HAVE YOU READ YOUR KA TODAY?
March 20, 2015
Volume 39, number 11
435th AGOW, AEW welcome new commander Story and photo by Senior Airman Nicole Sikorski 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
M
embers from the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing and 435th Air Expeditionary Wing welcomed their new commander during an assumption of command ceremony March 16 on Ramstein. Col. Andra Kniep assumed command of the 435th AGOW and 435th AEW during a ceremony that was officiated by Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force commander. Roberson welcomed Kniep and spoke about the hard work of Airmen assigned to the 435th AGOW and 435th AEW and their critical role in the Air Force mission. “She has a lot of experience both in the air and on the ground,” Roberson said. “I know that she will do a great job.” Kniep entered the Air Force in 1993 after her graduation from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Kniep has served on 13 assignments in her Air Force career See COMMAND, Page 3
Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force commander, passes the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing’s and 435th Air Expeditionary Wing’s guidon to Col. Andra Kniep during an assumption of command ceremony March 16 on Ramstein. Kniep has served on 13 assignments in her Air Force career and most recently served as the 23rd Fighter Wing vice commander at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.
86th CES engineer named AF’s top manager After winning two Air Force-level awards in 2013, the 86th Civil Engineer Squadron is no stranger to being recognized as the best, so when another one of its members was named the best
manager in the Air Force, it probably came as no surprise to the leadership. Eric Rushing, 86th CES chief of engineering, was named the Air Force Harry P. Rietman Award (Senior Civilian Manager) winner for his work throughout 2014. “I was excited and surprised when I heard about the award,” Rushing said. “I’m
competing with people from other large bases. There are a lot of high-quality senior civilian managers out there.” The annual award honors its namesake, who served as the associate director of engineering and services from 1975 to 1985 and is known as the father of the Civil Engineering Career Program. It recognizes the
NEWS
A partial solar eclipse happens today from 8:40 to 9:47 a.m. Don’t look directly at the sun; even dark sunglasses will not protect your eyes.
SCHOOLS
Tip of the Week
superior job performance of Air Force civilian civil engineer personnel. Though the award distinguishes Rushing’s accomplishments for the year, he said the recognition really acknowledges the work of his team. From the time a project enters the programming and planning portions of the 86th
Aerospace doctors discuss flight medicine, Page 3
CES engineer flight to the actual project management of the construction, Rushing credits the successful completion of any project to the dedication of his team. “A lot of the information that goes into the package for the Rietman is a culmination of everything that occurs in See ENGINEER, Page 3
LIFESTYLES
by Senior Airman Timothy Moore 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Ramstein students welcome peers to new home, Page 15
Easter Market offers attractions, Page 16