May 15, 2015
Kaiserslautern American
Page 1
HAVE YOU READ YOUR KA TODAY?
May 15, 2015
Volume 39, number 19
4th ASOG rucks with German reservists Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs The chief master sergeant and master sergeant trailed behind a German reservist. After 12 kilometers and one and half hours, the only things that stood between them and the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency, was 100 meters, a 33-pound bag, sweat and tired legs. The 4th Air Support Operations Group Airmen joined their RheinlandPfalz Reservists Chapter Undenheim counterparts May 1 in one of many joint events designed to build relationships between the two nations. “We have an ongoing cooperation See RUCK, Page 6
Members of the 4th Air Support Operations Group return home after completing a 12-km ruck march May 1 at Undenheim, Germany.
Obama nominates new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
WASHINGTON — On May 5, President Barack Obama nominated Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. to serve as the 19th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Air Force Gen. Paul J. Selva to serve as the 10th vice chairman. During an announcement in the White House Rose Garden, the president said that among military leaders, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the principal military adviser to him and his national security team. Members of that team, including Defense Secretary Ash Carter, were in the audience.
“In recent years, I have been deeply grateful for the service of our chairman, Gen. Marty Dempsey, and our vice chairman, Adm. Sandy Winnefeld,” Obama said. “Marty and Sandy will complete their terms later this year.” Navigating urgent challenges To Dempsey and Winnefeld, the president said he has relied on their advice, counsel and judgment as the nation has navigated the urgent challenges of recent years. Obama also thanked their families for support throughout the decades. “From ending our combat mission in Afghanistan to leading the international coalition to destroy (the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant), conducting humanitarian opera-
tions from typhoon relief in the Philippines to fighting Ebola in West Africa, and strengthening our security alliances from Europe to Asia at every step, you have been critical to our processes, and I have valued not only your counsel but your friendships,” Obama said. Introducing his choice of who will be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Obama called Dunford, one of the military’s most admired officers. “Fightin’ Joe” Dunford has served as commandant of the Marine Corps since Oct. 17, 2014. Dunford is a Boston native, the son of a retired Boston police officer and a Marine veteran of Korea, the president said. “Joe followed in his
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According to German law, washing vehicles on the street at home is not authorized. Use car wash facilities.
‘Unvarnished military advice’ “I have been extraordinarily
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father’s footsteps and has distinguished himself through nearly 40 years of military service,” Obama added. Dunford has commanded Marines in the field from the platoon level to a Marine expeditionary force. During the invasion of Iraq, he led Marines in the charge to Baghdad, Obama said. According to a post on MarinesBlog, the official Marine Corps blog, it was in Iraq that he earned the nickname “Fightin’ Joe” while serving in 2003 under Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis and leading Regimental Combat Team 5 during the initial invasion.
Airmen learn to LEAD at U.S. Air Force Academy, Page 3
impressed by Joe, from the situation room where he helped to shape our enduring commitment to Afghanistan, to my visit last year to Bagram, where I saw his leadership firsthand,” the president said. I know Joe. I trust him. He’s already proven his ability to See CHAIRMAN, Page 2
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by Cheryl Pellerin Department of Defense News, Defense Media Activity
KHS Students celebrate Law Day with mock trial, Page 10
Job Shadow Day, Pages 20 and 21