Valour-IT 2010

Once again, it is time to ask people to donate to ValourIT

The program that provides computers with voice to text software and GPS locators to our wounded warriors.  These devices enable them to communicate and to regain a sense of freedom.

Over the years, I have written several pieces about ValourIT - archive

For a friendly competition between branches, you can donate or sign up at the links below

Marine Team

For more info on Team Marine - click here

Air Force Team

For more info on Team Air Force - click here

Navy Team

For more info on Team Navy - click here

Army Team

 For more info on Team Army - click here

*******************************************
See the competitive standings - here 

Dogs of War

Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Military Spouse

Appreciation

Day

Ben Stein, a television personality and writer, wrote this for an Army newsletter, The Strykers, out of Ft. Lewis, Washington. It was addressed to one of the wives of the soldiers. I wrote to him and asked for permission to share it, and he told me to share it as often as I can. On, Military Spouse Appreciation Day, I share it with all of the military spouses - thank you all.

Dear Karen,

I have a great life. I have a wife I adore, a son who is a lazy teenager but I adore him, too. We live in a house with two dogs and four cats. We live in peace. We can worship as we please. We can say what we want. We can walk the streets in safety. We can vote. We can work wherever we want and buy whatever we want. When we sleep, we sleep in peace. When we wake up, it is to the sounds of birds.

All of this, every bit of it, is thanks to your husband, his brave fellow soldiers, and to the wives who keep the home fires burning while the soldiers are away protecting my family and 140 million other families. They protect Republicans and Democrats, Christians, Jews, Muslims and atheists. They protect white, black, yellow, brown and everyone in between. They protect gays and straights, rich and poor.

And none of it could happen with the Army wives, Marine wives, Navy wives, Air Force wives – or husbands – who go to sleep tired and lonely, wake up tired and lonely, and go through the day with a smile on their faces. They feed the kids, put up with the teenagers’ surliness, the bills that never stop piling up, the desperate hours when the plumbing breaks and there is no husband to fix it, and the even more desperate hours after the kids have gone to bed, the dishes have been done, the bills have been paid, and the wives realize that they will be sleeping alone – again, for the 300th night in a row.

The wives keep up the fight even when they have to move every couple of years, even when their checks are late, even when they have to make a whole new set of friends every time they move.

And they keep up the fight to keep the family whole even when they feel a lump of dread every time they turn on the news, every time they switch on the computer, every time the phone rings and every time – worst of all – the doorbell rings. Every one of these events – which might mean a baseball score or a weather forecast or a FedEx man to me and my wife – might mean the news that the man they love, the man they have married for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, is now parted from them forever.

These women will never be on the cover of People. They will never be on the tabloid shows on TV about movie stars. But they are the power and the strength that keep America going. Without them, we are nothing at all. With them, we can do everything.

They are the glue that holds the nations together, stronger than politicians, stronger than talking heads, stronger than al Qaeda.

They deserve all the honor and love a nation can give. They have my prayers, and my wife’s, every morning and every night.


Love, and I do mean love, Ben.

Face of Freedom ~ Dr. Anil Menon, Oregon National Guard

Dr Anil Menon is in the center of this group.

Oregon Air National Guard Flight Surgeon,
Dr Anil Menon,
is in Haiti with a team from Stanford Medical Center

To follow his journey - the dispatches are brief and interesting:

1/16/2010 - Stanford doctor's first person account of helping in Haiti

1/16/2010 - Another Haiti Dr. Dispatch

1/17/2010 - Dr Menon is in Haiti

1/17/2010 - People with Broken Limbs were so Numb They Don't Cry

1/17/2010 - My Day Was Horrible

1/18/2010 - Today Was More Hopeful

1/19/2010 - You Were Here when We Needed You, And I Love You

1/20/2010 - Aftershock - Reporter Jumps Out of Window

1/21/2010 - Portuguese Reporter Demonstrates His Failure to Fly

1/22/2010 - Haiti Day 5 Photos

1/22/2010 - Josh Sternberg: Another Behind the Scenes in Haiti

1/23/2010 - Wondering Who Made it Through the Night

1/23/2010 - No One From His Family Was Hurt

1/23/2010 - The Army Was Able to Save Her Life, in All Likelyhood

1/23/2010 - It Must Have Seemed Like Anyone Who Went to the Hospital Got an Amputation

1/23/2010 - It Does Feed Good to See People Turn Around

1/24/2010 - Life Moves On...

1/25/2010 - The Top Five Rules in a Disaster

1/26/2010 - Four Days Ago A Woman Was Shot

1/28/2010 - There Are Always Problems You Can't Fix

1/28/2010 - I Got Into This Business to Help People

1/30/2010 - We are Nearing the End of Our Tenure

1/30/2010 - Our Fearless Leader Collapsed on Floor

1/30/2010 - Listen to the Interview with Dr. Menon as He Heads Home

Anil Menon, MD, is a clinical instructor at Stanford School of Medicine focused on surgery and emergency medicine. His research interests are Aerospace Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Wilderness Medicine. He graduated from Stanford Med in 2006, received a degree in mechanical engineering in 2003 and became a full ER doctor in 2009. He has practiced medicine in combat in Afghanistan and will be practicing aerospace medicine next year at NASA. Menon is a flight surgeon assigned to the 173rd Fighter Wing (F-15s) of the Oregon Air National Guard, and he's part of a team sent to Haiti by Stanford.

Thank you to my dear friends at the Oregon Military Department for alerting me to this story!
Their coverage is here

Air Drop in Haiti

Thank you, Air Force!

Military Appreciation Day at the Golden Corral

Golden Corral

Military Appreciation Day


Monday, November 16, 2009


Active Duty Military and Veterans Eat for FREE



For hours and more information, go here:
http://www.goldencorral.com/military/

Applebee's Offers Veteran's Day Meals to all Veterans & Active Duty

Applebee's

On Veteran's Day, November 11,
all active duty military and veterans can eat for free
as a Thank You for your service to our country.

Details can be found here:
http://www.applebees.com/vetsDay/default.aspx

Take you ID or proof of service with you.
There is also a restaurant finder on the site.

Bon Apetit!

VALOUR-IT ANNUAL FUNDRAISER

It is the annual fundraiser for VALOUR-IT
The Soldiers' Angels program to provide voice-activated software
to wounded soldiers who can no longer use their hands,
enabling them to communicate and be part of the world.

The fundraiser is broken up into team competitions.
Click on the 'team' name if you would like to support the event.

If you are a blogger and would like to join, click here
http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?page=project-valour-it

Air Force Pararescue

The BEST article and extensive photographs of the Pararescue team and Afghanistan.

GO NOW

http://www.michaelyon-online.com/pedros.htm

Lt. Col. Robert J. Hymel ~ I Remember

Lt Col Robert Joseph Hymel, USAF, Retired
August 13, 1946 - September 11, 2001

Lt Col Robert Joseph Hymel, United States Air Force, Retired, was murdered in the attack on the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. He worked for the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) as a senior management officer in the Office of the Comptroller, Deputy Comptroller for Force Structure and Management. He was responsible for DIA joint manpower issues that focused on military human intelligence management and organization.

Bob Hymel was born in New Orleans, Louisiana to Elsie and Sidney Hymel - a short man, 5' 6", and a cajun - what he lacked in height he made up for in character. He attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1969. Like many in the military, he continued his education while on active duty and received his Masters Degree in 1974. He married his wife, Pat, in 1971, they met in Del Rio, Texas when he was going through pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base. They have a daughter, Natalie, and two granddaughters, Lauren and Kayla. His church was important to him and he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He loved to play golf, was an avid Redskins fan, and loved to tinker around the house. He was also a constant at his wife's school, Hoffman-Boston Elementary School in Arlington, where she is the Principal.

He went into the Air Force in December 1969 and was awarded his Air Force pilot wings in 1970. He flew B-52 bombers while assigned to the Strategic Air Command and was a decorated Vietnam combat pilot. In December 1972, his plane was hit by a missile over Hanoi. He got the plane back, but it crashed upon landing, killing sll but two members of the crew and critically injuring Hymel. They had elected not to bail out, because of not being sure the wounded gunner could bail out, who did survive. He recovered, after spending 1 1/2 years in the hospital, and had to stop flying, but spent another 20 years in the Air Force. His flying medals included the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. He retired from the Air Force in September 1993 after obtaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Bob began his civilian career with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) on March 7, 1994.

Robert Hymel was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Secton 64 with the others from the Pentagon. During his service, a B-52 flew over and tipped its wings as hundreds watched in awe.

During the course of his 24-year military career, Bob was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal, among others. He was a veteran of two campaigns, Vietnam and Desert Shield/ Desert Storm.

Mr. Hymel is survived by his wife, Pat; daughter, Natalie, and her husband, Patrick Conners; granddaughters, Lauren and Kayla; mother, Elsie; brother, Clyde; and sister, Mary.

Bringing Troops Home, One Platelet Donation at a Time

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Senior Airman Brenton Swift, 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft armament systems journeyman, watches as Staff Sgt. Michael Hebron, 332nd Expeditionary Medical Support Squadron aphaeresis technician, monitors the needle insertion site during a platelet donation at the Air Force Theater hospital here July 24. Fifty percent of donations collected are used outside the wire. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nicole Enos)

by Senior Airman Andria J. Allmond
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

8/21/2009 - JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- The pint-sized bags of cloudy, yellow liquid may not look like much, but the fluid inside them has proved to be a life-saving substance to injured servicemembers.

"Platelets heal; I've seen it firsthand," said Lt. Col. Thomas Jordan, 332nd Expeditionary Medical Support Squadron platelet aphaeresis chief. "I was here in 2006 when we first brought platelets into modern warfare by using them (at JBB). We noticed an increase in the survival rate compared to when we were using whole blood. They serve as the main factor in stopping bleeding and are used in any situation in which there is excessive blood loss."

Blood platelets have saved lives across Iraq, and the Air Force Theater Hospital here is the only supplier of this vital blood component to medical personnel in-country.

Half the collected clotting agents are kept at JBB, while the rest are shipped to other military installations throughout Iraq. On average, platelets have a shelf life of five days. Therefore, those used by U.S and coalition forces must be collected close to the fight.

"In the time it would take to collect the platelets, run the necessary tests and send them over here (from the U.S.) we would pass the five-day limit we have on using them," said Colonel Jordan, who has the sole discretion of extending the shelf-life of the platelets by two days, if deemed necessary.

If the total shelf life has expired, Colonel Jordan destroys the non-utilized platelets. But, the platelet aphaeresis lab ensures there are enough bags ready whenever they're needed.

"So many people are willing to donate because they want to do something to help their fellow servicemembers," said Master Sgt. Phillip Monk, NCO in charge of aphaeresis operations. "Their contribution goes right into action and is used right here to save lives."

In order to meet the in-theater demands, the lab must collect approximately nine bags of platelets each day. This equates to scheduling 10 patients daily.

Since the AFTH provides the same quality of care regardless of nationality or combative status, platelets have also helped Iraqi citizens. The benefit of platelets, introduced by U.S. military forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom, may have long-reaching effects even during peacetime. Colonel Jordan said he hopes the Iraqi people eventually start using platelets at their own hospitals.

"I truly believe (U.S. military forces) being here has allowed us the chance to set a good example to the Iraqi people, especially in how we view war," said Colonel Jordan. "The U.S doesn't believe in throwing our troops out there saying, 'Just get out there and fight.' We want to make sure our folks return home to their families. Platelets help our folks live, they help bring them home.

Air Force Pararescue ~ The Mission That Never Ends

Senior Airman Jelly Larsen, pararescueman of the 64th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron scans his sector as the rest of his element team enters a building during a training exercise here Aug. 4. The 64th ERQS provides combat search and rescue support to coalition forces in the Iraqi theater of operations.
Photo by SrA Andria Allmond

Senior Airman Jelly Larsen, pararescueman of the 64th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron scans his sector as the rest of his element team enters a building during a training exercise here Aug. 4. The 64th ERQS provides combat search and rescue support to coalition forces in the Iraqi theater of operations.
Photo by Chris Hubenthal-Magarian

The Mission That Never Ends: Downrange Pararescue Jumpers Keep Training

332nd Air Expeditionary Wing
Story by Andria Allmond
11 August 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- "Is she alive?"

"Copy. Still alive."

The pararescuemen load their patient onto the litter, carrying her off to the safety of an awaiting vehicle.

But the mission isn't over; this mission never really ends.

It's a crisis-action training scenario -- one of the many exercises employed by Air Force pararescuemen, the only members of the Department of Defense assigned the primary mission of recovery and medical treatment of personnel in friendly and hostile environments.

"Readiness is a major Air Force term that a lot of conventional military folks strive for - to be combat-ready," said Tech Sgt. Bob "Scarecrow" Roberts, a pararescue jumper with the 64th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron at Joint Base Balad. "Once our PJs are out of the pararescue pipeline, they are ready to start the initial familiarization training. After completion of IFAM, and under supervision, they can perform all tasks civil, combat or any other situation that presents itself - they are ready to deploy. But, the training never stops."

Training is a way of life for these U.S. Air Force Special Forces operatives, whose training program possesses the highest drop-out rate in the entire U.S. military special operations community.

Along with the physical preparation, including ruck marches, mountaineering, scuba diving, rock climbing, all-terrain vehicle operations, hand-to-hand combat and land navigation, PJs participate in extensive medical-trauma training, which eventually rewards them with a nationally-recognized paramedic certification.

"Our medical training takes about seven months, with classes every day non-stop," said Senior Airman Asher Woodhouse, 64th ERQS pararescueman, who has spent the last two years accomplishing a series of tasks working toward his five-level certification. "We continually get hands-on training by working in [civilian] fire departments, emergency and operating rooms. We also put ourselves through scenarios and situations that focus on the type of patients we will most likely see."

This medical training can be integrated into two types of ground scenarios employed by PJs.

"The first of the two types of ground training scenarios is a deliberate-plan rescue scenario," said Capt. Travis Shepard, 64th ERQS combat rescue officer. "During this kind of mission, the course of action is prepared over 24 hours or more. The other is a crisis-action mission. In crisis action, the planning is limited to 20 minutes or less and is a response to an event that has just occurred. The focus of it is time and team management, to watch a guy under pressure and see how he handles stress."

Training in a combat zone requires these highly-regarded warriors be primed for real-world alerts at all times.

"There is the added tension that we can be training one minute and the next be called to recover someone who was injured and in harm's way," said Woodhouse. "We have to step up our game while we're here because we never know when something bad is going to happen."

While most deployed Airmen pause their upgrade training while deployed, that's not an option for PJs.

"We only have a small number of pararescuemen world-wide and if we were to wait, we wouldn't have the ability to cover alerts in theater," said Roberts, a PJ with 15 years of service.

The training not only helps ensure their skills are compatible, but it also creates the synergy necessary for them to help people in need as quickly and efficiently as possible.

"I need to know I have them right behind me when I'm going into a room, down a fast rope or into a building where I'm picking up isolated personnel," said Roberts. "I need to know that [the team] is absolutely with me. I'd give my life for any of these guys."

Face of Freedom ~ SrA Michael Eroles

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Airman 1st Class Michael Eroles, 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron radio telephone operator, is the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing’s Tuskegee Airman of the Week for July 12-18. One of Airman Eroles’ distinctive accomplishments here was leading command-and-control during a small-arms attack, which resulted in the arrest of insurgents and collection of contraband weapons, thwarting future attacks.
U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Andria J. Allmond

332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's Tuskegee Airman of the Week for July 12-July 18

332nd Air Expeditionary Wing

Story by SrA Andria Allmond
July 26, 2009

Senior Airman Michael Eroles of the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Quick Reaction Force, is the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's Tuskegee Airman of the Week for, July 12-July 18.

"Airman Eroles has done great things here at Joint Base Balad," said Col. Luke Grossman, 332nd AEW vice commander, who presented Airman Eroles with the award and a commander's coin during a ceremony, July 24.

The 532nd ESFS radio telephone operator said he routinely advises all service members at JBB to remain vigilant and intends to pass on the knowledge he has gained during his time at JBB to incoming Airmen.

"It feels great to be recognized for all the work that I have done," said the Orange County, Calif., native. "I didn't intentionally try to get recognized; everything I do is to try and better everyone that I work with and keep them safe. Being noticed as the Tuskegee Airman of the Week only shows everyone how hard all our Airmen work and is a true privilege. My job, the safety of everyone that I work with, is the most important thing."

Leading command-and-control during a small-arms attack, Airman Eroles aided in the arrest of insurgents and collection of contraband weapons, thwarting future attacks.

Airman Eroles, who is deployed here from Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, augmented force patrol protection on three combat missions and coordinated an off-base Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle recovery from an accident site.

Overall, Airman Eroles attributes his success to the motivation given to him by his supervisor.

"Sgt. Gisselberg holds me to a higher standard," he said. "I don't want to let him down."

Airman Eroles's supervisor, Staff Sgt. Leif Gisselberg, 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron patrolmaster, recognizes Airman Eroles as a major asset to his team.

"He's an expert at his job," said Gisselberg, said the Washington, D.C., native. "He performs at the [non-commissioned-officer] level. When I assign him tasks, he has thought about it and already gotten in done."

The 332nd AEW Tuskegee Airman of the Week is open to Airmen in the ranks of E-1 to E-5, and is selected based on an Airman's on- and off-duty accomplishments.

Airmen Provide Soccer Balls for Kids in Iraq

Story and Photo by Senior Airman Andria J. Allmond
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing
July 20, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD — Airmen and Soldiers here recently received donations for Iraqi children who live near this base from a stateside fraternity. The Pennsylvania State University chapter of the social fraternity Phi Kappa Tau supports programs to increase the quality of life for terminally ill children.

Through their program Kicks 4 Kids, along with some inquiring by Capt. Craig Bryan, Expeditionary Aeromedicine Squadron psychologist and PKT alumnus, they were able to collect approximately 300 soccer balls to be distributed to Iraqi children via the support of JBB servicemembers.

"Kicks 4 Kids is an annual soccer tournament hosted by the PSU chapter of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity," said Bryan, who was president of the University of Evansville chapter, Ind., for two years. "It was designed as a philanthropy event to raise money for an international network of summer camp facilities for terminally ill children...allowing these children the opportunity to participate in typical summer camp activities despite their illnesses."

Months prior to the donations being made, Bryan was having lunch with Capt. Laura Dart, 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces medical officer. She mentioned that Iraqi children were asking the 532nd ESFS for soccer balls while the Airmen were outside the wire on patrol.

"She commented that she wished she had some soccer balls to hand out to the kids, so I told her I'd e-mail some friends back in the States to see if they could send some," said Bryan. "I e-mailed a few of my fraternity brothers and told them the story. I asked if they'd be willing to get some soccer balls for us. One of them wrote back and said 'We're on it...we'll get you some soccer balls.'"

After Bryan contacted them, the PKT brothers hosting the event sent an e-mail to the 200 participating team coaches a month prior to the event. They requested each bring one deflated soccer ball and air pump to the event registration. The request was also posted on the Kicks 4 Kids Web site.

The captain said the boxes started arriving shortly thereafter.

"They just kept coming," he said. "My initial reaction was, 'What am I going to do with all these soccer balls?'"

The captain contacted Kids of Iraq, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of Iraqi children by fulfilling their basic needs and providing a brighter future. They accepted the majority of the contributed balls and inflated them.

"We met at Troy's place and there were boxes and boxes of these soccer balls to inflate," said Airman 1st Class Jefferson Aguiar, 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron radar maintenance apprentice.

Due to the large amount of donations, Bryan coordinated multiple methods to distribute the soccer balls.

Some were kept in the intensive care ward at the base hospital and given out to pediatric patients, while a number were given to Army Spc. Nazha Lakrik, who is assigned to the 1st Medical Squadron Medical Control Center, he said.

"Certain days of the week, the [local nationals] on base come in for their follow-up appointments," said Lakrik. "I know a lot of them are parents, so I make up goody-bags of items for them to give to their children, like books and school supplies. When I heard that Capt. Bryan had those extra soccer balls, I asked if I could have them to put in my bags."

The remainder was given to the 532nd EFSF Quick Reaction Force for distribution to Iraqi children while on patrol in areas surrounding JBB.

"I think where we're at right now in our operations in Iraq, building strong relationship with the citizens is what's most important," said Bryan. "Combat action will only go so far, especially during a stage that is 100 percent about building lasting, trusting relationships with the people."

Face of Freedom ~ SSG Timothy Raso

Tuskegee Airman of the Week: July 19-25

332nd Air Expeditionary Wing

Story by SrA Andria Allmond

August 3, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Staff Sgt. Timothy Raso, of the 22nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, is the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's Tuskegee Airman of the Week for July 19-25.

"Sergeant Raso represents the kind of enlisted personnel who make our Air Force great," said Brig. Gen. Craig Franklin, 332nd AEW commander, who presented Raso with the award and a commander's coin during a ceremony at the wing headquarters July 31.

Raso, a Stockton, Calif., native, spearheaded the merger of four clinics into one. This consolidation enabled around-the-clock medical availability for Joint Base Balad's Expeditionary Operations Group.

"I saw this project as an opportunity to set up my other Airmen for success," he said. "Being deployed allows you to be able to get involved in the community here. I am trying to be a good example for younger Airmen. While I don't do these things for an award, it's nice to be recognized."

On his second deployment here, Raso, who is currently working towards his bachelor's degree in health care management, completed combat medic advanced skills training at the Joint Medical Readiness Training Center. The independent medical technician also volunteered 48 hours at the Air Force Theater Hospital.

Overall, Raso attributes his success to a winning attitude.

"I believe in taking control of your career," said the husband and father of a seven-month-old daughter. "I try to wake up every day motivated and smile at adversity, looking at it as a challenge."

Lt. Col. Douglas Nikolai, 22nd EFS commander and Raso's supervisor, said the sergeant's "can-do" attitude and initiative make him stand out among his peers.

"During the flight medicine consolidation," said Nikolai. "He led the charge and got things done when others were waiting to be told what to do."

The 332nd AEW Tuskegee Airman of the Week is open to Airmen between the ranks of E-1 and E-5, and is selected based on an Airman's on- and off-duty accomplishments.

The Flying Tigers of Afghanistan

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - A pair of A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, get their final weapons check before taking off on a close-air-support mission. The aircraft assigned here provide close-air support and airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for American and coalition ground troops.
U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Lake

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Staff Sgt. James Irvin, from the 74th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, performs an air cycle machine inspection to ensure the A-10 Thunderbolt functions properly, here July 20. Sergeant Irvin is deployed from the 23rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Ga. and hails from Kerrville, Texas. They support Coalition forces on a daily basis in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Felicia Juenke

Historic Flying Tigers Excel at Close Air Support Mission in Afghanistan

by Tech. Sgt. John Jung
455th Expeditionary Public Affairs

7/21/2009 - BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --

They trace their heritage back to the famous Flying Tigers of WWII's war-torn China. In homage to the storied Airmen of the past, the 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, deployed from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., still has the iconic sharks face painted on the front of their A-10 Thunderbolt II's, lovingly nicknamed the "Warthog."

The Warthog's mission is to provide close air support and precision engagement missions throughout Afghanistan on a daily basis in support of Coalition ground forces.

But before the pilots ever get in the Warthog, it's the 74th Aircraft Maintenance Unit that gets the aircraft airborne. There has not been a single day in the deployment of the 74th EFS that squadron didn't have at least two aircraft airborne providing support to their warrior counterparts on the ground.

"Just like the Airmen that defended China in World War II, the 74th AMU is often short on resources, maintain aging aircraft and must make do with what they can," said Capt. James Schieser, 74th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Officer-in-Charge. "The strong leadership, dedication and perseverance of our non-commissioned officers, senior non-commissioned officers and officer corps, are what ensure every aircraft is fully mission-capable. The maintainers of the 74th AMU understand, with the Flying Tiger legacy they inherited, failure is not an option."

To date the Flying Tigers have broken records by flying upwards of 12,000 mission hours, expending more than 100 tons of ordinance in the CAS mission since arriving in February 2009. However, many times all it took was a show of force to end an engagement.

"We seek to avoid civilian casualties in all our operations - period," said Senior Master Sgt. Victor Castillo, 74th AMU Weapons Section Superintendent. "We have a variety of methods we use including loading of precision guided munitions, monthly updates of aircraft digital maps, and daily maintenance of our targeting systems to ensure the safety of innocent civilians on the ground."

But when enemy combatants don't flee after a show of force, the Warthog can deliver a precise strike to protect Coalition ground forces.

Army Specialist Jason Dorsey, "C" Company, 178th Infantry, saw firsthand the precision and power of the Warthog.

"The A-10s were a valuable asset to us on ground missions here in Afghanistan. Their speed and precise targeting provided great support for us and kept the bad guys' heads down during firefights," Spc. Dorsey said.

"We have so many soldiers coming in from the field to thank us - it's their stories of desperately needing 'air' and seeing an A-10 flying overhead providing cover for them that kept us energized and motivated," said Senior Master Sgt. Thomas E. Moore, 74th AMU Lead Production Superintendent. "It kept us working hard even when it seemed all we were doing was launching and recovering jets 24/7."

Editor's Note: You may remember from THIS POST, that I am a fan of the Warhog! I also have a personal attachment to the Flying Tigers and grew up with their legends. This is a story dear to my heart!

Quotes ~ James Madison on Readiness

"How could a readiness for war in time of peace be safely prohibited,

unless we could prohibit, in like manner,

the preparations and establishments of every hostile nation?"

--James Madison

So, now we know why the President and the Senate killed the F-22 program

- no readiness for us.

National Veterans Wheelchair Games

Steve McGuire, a now-retired Navy petty officer second class disabled by a motorcycle accident after returning from an Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment, said the National Veterans Wheelchair Games give him an opportunity to share with and learn from other disabled veterans.
Photo courtesy of VA

Retired Army Staff Sgt. John Bennett, disabled by a sniper's bullet in Iraq, calls the National Veterans Wheelchair Games an opportunity to rekindle the competitive spirit he thought he'd lost.
Photo courtesy of VA

Iraq, Afghanistan Combat Wounded Participate in Wheelchair Games

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 16, 2009 - When Army Staff Sgt. John Bennett got shot by a sniper in Iraq in February 2005, his dreams of competition crumbled along with three vertebrae.

Looking back over that day in Hawijah, Iraq, the Montana Army National Guardsman feared he'd lost far more than a kidney, his spleen, colon, half of his pancreas and use of his legs.

"I was really worried about how my injuries would affect my life," he said.

Three years ago, just 11 months after leaving the hospital, Bennett put those concerns to rest when he attended his first National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Anchorage, Alaska. By the time the competition had finished, he'd earned two gold medals, in basketball and the 100-meter wheelchair race, as well as a bronze in bowling.

"I was really ecstatic that I could still get out there and compete," he said. "It gave me a chance to prove to myself that I could still do it."

Now back at the 29th National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Spokane, Wash., Bennett is helping to show other disabled veterans that they can do it, too.

He's among more than 500 disabled veterans, about half of them wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. "A ton of them are novices," he said, meaning first-timers to the wheelchair games participating in their first sporting event since becoming disabled.

The event is the world's largest annual wheelchair sports competition, bringing together veterans with spinal cord injuries, amputations or other mobility or neurological conditions to compete in 17 different events.

They've fanned out to venues across the city to compete in track, swimming, field, basketball, weightlifting, softball, quad rugby, air guns, nine-ball, bowling, table tennis, archery, hand cycling, trapshooting, a motorized rally, power soccer and wheelchair slalom, a timed obstacle course. Others are participating in a golf clinic.

"It's fabulous to see this many disabled veterans out here competing," Bennett said. "It's just incredible to see the number of people who come out and do this."

Another Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran participating for the second time is Steve McGuire, who was medically retired as a Navy petty officer second class after a motorcycle accident landed him in a wheelchair.

McGuire was just back from a deployment to the Gulf aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt when the July 2006 accident left him with multiple fractures to his spine and ribs. He spent 10 days in the hospital, then more than five months in rehabilitation.

As he was recovering, McGuire said he realized his future rested largely in his own hands. "I couldn't afford to not get moving and get my life moving," he said.

So he got into adaptive competition, joining the "East Coast Cripplers," Virginia's only wheelchair rugby team.

"It gave me confidence, knowing that even though I was disabled, I was still able," he said.

Last summer, McGuire attended his first National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Omaha, Neb. He netted a gold medal in basketball and two silvers: in the novice category for archery and for coaching the second-place rugby team.

Like Bennett, he's back for more this year in Spokane. He's part of a rugby team slated to compete in the gold-medal match today, and he's got bowling and archery competitions in the days ahead.

But equally exciting, he said, is the opportunity to bond with other disabled veterans, particularly those just learning to live with their disabilities. A peer counselor at his home Veterans Affairs clinic, McGuire uses himself as an example as he helps them look beyond perceived limitations.

"I definitely feel that I have gained more than I have lost," he said of his own disability. "I've gained perspective in life and learned to appreciate things I took for granted. I'm more motivated. Instead of just doing what I had to do, I'm striving to go beyond that."

McGuire praised the National Veterans Wheelchair Games as the perfect experience to help veterans help each other build self-confidence as they rehabilitate together. "It's a huge experience," he said.

Among the mentors at this year's games is Russell Braun, a 70-year-old Air Force veteran participating in his eighth wheelchair games.

"The games give the newly injured veterans the knowledge that they can do more than sit around the house," Braun said. "It gives them self confidence and incentive, and really opens up their lives a lot more."

As VA Secretary Eric Shinseki noted during the games' opening day July 13, the event enriches onlookers, too. "These games are not only great for the athletes, they're even better for us as spectators," he said as he helped tip off a demonstration basketball match that got the games under way.

Bennett, who coaches girls' basketball and regularly cheers on his own family during their athletic events, said it was a treat to be in center court rather than on the sidelines.

"It's great for them to be able to see dad compete and get out there and do something to test his skills against everyone else," he said.

The games will continue through July 18, followed by an awards ceremony.

The National Veterans Wheelchair Games are co-sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America, with financial assistance from corporate, civic and veterans service organizations.

In addition to the wheelchair games, the VA co-sponsors three other national rehabilitative events: the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, the National Veterans Golden Age Games and the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival.

Last fall, the VA hosted a new summer sports clinic pilot program that introduces water and adventure sports such as sailing, surfing, kayaking, cycling, and track-and-field events to recently injured veterans.

Next year's National Veterans Wheelchair Games will be held in Denver in early July.

To learn more, visit National Veterans Wheelchair Games

For an amazing array of photographs of the Veterans, click here

Citizenship ~ Fought For and Earned

Soldiers and Marines stand for the pledge of allegiance as the flags they were presented during their naturalization process sit neatly in their chairs. More than 230 troops were naturalized at the Multi National Force - IraqNaturalization Ceremony at Al Faw Palace at Victory Base Complex, Baghdad, Iraq on July 4.

U.S. troops from throughout Iraq raise their right hand while reciting the Oath of Citizenship during the Multi National Force - Iraq Naturalization Ceremony at Al Faw Palace, Victory Base Complex, Baghdad, Iraq. More than 230 troops were naturalized as U.S. Citizens

An Iraqi-born U.S. soldier turned American citizen, Spc. "Brown," right, an interpreter for the 225th Engineer Brigade, serves as a translator during the training of members of Iraq's 2nd National Police. Brown, who uses the nickname to protect members of his family who still live in Baghdad, joined 236 other U.S. servicemembers to take the oath as American citizens at a naturalization ceremony at Camp Liberty, Iraq, July 4, 2009.
U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Pat Simon

Face of Defense: Iraqi-born Soldier Becomes U.S. Citizen

By Army Lt. Col. Pat Simon
Special to American Forces Press Service

Excerpts:

Army Spc. "Brown," an interpreter with the 225th Engineer Brigade, joined 236 other servicemembers who raised their right hands and recited the oath of citizenship as new Americans at Al Faw palace here July 4.

Brown isn't the soldier's real name; it's a nickname given to him by an Army officer, and he's kept it to protect the lives of his family members who live in Baghdad.

"It is an amazing feeling," Brown said soon after shaking Biden's and Odierno's hands. "I was shaking -- nervous."

Brown recalled growing up and living under the brutal dictatorship of Saddam Hussein.

"As a student, I remembered that we had to stay behind the wall to stay safe from the former Baath Party," he said. "You could not talk about politics. Those that did disappeared."

Brown received his education in civil engineering and got a job in Baghdad as a supervisor for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He quickly found that his daily commute to Tikrit to check on water, sewer and electrical projects would become a frightening trek.

"The security was very bad," he recalled. "There were many sectarian problems over here. It was not easy moving from area to area. It was very dangerous."

He also became emotionally scarred by the way some fellow Iraqis treated him because of his tenure working for the U.S. Army.

"Many of them thought I was a traitor," Brown said. "They called us very bad names. They did not realize that when we did our jobs, we did them for the Iraqi people."

Brown said he felt he no longer had a future in his war-torn country. He had to leave his father, brother and two sisters behind to set a new course for freedom and opportunity in America.

Brown was granted a special immigrant visa. His first stop was in Denver, to live with his uncle. Brown tried to find a job in engineering, but he found nothing. He remembered a friend who was a former associate of his in Iraq. He called her, and within a few days, Brown and his wife were in St. Louis, staying with his friend, who suggested that he apply for a program that would change his life. He didn't know it at the time, but it would put him back on his homeland's soil.

Within weeks, Brown was at U.S. Army basic training as a new recruit. As a qualified interpreter, he was on the fast track to deployment to Iraq. The program also expedited his ability to receive his U.S. citizenship.

"It's truly amazing to have this new opportunity," Brown said.

Four months ago, Brown was attached to the 225th Engineer Brigade. He found himself right in the middle of history, engaging in conversations between military leaders from both countries. As a military engineer interpreter, Brown literally has bridged the gap between two worlds, and he has finally come to grips with his past and his future.

"It's a big responsibility," he said. "I know I am making a difference. This is important for me."

By the end of the year, Brown will again have to leave his beloved birthplace behind, but the circumstances are different this time.

"My old life is over for me here, but I would like to return and visit one day as an American citizen," he said.

***************
One of the many stories of the soldiers who became citizens on Independence Day.
I'm proud to welcome them as citizens of our country!

Fourth of July for Deployed Troops

Sgt. Ivan Acevedo, a metal worker from Los Angeles, Calif., enjoys a camel ride at a bazaar held at Contingency Operating Base Adder's Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone. Acevedo is deployed with the 121st Brigade Support Battalion "Iron Hammers" of 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas.
Photo by Sgt. Mark Miranda

Staff Sgt. Michael Wambsgans, support operations/transportation non-commissioned officer-in-charge for 204 Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division and resident of Colorado Springs, Colo., runs toward home plate as his teammates cheer him on during an Independence Day weekend softball tournament held at Contingency Operating Base Basra
Photo by Sgt Frank Vaughn

(From left) Sgt. Andrea Drost of Luverne. Minn., Staff Sgt. Angela Bedessem of Woodbury, Minn., Staff Sgt. Jacqueline Cornwell of Fountain, Minn., and Spc. Tamarra Dreier of Glencoe, Minn., represent the human resources section of Special Troops Battalion, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division in an Independence Day weekend celebration parade held at the Red Bull Life Sustainment Area of Contingency Operating Base Basra.
Photo by Sgt. Frank Vaughn

Sgt. 1st Class Jose Urrutia proves his title as Combat Outpost Penich's "grill master" during an Independence Day celebration July 4. The outpost, home of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, shipped in more than 200 pounds of burgers, bratwursts, steaks and ribs for the event.
Photo by Sgt. Matthew C. Moeller

A service member wearing a fully loaded rucksack races to the finish of the Independence Day 5K Fun Run at Life Support Area, Kuwait, July 4. Every runner and walker received a T-shirt and top finishers in men's and women's categories received medals courtesy of Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kim Harris

David R. Henderson, Army sergeant major (ret.), was presented his diploma by Maj. Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, commander, Combined Joint Task Force 82, at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, July 4. Henderson earned a master's degree in Occupational Safety and Health from Columbia Southern University and, although retired from active duty, is serving as the Safety Director for the 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan. Henderson served the majority of his Army career at Fort Bragg as a paratrooper and retired as a brigade command sergeant major.
Photo by Pfc. Bryan Willis

Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Quinones, guitarist for the Combined Joint Task Force-82 rock band "No Reserve" plays while vocalist Spc. Christine Permenter sings to the beat of band-leader Sgt. 1st Class James Donahue at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, during a 4th of July celebration, marking America's 233rd birthday.
Photo by Capt. Michael Greenberger

Maj. Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force-82 and Regional Command East, administers the oath of enlistment to a group of service members re-enlisting at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, during a ceremony, July 4, marking America's 233rd birthday.
Photo by Capt. Michael Greenberger

Sgt. Maj. Enrique X. Hines, sergeant major of 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (left), 1st Sgt. James Telley, company first sergeant for Bravo Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (middle), 1st Sgt. Mario R. Artalejo, company first sergeant for Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (right), barbeque steak and hamburgers for the Marines and Sailors aboard USS Boxer during a fourth of July celebration. The 13th MEU/Boxer Amphibious Ready Group are in the sixth of their seven-month deployment and are journeying through the Pacific Ocean in route home.
Navy Courtesy Photo

Capt. Andrew Kuen (right), of Montville, N.J., the commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, places a First Team combat patch on the shoulder of Capt. Chuck Dickhart (left), of Wayne Penn., a battle captain for the 1st ACB, during a July 4, combat patch ceremony at Camp Taji, Iraq, a basecamp north of Baghdad.

Photo by Sgt. Nathan Hoskins

Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Steele, information specialist, looks over his hand in a Captain's Cup spades tournament aboard aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on the 4th of July. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations as part of a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom as well as Maritime Security Operations. Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States' commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity.

Photo by Bradley Evans, Navy Visual News Service

Airman Marcos Estrada, aviation electronics technician, plays in a Captain's Cup chess tournament aboard aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on the 4th of July.The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations as part of a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom as well as Maritime Security Operations. Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States' commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity.
Photo by Bradley Evans, Naval Visual News Service

Away from home, away from family, our troops find many ways to celebrate the Fourth of July -

a holiday that they stand for each and every day.
Despite heat and sand storms, they had parades, "Fun Runs", BBQ's on land and sea, competitions, music, reenlistment ceremonies, deployment patches were issued, a diploma, baseball and parades -
heck, they even had a camel ride!
Gratitude to each of them - on the Fourth of July and everyday!