Kaiserslautern American, February 8, 2019

Page 1

Check out Valentine’s messages and offers, Pages 16-21

FEATURE

SAFETY

SPORTS

Airlifters of the Week, Page 6

Inclement weather notifications keep community safe, Page 8

Ramstein boys, Kaiserslautern girls stay unbeaten in league, Page 14

February 8, 2019 | Volume 43, Number 5

Read the KA also online at KaiserslauternAmerican.com

Ramstein, Mildenhall Airmen partner above German skies Story and photos by Airman 1st Class Brandon Esau 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Members of the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron from Ramstein Air Base performed training aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker from RAF Mildenhall, England, Jan. 23. During the training, members practiced emergency medical scenarios, including patients suffering worsening health conditions, cardiac emergencies, aircraft decompression and emergency ditching of an aircraft. “We perform this training to ensure our squadron is at full readiness and proficiency,” said Maj. Maria Rocio Vazquez, 86th AES medical crew director. “There are many times during realworld situations when an aircraft has an emergency and we have patients expe-

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Yannick Sharras, left, and Senior Airman Larry Nice, 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron medical technicians, prepare a patient for medical evacuation during training aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker over the skies of Germany, Jan. 23. During the training, members underwent emergency medical scenarios, including patients suffering worsening health conditions, cardiac emergencies, aircraft decompression and emergency ditching of aircraft.

riencing different health conditions,” Vazquez said. “So we must respond in the correct way, and exercises like this allow for us to brush up on different skills.” The 86th AES are charged with providing aeromedical care for both U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command, which is the largest area of responsibility out of all existing AE squadrons. The KC-135 Stratotanker from the 351st Air Refueling Squadron, which provided aerial assistance during training, was piloted by Capt. Jonny Benson and Capt. Jason Douglas. The boom operator on board was Tech. Sgt. Grant Ringenberg. The KC-135 is a versatile aircraft which is able to transport people and cargo in addition to its air refueling role. See TRAINING, Page 2

Air Force ends promotion testing for E-7 and above by Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs The Air Force announced today it is removing the Weighted Airman Promotion System testing requirement for active-duty promotions to the grades of E-7 through E-9, beginning this fall with the 2019 E-9 promotion cycle. The memo, signed Jan. 31, removes the phase one requirement for senior noncommissioned officers to test for promotion, allowing promotion boards to identify the best qualified Airmen to promote into the senior noncommissioned officer corps. Prior to the policy change, promotions were conducted through a two-phase process. Phase one consisted of a Promotion Fitness Exam and Specialty Knowledge Test, while

phase two consisted of a central evaluation board. “We continue to transform talent management across the force,” said Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services. “This adjustment focuses on performance being the driving factor we consider when selecting our senior noncommissioned officers. It also continues our work toward increasing transparency and making our processes simple.” The Air Force will use a promotion board process similar to the board process used by officers. “We trust this board process will continue to give senior leaders and commanders the greatest level of confidence that the right individuals are being selected for promotion

to the top enlisted ranks,” said Chief and decorations. Decoration points Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth will no longer be utilized because the O. Wright. “We found that remov- board will be considering all decoraing the testing portion will eliminate tions during its review and scoring any possibility that Airmen with- records accordingly. out the strongest leadership potential Additional guidance will be pubmight test into promotion, while also lished in an upcoming Air Force ensuring that our strongest perform- guidance memorandum or revised Air ers continue to earn the promotion Force instruction after the last evaluathey deserve.” tion board is completed. Promotion boards will continue to score records using the current scoring process as well as reviewing the last five years of evaluations and all awards Air Force ends promotion testing for E-7 and above


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