HAVE YOU READ YOUR KA TODAY?
March 17, 2017
Volume 41, number 11
Ramstein welcomes NFL’s Panthers by Senior Airman Jonathan Bass 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
As part of a USO campaign to say thank you to service members and their families, players and cheerleaders from the Carolina Panthers flew to Germany and spent March 6 and 7 learning about Ramstein. “The Carolina Panthers organization has always been a great supporter of our service members and their families stationed in North Carolina,” said John Falkenbury, USO of North Carolina president and CEO. “I am honored to be traveling alongside them and helping the USO’s long-time partner, the NFL, deliver upon its mission of connecting troops to family, home, and country.” Five players and two cheerleaders made the journey from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Germany. The players met with fans in the 721st Aerial Port Squadron’s Passenger Terminal, the 786th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight, the 86th CES fire and emergency services flight, and the 569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron during their visit. See NFL, Page 2
Photo by Senior Airman Jonathan Bass
Carolina Panthers players practice law enforcement submission techniques during a visit to the 569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron March 7 on Kapaun. According to the USO, the Carolina Panthers organization is an avid supporter of service members, frequently including them in their game-day activities and even reserving a row of honor for service members to sit in at every home game.
is a critical part of our commitment.” The DTC offers its services to Airmen of every career field and combatant command. “We have to take care of people; they are the human capital that the Air Force banks on,” said Maj. Corey Carnes, program director. “Why do we think the DTC is important? Because we need our Airmen.” Airmen pass through the DTC at the discretion of their deployed commander. A deployment commander wishing to send people through the DTC only have to fill out a form called the
Tip of the Week Consuming food and/or a drink while walking in uniform is not authorized. For details, refer to AFI 36-2903, 2.13.7.3.
To new SNCOs: ‘Determine your own legacy,’ Page 3
DTC Nomination Assessment Tool. Commanders also have the option to call the program director to discuss sending their Airmen. Another way for Airmen to pass through the facility on the way back is if their career field functional manager defines it as a requirement before they deploy. Carnes explained that although the criteria for sending Airmen through the DTC was once much more selective, it has since broadened in order to take in See REDEPLOYERS, Page 3
LIFESTYLES
The Air Force Deployment Transition Center is continuing to push forth its mission to support the Air Force’s most valuable assets: Airmen. The deployment decompression facility, which recently marked the arrival of its 10,000th redeployer on Ramstein, aims to help Airmen coming home from deployment transition back into a nondeployed environment.
Gen. Tod Wolters, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, praised the personnel at the DTC for taking care of Airmen and working to enable the Joint warfighter. “The DTC helps Airmen transition from deployment to back home. ... The center has been in place for nearly seven years,” Wolters said. “This vital program ensures our deployers get the time and the assistance they need to adjust from deployment life back to at-home life. Our Airmen are committed to supporting the joint fight, and the DTC
FEATURES
Story and photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Magbanua 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NEWS
10,000 and counting: DTC here to serve more redeployers
Airman uses training to aid injured Soldier, Page 6
St. Patrick’s Day honors first Irish Christian missionary, Page 13