Kaiserslautern American, April 13, 2018

Page 1

HEALTH

FEATURE

NEWS

LEISURE

Bird’s-eye view: LRMC’s Ophthalmology Clinic, Page 3

Earth Day 2018 — Time to think about mother Earth, Pages 6 and 7

US troops jump to stay certified, Page 10

Follow the German Timber-frame Road — part three, Page 12

April 13, 2018 | Volume 42, Number 15

Read the KA also online at KaiserslauternAmerican.com

In good hands: 86th OSS ATCALS ensures safe takeoffs and landings Story and photos by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs The most dangerous part of flying an aircraft is takeoff and landing. Air crews flying in and out of Ramstein are in good hands, though. No matter the weather, day and night, the 86th Operations Support Squadron Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems team ensures that when pilots need guidance on and off the flightline, the systems in place are ready. As Airman 1st Class Connor Murph, 86th OSS ATCALS radar, airfield, and weather systems technician explained, the team monitors, repairs, and maintains all air traffic landing, radio and weather systems on Ramstein. Those systems have been making sure aircraft take off and land safely for as long as Ramstein has existed. Though the ATCALS team maintains equipment, calling them maintainers isn’t exactly accurate. Electronics are a huge part of the job, yet calling them See ATCALS, Page 2

Airman 1st Class Connor Murph, left, 86th Operations Support Squadron Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems radar, airfield, and weather systems technician, and Tech. Sgt. Jerel Sledge, RAWS production control noncommissioned officer in charge, observe the primary engine which turns the radar dish at the digital airport surveillance radar tower March 14 on Ramstein Air Base. No matter the weather, day and night, the 86th OSS ATCALS team ensures that when pilots need guidance on and off the flightline, the systems in place are ready.

Air Force Assistance Fund campaign kicks off Story and photo by Airman 1st Class Kristof Rixmann 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs The Air Force Assistance Fund campaign kicked off with breakfast at the Officer’s Club on Ramstein Air Base, March 26. The AFAF was established to provide an annual effort to raise funds for the charitable affiliates that provide support to Air Force members and their families. Total force Airmen, retirees, dependents, and surviving spouses experiencing financial hardship are target audiences for this program.

Col. Joseph Wenckus, 86th Airlift Wing vice commander, explains what sets the AFAF apart from other charitable organizations. “The AFAF is different from other charitable campaigns in that it is ‘Airmen helping Airmen,’” Wenckus said. “These affiliates epitomize the concept that our Air Force takes care of its own. Their mission is to serve our Airmen and their families. The support they provide runs the gamut from providing educational grants to covering funeral expenses. When our Airmen are out of options, the affiliates of the AFAF are the shock

absorbers that help our Airmen maximize their resilience.” The charitable affiliates supported by this campaign are the Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Village Foundation, the Air Force Enlisted Village, and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. Lemay Foundation. The Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the U.S. Air Force and was established in 1942 as a private, non-profit organization. This organization provides worldwide emergency assistance, sponsors education assistance programs, and offers base community enhancement programs. The Air Force Village Foundation

was founded in 1964 to provide an appropriate and cost-effective retirement community for the widows of retired Air Force officers. Similarly, the Air Force Enlisted Village’s primary focus is to provide a home and financial assistance to the surviving spouses of retired Air Force personnel. No surviving spouse is refused assistance due to financial status. The Lemay Foundation helps widows of all Air Force retirees through financial grants of assistance. This financial assistance does not require the recipient to pay it back. These organizations do not solicit See AFAF, Page 5


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