Top five news stories for Tuesday Jan. 24, 2012

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Today's stories include:

Sather Memorial finds rest at JB San Antonio 
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123287238

Silver Star awarded to combat controller 
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123286814

AF top boxers vy to compete at Armed Forces championships 
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123287180

AETC marks 70 years of training and education excellence 
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123287173

MQ-9 performs emergency landing 
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123287172



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



 

 

 

Sather Memorial finds rest at JB San Antonio

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas (AFNS) -- A memorial honoring the U.S. Air Force's first combat casualty during Operation Iraqi Freedom was unveiled Jan. 20 at Medina Annex, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

Staff Sgt. Scott D. Sather, a combat controller, was killed in Iraq on April 8, 2003.

Pararescuemen, combat controllers and Pararescue Indoctrination Course trainees attended the memorial unveiling ceremony honoring Sather.

His memorial was created and displayed by civil engineers in Iraq to honor his leadership and bravery. The memorial was sea-lifted from Sather Air Base, Iraq, to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in March 2011.

Sather, who died at 29 years old, was originally from Michigan. He was last assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C.

(Courtesy of Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs.)

 

 

 

 

Silver Star awarded to combat controller

by Capt. Kristen D. Duncan
Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) -- The commander of Air Force Special Operations Command presented the Silver Star medal to a combat controller and more than 30 other medals to special tactics Airmen during a ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Jan. 18.

Lt. Gen. Eric Fiel presented Tech. Sgt. Clint Campbell the Silver Star for his actions during combat near Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, Aug. 4, 2010.

According to the citation, Campbell directed 22 air strikes, including multiple danger close employments, resulting in 13 enemy fighters killed. Without regard for his own safety, he ran 300 meters through a gauntlet of enemy fire and then again exposed himself to enemy fire to mark insurgent positions with a 40 mm smoke grenade. Campbell directed an F-16 Fighting Falcon strafing run to neutralize the threat and enable evacuation of the wounded.

"His bravery in the face of withering enemy fire turned the tide of the battle, defeated the ambush, saved three teammates' lives and prevented certain additional casualties," according to the citation.

The Silver Star, the military's third-highest combat decoration, is given for gallantry and marked heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the U.S.

"This is more of an accomplishment for the team," Campbell said. "You just help your friends that are hurt. They're your brothers and you'd do anything for them."

Fiel brought Campbell's parents on stage to take part in the presentation. Dwight and Sandy Campbell said their son acted true to form.

"I was just so proud of him," Sandy said. "It's just the kind of person he is."

In addition, more than 30 medals were presented for combat actions during the recent 23rd Special Tactics Squadron deployment. Special tactics Airmen received six Bronze Star Medals with Valor, three Purple Heart Medals and 22 Air Force Combat Action Medals. One Airman, Staff Sgt. Joshua Craig, received two of the Bronze Stars for separate engagements.

"All of the Airmen in special tactics have incredible dedication and tenacity to serve our nation," said Lt. Col. Chris Larkin, the 23rd STS commander. "(Technical) Sergeant Campbell is like most of our Airmen ... it's what we're trained to do."

Larkin commanded his unit, the 23rd Expeditionary Special Tactics Squadron, throughout the six-month deployment to Afghanistan. His unit returned home in mid-December.

For more information on special tactics Airmen, visit www.afsoc.af.mil/specialtactics.

 

 

 

AF top boxers vy to compete at Armed Forces championships

by Jose T. Garza III
Joint Base San Antonio Public Affairs

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (AFNS) -- The goals are still the same for Air Force boxing coach Steven Franco during the Air Force Boxing Camp at the Chaparral Fitness Center: Defeat the other military branches to win medals.

"Like I tell these guys from day one, I don't care if I take one guy or all 10 guys from different weight classes, my goal is to win medals," Franco said. "Our motto is to train, box, and win."

Franco and his team of aspiring pugilists have been preparing for the Air Force Box-Offs, which begin Friday at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston and continue over a two-week period. After the box-offs, Franco will determine which boxers he will take to the Armed Forces Championships.

The difference between this camp and last year's is the amount of experience the Air Force fighters have picked up throughout the past 12 months.

"We have more potential than last year," Franco said. "We should be taking a larger team than last year."

Out of Franco's nine-boxer camp, six or seven of his fighters are open fighters with at least 10 bouts under their belt.

The Air Force boxing hopefuls are doing better on training runs thanks to an increased emphasis on physical training, the coach said.

"Before, they used to quit (before finishing the run)," he said. "The first couple of days they couldn't do 3.5 miles. Now more can complete those runs, no problem. Some still struggle (with the runs) because others are in better shape."

The daily training schedule begins at 7:45 a.m. It includes runs, sprints, and plyometrics.

"That's just the morning stuff," Franco said.

Jump rope, neck, and abdominal exercises are part of the afternoon training routine. And just because aspiring hopefuls are physically fit, it doesn't necessarily translate to the boxing training regimen.

"Their mentality is like 'Oh, I can do whatever I want,'" Franco said. "True, but it takes a couple of years, not a couple of days. When they get in the ring, it's a reality check."

Kent Brinson, who competed in the Armed Forces Boxing Championships last year and has been boxing for five years, said he continues to work on boxing basics, which include jabs and stepping back.

"Boxing is about learning how to be a fighter in the ring and behave like a fighter," Brinson said. "It doesn't come natural to everyone, it takes time. To have guys put in their time makes a huge difference here in camp."

Super heavyweight Forrest Booker, who recorded his first career knockdown at last year's box-offs, is working to improve his stamina and become a better defensive fighter.

"My stamina is getting better as a super-heavyweight," said Booker, a United Kingdom native. "I don't care who you are, carrying weight around the ring is super tough."

Booker's goal is to represent the Air Force to the best of his ability at the Armed Forces championships.

"That's my drive and motivation," he said. "A lot of (boxers) say they want to box, but when the going gets tough in the ring, they start to retreat and duck. Those are the guys you don't see at the gym very much because if you can't take the punches, you won't be able to give any when you gain experience."

Franco always goes back to Boxing 101, no matter what experience a boxer has, when camp commences every year.

"When you're in the ring and it comes down to slugging it out, getting tired, and guys coming at you, a lot of times you have to go back to your basic jabs to keep your opponent away," he said.

Thanks to the assistance of first-year assistant boxing coach and longtime training partner Bobby DeLeon Jr., instruction, sparring, and gloving is quicker for Franco.

"We have the experience of going to the Armed Forces championships, nationals, and Golden Gloves," Franco said. "Bringing that experience back to the team helps."

Franco didn't see a lot of potential in the pugilists entering camp, but after a couple of weeks of harsh critiques, his views are different.

"I don't know if the (critiques) encouraged them, but something's been triggered and it impresses us," he said. "We talked with the ones that have impressed us and told them to keep up the good work and keep working hard."

The Air Force coach won't try to be like New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan and make a prediction on how well his team will do in the Armed Forces championships. However, he believes the team is better than last year's.

"I think we will be competing at a higher level," Franco said.

 

 

 

AETC marks 70 years of training and education excellence

by Dianne Moffett
Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- The demand for flying training caused by the United States' entry into World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor, resulted in the creation of the Air Corps Flying Training Command January 23, 1942.

Today marks Air Education and Training Command's 70th Anniversary. After several re-designations, the Air Corps Flying Training Command became Air Training Command and finally Air Education and Training Command, headquartered at Randolph AFB, Texas.

Despite changing production goals for trained personnel brought on by the events of WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the end of the Cold War, the Persian Gulf War and the terrorist strike on New York City and the Pentagon, AETC continues to meet the demands for trained and educated Airmen.

Air Education and Training Command recruits, assesses, commissions, educates, and trains Air Force enlisted and officer personnel. It provides basic military training, initial and advanced technical training, flying training, and professional military and degree-granting professional education.

The command also conducts joint, medical service, readiness and training to build partnerships with foreign air forces.

Training conducted at AETC bases provides the major Air Force commands and combatant commanders with skilled, expert Airmen who are able to perform at the highest level whether they are at home running nuclear enterprises or overseas fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Today, AETC consists of 12 bases and is hosted at four more. The command is home to more than 56,000 active-duty members, 16,000 civilians, and 4, 000 Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel. Over 6,000 Airmen from AETC are also deployed around the world in today's fight.

"Major transformations in training and education came to AETC after the Persian Gulf War and 1992 was designated the Year of Training," said Ann Hussey, an Air Education and Training Command historian.

The initiative to create a single and consistent education and training structure for officer, enlisted and civilian personnel led to AETCs current designation.

"The year of training revamped the Air Force's education and training requiring all enlisted personnel attend technical training," Hussey said, "The goal was to make all Air Force members mission ready upon arrival at their first duty station."

The Air Force merged Air University and ATC on July 1, 1993, re-designating the command to AETC. The command gained two numbered Air Forces, the Nineteenth to oversee flying training from Randolph AFB, and the Second to manage basic and technical training from Keesler AFB, Miss.

The command also converted its training centers to training wings and resumed responsibility for much of the aircrew training mission, freeing the operational commands to focus on warfighting.

Hussey said what is most significant at AETC today is its focus on modernization and enhancing the level of education for all Airmen.

"New advanced weapons systems, such as the C-130 J at Little Rock AFB, Ark., the F-22 at Tyndall AFB, Fla., the F-35 at Eglin AFB, Fla., and the CV-22 at Kirtland AFB, N.M., requires highly skilled trainers, pilots and maintainers," Hussey said.

"Simulator flying training integrates new technology while maintaining cost effectiveness and affordability." Currently, Kirtland AFB, N.M. provides high-fidelity training in HC-130 flight simulation, which emulates aircraft handling, refueling, air drops, defensive tactics and emergency procedures for the entire crew.

"Air University offers both in-residence and distance learning opportunities. The Community College of the Air Force offers Airmen online courses that combine military and technical training with accredited courses to receive associate degrees," she said.

"The first Ph.D. program offered by Air University is through the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies at Maxwell AFB, Ala."

Throughout its history, AETC, known as the "First Command," has been committed to creating innovative training and education programs built on the achievements and hard work of thousands of dedicated men and women.

AETCs foundation for success in the Air Force will continue to advance its programs "to develop America's Airmen today... for tomorrow."





 

 

MQ-9 performs emergency landing

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFNS) -- Officials with the 49th Wing announced a remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper performed an emergency landing Jan. 23 at approximately 9:45 p.m. just south of the base.

The aircraft is assigned to the 29th Attack Squadron, which is a remotely piloted aircraft flying training unit. The accident occurred at the end of a local training mission.

No one was injured and no private property was damaged. Emergency personnel responded to the scene shortly after the landing.

A board is convening to investigate the cause of the accident.

Photos and fact sheets on the MQ-9 can also be found at http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=6405.

(Courtesty 49th Wing Public Affairs)