NEWS
German state minister visits Army garrison in Baumholder, Page 8
FEATURE
Thracian Summer 2020; back in business, Pages 12-13
August 21, 2020 | Volume 44, Number 33
FEATURE
HEALTH
Brig. Gen. Jolly talks diversity with Airmen, Page 14
Picky eating. When to worry, Page 18
Read the KA online at KaiserslauternAmerican.com
US donates COVID-19 protective gear to South African health services by U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs The U.S. government and U.S. Africa Command delivered approximately $340,000 in personal protective equipment to the South African National Department of Health, Aug. 15. The equipment, delivered by a U.S. Air Force C-130, is bound for Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu Natal, where it will benefit front-line health workers. AFRICOM purchased the supplies, which include N-95 masks, gloves, gowns and sanitizer, using Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid Appropriation funds after the South African government made a formal request for assistance to the U.S. Embassy. The command is also supporting the set-up of handwashing stations in Gauteng, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu Natal, contributing $225,000 to this initiative. This brings the total value of U.S. support toward South Africa’s COVID-19 response to more than $46 million. “U.S. Africa Command is focused on mission and the fight against COVID-19. We’ve been working in close coordiSee SOUTH AFRICA SUPPLY, Page 2
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Brian Clark, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, directs a cargo loader at Ramstein Air Base, Aug. 13. Ramstein Airmen transported COVID-19 personal protection equipment purchased by U.S. Africa Command to South Africa. The supplies included N-95 masks, gloves, gowns and sanitizer. Photos by Staff Sgt. Jourdan Barrons
Continuing the conversation: EO leads the way with diversity classes Story and photos by Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Now more than ever discussions about race and diversity are important. The U.S. Air Force is not excluded from the current climate, as senior leaders such as former Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright and former Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein led the charge in encouraging racial sensitivity. “While we can’t change the world, we can change the communities we live in and more
importantly, those where our Airmen strive to be seen, heard and treated as human beings,” Wright wrote in a June 1 essay following the death of George Floyd, a Minnesota man who passed away May 25 during an arrest by Minneapolis police. Inevitably, the conversation trickled down to Ramstein Air Base as well. The death of George Floyd sparked questions about how to move forward and help the community. When those questions are asked, the 86th Airlift Wing Equal Opportunity office is there See EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, Page 3
Heather Bradley, 86th Airlift Wing Equal Opportunity Director, teaches a class at the Lindberg Hof Dining Facility on Kapaun Air Station, Aug. 12. The mission of the 86th AW EO is to enable combat airlift capabilities and total team excellence through exceptional equal opportunity service, unrivaled leadership support, and promotion of a positive human relations environment.