August 21, 2015
Kaiserslautern American
Page 1
HAVE YOU READ YOUR KA TODAY?
August 21, 2015
Volume 39, number 33
65th ABW redesignates at Lajes Field by 1st Lt. Alexandra Trobe 65th Air Base Group Public Affairs LAJES FIELD, Azores — Lt. Gen. Timothy Ray, 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force commander, presided over a special redesignation ceremony to mark the changeover of the 65th Air Base Wing to the 65th Air Base Group Aug. 14 on Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal. Brig. Gen. Jon Thomas, 86th Airlift Wing commander, presided over Col. Richard Sheffe’s assumption of command of the newly redesignated 65th ABG. Col. Martin Rothrock served as the 65th ABW commander since June 2014 and departs for Ramstein Air Base, where he will serve as the deputy director of logistics, engineering and force protection for Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa/A4.
Photo by Master Sgt. Bradley C. Church
Col. Richard Sheffe, commander of the 65th Air Base Group (right), receives the guidon from Brig. Gen. Jon Thomas, commander of the 86th Airlift Wing. Sheffe assumed command of the 65th ABG during a redesignation ceremony Aug. 14 on Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal. With this redesignation ceremony, the 65th ABG is now aligned under the 86th AW and remains positioned to provide agile combat support and services to aircraft and aircrew.
“Know that today when we change this command, this is not a shift in the com-
mitment of the United States to the Portuguese people,” Ray said. “Portugal is an
incredible strategic partner, and we remain committed to that relationship both as a
bilateral friend and ally and as part of the NATO alliance.” The distinguished history of the 65th ABW has a proud heritage tracing back to World War II. Though the designation of the unit will change, all lineage and honors of the wing will continue under the 65th ABG. “To the Airmen, you conduct an incredibly important mission, and I applaud your style and performance,” Ray said. “I look forward to continued news of your success and accomplishments as the 65th Air Base Group.” During the ceremony, Ray presented Rothrock with the Legion of Merit for his outstanding leadership. Rothrock relinquished his command, and the 65th ABW guidon was furled. The unit was then redesignated as the 65th ABG under the 86th AW. See LAJES, Page 3
Ramstein Airmen put down stakes for Carpathian Summer
27 DAYS
until the bazaar! WHEN: Sept. 17 to 20 WHERE: Ramstein’s hangars 1 & 2 VISIT: www.ramsteinbazaar.org
Airman 1st Class Zachary Hitchcock, 37th Airlift Squadron crew chief, marshalls an 86th Airlift Wing C-130J Super Hercules away from its parking spot Aug. 16 at Otopeni Air Base, Romania.
LIFESTYLES
See SUMMER, Page 2
NEWS
OTOPENI AIR BASE, Romania — Ramstein personnel and 86th Airlift Wing C-130J Super Hercules aircraft arrived Aug. 14 at Otopeni Air Base, Romania, to participate in an off-station training exercise, Carpathian Summer. The bilateral training exercise was designed to allow Airmen to increase readiness and interoperability with the Romanian air force.
“I’m hoping to partner with our Romanian friends, learn some things from them and teach some things as well,” said Tech. Sgt. Peter Schopperle, 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron NCOIC of aerial delivery. To further emphasize and increase interoperability, the U.S. Air Force transferred the C-130Js’ authority to NATO for the duration of the event. This transfer of authority is a standard procedure that will serve
NEWS
Story and photo by Senior Airman Timothy Moore 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
TCCC helps Airmen save lives, Page 6
Lifeguard training comes to KMC, Page 10
Matzenbach displays the Middle Ages, Page 17