HAVE YOU READ YOUR KA TODAY?
March 4, 2016
Volume 40, number 9
Ramstein Airmen help kick off Real Thaw 16 Story and photos by Senior Airman Jonathan Stefanko 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs BEJ A, Portugal — Approximately 60 Airmen from Ramstein, along with partners from six allied nations, kicked off exercise Real Thaw 16 with an opening ceremony Feb. 21 in Bej a, Portugal. Real Thaw 16 is a Portuguese-hosted NATO exercise that provides tactical training to participating nations. Its aim is to merge and employ different aerial platforms toward one maj or obj ective, covering a vast range of activities to include defensive and offensive counterair operations, highvalue air assets protection and slow-mover protection. “ eal Thaw 6 first eb te in 2009. Since then, we have been improving scenarios and aiming to prepare forces for operations throughout the world,” said Brig. Gen. Barros Ferreira, Portuguese See REAL THAW, Page 2
U.S. Airmen, along with their international counterparts, salute during the opening ceremony of exercise Real Thaw 16 Feb. 21 in Beja, Portugal. Real Thaw 16 is a Portuguese-hosted NATO exercise that provides tactical training to multiple participating nations. Its aim is to merge and employ different aerial platforms towards one major objective, covering a vast range of activities to include defensive and offensive counterair operations, high-value air assets protection and slow-mover protection. Approximately 3,500 service members throughout Europe and the U.S. are participating in the event.
Tip of the Week Do not leave valuables or military gear visible in your car. Remember to ALWAYS lock your doors!
Currently, the parking lot only has one exit. Ahern said that as pedestrians and vehicles crisscross with the as station atrons the flow be omes congested, causing a safety issue. The two-phase construction proj e t aims to fi this roblem an improve safety. rin the first hase the 86th CES will make the current exit of
Behind the medal: How four Airmen saved 90 lives, Page 6
the shoppette a right-turn-only exit. This will direct vehicles toward the roundabout near the U .S. Air Forces in Europe’s headq uarters. “The intention is to keep outbo n traffi flowin Ahern sai “The traffi ir le will allow them to turn around if they want to go left. See TRAFFIC, Page 3
LIFESTYLES
A construction proj ect to modify the parking lot of the Ramstein Express, better known as the shoppette, began this week. As part of the 86th Airlift Wing’s effort to improve installation excel-
lence, the 786th Civil Engineer Sq uadron is heading up the proj ect to im ro e the traffi flow an safe ty in this area. “The sho ette has a traffi flow problem, and part of it is caused by the as station an sho ette traffi both having to use the same exit,” said J ohn Ahern, 786th CES deputy commander.
NEWS
Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
FEATURES
Ramstein shoppette undergoes traffic flow changes
Homefront Heroes honors children, spouses, Page 10
Germans say goodbye to winter with parades, plays, fires, Page 15