FEATURE
86 MXS Airman recognized as Airlifter of the Week, Page 3
NEWS
FEATURE
COMMUNITY
Gengler assumes command of US Army NATO Brigade, Page 5
Seeing the bigger picture, Page 7
Garrison, school partnerships benefit community, Page 10
November 15, 2019 | Volume 43, Number 45
Read the KA online at KaiserslauternAmerican.com
Airfield Airmen ‘arrest’ Aircraft
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to Spangdahlem Air Base, rests after hooking onto the aircraft arresting system at Ramstein Air Base, Oct. 28. Ramstein is annually certified on aircraft arresting systems in the event other bases may need to use them.
by Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs The 786th Civil Engineer Squadron boosted its readiness with Armed Forces personnel from NATO partners Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in an annual conference on Ramstein Air Base from Nov. 4 through 8. The partnership allowed all parties to learn from each other about the aircraft arresting system process. The aircraft arresting system ensures fighter aircraft, or any aircraft equipped with a tailhook, come to a complete stop if a pilot is unable to land the aircraft safely on his own. The Ramstein aircraft arresting system received its annual certification on Oct. 30. See AIRCRAFT, Page 2
Shining a light on Martinstag
Families gather at a bonfire to celebrate Martinstag in Landstuhl, Nov. 7. Local villages hold bonfires in addition to lantern processions and singing.
Story & photos by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Gonzales 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Playful songs and laughter fill the air while lines of bobbling lights march along wet roads toward a warm bonfire in the center of a German village. Upbeat music from a live band flows through the chilly air and compliments the children’s singing. For Americans in the Kaiserslautern Military Community, Nov. 11 is Veteran’s Day. For Germans, it’s a day to celebrate an age-old tradition known as Martinstag, an observance dedicated to St. Martin of Tours who was a Roman knight known for his selfless-
ness and modesty. In the evenings leading up to and on the night of Nov. 11, children sing songs and walk in processions with lanterns they create in school. These marches are often led by a horse and rider wearing a red cloak, representing St. Martin. The lanterns echo a time when people would burn their fields after a harvest and is symbolic of the gratitude for a successful yield. “Martinstag is a tradition that’s hundreds of years old and is more for children,” said Eva Maldonado, 86th Airlift Wing host nation advisor. “Its origins come from the same Celtic source as Halloween.” See MARTINSTAG, Page 6