Air Force to give service members cold weather pay

NORTH DAKOTA  On April 1, Senator Hoeven announced that the U.S. Air Force will be introducing cold weather special duty pay for Airmen and Guardians assigned to bases where temperatures are expected to drop below -20 degrees.

These bases include Minot Air Force Base, Grand Forks Air Force Base, and Cavalier Space Station.

The Air Force is scheduling the implementation of the pay starting on July 1, 2024; then, specifics about the incentive pay amount and other details will be announced.

“Congress authorized this special pay to help our service members and their families shoulder financial burdens unique to living in colder temperatures, including winter clothes and snow tires,” explained Hoeven. “We’ve been pressing the Air Force to provide this cold weather pay and will continue working to ensure that the Air Force implements this policy in a way that meets the needs of those serving our country at bases in Minot, Grand Forks, and Cavalier.”

Last month, Hoeven sent a bipartisan letter, which was led by Senator Lisa Murkowski and also signed by Senator Cramer, to the U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, pressing the cold weather special duty pay.

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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers leading effort to clear Fort McHenry Channel following Key Bridge collapse

 

BALTIMORE, MD, UNITED STATES
03.30.2024
Story by Cynthia Mitchell  
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District  

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District activated its Emergency Operations Center March 26, clearing the way for engineering, construction, contracting and operations specialists to begin the complex process of clearing the damage and debris along the Fort McHenry Channel following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, to restore safe navigation in and out of the Port of Baltimore.

Together, through the efforts of the Unified Command, USACE is working to determine the actions required to remove the fallen debris. Preliminary underwater analysis and assessment is currently underway, providing critical data that will assist in future operations.

The data collected during this process will help determine the operational plan moving forward needed to reopen the federal channel.

“We continue to provide our best talent and technology in support of the Coast Guard and our local, state and federal partners,” said USACE Commanding General Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon. “The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for engineering solutions to our nation’s toughest challenges, and this disaster constitutes one of those top challenges. It requires a deliberate, diligent engineering strategy, based on careful assessments of the disaster site, and with safety as our top priority.”

As of March 30, USACE is providing:

Certified underwater assessment capabilities by Structural Professional Engineers, Remotely Operated Vehicle and sonar;

Structural Engineering support, including certified bridge safety inspectors and urban search and rescue structural technical specialists;

Waterway debris management, led by USACE debris removal vessel REYNOLDS, which patrols the waters of the Baltimore Harbor and Patapsco River for drift and debris that could be hazardous to navigation; Hydrographic and topographic surveying via the CATLETT, a 61-foot survey vessel that actively supports the Baltimore District’s Navigation Branch. Two survey vessels from USACE, Philadelphia District, H.R. SPIES and the DAUNTLESS, are also providing support.

USACE is also poised to provide the following support to the joint response:

Additional USACE vessels are prepared to join efforts as needed for waterway debris management, led by USACE debris removal vessel REYNOLDS;

USACE dive safety experts from the Philadelphia, Buffalo, and New England Districts are preparing to join the response effort.

Baltimore District operates and maintains more than 290 miles of federal navigable channels within the Susquehanna River watershed, including the Fort McHenry Channel.

“We have marshalled incredible skills and the best equipment available. I am fully confident that we have the right team and partners in place to tackle this project and do what we do best – serve and strengthen this great Nation,” said USACE Baltimore District Commander Col. Estee Pinchasin. “Many of our USACE Baltimore teammates were born and raised locally. We are deeply invested and fully committed. We are ready to get to work.”

Additional Information

Baltimore District delivers vital engineering solutions in collaboration with its partners to serve and strengthen the Nation, energize the economy, and reduce disaster risks. Headquartered near Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, Baltimore District provides design, engineering, construction, environmental, and real estate expertise to various important projects and customers. This support spans five states, the District of Columbia, overseas, and the Susquehanna, Potomac, and Chesapeake Bay watersheds. These civil and military missions and diverse engineering services support communities and warfighters while addressing the ever-growing list of emerging national security requirements and ultimately protecting the Nation.

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USAG Wiesbaden Fire Department awarded IMCOM’s top firefighting honor following best in Europe recognition

WIESBADEN, HE, GERMANY
03.27.2024
Story by Roland Schedel 
U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden    

WIESBADEN, Germany – U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden’s Fire Department continues to raise the bar as it works diligently to provide emergency response services to ensure and safeguard the Wiesbaden military community.

Recently, the garrison fire department was recognized as Installation Management Command – Europe’s top fire department and best fire prevention program (small fire department category) for calendar year 2023, but the awards did not stop there.

Winning efforts

The USAG Wiesbaden Fire Department continued the string of successes by being selected, above all other installation fire departments, as the 2023 IMCOM Fire Department of the Year (small fire department category).

“I’m glad that our team’s hard work, efforts, and results are being recognized,” said U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Fire Chief Daniel Corzelius.

Held annually the awards competition judges fire departments, according to small, medium, and large installation categories, measuring their performance throughout the year.

The committee at each level looks at many factors when comparing different departments to include training, responses, compliance, and other extraordinary efforts from throughout the year.

“This award is a testament of our dedication to this community."

In 2023, USAG Wiesbaden Fire Department responded to 705 calls while protecting more than 20,000 service members, civilians, and family members who live and work in the Wiesbaden military community.

Responses that included multiple fires, within the Wiesbaden military community, that collectively threatened structures worth more than $75 million – indicative of dedicated service and commitment to keeping the miliary community safe.

“[The] fire department plays an integral role in supporting USAG Wiesbaden’s mission (…) serving the Soldiers, staff, and their families here in the Garrison Wiesbaden footprint,” added Corzelius.

Award winning fire prevention

In addition to earning best fire department honors, the garrison fire department was named as IMCOM-E’s top fire prevention program in the small installation category for 2023.

The Wiesbaden Fire Department team performed fire prevention programs at many locations in the military community including four DOD Education Activity Europe schools in Wiesbaden.

“We have operated with several outreach programs, teaching fire safety and response to the community, including schools, CDC’s, rotational forces and others,” said USAG Wiesbaden Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Collis Jeppesen.

The garrison fire department, also, coordinated 121 fire evacuation drill training events within the community and was recognized for their innovations and fire inspection programs by committee judges.

Winning awards across two levels, is a clear demonstration of the level of professionalism, training, fire prevention education, incident responses that embodies their motto: protecting those who defend America.

“Our staff of dedicated professionals work tirelessly to protect the mission every day. This award reflects our efforts and dedication to the whole team,” said Corzelius.

Filling the ranks

Being an award-winning fire department is not without challenge.

"We are facing difficulties in finding new qualified personnel," said Jeppesen.

The garrison workforce is comprised of many local national hires who are needed to fill key positions and roles, however finding qualified firefighters to fill open positions and close the fire department employment gaps is a constant challenge.

Facing this challenge head on, the garrison fire department has taken proactive steps to address staffing issues.

The department has, in its efforts to attract qualified applicants, organized recruiting events, such as fire truck displays, in local communities surrounding Clay Kaserne to advertise employment opportunities and entice qualified firefighters to join the garrison workforce.

Additionally, garrison firefighters travel to visit with potential local host nation recruits highlighting the operational capabilities of U.S. military fire departments.

Though a gap remains, the recruiting efforts have yielded some positive results – five local national firefighters have joined the USAG Wiesbaden firefighting team.

However, despite the recent hires, the department is still operating at 72% of its desired workforce capacity. Consequently, positions are still available for interested individuals who meet the qualifications.

"We remain committed to strengthening our team and ensuring the safety and security of our community," stated Jeppesen.

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Provost Marshal’s Office adopts canine companion for military police

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – When an emergency call is made in Okinawa, Japan, the caller may be having the worst day of their life. Emergency responders, such as firefighters and Marines with Provost Marshal’s Office, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, are the first to respond to these crises.

These Marines are trained to respond quickly and effectively to these emergencies. However, with a constant influx of calls and possible emergencies, stress and pressure can become overwhelming for military police officers.


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Airman Starts Hunger Strike at White House over Gaza, Inspired by Another Airman's Self-Immolation Death

Senior Airman Larry Hebert, an integrated avionics journeyman from New Hampshire currently stationed at Naval Station Rota in Spain, began the hunger strike at midnight April 1.


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