HAVE YOU READ YOUR KA TODAY?
February 10, 2017
Volume 41, number 6
86 OSS Airman takes Air Force by storm Story and photo by Airman 1st Class Savannah L. Waters 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Behind every multimillion dollar aircraft landing at Ramstein is a team of Airmen celebrating yet another successful flight as they continue to diligently watch the skies for hazardous weather. For one of those teams, one Airman stands out from all other weather Airmen across the world, giving the 86th Operations Support Squadron something else to celebrate. Staff Sgt. Nichol Jimenez, 86 OSS weather forecaster craftsman, was awarded 2016’s Air Force Weather Airman of the Year while providing support to both the 37th Airlift Squadron and 76th Airlift Squadron. “Staff Sgt. Jimenez is one of those unique individuals who is both personable and a great technician,” said Capt. Nicolle Bernard, 86 OSS flight commander. “I can tell that the other members of our flight not only enjoy working with her but respect her greatly. Her willingness to step up where others don’t has put her in positions to do all the great things that she’s accomplished.” In 2016, Jimenez produced more than 6,000 weather products, support-
Staff Sgt. Nichol Jimenez, 86th Operations Support Squadron weather forecaster craftsman, holds a hand-held weather instrument called a kestrel Feb. 7 on Ramstein. Jimenez was awarded 2016's Air Force Weather Airman of the Year while providing support to both the 37th Airlift Squadron and 76th Airlift Squadron.
ed approximately 24,000 operations and delivered weather support to six NATO forward-training deployments and an Air Chiefs’ conference. While deployed in support of a NATO exercise in Poland, Jimenez also briefed international pilots and
more than 1,000 training events in what was the largest formation airdrop in Polish history. A prior air traffic controller, Jimenez joined the weather workforce in 2012 with an advantage that her peers didn’t have.
Air traffic controllers are required to not only be trained in weather but to have an open communication with weather Airmen so that missions are completed as safely as possible. See WEATHER, Page 2
SpouseFit promises fit, fun, fabulous event
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Check out Valentine’s messages and offers on pages 18 - 23!
event and must be done by Feb. 17. For more information or to register, email mary.devitt@us.af.mil. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 22 and 23 at the Ramstein Officers’ Club. “We’re getting great participation, and the more the merrier!” Devitt said. “We’re building something special, and we’d like as many people as the club will allow us to have!”
LIFESTYLES
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be awarded, and the event will feature several special guests. “Our spouses sacrifice so much for our military families, and this gives us just one way to offer our support,” Devitt said. “And this is just the beginning. We hope that the experiences built from this event will allow friendships to bloom and for our spouses to know that we’re all in this together.” Registration is required for the
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NEWS
Ditch the overhead projector and leave the dry, stuffy “death by briefings” to the folks in uniform. According to event organizers, Ramstein’s “SpouseFit” workshop, held on Feb. 22 and 23, promises to offer an interactive, fun experience for spouses of all ranks. “We know the old routine,”
said Jan Devitt, community support coordinator for the 86th Airlift Wing. “We’ve taken feedback from our spouses and built a new, oneof-a-kind experience that will allow spouses to build lasting friendships while learning a bit more from each other.” Spouses are encouraged to dress comfortably, as the event will kick off with an introduction to a popular self-defense course. Door prizes will
NEWS
Provided by 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
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Tuesday lovers observe Valentine’s Day, Page 13