Saturday, July 30, 2016

AFFF System activation in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush

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07.24.2016
Courtesy Photo
Navy Media Content Services

ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 24, 2016) Sailors conduct an aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) system test in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush is conducting sea trials to complete a planned incremental availability. After completion she will begin a training and qualification cycle in preparation for a 2017 deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brianna Bowens/Released)
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Air department Sailors scrub the hangar bay after an aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) system test aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).GHWB is conducting sea trials to complete a planned incremental availability. After completion she will begin a training and qualification cycle in preparation for a 2017 deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brianna Bowens/Released)
Air department Sailors conduct an aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) system test in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). GHWB is conducting sea trials to complete a planned incremental availability. After completion she will
Air department Sailors scrub the hangar bay after an aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) system test aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). GHWB is conducting sea trials to complete a planned incremental availability. After completion she will begin a training and qualification cycle in preparation for a 2017 deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan Seelbach/Released)

NY National Guard team searches for radioactive material on Lake Champlain

New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. David Hansen, a survey chief from the New York National Guard's 2nd Civil Support Team uses an Identifinder to check for radioactive materials aboard a suspect boat during Operation Clear Passage, a three-day, multi-agency homeland security exercise and water quality/navigational-boating enforcement event held on Lake Champlain from July 22 to 24. (Photo Credit: Master Sgt. Raymond Drumsta)
By Master Sgt. Raymond Drumsta,
New York Army National Guard
July 29, 2016

ROUSES POINT, N.Y. -- With a lift from a New York Naval Militia patrol boat, the New York National Guard's 2nd Civil Support Team demonstrated their skills detecting radioactivity during Operation Clear Passage.

Working from the 28-foot boat, the team of New York Soldiers and Airmen boarded vessels stopped by law enforcement to search for radioactive material that could be used to make a dirty bomb during the homeland security exercise held in and around Lake Champlain from July 22 to 24.

The National Guard team and New York Naval Militia were among the more than 75 personnel from 17 federal, state and international agencies who conducted law enforcement, homeland security and environmental monitoring missions throughout the exercise.

With their knowledge and expertise, the 2nd Civil Support Team played an integral role in the exercise, according to New York Army National Guard Maj. Amy Benedetto, the deputy team commander.

"All we do is train to respond to (chemical, biological, and radiological) incidents," Benedetto said. "Law enforcement has this as an additional duty. We're the subject-matter experts for them. They rely on us for knowledge."

During the exercise, the 2nd Civil Support Team was tasked with finding radioactive material on a boat, on Valcour Island, and in a parking lot, said Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Willit of the New York Army National Guard. Trainers used a small radiation source to test team members.

After rallying at Treadwall Bay Marina in Plattsburgh, New York on the morning of July 22, the 2nd Civil Support Team, the New York Naval Militia, and personnel from several agencies set off for an area by Rouses Point in Lake Champlain within sight of the watery border between the U.S. and Canada. The area was near an old railroad trestle that formed a choke point for boats entering the United States.

Aboard the New York Naval Militia boat operated by militia members Chief Petty Officer Wayne Hurlburt and Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Hill, four members of the 2nd Civil Support Team didn't have to wait long before the Clinton County Sheriff's boat called them.

"All of a sudden you get a hit, and you have to spring into action," Willit said. "Anything that jumps higher than background (radiation) is something that should be investigated."

After Hill maneuvered alongside the suspect boat, Hurlburt fastened a line to it so the 2nd Civil Support Team members could board and locate the radioactive material. During the search, Hill worked with the sheriff's boat to keep all three craft from drifting in the mild chop.

"Once we both got together, it was easy," recalled Hill.

Meanwhile, New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. David Hansen, the 2nd Civil Support Team survey chief, clambered all over the suspect boat, using an Identifinder detector to locate the radioactive material.

Though Hansen found the material relatively quickly, the limited space of the boat made it more difficult to isolate the source of radiation so it could be confirmed, Willit said. Typically they shield and segregate suspected radiation sources, he explained.

"That allows us to go over the space we checked to confirm there's nothing else there," he said. "We're not on boats a lot. It kind of limits the way we react."

During the exercise, trainers also varied the scenarios to test the troops, Benedetto said. For example, in one scenario they used a stronger source of radiation to mask a weaker source.

"We had to pull out multiple pieces of equipment to get an accurate reading," Benedetto said. "Our equipment is very sensitive."

It was a successful training event for the 2nd Civil Support Team, Benedetto said. Over the following days, team members found three radiation sources in parked cars and assisted law enforcement agencies in a search of Valcour Island.

In addition to calling upon team members to work with a number of their interagency partners, the exercise forced them to operate well outside their comfort zones.

"We got a unique opportunity to work with law enforcement agencies in a maritime operation," she said. "It really did give our guys a challenge."

Willit agreed.

"I learned a lot about borders and the lake," he said. "Having us there was extremely important."
New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. David Hansen, a survey chief from the New York National Guard's 2nd Civil Support Team, uses an Identifinder to check for radioactive materials aboard a suspect boat during Operation Clear Passage, a three-day, multi-agency homeland security exercise and water quality/navigational-boating enforcement event held on Lake Champlain from July 22 to 24. During the operation, 2nd Civil Support Team members successfully found radiation sources on a boat and parked cars in and around the lake.
New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. David Hansen, a survey chief from the New York National Guard's 2nd Civil Support Team, uses an Identifinder to check for radioactive materials aboard a suspect boat during Operation Clear Passage, a three-day, multi-agency homeland security exercise and water quality/navigational-boating enforcement event held on Lake Champlain from July 22 to 24. During the operation, 2nd Civil Support Team members successfully found radiation sources on a boat and parked cars in and around the lake. (Photo Credit: Master Sgt. Raymond Drumsta)
New York Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Willit, a reconnaissance non-commissioned officer in the New York National Guard's 2nd Civil Support Team, calls in a report while New York Naval Militia member Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Hill (right) operates a boat during Operation Clear Passage, a three-day, multi-agency homeland security exercise and water quality/navigational-boating enforcement event held on Lake Champlain from July 22 to 24.
New York Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Willit, a reconnaissance non-commissioned officer in the New York National Guard's 2nd Civil Support Team, calls in a report while New York Naval Militia member Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Hill (right) operates a boat during Operation Clear Passage, a three-day, multi-agency homeland security exercise and water quality/navigational-boating enforcement event held on Lake Champlain from July 22 to 24. (Photo Credit: Master Sgt. Raymond Drumsta)

Friday, July 29, 2016

Marine Corps Hornet Pilot Killed In Crash At Twentynine Palms

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, taxis down the runway at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska on June 20, 2016. US Marine Corps Photo
A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, taxis down the runway at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska on June 20, 2016. US Marine Corps Photo
By: Megan Eckstein
July 29, 2016 10:45 AM

A Marine Corps pilot in an F/A-18C Hornet died last night in a crash during a training mission near Twenty-nine Palms, Calif.

The pilot was from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The cause of the crash, which occurred around 10:30 p.m. on July 28, is under investigation. The Marine Corps has released no more details about the pilot or the crash.

Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps for Aviation Lt. Gen. Jon Davis said this morning that his thoughts are with the Marine’s family. Asked if aviation readiness problems, which have led to lower training hours for Marines, was a factor in the crash, Davis said that all his squadrons had enough flight hours to stay safe in the air.

JBLM bids farewell to Air Force firefighters

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McChord Field firefighters will be transitioning to positions at other bases across the country as they are replaced by civilian firefighters.
Northwest Guardian
Published: 02:29PM July 28th, 2016

Staff Sergeant Christian Mejia had no idea last year when he and his wife, Kaitlin, and their three young children moved to Joint Base Lewis-McChord from Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras that they’d be moving again within 24 months.

The 26-year-old Miami native joined the Air Force seven years ago and was able to join a military firefighter program within eight months. Here, at JBLM, he’s part of the soon-to-be dismantled Air Force firefighters with the 627th Civil Engineer Squadron.

“I’m ready to move on, but I am sad my family won’t be able to buy a house or stay long,” Mejia said. “It’s been a tremendous experience here, but it was discouraging to find out we (are) leaving.”

JBLM’s shift from military to civilian firefighters has been in the works for about a year and is expected to be accomplished by July 2017. There are currently 21 Air Force firefighters on JBLM, many of which will be moved to other bases that still use Air Force firefighters in coming months, according to Staff Sgt. Jose Cardenas, of the 627th Civil Engineer Squadron. He is coordinating the JBLM’s Airmen’s transition.

“My job is to get our guys moved out of here,” Cardenas said.

Cardenas, who has been at JBLM for the past two years, said it is a little sad the department will no longer be composed of military firefighters. Instead, it will be led by a civilian fire chief and filled with Department of Defense-hired positions.

Seven of the current Air Force firefighters will stay on with the department, in GS-7 positions, as they were retiring and have been hired on as civilian firefighters. It’s also sad that Friday’s Firefighter Combat Challenge will be the last such event, Cardenas said.

“It’s all about the legacy,” he said. “(JBLM) has had a Firefighter Combat Challenge for about 70 years,” he said.

The daylong Firefighter Combat Challenge takes place at the McChord Field Station 105, Building 6, and offers a multitude of activities — from a hose pull and body drag to tool carry, cone course, tire flip, hose throw and bucket brigade. Prizes are awarded to the top teams, but it’s more about the camaraderie and the legacy, according to Cardenas.

Technical Sergeant Roger Halle, also of the 627th Civil Engineer Squadron, will have to miss the Firefighter Combat Challenge Friday, as he and his family will be packing to move to his next assignment in eastern Washington in the coming weeks. Halle, 33, is from Missouri and joined the Air Force 10 years ago with the intent of becoming a military firefighter.

Halle and his wife, Stephanie, have four sons, ages 8, 6, 4 and 2, and another son, already named Dax Browning Halle, set to be born in October.

It’s been a rush for the family to sell their area home — which, Halle said, sold within 24 hours of being placed on the market — and purchase another house in the Spokane area near his firefighter assignment at Fairchild Air Force Base. The home the couple found in Spokane is set to close Thursday, Halle said.

“It’s all been working together great,” he said, “As (Mejia) said, it’s been a great experience (at JBLM), but we’re ready to go — on to the new experience.”

Despite this, Halle said he’s not ruling out being sent back to JBLM in the future, as he’s planning to stay in the military another 10 years. Halle said time has shown, some other joint force bases that dismantled military firefighters have later opted to reestablish those.

For example, Hill Air Force Base in Utah and Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station in Colorado Springs, Colo., Halle said, were reestablished.

“Some are gone, but others come back,” he said.

Thursday, July 28, 2016

US 'spy plane' makes emergency landing in Russia.

The surveillance Boeing OC-135B aircraft (pictured) was flying a mission over Siberia as allowed under the Treaty on Open Skies when it reported a problem with its landing gearĀ 
The surveillance Boeing OC-135B aircraft (pictured) was flying a mission over Siberia as allowed under the Treaty on Open Skies when it reported a problem with its landing gear.

By WILL STEWART IN MOSCOW FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 06:40 EST, 28 July 2016 | UPDATED: 14:05 EST, 28 July 2016

Under the treaty, signatories are allowed to overfly the skies of each other gathering information about military forces and activities of concern to them.
The American military aircraft had left after a stopover in Ulan-Ude, in the Republic of Buryatia, and was due to fly north to Yakutsk, capital of Siberia's diamond-rich Sakha Republic.
Instead, after take-off the crew noticed the problem and the Boeing went east and made a landing 1,660 miles away in Khabarovsk.

An airport official confirmed Wednesday's emergency landing in the city, close to the Chinese border.
'A foreign aircraft made a forced landing in Khabarovsk. All emergency ground services have arrived on site. The flight landed safely at 3pm local time,' said a statement.
Earlier, the Russian Defence Ministry's Nuclear Risk Reduction Centre had announce the US Boeing OC-135B aircraft's observation flight over Russian territory between July 25 and 30.
An army source suggested the malfunctioning was 'not coincidental', and perhaps related to recent military exercises in the area.

'They were due to go direct from Ulan-Ude north-northeast to Yakutsk,' said the unnamed source, as reported by The Siberian Times.
 'Just imagine the kind of loop they needed to make to request the landing at approximately the same distance, but to the east?'..
The Boeing OC-135B aircraft seats up to 35 people as it monitors foreign territory on behalf of the US government.

One vertical and two oblique KS-87E framing cameras are used for low-altitude photography approximately 900 metres above the ground, and one KA-91C panoramic camera, which scans from side to side to provide a wide sweep for each picture used for high-altitude photography at approximately 11,000 metres.
The Treaty on Open Skies was signed in March 1992 and was seen as a major confidence-building measure after the Cold War.
It entered into force on January 1, 2002.
Currently 34 states are party to the treaty, including Russia and most NATO members
It allows an unarmed aerial surveillance programme of flights over the entire territory of fellow participants. 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3712608/US-spy-plane-makes-emergency-landing-Russia-problem-landing-gear.html#ixzz4Flb3xnG7 
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