Kaiserslautern American -Sep. 5, 2014

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September 5, 2014

HAVE YOU READ YOUR KA TODAY?

Volume 38, number 35

3rd AF commander visits Ramstein Airmen Story and photo by Senior Airman Damon Kasberg 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

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he 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force commander, Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, visited 86th Airlift Wing Airmen and saw their capabilities during an immersion tour Aug. 28 on Ramstein. As the new commander, visits such as these allow him to see firsthand Ramstein’s impact on the Air Force mission. “The 86th Airlift Wing’s mission is directly tied to the Air Force’s mission,” Roberson said. “We’re at a strategic location here. Missions flown out of here support Europe and Africa, and the responsibilities and power that is projected from Ramstein will only grow as the mission in Africa grows.” The immersion began with breakfast alongside Airmen of all ranks. He talked to them about leadership and the future of the Air Force. He also addressed the Airmen’s concerns about current topics and gave them insight on what has helped him get to where he is now. “It was a privilege and honor to have the oppor-

Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, 3rd Air Force commander, receives a tour of the individual protective equipment warehouse during an immersion tour with the 86th Airlift Wing Aug. 28. Roberson recently took command of the 3rd Air Force, and visits such as these allow him to see firsthand Ramstein’s impact on the Air Force mission. He also spoke with Airmen from throughout the 86th AW and learned how their day-to-day jobs impact the mission.

tunity to sit next to someone who has accomplished so much in his Air Force career,” said Staff Sgt. Brook Jones, 86th Material Maintenance Squadron

resource adviser. “After listening to his opinions and See IMMERSION TOUR, Page 3

Common ground aids in mission, preserves ecosystem by Senior Airman Jonathan Stefanko 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Ramstein and its host nation partners gathered Aug. 27, to celebrate 10 years of preserving approximately 86 acres of forgery and wild life in part of the Mehlinger Heide foundation. According to Brig. Gen. Patrick X. Mordente, 86th Airlift Wing commander, the Mehlinger Heide conservation effort exemplifies civilian and military cooperation to preserve natural surroundings, and demonstrates that the military can be a good steward of the environment while accomplishing its mission. The Mehlinger Heide foundation started as an idea in 2004 to address compensation measures required by German laws that demands that for each impacted habitat or sealed surface used by Ramstein, another habitat of the same type and size must be created near the area where the former habitat was developed

Brig. Gen. Patrick X. Mordente, 86th Airlift Wing commander, gives a speech at the Mehlinger Heide foundation Aug. 27 during the 10-year celebration of preserving approximately 86 acres of forestry and wildlife.

inside the installation. “Any time an area is converted for a different use to fulfill our mission, we’re required to compensate for the impact on the undeveloped natural structure,” Mordente said. “But due to limited installation size,

it’s just a matter of time before we run out of compensation space within our installation. Therefore, the alternative concept which we know today as the Mehlinger Heide foundation was initiated.”’ The idea was to find substitute space outside the installation while staying compliant with the compensation requirements, as well as funds for upkeep of Mehlinger Heide. “The Foundation Mehlinger Heide takes care of the maintenance and development of the third largest European dry heath habitat type in southern Germany,” said Joern Jeblick, 86th Civil Engineering Squadron chief environmental biologist. “The money for the different maintenance measures like mowing, bush removal and grazing with sheep and goats comes from environmental compensation measures for construction projects on Ramstein.” See ECOSYSTEM, Page 3

WHEN: Sept. 18 to 21 WHERE: Ramstein hangars 1 & 2 VISIT: www.ramsteinbazaar.org

NEWS

until the bazaar!

FEATURES

13 DAYS

Airmen conclude operations at Powidz AB , Page 3

FEATURES

FEATURES

Airmen perform air insertion training, Page 12

Airman finds true passion in career, Page 14


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