August 1, 2014
August 1, 2014
Kaiserslautern American
Page 1
HAVE YOU READ YOUR KA TODAY?
Volume 38, number 30
Ramstein member selected as OAY by Senior Airman Timothy Moore 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Photo by Harald Risch
7th CSC changes command
Brig. Gen. Arlan M. DeBlieck, incoming commanding general, 7th Civil Support Command, receives the unit colors from Maj. Gen. John R. O’Connor, commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, during a change of command ceremony Saturday. DeBlieck took responsibility of command from Brig. Gen. Paul M. Benenati, outgoing commanding general, 7th Civil Support Command after 20 months in command. See article on Page 5.
With more than 400,000 enlisted active duty, Reserve and Guard Airmen, few get to tout the distinction of being honored as an Outstanding Airman of the Year. Senior Airman Shabree Heasell, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, accomplished that honor this year while stationed here as an imagery analyst with the 603rd Air and Space Operations Center. Though, before she was put up for the award, she had not even heard of it. “It’s really exciting, but I guess it hasn’t hit me yet,” Heasell said. “Everyone keeps telling me how big of an accomplishment it is. My supervisor says it probably won’t hit me until I go to the ceremony in
September and see the big picture of what it is. Right now, I’m just trying to stay humble and do my job every day.” The OAY program was established at the Air Force Association’s 10th Annual National Convention in New Orleans in 1956. Outstanding enlisted members representing each major Air Force command and operating agency were invited to the convention as a means of highlighting an Air Force military manpower crisis. Initially meant to be a onetime event, the program was so well received that it has continued as a way to recognize top performers. The award recognizes Airmen for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements. See OAY Page 3
German native receives U.S. Army award by Senior Airman Jonathan Stefanko 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
A German medical officer was awarded the Army Achievement Medal July 23 in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. “No matter what field we work in, we are Soldiers first,” said Capt. Michael Guthmann, from the German air force Center of Aerospace Medicine. “From staying physically fit, to improving our skill, it is important we train every day.” Guthmann received the prestigious award for teaching medical U.S. Soldiers, Airmen, and Sailors various contingency skills that could be implemented down range. “For example, during the German proficiency course we had all the medical members shoot
with a variety of weapons so they can familiarize themselves with what they might use in the field,” Guthmann continued. “The point was to build on the interoperability between the two nations by providing these unique opportunities to train together.” From October 2013 to March 2014, U.S. Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors came together with their foreign medical counterparts to participate in various training. The course consisted of firing German rifles and pistols to qualify for the Proficiency and Schützenschnur badges, track and field events for the sports badge, ruck marches and much more. “Joint training like this, not only with our sister services, but with the host nation is always beneficial,” said Maj. Michael McCown, Public See AWARD, Page 3
Photo by Senior Airman Jonathan Stefanko
Maj. Michael McCown (left), Public Health Command Region-Europe, chief of operations, talks about the accomplishments of Capt. Michael Guthmann, from the German air force Center of Aerospace Medicine, during an Army Achievement Medal award ceremony July 23 in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.
LIFESTYLES
Don’t forget your international driver’s license when driving to other European countries.
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Club 7 – Where community comes together, Page 6
Viking Challenge raises funds for Fisher House, Page 7
Park turns into stage for medieval market, Page 22