: Carrying the load

August 6, 2013, 11:43 am

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(Editor's Note: For more than 20 years, the C-17 Globemaster III has delivered rapid air mobility at a moment's notice all around the world. With the last U.S. Air Force C-17 scheduled to roll off the Boeing assembly line Sept. 12, 2013, we look back on the continuing impact this signature Charleston aircraft makes to the United States Air Force through our series, "Before the last C-17.")

The C-17 Globemaster III combines strategic and tactical airlift into one wide-body aircraft, capable of short takeoffs and landings from remote locations. It is also able to carry everything from paratroopers, fallen heroes, combat material and even the President of the United States.
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Hagel announces reduction in civilian furlough days

August 6, 2013, 3:34 pm

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Hundreds of thousands of Defense Department civilian employees who have had to take a weekly unpaid day off from work since July 8 are getting some relief, as the total number of furlough days has been reduced from 11 to six, Defense Secretary Chuck
Hagel announced today.

Here is the complete text of the secretary's announcement:

When I announced my decision on May 14 to impose furloughs of up to 11 days on civilian employees to help close the budget gap caused by sequestration, I also said we would do everything possible to find the money to reduce furlough days for our people. With the end of the fiscal year next month, managers across the DoD are making final decisions necessary to ensure we make the $37 billion spending cuts mandated by sequestration, while also doing everything possible to limit damage to military readiness and our workforce. We are joined in this regard by managers in non-defense agencies who are also working to accommodate sequestration cuts while minimizing mission damage. As part of that effort at the Department of Defense, I am announcing today that, thanks to the DoD's efforts to identify savings and help from Congress, we will reduce the total numbers of furlough days for DoD civilian employees from 11 to six.
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From Ghana to Wichita: an Airman's story

August 6, 2013, 12:53 pm

≫ Next: 85-year-old wins Senior Games in racquetball

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Visiting a local recruiting office is often the first step a person takes to begin a career in the Air Force. For Airman 1st Class Samuel Nyamekye, his first step was coming to the USA.

Nyamekye can be found leading a surveying and design team or reviewing plans for an upcoming construction project as an engineering assistant in the 22nd Civil Engineering Squadron, a long way from where his journey began.

Seven years ago, Nyamekye enrolled in college to begin studying chemical engineering in the Republic of Ghana, a small country in West Africa, where he lived his entire life.
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85-year-old wins Senior Games in racquetball

August 6, 2013, 2:49 pm

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As a former gymnast, auctioneer and Marine, 85-year-old William Dawkins is a man who has not slowed down with age.

Dawkins won the gold in singles and the silver in doubles July 29, 2013, at the National Senior Games in Cleveland playing racquetball.

Dawkins said he has been playing racquetball since he was 45. One day while he was at the race track racing horses, he ran into a friend who invited him to play racquetball.

"I told him I haven't ever played racquetball before," said Dawkins. "I don't even know what it is. So, I went down with him and got my feet wet. After the first day that was it, I fell in love."
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