FEATURE
NEWS
HEALTH
NEWS
USAFE Equal Opportunity Workshop: Clearing mission distractions, Page 3
521st AMOW Airmen assist in keeping mission moving, Page 5
This HIV screening starts in the privacy of your own home, Page 13
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force visits Ramstein, Photo Pages 16 & 17
August 3, 2018 | Volume 42, Number 31
Read the KA also online at KaiserslauternAmerican.com
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force visits Ramstein Story and photos by Airman 1st Class Milton Hamilton 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright smiles as he addresses questions from Airmen in the audience at an enlisted all-call on Ramstein Air Base, June 26. Wright spoke about the importance of continued innovation in the Air Force and the significance of resiliency.
as Airmen are defined by the work we do, and there is no question of who we are and what we stand for as American Airmen. “When it comes to how we execute, the nation expects of us air superiority, rapid global mobility, global strike, command and control and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance,” said Wright. “I don’t think there’s any question about who we are.” Much of who we are as Airmen was showcased to Wright who visited Ramstein July 24 to 26 to speak to Airmen and tour newly implemented innovations on the base. At the all-call, Wright discussed innovation, stating that it is crucial to push as much as we can down to the squadron level, noting that a total of $64 million was recently distributed throughout each wing in the Air Force.
Who are we? It’s a simple question that required a more complex answer. During an all-call with Ramstein enlisted personnel, an Airman grabbed the microphone, concerned with our Air Force identity — and asked a question. We’re adopting a new uniform, the Airman said. We’ve had several over the course of our life as a service, and it seems like with so many uniform changes... who are we? The Airman, assigned to Ramstein Air Base, thanked Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright, and eagerly awaited an answer. “First I don’t think who we are, should be defined by what we wear,” said Wright. “We also have to make sure that in an ever-changing, non-static and very dynamic environment we remain agile, flexible, and innovative.” Wright continued, saying that we See VISIT, Page 2
Thracian Summer 18 wraps up in Bulgaria Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Jimmie D. Pike 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
A U.S. Air Force Airman with the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron marshalls a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to its parking spot in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, July 22. During Thracian Summer, 37th Airlift Squadron pilots flew more than 120 hours during 48 sorties to meet objectives and build partnership capacity with Bulgarian partners.
PLOVDIV, BULGARIA Three C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and more than 60 personnel deployed to Plovdiv, Bulgaria, from Ramstein Air Base for Thracian Summer 18 returned home July 22. During the 12-day forward training deployment, the 37th Airlift Squadron facilitated training to improve interoperability with NATO allies from Bulgaria. The training included 48 sorties and countless man hours invested in coordinating
missions, maintaining aircraft, and the necessary support functions to complete objectives. “The success of this exercise is due to all of the efforts of everyone (who participated)” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Pete Wolber, 37th AS chief of scheduling and mission commander for Thracian Summer 18. “Without the support of every unit we couldn’t have executed the mission.” Other accomplishments of the exercise included completion of 2,173 training events, 347 of which were night specific events. See THRACIAN SUMMER, Page 7