NEWS
HEALTH
COMMUNITY
LEISURE
Ceremony recognizes 27 new CMSgts in KMC, Page 5
Guidance on how to stay tick-free this year, Page 8
Garrison builds lasting community partnerships, Page 13
Lautern starts to bloom, Page 14
April 5, 2019 | Volume 43, Number 13
Read the KA also online at KaiserslauternAmerican.com
496 ABS realigns under 65 ABG Story and photos by Senior Airman Devin M. Rumbaugh 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MORÓN AIR BASE, SPAIN Members of the 86th Airlift Wing visited Morón Air Base, Spain, to realign the 496th Air Base Squadron from under the 86th Operations Group, Ramstein Air Base, to the 65th Air Base Group, Lajes Field, Portugal, April 1. “The heartbeat of this organization is being part of the North-Atlantic bridge,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark R. August, 86th AW commander. “When you look at that bridge, and how we project power from the east coast of the United States, into Eastern Europe, into Africa, and how we assure our partners here in NATO, we do that from Morón. But there’s another organization under the 86th AW that has the same mission set. And that’s the 65th See 65 ABG, Page 2
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark R. August, 86th Airlift Wing commander (left), shakes hands with U.S. Air Force Col. Travis Leighton, 65th Air Base Group commander, after the transfer of authority ceremony April 1, on Morón Air Base, Spain. The 496th Air Base Squadron on Morón AB was realigned under the 65th ABG at Lajes Field, Portugal, to better the capabilities of the allies and NATO partners in the region.
Air Force Assistance Fund: Providing a better life for those in need by Senior Airman Sara Voigt 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Airmen are taught from the first day of basic training to always help the men and women who stand beside them. The Air Force Assistance Fund is a perfect example of how Airmen exemplify this virtue. The AFAF is an annual effort to raise funds for charities that provide support to Air Force families in need (active duty, retirees, reservists, guard and dependents, including surviving spouses). There are four charitable organizations
supported by the AFAF, the Air Force Aid Society, the LeMay Foundation, Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation and the Air Force Enlisted Village. These organizations help Air Force families with educational needs, medical needs and even provide secure retirement homes for widows or widowers of our Air Force members in need of financial assistance. “If you’re really looking for a way to take care of our Airmen and take care of each other, it’s the Air Force Assistance Fund,” said Brig. Gen. Mark R. August, 86th Airlift Wing commander. “It’s an
opportunity to really give back.” Whether it’s flying an Airman home on short notice because of a family emergency, or helping to pay medical bills when a family member becomes ill, the efforts of the AFAF directly impact Airmen all over the world. “You can donate anytime between March 18, 2019 and April 26, 2019. People can donate via cash, check, payroll deduction, and E-Giving. Each unit has a Unit Project Officer and key workers that will assist anyone interested in contributing,” said Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Marshall, 86th Munitions
Squadron Control Section Chief and representative for the AFAF. Marshall isn’t just a representative for the AFAF, he is also someone who has been helped by AFAF’s critical resources when he was a first term Airman. “I was a married Senior Airman with a dependent stationed at Dyess Air Force Base. There was a rash of vehicle and apartment break-ins and, unfortunately, I fell victim to it twice,” said Marshall. “Due to this situation and the See AFAF, Page 6