Top Air Force Stories for July 11, 2012

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Today's stories include:

AFGLSC now part of Air Force Sustainment Center 
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123309453

Doctor provides life-saving medical care despite broken leg 
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123309456

Seventh AF commander addresses incident near Osan AB 
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123309425

Through Airmen's Eyes: Triumph of survival 
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123309321

NSA chief discusses challenges, opportunities of cyberworld 
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123309398



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AFGLSC now part of Air Force Sustainment Center

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) -- The Air Force Global Logistics Support Center officially became part of the Air Force Sustainment Center during a ceremony here July 11.

Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, officiated the ceremony.

The change is part of an AFMC construct that consolidates the command's number of centers from 12 to five. The restructure will standardize processes and save about $109 million annually. It was announced in November 2011 and is a major part of AFMC's response to a congressional challenge to find efficiencies and save tax dollars. By consolidating overhead, the command will improve the way it accomplishes its mission, ultimately providing better support to the warfighter.

"The people of AFGLSC will continue to be critical to AFMC achieving its mission of providing warfighter support," Wolfenbarger said. "They're important not only to the AFMC mission, but to the greater Air Force mission as well."

The subordinate units of the former AFGLSC will continue to manage the Air Force's worldwide supply chain system. Its 635th Supply Chain Operations Wing here is now aligned with the Air Force Sustainment Center. The 448th Supply Chain Management Wing at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., also aligned with the Air Force Sustainment Center. The 591st Supply Chain Management Group at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is now a Logistics Operations Division aligned with the Air Force Sustainment Center.

Establishment of the Air Force Sustainment Center at Tinker AFB and the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, along with the re-designation of the Air Force Test Center at Edwards AFB, Calif., are the first major steps of a transition phase during which center frameworks will be built and units will be assigned, leading up to initial operational capability Oct. 1. Full operational capability is planned for mid-2013.

The sustainment, life-cycle management and test centers will join the present Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB and the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirtland AFB, N.M., to complete AFMC's five-center line-up.

(Courtesy of Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs.)

 

Doctor provides life-saving medical care despite broken leg

by Master Sgt. Kelley J. Stewart
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- A 34-year-old critical care pulmonologist assigned to the 99th Medical Operations Squadron here went from needing rescue to providing emergency medical attention to a California Highway Patrol officer July 5 near Big Bear Lake in the Shasta Trinity Forest.

Maj. (Dr.) Jeremy Kilburn, 99th MDOS Cardio/Pulmonary Flight commander and Intensive Care Unit director, was on vacation with his dog, Virgil, and childhood friend, Dan Grasso.

The events of that day began when Kilburn was returning from a hike. As he neared his tent, he stopped to take in the view, and Virgil bumped into him. The bump caused the doctor to lose his footing, and as he stepped forward to catch himself, he turned his ankle.

"I looked down and was staring at the bottom of my foot," he said.

Kilburn knew he'd dislocated his ankle and broken his leg, so he sat down, took off his boot and put his foot back into place. Then he called out to his friend for assistance.

A fellow camper also heard Kilburn call out, and he and Grasso came to his assistance. The camper was leaving the camp ground that day and said he'd let the authorities know medical assistance was needed on his way out.

Grasso helped Kilburn to his tent to get him out of the sun. While they waited, two camp counselors, Elizabeth Fitch and Bryce Harbert, and a group of 9- to 14-year-old children hiking with them came along. The group used their radio to call back to their camp to have someone there call for a CHP helicopter to get Kilburn to medical care. Then the group stayed to wait with Kilburn and Grasso.

Kilburn couldn't see the helicopter landing from where he was sitting, but he could see the children watching it come in to land.

"They were clapping," the major said because the pilot had done a "brilliant job of landing" in very difficult terrain. Then the doctor heard the children saying things like, "Oh my God," but didn't understand why until Grasso came running up the hill saying he thought the CHP officer was dead.

CHP Officer Tony Stanley, had been struck in the head by the main rotor blade of the helicopter.

The first thing out of Kilburn's mouth was, "Get me down there."

With Grasso's help, he managed to hobble his way to Stanley's side. The counselors had already put their basic first aid knowledge into practice by applying direct pressure to the officer's head wound. Kilburn assessed the situation and stabilized the patient's airway to assist him with breathing.

Due the seriousness of the CHP officer's injuries, the doctor put a cervical collar on him and told the counselors and Grasso how to place him on a backboard.

Kilburn said the counselors and Grasso were "incredible." Going on to say they should have been "freaking out" after what they witnessed, but everyone remained calm and did what they were told.

Fitch was pressed into acting as a flight nurse and applied pressure to Stanley's head wound. Kilburn climbed in and monitored Stanley's heart rate and breathing during the flight to Mercy Hospital in Redding, Calif.

When they arrived at the hospital, the medical staff took Stanley to one trauma bay and put the doctor in the one next to him. "The doctors said they could fix my leg there or I could have it done in Las Vegas," Kilburn said.

The doctor chose to have the leg stabilized and have the surgery to fix his break done in Las Vegas.

Kilburn says he isn't comfortable being called a hero. He feels the heroes are the counselors and Grasso who remained calm and did as he instructed them to do, and the children who volunteered to hike his gear, the equipment taken off the helicopter to fit everyone in it, and Stanley's gear out of the camp ground.

"The true story is the generosity of spirit that all these people came together," he said.

Even though Kilburn doesn't feel like a hero, the CHP is grateful for his timely medical attention to one of their own.

"Dr. Kilburn fought through his own pain to save the life of our officer, highlighting the dedication of our military that put their lives on the line every day for our country. Dr. Kilburn's actions were clearly above and beyond the call of duty," said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. "These individuals are not only heroes, they are guardian angels."

Stanley remains hospitalized at Mercy Medical Center.

Seventh AF commander addresses incident near Osan AB

by Maj. Eric Badger
7th Air Force Public Affairs

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) -- The 7th Air Force commander held a press conference here July 8, 2012, regarding an incident between Osan Air Base's town patrol and Korean citizens in the Songtan entertainment district.

"I want to express my regret and offer a sincere apology to the individuals affected by the actions of a small group of Airmen who were involved in the unfortunate incident on July 5 outside the Osan gate," said Lt. Gen. Jan-Marc Jouas.

Seventh Air Force officials and Korean National Police investigators are looking into the altercation between several Korean citizens and members of the 51st Security Forces Squadron town patrol. A video showing a portion of the conflict appeared on Korean TV news, prompting national interest. Jouas called the press conference to address the media's questions.

"The individuals involved have been suspended, and will not perform their normal duties until the investigation is completed," he said. "We are working closely with the Korean National Police and have provided witness statements as they requested."

According to the general, U.S. security forces personnel outside the base perimeter have jurisdiction over members of the armed forces, their families and others covered by the Status of Forces Agreement. Beyond that, Jouas said, situations should be turned over to the KNP whenever possible.

However, in accordance with U.S. Forces Korea regulations, security forces personnel outside the base perimeter who believe they, or someone else, are in danger may use the appropriate level of restraint to respond to the danger.

"I want our investigation to find out if that was the case in this particular incident," Jouas said.

The general said that this incident was an isolated event; the town patrol has a long record of assisting Americans and Koreans, maintaining order, and providing the initial response and first aid in emergency situations. Osan AB will maintain close relationships with the Songtan community, business leaders and the KNP as the investigation continues.

"I assure you that we are taking this incident very seriously, and are profoundly committed to conducting ourselves within the parameters established by USFK and the SOFA, with complete respect for the laws of the Republic of Korea and the rights of its citizens," the general said.

No additional Songtan curfew or off-limits restrictions are being contemplated, Jouas said.

Through Airmen's Eyes: Triumph of survival

by Airman 1st Class Regina Agoha
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. (AFNS) -- (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)

In 1995 in America, most six-year-old boys spent their days picking on six-year-old girls, or mimicking and idolizing the Power Rangers and characters from Dragon Ball Z and the World Wrestling Federation.

For six-year-old Muhamed Mehmedovic, escaping to safety from tanks through the woods with his father and thousands of men in Bosnia was his daily routine after a war started three years prior.

Senior Airman Muhamed Mehmedovic, a 19th Logistics Readiness Squadron air transportation journeyman, said the United States saved his and his family's life when they air dropped food and medical supplies during a war in which genocide was committed against his people. This action from the U.S. resulted in Mehmedovic's inspiration to become a pilot and pay homage to the country that was a significant part in giving his family a better life.

"I originally wanted to be a pilot and pursue education," he said, "but more importantly, to give back to the country of the United States. They gave so much to my family, and they ultimately saved my life. I feel like I owe that to the U.S."

Mehmedovic said during the conflict between Serbians and Bosnians, his hometown of Srebrenica was destroyed. Genocide was committed against the Muslim population where he lived. And even after the war ended, the area was still in crisis.

"During this time frame, our hometown was cut off from supplies, military power coming in and food," Mehmedovic said. "There was a huge starvation timeframe then, and the way the United States helped us was by providing air drops. They air dropped tons and tons of food, supplies and medical equipment constantly between 1992 and 1995. My dad and other family members went out to retrieve these items that were in bundles on pallets dropped from (C-130 Hercules aircraft).

"Ultimately, their actions saved my life," he said. "So many of the people there live off of agriculture, but the supplies and livestock quickly depleted. The majority of the area was targeted by tanks, so many of the livestock died. We didn't live in our house because it was hit by a tank. We were living from one cousin's house to another cousin's house."

Traveling from family to family was a struggle, Mehmedovic said. He was not only with his mother, father and brother; his grandmother and her five sons and two daughters were traveling as well.

"We were targeted by military," said Mehmedovic. "They would shoot at us, and we would try to fight back. We could not win the war; we were just trying to survive. The Serbians were after our males. Killing off the males would prevent future generations, which would force the Muslim population to marry into Protestants. Serbians were mostly Protestants. We would have to marry into another culture, which would ultimately wipe us out. After everything was said and done, 8,000 people died in my town. Those 8,000 accounted for were only the people who were found. About 80 percent of my family was a part of that 8,000."

Because the Serbians were not after women, Mehmedovic said males were forced to flee through the woods and find a safe place or town, which was Tuzla in this case. As they went through the woods, the men, including Mehmedovic's dad and his brothers, had to fight the military. The area was mined. Out of Mehmedovic's grandmother's five sons, only his dad and one of his dad's brothers made it to Tuzla. Women and small children were shuttled there. Elderly men were killed off.

"We escaped to Tuzla and were sponsored by the locals there," said Mehmedovic. "We lived in their houses from 1995 to 2002. I was 13 years old then. Around the year 2000, there was a program that was allowing immigrants who no longer had a home because of the war to come to the United States and start a new life. We didn't have an option to go back. Even if we did, there was nothing to go back to. No people. Nothing. It was deserted."

Once Mehmedovic's family applied for this program, they did everything necessary to become approved, such as doing numerous interviews, saving money and moving to another location. They applied in 2000 and would have left in 2001, but because of 9/11, they were delayed until May 2002. In 2002 they were sent to St. Louis and were sponsored by their cousins who had made it to American six months prior.

When he first got to America, Mehmedovic said it was a culture shock.

"The school systems were different," he said. "The streets were different. To me all the houses looked exactly alike. I wanted to be here because I saw the great opportunities. It's much better than what we came from.

"The biggest thing for me was that there was food," he continued. "You can go to the store and pick up anything you want ... any time of the year and take it home. You don't have to wait for a certain season to have bananas. It was worth everything to get here. I felt like, now we have this sense of safety for once, I knew my parents still worried about the people we left behind because they're still struggling."

Soon after arriving in the U.S., Mehmedovic and his brother both began school, where was placed in eighth grade. When he started classes, all he was trying to do was get the basics down, like learning English and getting prepared for high school.

"The school system in Bosnia is tough; I was a straight-A student," Mehmedovic said. "Coming here, English was my biggest challenge. Compliments to my teachers, I had the basics down within three months. I could communicate and go to school and also help my parents get around."

Mehmedovic started high school in 2004. Not only did he continue with good grades, but he was also on the wrestling team, played soccer occasionally and worked at a consumer electronics retailer.

"I knew I wanted to be a pilot, but not a military pilot," he said. "I met a lot of retirees at Best Buy. They told me that the Air Force was an option. I didn't know this was an option for me. The challenge for me was, 'How do I tell my parents that even though we just left a war and all these bad things, and we're safe and life is good, that I want to join the United States Air Force. And I have no guarantee that I'm not going to be deployed or ever be shot at?'

"My brother supported me all the way," he said. "My dad, who was a solider in Yugoslavia, supported me and advised me to be smart, do the right things and follow orders. My mother, who worked for a company that manufactured airman battle uniforms and Army equipment, cried. She only knew to expect the worst."

Before Mehmedovic told his family of what he wanted to do, his mind was already made up. He had already signed all the papers and had already gone to the Military Entrance Processing Station.

"I was just waiting to be called and go," he said. "I graduated from high school in May. I signed the papers in June or July. I told my parents in July and I left in October."

After four years of being in the Air Force, Mehmedovic said it's been great.

"Right now ... at this point, the circle is being completed," he said. "This is where I want to be. I joined as air transportation. One of the biggest aerial delivery squadrons is here. This is where all the riggers receive their training on how to properly put the parachutes on, properly rig the food, and put it on aircraft for it to be dropped in a specific location."

After his deployment, which begins in the fall, Mehmedovic will begin training on properly preparing food for airdrop delivery.

"I am very excited," he said. "The motivation is high. I definitely cannot wait to begin. I know it makes a difference. I know that somebody's life will be changed."

The flyers who dropped food and medical supplies those many years ago may never know the effects of what they did, Mehmedovic said, but it made a difference. He said no one should ever feel that their job is insignificant.

"Your job matters and it makes a difference no matter what your job is in the Air Force," he said. "In my case, someone's job made a great difference in my life and family's life. In St. Louis alone, there are thousands of Bosnians there because of what someone did. My story is just one of them."

Mehmedovic said he is grateful to the Air Force and the opportunities it has brought his family.

"I definitely want to stay in the Air Force," he said. "Being in the Air Force gave me many opportunities that bettered me. Looking back from the high school kid I was to now, I'm a whole different person. And I like what I'm becoming. I want future generations to see the transformation of me. I want to make a difference, and the best way I know how to do that is by staying in."

Whether it's visiting family or lending a helping hand, Mehmedovic said he will definitely go back to Bosnia.

"We constantly try and help our families out who are back in Bosnia by sending money," he said. "My parents have gone back a couple times.

"My family (here) is doing very good," Mehmedovic said. "This is something that I speak very proudly of. Coming here without being able to speak any English, my parents, brother and I are all speaking English, or at least the basics. My family has owned a trucking company and are still in the trucking business, which is kind of like logistics, which is what I'm doing," he laughed. "We have our own house, and I'm an uncle now. My family is growing here in America."

Mehmedovic said he will continue to tell his story, not to dwell on the heartache and pain of it, but to celebrate the triumph of survival and moving forward.

"My story will go on," he said. "I will try to use my story to motivate others. I will try to use it positively. It happened. You can't take it back; you can only make a difference going forward. This is my story. How many stories do you think are going on right now? We are all the same. We all have the same power to make a difference, and that's what I want to do."

NSA chief discusses challenges, opportunities of cyberworld

by Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (AFPS) -- Technology has opened tremendous opportunities for the world, but also poses tremendous challenges for those who work to ensure access to cyberspace, the director of the National Security Agency said here yesterday.

Army Gen. Keith B. Alexander, who also commands U.S. Cyber Command, told participants in an American Enterprise Institute seminar titled "Cybersecurity and American Power" that the capability exists today for destructive cyber attacks against critical infrastructures.

The cyber world is an increasingly important domain, the general said. In 2000, 360 million people were on the Internet. Today, more than 2.3 billion people are connected. Last year, 107 trillion emails were sent, he added, and a sign of the times is that more than 500,000 apps exist for the iPhone and 280,000 for Android smartphones.

But this tremendous opportunity for communication also presents a potential avenue of attack, Alexander said. A 2007 denial-of-service attack on Estonia virtually shut the nation down, he said, but that was just a transitory event in the evolution of cyber attacks.

"What I think we really need to be concerned about is when these transition from disruptive to destructive attacks -- and I think those are coming," he said.

A destructive attack does not simply overload computers or networks -- it destroys data or software, and systems must be replaced to return to the status quo. "We've got to consider that those are going to happen," Alexander said. "Those are coming up, and we have to be ready for that."

The general stressed that deterring cyber attacks is more difficult than nuclear deterrence, noting that nation-states, cyber criminals, hackers, activists and terrorists all pose threats. "So when you think about deterrence theory, you're not talking about just nation-on-nation deterrence theory," he said. "You have other non-nation-state actors that you now have to consider."

An attack may originate in a country, Alexander said, but no one can really tell if it's the nation, a criminal gang within the country or a lone hacker launching the attack.

Regardless of who initiates an attack, he added, the result could be the same. "You lose the financial sector or the power grid or your systems capabilities for a period of time," the general said. "It doesn't matter who did it; you still lose that. So you've got to come up with a defensive strategy that solves that, from my perspective."

The U.S. defensive strategy has to be a team approach, he said. "We want to get as many people as we can working together to solve this problem," Alexander said.

The White House has led the governmental effort, spanning the Department of Homeland Security to the Defense Department to the FBI and beyond. And any protection -- to be effective -- must include the private sector, the general told the audience. This has caused hackles to rise, he acknowledged, with critics saying such efforts are an invasion of privacy. But, Alexander said, it can be done while protecting civil liberties.

"If the critical infrastructure community is being attacked by something, we need them to tell us at network speed," the general said. "It doesn't require the government to read their mail or your mail to do that. It requires them -- the Internet service provider or that company -- to tell us that that type of event is going on at this time. And it has to be at network speed if you're going to stop it."

Cyber runs at the speed of light, Alexander noted, and human reaction times are simply not fast enough to react.

"Maybe we could do this in real time and come up with a construct [in which] you and the American people know that we're not looking at civil liberties and privacy, [but] we're actually trying to figure out when the nation is under attack and what we need to do about it," he said.