HAVE YOU READ YOUR KA TODAY?
June 16, 2017
Volume 41, number 24
Airmen train like they fight in Saber Strike 17 Story and photos by Senior Airman Tryphena Mayhugh 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs LIELVARDE AIR BASE, Latvia — A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules from the 86th Airlift Wing roars overhead as a pallet of equipment is pushed from the back, plummeting to the ground before it’s mad decent is softened by the whoosh of a deploying parachute. A strong wind whips dandelion seeds into the air and the C-130 is forced to land instead of dropping paratroopers onto the grassy field as well. Airmen from Ramstein were operating out of Lielvarde Air Base, Latvia, for exercise Saber Strike 17 from June 5 to 15. “This training objective is basically to identify that we can do our primary mission, which is to open the base,” said Tech. Sgt. George Broom, 435th Contingency Response Squadron airfield manager. “The 435 CRG has demonstrated it’s capable of an air insertion or a land insertion during this exercise.” After U.S. Marines or Soldiers have secured an area in an austere environment, it is the 435 CRG Airmen See SABER STRIKE, Page 2
Airmen assigned to the 435th Contingency Response Group watch a high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle suspended from a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook for the 435 CRG’s sling load operation during exercise Saber Strike 17 at Lielvarde Air Base, Latvia, June 10. The 435 CRG Airmen rigged the HUMVEE to the Chinook and watched to make sure it had been rigged properly. Saber Strike 17 highlights the inherent flexibility of ground and air forces to rapidly respond to crises allowing for the right presence where it is needed, when it is needed.
Airman and Family Readiness Center and Family Advocacy. Jackson said the site was built for those who don’t have access to different systems that may only be accessible to military members. “Because it’s a commercial site, it gives access to anyone who has business to schedule on this base, such as in-bound service members,” Jackson explained. “It helps them schedule classes that they may need within a
specified amount of time.” Military members can also use the website to sign up for professional development and retraining classes. Jackson said several other installations are also starting up similar scheduling sites and the ultimate goal is to have most if not all the classes on base attached to the site. To view and schedule classes and seminars on Ramstein visit: https://booknow. appointment-plus.com/9rm3mcns/
LIFESTYLES
86th Airlift Wing Airmen and their families now have a simplified online resource to view and schedule seminars, base orientation, and other classes found on Ramstein. “The appointment scheduling program is something that will not only affect military members, but their family members as well,” Master Sgt.
Erroll Jackson Jr., 86th Force Support Squadron career assistance advisor, said. “It enables them to schedule themselves in the ease of their own home or on their mobile device.” On the website, dependents can sign up for various classes they might need to in-process or during their time in Germany. Base orientation, spouse employment, and key spouse training are some of the classes offered on the website by the
FEATURE
by Staff Sgt. Nesha Humes 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
FEATURE
86 AW launches online appointment scheduling
Tip of the Week: It’s vacation time. Get enough sleep before a trip. Check vehicle fluid levels, headlights, brakes, warning signal belts, hoses, and tire pressure and condition.
New management makes Airman’s Attic shine, Page 3
Leaders discuss the future of Air and Space power, Page 7
Culinary hike takes place in ‘old world,’ Page 17