no topic Update for Nov. 16, 2012

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Today's stories include:

Band ramps up engagement as command position returns to Japan 
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123326769

AF leaders target sexual assault in latest 'Letter to Airmen' 
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123326721

Anonymous crime tips now possible with mobile app 
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123326671

AF, China's PLA physicians gather for first-ever acupuncture exchange  
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123326668

EOD tech earns Silver Star 
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123326655

All stories in this message as well as any referenced images are in the public domain and do not require copyright release.   Story submissions should be sent to afnewsdesk@dma.mil


America's Air Force... Integrity, Service, Excellence



Band ramps up engagement as command position returns to Japan

by 1st Lt. Christopher Love
374th Airlift Wing/Public Affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) -- As U.S. forces rebalance to the Pacific, one group of Air Force musicians looks to play its way to new levels of engagement throughout the world's largest region.

After a five-year absence, the command position for the Air Force's Band of the Pacific has returned to Yokota Air Base, Japan -- and with it, increased assets for building partnerships.

The decision to relocate the command position from Alaska to Japan reflects the U.S.'s commitment to developing strong relationships with nations throughout the region, said Capt. Haley Armstrong, Band of the Pacific commander.

The band's conductor, Armstrong is also its only officer; a fact, she noted, that makes her an asset to the band's engagement mission.

"From a partnership standpoint, it makes a difference to our international relationships that the officer and commander is able to accompany the unit for outreach missions," Armstrong said. "This is much more important here than Hawaii or Alaska because of the culture."

With the relocation of its commander came the relocation of many bandsmen themselves. This, in turn, allowed the band to expand its repertoire, adding a jazz ensemble and multiple small groups.

"Jazz music is very big in the Japanese and other Asian cultures," Armstrong said. "So getting this capability back has greatly increased our ability for partnership building in the region. Also, now that the unit is twice as big, we can double our missions, which support the realignment for the Pacific."

Armstrong, a longtime Air Force trumpet player and now conductor, assumed command of the Band of the Pacific at a less-than-typical ceremony in Mizuho Town, Japan, Nov. 10, 2012.

Whereas most assumption of command ceremonies are singular events, Armstrong's occurred as the second part of a three-stage, bilateral concert showcasing Japanese musicians from Mizuho, a town on the outskirts of Tokyo, alongside the U.S. jazz ensemble "Pacific Showcase." Rather than deliver remarks upon receiving command, the usual practice, Armstrong let music do the talking, grabbing her baton and leading the joint concert band in the musical selection "Candide."

The ceremony may have been a-typical, but it was no less special.

"We could think of no better way to share (the assumption of command) than with a ceremony including the Japanese towns surrounding Yokota," said Senior Master Sgt. Steven Fitts, Band of the Pacific-Asia manager and the event's narrator.

Bilateral ceremonies of this sort, in which musicians from different nations play side by side one another, are just one of a number of ways the band conducts outreach. Bandsmen travel regularly throughout the Pacific giving concerts of varying sizes and genres, while also contributing to the morale of U.S. forces.

Their music reaches people across the spectrum -- from average citizens to embassy members, Armstrong said.

When asked about the effect that a band performance can have on its audience, its leader told a story.

"At our last concert, I actually had a woman come in tears because of this Japanese song that we did about a grandfather clock. She was so overwhelmed by emotion and the fact that this American group was performing the music that meant so much to her family and her life.

"I would love to do a study sometime where you videotape an audience going into a concert and an audience leaving a concert, especially in this culture, because their positive change in emotion just shows so much."

Many people are familiar with the U.S. rebalcing efforts in the Pacific, but few, perhaps, have considered the vital role that military bands play in that shift.

"If we really are posturing our forces and trying to restructure for the Pacific," said Armstrong, "I feel like the band is one of the best tools available to have a positive Air Force and American presence in this area, for very little expense."

 

AF leaders target sexual assault in latest 'Letter to Airmen'

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Roy issued a tri-signature "Letter to Airmen" Nov. 16.

As part of an effort to increase awareness of sexual assault, the Air Force's top three leaders reminded Airmen that individual efforts do have an effect on reducing the incidence of assaults and risk to service members.

"There is no place for sexual assault in our Air Force. When it comes to combating this challenge, every Airman is either part of the solution or part of the problem. We must be united in our commitment to intervene when we see the potential for harm, to act affirmatively when we observe tolerance of sexist behavior and attitudes, and to provide victim care. The only way to stop sexual assault is for Airmen to take action. ... Become personally involved. Recommit yourself to our core values. Be an advocate for professionalism and discipline. Most importantly, if you are aware of sexual assault in your unit, report it."

View the entire letter here.

To assist in creating awareness of Sexual Assault in the military, the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office offers a comprehensive listing of DOD laws, regulations and available training at sapr.mil.

For more information on the Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Program, visit http://www.afpc.af.mil/library/sapr/index.asp.

 

Anonymous crime tips now possible with mobile app

by Air Force Office of Special Investigations Public Affairs Office

QUANTICO, Va (AFNS) -- Suspicious or illegal activity can now be anonymously reported directly to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations using a mobile phone application or by texting 'AFOSI' and the tip to 274637 (CRIMES) in an SMS text message.

AFOSI launched these methods to capitalize on cyberspace capabilities and engage the Air Force community more effectively to prevent crime.

"This tool allows anyone to provide OSI with completely anonymous tips on everything from illegal drugs, theft and terrorist activities to potential insider threats," said Special Agent Daron Hartvigsen, OSI Cyber Investigations and Operations. "Even better, the online and app version allow individuals to send in photos."

"We want to give Airmen a convenient, and most importantly, anonymous means to report activity detrimental to fellow Airmen. With this system they can get involved without fear of exposure or retribution from others," said Christian Oliver, superintendent of AFOSI Detachment 116. "Airmen really want to do the right thing, but are often hesitant because of perceived social repercussions," added Oliver.

Of special concern to Air Force officials are violent crimes against Air Force members, sexual assaults, and drug use.

The application uses industry standard Secure Socket Layers connection, which encrypts information exchange to ensure anonymity. When accessing the app to submit a tip, a file number is created for retrieval. Later, the tipster can check back and see comments by an OSI agent and provide more information.

"With SSL, the agent can only review the posted information, which is only accessible by the tipster and the OSI," says Oliver, "Air Force members and the OSI agent can continue to converse anonymously through the secure system."

Once downloaded, a video describes the app's features to emphasize its secure use and value to the Air Force and other community law enforcement agencies.

The direct link to the anonymous Internet tip line is https://www.tipsubmit.com/WebTips.aspx?AgencyID=1111.

Individuals can find the app in both the Android and Apple store as "TipSubmit Mobile" or use the WR code and select AFOSI as the agency when reporting a tip. Tips can also be sent in a SMS text message by texting 'AFOSI' and their tip to 274637 (CRIMES).

To download a trifold with detailed instructions on the program, click here: http://www.osi.af.mil//shared/media/document/AFD-121023-018.pdf


(Compiled from several reports including those from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Public Affairs Office, HQ AFSPC Public Affairs, 49th Wing Public Affairs and the 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs)

 

AF, China's PLA physicians gather for first-ever acupuncture exchange

by Tech. Sgt. Matthew McGovern
Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs

BEIJING, China (AFNS) -- At the invitation of China's People Liberation Army, Air Force medical physicians, along-side their Chinese military and civilian counterparts, conducted the first-ever Medical Acupuncture and Battlefield Medicine Subject Matter Expert Exchange in Beijing, China, on Oct. 21-27.

The exchange, attended by seven U.S. representatives from the Air Force Medical Service, civilians from the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, and more than 30 PLA members, was an effort to help U.S.-China militaries increase mutual trust and understanding while sharing practices in traditional Chinese medicine.

"The sessions were friendly, informative and far-reaching in their scope," said Lt. Col. Gregory Sweitzer, Pacific Air Forces clinical quality and innovation chief from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. "The enthusiasm and camaraderie that emerged from this exchange was clearly palpable and led to a series of discussions that extended outside the conference rooms and into the break room where genuinely enthusiastic inter-personal exchanges took place."

The exchange was held at three separate locations: a military hospital, university of medicine and a traditional Chinese medicine clinic. The different venues allowed the group to explore each other's acupuncture techniques, operational medicine issues, and acupuncture research. The group also focused on ways acupuncture remedies hypertension, diabetes, obesity, stroke, chronic pain, as well as gynecological complaints.

At the military hospital, where the Americans were greeted with prominently displayed U.S. and China banners and multiple cameramen, discussions included acupuncture treatment of battlefield injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and treatment of pain associated with amputations.

"We were treated very graciously (by our Chinese counterparts) and our hope is that we can have future exchanges in acupuncture and other medical exchanges with the PLA and civilian counterparts to learn more from them and them from us," said Sweitzer.

The Chinese physicians formed a similar opinion regarding the exchanges.

"The exchange (facilitated) Sino-U.S. friendship, enhanced relations, and I hope communications," said Col. Lou Yongchang, PLA air force aviation medicine branch director.

Sweitzer remained optimistic about further relations with the Chinese experts.

"We believe this visit truly enhanced U.S.-China military-medical relations, particularly with regard to the provision and utilization of acupuncture in our respected militaries. In fact, our group has already identified some prospective topics and workshops that could provide the framework for a second U.S.-China exchange," said Sweitzer.

Pacific Air Forces conduct subject matter exchanges throughout the pacific to collaborate with other professionals and assist with communications across various military disciplines. Dialogue and exchanges are designed to promote stable military-to-military relationships by reducing misunderstanding, misperception, and miscalculation through increased communication and interaction.

EOD tech earns Silver Star

by Airman 1st Class Hayden K. Hyatt
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- An Air Commando from the 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron received a Silver Star during a ceremony at the Pentagon Nov. 14.

Tech. Sgt. Joseph Deslauriers, an explosive ordnance disposal technician, earned the medal for gallantry in action while serving in Afghanistan on Sep. 23, 2011.

"It seems to me that valor is of the moment -- character is built over a lifetime," said Col. Jim Slife, commander of 1st Special Operations Wing. "The events of the 23rd of September last year can be described less as a case of spontaneous valor and more as a predictable outcome of circumstance and character intercepting on the battlefield."

According to the award's citation, Deslauriers rendered safe one improvised explosive device and conducted a post-blast analysis of three subsequent detonations all within a four-hour
time frame. After doing so, he then provided medical aid to an injured service member and used his detector to clear a safe path for the medical evacuation helicopter to land.

While clearing the area, Deslauriers stepped on an initiation system for an IED device. Despite sustaining grave injuries, and as his teammates treated him with aid, he continued to pass information about the device that helped his team continue the mission. His actions led to the extraction of two injured Marines, two vehicles and completion of the mission.

"We talked about honor, sacrifice, and courage," Deslauriers said. "We don't think about that stuff; we just do what we do, and we love it. I'd do it all over again."

Explosive ordnance disposal Airmen use their training to dispose of anything from roadside bombs to decommissioned missiles -- all to save lives.

"You see this room filled with all these people and my family here," Deslauriers said. "To hear 'the most decorated EOD tech in the career field' --  it's an honor for me to be here."

Deslauriers said he felt honored to be standing in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes, a place that honors the memory of hundreds of service members including Medal of Honor recipients.

"You belong here," said retired Gen. Norton Schwartz, former Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

"Thank you, sir," Deslauriers said. "To hear that from you, and from everybody here, is a great honor."

The Silver Star is the third highest military decoration for valor and is given for gallantry in action against enemies of the United States.