EXCHANGE PROGRAM WORKS TO RETAIN AIRMEN

Photo By Airman Jenna Caldwell | Airman 1st Class Donald Marfisi, 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, poses in front of his assigned firetruck, May 19, 2016, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. Marfisi was recently part of an Airmen Exchange Program, where he partnered with an Airmen from different Air Force Specialty Code where he shadowed their job for a day. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jenna K. Caldwell) 

KS, UNITED STATES
06.07.2016
Story by Airman Jenna Caldwell
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

“It’s important that we allow Airmen to have that broader view in the beginning because it saves our great Airmen,” said Chief Master Sgt. Jeremy Huggins, 22nd CES chief enlisted manager. “We some have good Airmen that are mismatched in a job, so why not retain that great Airmen and align their job with what their desires are.”

Airmen from different career fields are partnered together to experience each other’s job for a day. The Airmen not only get the opportunity to become familiar with a new job, but they are able to teach others about their job as well.

“Being a cross trainee myself I see the importance in [this program],” said Huggins. “I liked the Air Force—I didn’t like the actual job I was doing. When I came into a job I really enjoyed, it made all the difference in the world for me, and here I am 20 years later.”

Huggins recently paired Airman 1st Class Donald Marfisi, 22nd CES firefighter, with Airman 1st Class Christian Bowdre, 22nd Aircraft Maintenance crew chief.

Marfisi went to the flightline, where he marshalled and hot de-fueled a KC-135 Stratotanker, and Bowdre accompanied him to the fire station where they ran through survival drills.

“This was a valuable experience,” said Marfisi. “It gave me a chance to show off my knowledge of the job and how far I’ve come since I’ve been here. You don’t think about how well you’ve mastered skills until you’re showing someone how to do it.”

For Airmen who may not yet be in their cross training window, this program also doubles as an awareness effort for Airmen to see the other side of the coin.

“Being out there and seeing what they did was enlightening,” said Marfisi. “It was awesome to be able to see that side of it. I was in the plane working with the crew chiefs during a hot de-fuel and outside the window I could see a firetruck where I normally am.”

Marfisi saw first-hand the hazards present during what is normally a routine call for firefighters. He was able to see the job from another perspective and he can now pass along this knowledge to his co-workers.

“When [Airmen] get stove piped into a career field they see that one picture of the Air Force and think this is their lot in life,” said Huggins. “I hope to see all Airmen jump out of bed and be thrilled to get to work, because a happier Airman will always be more productive in a job they love.”

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE Major Accident Response Exercise

Firefighters from the 509th Civil Engineer Squadron move their fire engine into position to extinguish a simulated aircraft fire during a major accident response exercise (MARE) at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., June 8, 2016. Firefighters and other emergency response personnel conducted the MARE to prepare for any mishaps that may occur in real-world situations. (US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jovan Banks)

Members of Team Whiteman work together to aid a simulated aircraft accident victim during a major accident response exercise (MARE), at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., June 8, 2016. During a MARE all simulated medical injuries and victims are treated as real by firefighters and medical Airmen adding the importance of urgency to the training. 

(US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jovan Banks)

A firefighter from the 509th Civil Engineer Squadron escorts a simulated wounded Airman from a simulated crash site during a major accident response exercise (MARE)at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., June 8, 2016. During a MARE all simulated medical injuries and victims are treated as real by firefighters and medical Airmen adding the importance of urgency to the training. (US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jovan Banks)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Katelyn Potts, an aerospacial medical technician assigned to the 509th Medical Operations Squadron, applies medical aid to a simulated aircraft accident victim during a major accident response exercise (MARE) at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., June 8, 2016. Firefighters and other emergency response personnel conducted the MARE to prepare for any mishaps that may occur in real-world situations. (US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jovan Banks)

A firefighter from the 509th Civil Engineer Squadron makes adjustments to his gear prior to engaging with a simulated aircraft fire during a major accident response exercise (MARE) at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., June 8, 2016. The exercise is conducted to test readiness and response times in case of a major accident. (US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jovan Banks)

A firefighter from the 509th Civil Engineer Squadron makes adjustments to his gear prior to engaging with a simulated aircraft fire during a major accident response exercise (MARE) at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., June 8, 2016. The exercise is conducted to test readiness and response times in case of a major accident. (US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jovan Banks)

‘Rhinos’ host Jane Wayne Day

Lance Cpl. Jacob Martin, aircraft rescue and firefighting specialist, Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, helps his wife Gabriella operate a fire hose at the Strategic Expeditionary Landing Field during the squadron’s Jane Wayne Day April 29, 2016. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Julio McGraw/Released)

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms
Story by Cpl. Julio McGraw

Marine Wing Support Squadron 374 invited Marine spouses and family members to participate in a Jane Wayne Day aboard the Combat Center April 29, 2016.
“We held this day to show spouses and family members the capabilities of the squadron as well as what the Marines they love do on a daily basis,” said 2nd Lt. Benjamin Baltz, combat engineer platoon commander, MWSS-374. “I know a lot of Marines who go home and they don’t want to bring work with them, so it’s hard for spouses and family members to get a good picture of what their loved ones do.”
Approximately 15 spouses attended the event which began at Del Valle Field. Participants learned close order drill and conducted condensed physical training activities which were similar to what Marines do for daily exercise.
“This is a good opportunity to teach families a variety of things,” Baltz said. “We showed them a lot of [daily] operations we conduct as well as the small things every Marine should know how to do.”
Following drill and PT, participants headed to bldg. 1707 where they learned about equipment utilized by the squadrons’ Explosive Ordnance Disposal team and communication Marines. They then moved onto an Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer and taught the weapons systems Marines use on the battlefield, to include the M240B medium machinegun, M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, 9mm pistol and the M16 service rifle.
“It was nice to see all of the other wives and experience a piece of what my husband goes through day-to-day,” said Jessica Kick, wife of Lance Cpl. Andrew Kick, motor transportation operator, MWSS- 374.
Spouses and family members dined at Dunham Mess Hall with the squadrons’ commanding officer, Lt. Col. Steven Murphy. After lunch, they were transported in a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement to the Strategic Expeditionary Landing Field and shown the equipment and vehicles crash fire rescue Marines use. Combat engineers also demonstrated the heavy equipment they operate at the SELF and in a deployed environment.
“It’s awesome to not just experience my husband’s job but also all of the jobs of other Marines who take part in the mission of the unit,” Kick said. “It was a lot of fun and I think every spouse should do it at least once.”
At the conclusion of the day, Murphy thanked the spouses for coming out and also for being part of the vital role that is supporting their Marine.
“My Marines and sailors make it easy for me to do my job,” Murphy said. “I want to say thank you to the families and the spouses for everything you do at home. Without you and your support, the Marines and sailors would not be able to do what they do on a daily basis.”

Firefighters train for Hazmat

Firefighters with Fire and Emergency Services Department respond to simulated call-our for a person contaminated with gasoline aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif., May 24. The training exercise offers firefighters and medical personnel the opportunity to practice decontamination techniques to ensure efficient responses on potential incidents.

Firefighters and medical personnel with Fire and Emergency Services Department pause for a portrait in front of their rigs during Hazardous Materials Training aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif., May 24.

Brian Hickox and David Pacileo, firefighters with Fire and Emergency Services, train in hazardous material recognition using the Hazmat ID360 during Hazardous Material Technician Refresher Course held aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif., May 24. The device includes a library in which they can store data on substances for future recognition.

Texas Guardsmen stay mission ready to help fellow citizens

Sgt. Joseph A. Puente, a crew chief with the 2-149th General Support Aviation Battalion, 36th Infantry Division, Texas Army National Guard, based out of San Antonio, Texas, stands ready for the next medevac emergency, June 4, 2016. The State Operations Center requested more resources from the Texas Military Department due to the recent flooding across Texas. The 2-149th is equipped with medevac capabilities such as aircraft, to transport people and ambulatory patients to safety or a higher level of care. (Photo by: U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Elizabeth Pena)

Texas Military Department
Story by Sgt. Elizabeth Pena


The results and lingering effects of El Nino continue to wreck havoc on the state of Texas, as severe flooding across the state is forcing hundreds of people to evacuate their homes. From May 29, 2016 through June 4, 2016, more than 250 members of the Texas Military Department mobilized to support its local and state partners with emergency operations.

Disaster situations like these are exactly what part-time guardsmen like Sgt. Joseph A. Puente, crew chief for the Charlie Company, 2-149th General Support Aviation Battalion, 36th Infantry Division, Texas Army National Guard, are trained to be ready for.

“They call us M-day guys, meaning that we have a civilian job by day and we do this on the weekends,” said Puente. “But we always know that state active duty missions could come up, so if we are watching a big rain event, we know the possibility is there.”

When not in uniform, Puente works as a field operations technician at one of the nations leading Telecommunications Company in San Antonio, Texas.

On May 30, 2016, the State Operations Center requested more resources. Guardsmen from the 2-149th General Support Aviation Battalion, to include Puente, and Texas Task Force 1 Search and Rescue Team, were activated and mobilized to the San Antonio Army Aviation Support Facility in San Antonio, Texas.

“I looked at my schedule and said – if the state needs me, if the guard needs me, if the unit, and if I can be an asset to the public, please give me a call,” said Puente. “The call was sent out on Saturday on Memorial weekend and we reported in Tuesday morning at 7 am.”

The 2-149th is equipped with medevac capabilities such as aircraft, to transport people and ambulatory patients to safety or a higher level of care.

When paired with Texas Task Force 1, the unit is able to rescue citizens from life-threatening situations like trees, flooded creeks, or vehicles that have been swept away from high-rise water.

Guardsmen like Puente know that being mission ready is essential to saving lives.

“I’ve always heard the medevac world runs real fast,” said Puente. “I was prior infantry so I had all my stuff laid just right. Everything moved really fast but it was kind of like a controlled chaos. That aircraft was up and running in the least amount of time to get to that victim.”

Crew chiefs must go through about 25-50 hours of monitored training as a crew member and pass basic tasks as well as perform mission tasks which consist of tactical flying, fire fighting, hoist operations, night missions using night vision goggles.

This was Puente’s’ first real-world disaster response mission as a crew chief, and having that practice gave him confidence in his abilities to perform when Texas made the call for help.

“You’re with them all the time, you train with them, you’re doing high strenuous tasks and so you push through it together and when the aircraft lands at the end of the day you feel a sense of accomplishment.”