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445th OSS Tests New Protective Mask Suited for Wing C-17 Aircrew

Tuesday, July 18th, 2023

Airmen from the 445th Operations Support Squadron’s aircrew flight equipment (AFE) shop and 89th Airlift Squadron participated in a field testing and training event for the M69 Joint Service Aircrew Mask for Strategic Aircraft (JSAM SA) assembly, the new aircrew flying chem gear June 5-9.

The M69 JSAM SA assembly will replace the Mask Breath Unit-19P Aircrew Eye and Respiratory Protection (AERP) equipment. It is currently approved for all fixed-wing, non-ejection seat, non-pressure breathing large frame aircraft, such as the C-17 Globemaster III.
When the new masks arrived, they were unpacked with each one carefully inspected for defects or damage before being added to the inventory list.

Members with Headquarters Aircrew Flight Equipment and Air Force Life Cycle Management CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) Defense Systems from Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland participated with the 445th AFE for the equipment inspection and provided the training.

The deputy program executive officer for the AFLC¬MC Agile Combat Support Directorate, Col. Carlos Quinones, was on hand to see how the inspection process works and understand the new assembly in comparison to the current MBU-19P AERP, as the six divisions under his directorate provide materiel solutions, acquisition life cycle management and support equipment, among many other functions, to meet Air Force operational needs.

Master Sgt. Diego Cancino, 445th Operations Support Squadron AFE flight chief, gave high re-marks about the new equipment compared to the current equipment being used.

“The new mask system is a breath of fresh air for both AFE as the equipment maintainers and aircrew as the end user,” Cancino said. Our old legacy system, while proven effective, was beginning to show some age, and we felt that we were overdue an update.”

Bryan McCoy, a U.S. Air Force Aircrew CBRN fielding coordinator from Aberdeen provided training to 445th AFE Airmen and gave a presentation and demonstration to 89th AS aircrew members (pilot and loadmaster). The purpose was to share information and answer questions that aircrew members might have about M69 JSAM-SA.

The AFE shop will be individually fitting each aircrew member with the M69 mask and providing training on use and wear.

“We are all really excited to implement this new mask to the field here,” Cancino said. “The support and guidance we have received from our higher headquarters leadership on implementation and fielding has also been some of the best I have ever experienced in my career.”

Story by Stacy Vaughn

445th Airlift Wing, Public Affairs, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio

Posted in Air Force, CBRNE, Guest Post | 2 Comments »

Jolly Vihar 23 Enhances US, Hungarian Air Forces Interoperability

Monday, July 17th, 2023

PÁPA AIR BASE, Hungary (AFNS) —

The 56th Rescue Squadron and the 56th Rescue Generation Squadron assigned to Aviano Air Base, Italy, are participating in the bilateral training exercise Jolly Vihar 23-2 at Pápa Air Base, Hungary June 26 through July 7.

Exercise Jolly Vihar is aimed to enhance the U.S. and Hungarian forces’ ability to conduct integrated combat search and rescue scenarios and perform maintenance operations. This exercise benefits the 56th RQS and 56th RGS along with NATO ally and partner nations by enhancing interoperability while learning each other’s techniques, strategies and procedures.

“The purpose of exercise Jolly Vihar for the 56th Rescue Squadron is terminal employment,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kayleigh Jones, 56th RQS special missions aviator instructor. “This is a great time for aircrew to practice factor threat analysis because we never know what squadron or unit we’re going to be working with. The more we integrate, the better we can facilitate personnel recovery across Europe.”

Three U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawks flew to Pápa Air Base for Jolly Vihar. During the two-week exercise, a large portion of the training was live fire and search and rescue missions. Airman assigned to Aviano AB and Pápa AB act as red cells during the search and rescue missions. Red cells are role players whose purpose is to present problems that the aircrew must solve as a team.

A Norwegian flight medic responds to a survivor during exercise Jolly Vihar at a training range near Pápa Air Base, Hungary, June 28, 2023. Search and rescue missions covered a large portion of exercise Jolly Vihar and role players acted as survivors needing to be recused by the aircrew. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Synsere Howard)

Norwegian forces on each aircraft fulfill the role of a pararescue team. Their job is to help to mitigate threats and safely recover red cells with information relayed to them and the aircrew. According to Jones, working with the Norwegian forces improves cohesion with the knowledge learned from one another. This can also be applied to real-world situations.

“We’re out here working with NATO allies and partner nations such as the Norwegians and the Hungarians,” Jones said. “We’re working on interoperability and learning their techniques and procedures while sharing ours with them.”

According to Jones, there are a lot of moving pieces in an exercise of this magnitude. The mission cannot be accomplished without other agencies, such as maintenance personnel, aviation resource managers, communications technicians and aircrew flight equipment specialists.

“These personnel are essential to making sure this exercise is executed safely and efficiently,” Jones said.

Jolly Vihar aims to advance and support rescue capability in U.S. European Command and NATO. Training with NATO allies and partners in exercises like Jolly Vihar strengthens partnerships, reduces tensions between nations and helps address potential conflicts before they start.

“We’re trying to build this network to increase our partner building capabilities,” Jones said. “We can’t do this alone.”

By Airman Synsere Howard, 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Posted in AFSW, Air Force, Guest Post, International | Comments Off on Jolly Vihar 23 Enhances US, Hungarian Air Forces Interoperability

The MSV (Modular Scalable Vest) Gen II’s NIJ Level IIIA Counterpart heading to U.S. Air Force

Wednesday, July 12th, 2023

One of the items I ran across during Warrior East was the Gen II Modular Scalable Vest from Custom Armor Group. Unfortunately, as it is part of a current Army program, fielding of this popular armor vest is restricted for those outside of the program of record or for those who are, but want to spend O&M funds to jump in line, like the National Guard.

With long lead-times and high demand for the U.S. Army’s Modular Scalable Vest (MSV Gen II), PEO Soldier has required all purchases for approved MSV Gen II systems flow through their current contract. This has made the lead times of MSV Gen II vests for other branches take much longer than expected.

Custom Armor Group (CAG) and its strategic partners have designed the QR2 which can be seen above to the right of the issue MSV. The QR2 is a high performing armor system with similar user interface, visuals and profile while offering improved delivery times.

The QR2 will be available immediately for those units unable to wait the extended MSV Gen II lead times.

The CAG QR2 was developed to offer a solution to meet demand and shorten lengthy lead times. This design utilizes manufacturing techniques and advanced materials which allow more efficient manufacturing and supply chain management.

The QR2 utilizes an NIJ 0101.06 (National Institute of Justice) certified, and First Article Tested/Approved package currently fielded by NAVSEA and CNIC. The package was created as an updated version of the former NAVSEA soft armor solution. This NIJ 0101.06 certified ballistic package also offers US Military FRAG protection (like the MSV Gen II) along with special threat protections. Additionally, the upgraded ballistic offers all these advantages while showing a 25% weight reduction versus former NAVSEA ballistic package.

Other small advances in the QR2 are an improved inner carrier system and additional padding for user comfort. Still, the greatest advantage will be availability.

Samples are shipping to USAF for approval this month, giving USAF units MSV Gen II styling with USAF specifications (USAF currently requires min NIJ 0101.06 IIIA Protection).

For more info contact sales@customarmorgroup.com

Posted in Air Force, Armor, Army, Warrior Expo | 9 Comments »

Magruder Takes Command of Special Tactics

Friday, July 7th, 2023

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —

Col. Daniel Magruder assumed command of the 24th Special Operations Wing during a ceremony at the Special Tactics Training Squadron on Hurlburt Field Jun. 29.

Air Force Special Operations Command commander Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind presided over the ceremony where Magruder took the guidon from Col. Jason Daniels, who is moving on to serve as the Deputy Director of Operations at headquarters AFSOC.

During his command, Daniels led Special Tactics through multiple crises including executing a challenging non-combatant evacuation in Kabul, humanitarian assistance in Haiti, a variety of missions in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, South America, and Asia, and expanded the wing’s focus from countering insurgencies and terrorists to include strategic competition.

Bauernfeind shared words of praise for Daniels.

“Under his leadership, the Air Commandos of the 24 SOW were innovative across the spectrum of conflict, resolute under pressure, and made the impossible look simple,” said Bauernfeind. “The 24 SOW provided back-to-back historic extraction support in August of 2021 and those outstanding achievements would not have been impossible without Jason’s leadership.”

As Daniels prepared to relinquish command, he reflected on his time in the 24 SOW.

“I stand here overwhelmingly with a feeling of thanksgiving for the chance to serve with, lead, and command with the Special Tactics community for more than two decades, particularly the last couple of years,” said Daniels. “The opportunity to command this wing and serve its Airmen has been the greatest honor of my career.”

Daniels was awarded the Legion of Merit Second Oak Leaf Cluster for exceptionally meritorious conduct during his tenure as wing commander from Jun. 4, 2021, to Jun. 29, 2023.

Following the change of command, Magruder spoke to the wing for the first time as commander.

“To the men and women of the 24th Special Operations Wing, Jen and I look forward to working for you. Every day we must earn the distinction as our Air Force’s premier ground special operations force,” said Magruder. “I am optimistic about our future because of you… the incredible people that fill our ranks, I aim to earn your trust as we work together to solve our nation’s toughest problems.”

Magruder earned his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 2003. He has not only commanded at the flight, squadron, and group levels, but has served in a variety of high-level positions, including being the Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s speech writer.

Magruder closed out the ceremony with a challenge to the men and women of Special Tactics.

“To every member of the AFSOC team and the 24 SOW, I encourage you to think about your place in history. It will call on each of you in some way. When history calls on you, when you are tapped on the shoulder, will you be willing to deliver the roar our nation needs?”

By Capt Savannah Stephens, 24th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

Posted in AFSW, Air Force, Guest Post, SOF | 1 Comment »

USAF Pararescue Seeks Extended Maritime Mobility Vessel

Wednesday, July 5th, 2023

The Special Warfare Contracting Office at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for a new capability called the Extended Maritime Mobility Platform, essentially an airdroppable rigid hulled inflatable boat.

Currently, the force relies on small inflatables boats with small outboard motors and 2-man Advanced Rescue Crafts which are wave runner-style craft used to provide close access to those who need rescuing in the open ocean. These systems, like the anticipated EMMP are airdropped from HC130 aircraft.

The boat will be used by the Air Force’s Pararescue which is organized as the Guardian Angel community consisting of the action arm made up of enlisted Pararescuemen and commissioned Combat Rescue Officers along with enlisted Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape specialists who provide training and unit support.

According to the RFI, “Guardian Angel (GA) surface maritime operations include search/support/recovery of Isolated Personnel (IP) and recovery of Sensitive Items from ocean and coastal environments across permissive, semi-permissive, and contested threat environments.

Fielding an air-droppable, survivable, open-ocean capable, hard-hulled watercraft will provide the United States Air Force (USAF) with long range maritime Personnel Recovery adequate for vast, extended duration, open- ocean operations.”

The RFI closes on 10 July but hopefully the team issuing the RFI attended last week’s Multi-Agency Craft conference in Portsmouth, Virginia to see the gathering of small boat manufacturers.

Posted in Air Force, Maritime | 3 Comments »

Air Force Transitions to A-Staff Structure for Air Expeditionary Wings

Saturday, July 1st, 2023

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —

The U.S. Air Force is implementing standardized A-Staffs for air expeditionary wings to support commanders, maximize responsiveness in crisis and ease integration with joint force elements.

As part of the new Air Force Force Generation, or AFFORGEN, deployment model, presenting forces via the AEW A-Staff structure will increase a wing’s capacity to plan, coordinate and communicate vertically and horizontally to meet commander’s intent.

The AEW A-Staff is a standardized organizational structure, representing the following Air Force functions: A1 Manpower, Personnel, and Services; A2, Intelligence; A3, Operations; A4, Logistics and Engineering; A5, Plans and Integration; and A6, Communications.

“A successful A-Staff will make a commander’s job easier and take the burden of staffing responsibilities off our units,” said Lt. Gen. James Slife, deputy chief of staff for operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force. “This means our units can better focus on mission execution instead of staff work.”

An AEW A-Staff is responsible for informing and implementing the wing commander’s decisions while communicating with higher and lateral headquarters, including joint partners who already use similarly organized headquarters while promoting the professional development of assigned staff.

Some personnel and staff functions at the squadron level will be realigned to the AEW A-Staff to support commanders with cross-functional capabilities intended to further enable the Air Force for high-end readiness against a competitive pacing challenge.

Airmen assigned to AEW A-staff roles will not dual-hat responsibilities from the squadron level, and commanders will not be utilized to fill staff roles.

“This is a necessary developmental opportunity for our young officers and senior NCOs,” Slife said. “Being a part of an A-staff will prepare Airmen earlier in their careers for their strategic role in informing the decisions of our Air Force leaders.”

While the AEW A-Staff implementation will inform the enterprise-wide expansion, the complexity of the task necessitates a methodical approach and remains a longer-term effort. Once AEW A-staff implementation is complete, Headquarters Air Force will focus on designing and implementing A-Staffs across all U.S. Air Force wings.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Profession of Arms | Comments Off on Air Force Transitions to A-Staff Structure for Air Expeditionary Wings

MQ-9 Reaper Completes First Mission Using Dirt Landing Zone

Friday, June 30th, 2023

SANDERSON, Texas (AFNS) —

Just south of Fort Stockton is one of the largest private armed forces training centers in the country, the Nine Mile Training Center — an expansive terrain offering privacy from prying eyes and the perfect opportunity to unleash the MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft.

At this remote dirt strip in West Texas, members from the 2nd Special Operations Squadron, 727th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 311th Special Operations Intelligence Squadron teamed up with Airmen from the 26th Special Tactics Squadron out of Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, June 15, to carve their next milestone into Air Force Special Operations Command history.

Working together, the air commandos conducted the first MQ-9 landing on a dirt landing zone.

“This is a significant achievement for Air Force Reserve Command, AFSOC, the MQ-9 community and the joint force as a whole,” said Lt. Col. Brian Flanigan, 2nd SOS director of operations. “This team of aircrew, maintainers and special tactics Airmen have proven the Reaper can operate anywhere in the world and is no longer beholden to the ‘leash’ of perfectly paved runways or line-of-sight antennas traditionally used to takeoff and land the aircraft.”

Historically, the MQ-9 has taken off and landed via line-of-sight of antennas, with aircrew members manually flying the aircraft. Now, the MQ-9 can literally takeoff and land from anywhere in the world.

Flanigan was quick to point out how this new concept meets the AFRC’s priorities of ‘Ready Now’ and ‘transforming for the future.’

“This capability will be critical in ‘tomorrow’s fight’ and nests perfectly with the Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment concept that focuses on smaller footprints, distributed operations and increased survivability while generating combat power,” Flanigan said. “We are demonstrating what is possible when you leverage citizen air commandos and our diverse backgrounds to take an existing capability like [satellite launch and recovery] and apply it to the future fight.”

The 12th Aircraft Maintenance Unit from the 727th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron supported the effort with a very small footprint to the austere location using ACE techniques, tactics and procedures developed by the 12th AMU.

“This initiative was significant in terms of refining maintenance ACE capabilities because it provided insight into how the aircraft handles landing in an austere environment,” said Maj. Doniell Mojazza, 727th SOAMXS director of operations. “This scenario both challenged and empowered 12th AMU maintainers to assess risk utilizing their expertise and innovation to ensure aircraft air worthiness and mission success.”

The team is not only using the MQ-9 SLR capability to access short, narrow and unprepared places, but also using it in creative ways to offer ‘off the menu’ options not traditionally provided by RPAs. This was demonstrated by their use of a travel pod attached to the aircraft to execute a critical resupply of the 26th STS on the dirt landing zone.

“We call it ‘Reaper Express,’ which is essentially just using a travel pod to develop an operational concept of delivering critical items to austere locations using the MQ-9,” Flanigan said. “It may not be able to carry much, but what it can hold, might be the difference between getting that critical aircraft part to an isolated airfield or bringing in a blood supply for casualties sustained during a base attack.”

While the MQ-9 has no demand shortage with its traditional role in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance or its ability to quickly land and execute an engine running offload could be a secondary or tertiary mission.

“This provides options compared to waiting multiple weeks until intra-theater airlift can support,” Flanigan said. “What we’re also finding through the series of exercises we’ve executed, is that the ‘fight tomorrow’ capabilities we’ve been demonstrating is rapidly becoming a ‘fight tonight’ capability the joint force is wanting now.”

The collective contributions of active duty and Reserve members working together provided a glimpse of what is possible as transformation continues throughout the RPA enterprise.

“We are continuing to expand MQ-9 Reaper capabilities,” said Maj. Dan Carlson, 2nd SOS MQ-9 chief pilot. “The unique ability to maneuver the MQ-9 to operate anytime, anyplace is a relatively new capability and one that is transforming how we prepare for tomorrow’s fight as well as today’s.”

The certification exercise also provided a venue for intelligence analysts to contribute and further enhance the STS mission regardless of where they operate.

“We are innovating ways to provide geospatial intelligence to downrange forces,” said Capt. Courtney Cook, 311th Special Operations Intelligence Squadron assistant director of operations. “The opportunity to support this was huge for our organization.”

919th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Aviation, Guest Post, SOF, UAS | Comments Off on MQ-9 Reaper Completes First Mission Using Dirt Landing Zone

Today’s Air Commandos Celebrate Tomorrow’s Legends

Saturday, June 24th, 2023

CLOVIS, N.M. —

Today’s Air Commandos…tomorrow’s legends was the theme throughout the week when the Air Force Special Operations Command Outstanding Airmen of the Year were brought to Cannon AFB, N.M., for two days of professional development, recognition and celebration at the annual OAY banquet held at the Clovis Civic Center, June 8, 2023.

“As America’s Air Commandos, we truly do stand on the shoulders of giants,” said Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, AFSOC commander, during his speech to the audience of more than 300. “We are each cut from the cloth from those who have come before us, and that’s something to be truly proud of.”

The Outstanding Airmen of the Year were nominated by their leadership and selected by board members based on their exceptional job performance, superior leadership and followership, and the epitome of the whole airman concept. The Airman, Non-commissioned Officer and Senior NCO now compete at the Air Force level-OAY competition. The first sergeant, base honor guard and honor guard manager also move on to compete for Air Force-level awards.

“The mindset of an Air Commando is not built around one specialty code,” the general said. “It runs in the blood of each of us. It pushes us forward to break boundaries and to exceed expectations. Tonight, these winners truly epitomize what it means to be an Air Commando.”

The general went on to thank the winners for their sacrifices and ensured the audience knew “Air Commandos are absolutely our competitive advantage… in every future conflict. And it is clear we are America’s Air Commandos; ready to fight tonight and pathfinding for tomorrow.”

The 2022 AFSOC Airmen of the Year are:

Airman
SSgt Emilee S. Underwood, 492d Special Operations Support Squadron, Duke Field, Fla.
Underwood served as an intelligence analyst in support of Pacific Eagle, backing five aircraft and 297 combat flying hours for Special Operations Command-Pacific’s number one counterterrorism priority. She deployed as the sole intelligence support for the Joint Special Operations Air Detachment-Singapore where she led 22 mission threat briefings, mitigating the risk of three C-146 aircraft and protecting 35 crew members for 431 sorties across 52 airfields. She also managed two major programs where she served as the vehicle control officer to oversee 120 inspection items while also providing quality assurance and preservation of 50 deployed communication assets worth $150,000.

Non-commissioned Officer
TSgt Kimberly R. Mastrocola, 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
Mastrocola served as non-commissioned officer in charge of Project Integration for the Wing’s Innovation Cell. She was by-name requested as lead project officer for the Air Force Chief of Staff’s Bravo Hackathon series in addition to leading a liaison fellowship with the Air Force Installation Mission Support Center. She piloted 11 wing-level projects impacting 3,000 Airmen while also overseeing the planning of three Hackathon events that showcased 1,300 members across every branch of service. Mastrocola also led a non-profit STEM program for 10,000 students, facilitating 60 events and instructing 31 courses. Her dedication as a community partner culminated in the award of 41 educational youth grants valued at $161 million.

Senior Non-commissioned Officer
Master Sergeant Jerry M. Scott, 33d Special Operations Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.
Scott served as the senior enlisted leader of the 1st Special Operations Support Squadronduring a five-month manning shortage of senior non-commissioned officers. Steering the command’s pivot to integrated deterrence and global power competition, he conquered a historical unit growth of 45 percent to create the Air Force’s largest OSS consisting of 503 Airmen from 75 career fields. He also oversaw 110 deployments embedding combat support into 204 exercises across five geographical areas and onboarded 154 Mission Sustainment Team members to lead agile combat employment efforts. His experience flying five aircraft across three major commands immersed him with tactical, operational and strategic-level experience.

First Sergeant
SMSgt Garrett A. Hetzel, 352d Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, United Kingdom
As the first sergeant, Hetzel shaped standards for 496 Airmen across and enabled 5,800 flight hours across three areas of responsibility which led to the maintenance group’s first MAJCOM-level Maintenance Effectiveness Award. He also authored a first sergeant management guidebook to assist U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Command Chiefs in leading first sergeants. His efforts delivered a boots-on-the-ground perspective in direct support of 35,000 warfighters and their families. He also drove Air Force Southern Command’s initiative to educate the Colombian Air Force on benefits of the First Sergeant. He provided the baseline for a three-day course consisting of 100 senior enlisted leaders.

Base Honor Guard Member
SrA Asawna A. Thomas, 727th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.
Thomas developed 18 Honor Guard members through instruction on 60 standing manuals necessary in the execution of colors and final military funeral honors maneuvers. She pushed two training flights and molded 10 Airmen into elite base honor guardsmen through 855 detail man hours which spanned over 15,000 miles. She was hand-selected to be a pallbearer for Cannon Air Force Base’s first active-duty send-off resulting in establishment of a new wing standard. Her dedication to the community was evident in her 15 hours of service feeding the less fortunate with her church, preserving four lives by dedicating 50 hours to the Airmen Against Drunk Driving program and volunteering at an assisted living facility which created community cohesion and showcased the Base Honor Guard.

Base Honor Guard Member Program Manager
TSgt Jorge Ochoa, 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
As program manager for Hurlburt Field’s Base Honor Guard, Ochoa led the command’s largest Honor Guard program by guiding 87 Airmen with six elements and overseeing the execution of 2,100 training hours. His efforts delivered 334 military funeral honors across two states and 20 counties. He synchronized Honor Guard and Airmen Leadership School personnel to establish and solidify ceremony sequences and events that resulted in five classes graduating 434 members and the presentation of 55 awards for 22 units. As a mentor, he fostered leadership qualities in his Airmen that empowered his team to train tenant wing personnel and enabled 13 retirement ceremonies and 284 years of service being honored. He was recognized by the community for his work with Junior ROTC students.

Company Grade Officer
Captain Seamus G. Feeley, Detachment 2, 24th Special Operations Wing, Duke Field, Fla.
Feeley served as Mission Commander, Combat Aviation Advisor & Chief of Intelligence when he led 17 advisors on a critical mission to Eastern Europe in an effort to increase unconventional warfare capabilities. He directed the administration of the Air Force’s only Irregular Warfare group where he managed 423 Airmen across four squadrons and earned 17 MAJCOM awards. He also led the first integration of Estonian Special Operations Forces into three multinational exercises, resulting in 26 sorties and the promotion of allied joint civil military activities and Secretary of Defense strategic objectives. He also oversaw a $940,000 communications node, sustaining four secure networks, 25 multiband radios and 15 classified systems without degradation.

Individual Reservist Officer
Major Caesar X. Baldemor, 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.
Baldemor served as the Defense Force Flight Commander at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, where he led 47 defenders charged with airfield defense. He planned and executed 16 base-wide exercises for 89 quick-reaction force personnel from multiple services. His rehearsals were tested when his team responded to multiple hostile fire events resulting in detecting and deterring enemy ground attacks to the base and zero interruptions to airfield operations. On only his fifth day in country, he led his flight through two complex attacks to the air base. His expedient actions established a southern facing perimeter and thwarted enemy ground efforts. His team’s robust security operations vetted 5.6 million gallons of water and fuel, and 100 tons of food for critical life support of 2,800 base personnel and $3.3 million in airfield infrastructure upgrades.

Civilian Category One
Jennifer L. Post, 1st Special Operations Medical Group, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
Serving as a pharmacy supply custodian, Post managed 232 contracts and a $5 million budget to supply 162,000 life-saving medications for 71,000 patients. She developed and implemented several process improvements that saved 1,000 labor hours and reduced patient wait times by 27 percent. Her attention to detail recouped $541,000 and earned the unit a Defense Health Agency Market’s best contract compliance score. She also powered a highly visible Special Operations Forces Generation tasker quickly staging 450,000 deployment medication kits in support of two combatant commands ensuring 378 deployers were ready and cementing her unit’s recognition as Air Force Special Operations Command’s Surgeon General Clinic of the Year.

Civilian Category Two
Jana L. Brown, 23rd Special Operations Weather Squadron, AFSOC Operations Center, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
As a Supervisory Lead Meteorological Technician, Brown led a global operations team of 27 forecasters in creation of 2,500 products supporting 21,000 flight hours. She identified and corrected a weather forecast briefing deficiency by creating five scenario-based training requirements to enhance certification and qualification standards, reducing errors by 25 percent. In response to a commander priority, she led her section in creating four environmental intelligence training packages that aligned the technical capability of the unit with the National Defense Security Strategy for maritime, arctic, space and tropical forecasting. She also incorporated lessons learned from a leadership course into the squadron’s resiliency day training, promoting team building and unit cohesion.

Civilian Category Three
David Saugstad, 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
Saugstand served as a structures foreman and maintenance mechanic supervisor when he led four elements of 28 military and three civilian personnel in the completion of more than 2,000 projects val. His team completed 2,000 repairs in support of 1,000 facilities and 77 Special Operations aircraft. When faced with a 25 percent manning reduction, he established a $124,000 gutter repair contract which diverted 1,500 hours of preventative maintenance and uncovered 159 at risk facilities. He also pioneered AFSOC’s small unmanned aircraft system inspection program by analyzing 377 buildings to capture 1,500 data points and preserving $1.5 billion in roof systems. Readying the force for the future, he steered a $448,000 contingency training project and focused the efforts of 22 engineers in the construction of a 2,400 square foot Resiliency Center which enhanced 281 mission-ready Airman’s skills and morale.

Civilian Category Four
Sharon A. Brewer, 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
Serving as the Flight Chief and Child Development Specialist in the Child and Youth Services Flight, she led 191 civilians, five child development operations and 14 licensed providers to cut wait lists by two months and uphold daily childcare needs for 605 personnel and saving $45,000 through Air Force subsidy. She was hand selected to lead 16 subject matter experts in development of service and program strategies, impacting 72 youth programs and improving quality of life for 265,000 children Air Force wide. Teaming with Florida’s Early Learning Coalition, she amplified six Child Development Programs and received $63,000 and increased grants by 25 percent with a volunteer pre-Kindergarten program. Her efforts resolved childcare needs for 523 families and surpassed national standards by 130 percent.

Air & Space Force Key Spouse
Lina M. Arenas 752d Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, United Kingdom
Arenas was critical to the success of 235 Airmen and their families as part of a high-demand, rapidly deployable unit, supporting 13 deployments. She provided food and clothing packages for deployment teams and led the creation and distribution of seven newborn care packages enhancing quality of life for impacted members. While attending the annual key spouse symposium, she briefed 96 leaders on the communication limitations between leadership and tri-base area spouses. Her dedication to resolving issues positively impacted families across four wings and their surrounding communities. She also leveraged her emergency management expertise to impart disaster action knowledge in support of a first-of-its-kind, dual-wing crash recovery exercise, readying the installation for crisis response actions.
*It was announced at the banquet that Arenas was also selected as the 2022 Air Force Key Spouse of the Year Award winner.

CMSgt. Anthony Green, AFSOC command chief, closed out the evening by thanking all the supervisors, leaders, families, friends and community members for “pouring into our award winners and supporting them each and every single day to make us the best version of ourselves.”

By Dawn Hart

Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, SOF | 3 Comments »