Kaiserslautern American, Mar. 07, 2014

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HAVE YOU READ YOUR KA TODAY?

March 7, 2014

Volume 38, number 9

Training certifies Airmen Story and photos by Airman Dymekre Allen 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Staff Sgt. Samuel Walker, 435th Contingency Response Group specialist, ties a copper wire around a metal post to provide electricity to a tent during indoctrination training Feb. 24 on Ramstein.

The 435th Contingency Response Group conducted a group-level indoctrination training event Feb. 24 to 28. Managed by the 435th Air Mobility Squadron, the event was held to prepare service members to provide mission support to U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa areas of responsibility. The five-day training allowed all 435th CRG and AMS Airmen to become certified to handle any situation in the field. The training included multiple deployment responsibilities, including driving vehicles, giving adequate radio communications

information and building forward operating bases. “We are a very versatile group,” said Staff Sgt. Alexis EffingerMorris, 435th CRG specialist. “We have to be able to do everything and anything that’s asked of us or it could potentially hinder the mission.” The group is composed of specialists from different squadrons who give their expertise as well as learn the skills from other members. This provides them with a wide range of knowledge and allows them to be an effective fighting force. “There’s so much we can learn from each other,” Effinger-Morris said. “The more we communicate and train together the more we are prepared for the

Senior Airman Brian Purcell, 435th Contingency Response Group specialist, adjusts the cords on a light fixture to provide light for a tent during indoctrination training Feb. 24.

operations we conduct downrange.” According to CRG and AMS Airmen, the hands-on aspect of the training seemed to be the most effective. “Being able to learn in a hands-on environment helps not only myself, but the whole team,” said Senior Airman Matthew Agres, 435th CRG specialist. “The easiest way to learn is having the

instructors right there with you guiding you in the right direction.” At the end of the training, members take a course review to test the knowledge they’ve gained throughout the week. With this training, members of the 435th CRG and AMS gain insight on their deployed capabilities and build adaptable Airmen.

Soldier re-enlists while recuperating from war injury

I

n the aftermath of being shot during a firefight in Afghanistan, several thoughts came to Staff Sgt. Tyronne Jones’ mind — among them was re-enlistment. Sadly, the date and location were not the only things that changed that day. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Edward

Balli was supposed to conduct Jones’ re-enlistment ceremony at their forward operating base in Afghanistan. Balli died beside Jones in that same firefight Jan. 20 against enemy insurgents who penetrated their compound through a hole from a massive explosion. Instead, Jones was re-enlisted by Lt. Gen. Donald M. Campbell Jr., commanding general of U.S. Army Europe, in a Feb. 19 ceremony at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center

before his wife and two children and fellow Soldiers from his home station in Vilseck, Germany. Although Jones is a career Soldier who planned to re-enlist, the deadly attack only firmed his resolve. “I don’t want to let somebody else dictate when my career is going to be over,” said Jones, a 30-year-old unmanned aircraft technician who was deployed with the 2nd Cavalry

NEWS

Service members should take part in the annual Overseas Housing Allowance survey at www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/oha-util-mar.cfm until March 31 to ensure they receive the right amount of money for their living quarters.

FEATURES

Tip of the Week AF midwives serve families abroad, Page 8

Photo by Phil A. Jones

See RE-ENLIST, Page 3

Lt. Gen. Donald M. Campbell Jr., commanding general of U.S. Army Europe, reenlists Staff Sgt. Tyronne Jones in a Feb. 19 ceremony at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

LIFESTYLES

by Chuck Roberts Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Public Affairs

Family, friends find Fasching fun, Pages 22 & 23

Bad Dürkheim offers shopping night, Page 27


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