HAVE YOU READ YOUR KA TODAY?
S , 2017
Volume 41, number 38
Ramstein recognizes National POW/MIA Day Story and photos by Senior Airman Jimmie D. Pike 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Members of Ramstein Air Base came together at the Ramstein Officers’ Club for a luncheon and wreath laying ceremony to observe National Prisoners Of War/Missing In Action Recognition Day on Sept. 15. National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed on the third Friday of September each year and, though first recognized in 1979, the observance was established under the 1998 Defense Authorization Act. While attending the luncheon, retired Air Force Col. Kenneth Cordier, a former Vietnam prisoner of war (1966 to 1973), addressed the audience about his days as a former POW. “I was a prisoner for 2,284 days,” said Cordier. “During that time we were treated harshly. The one thing that got me through was my faith. My faith in God, my faith in my fellow prisoners, and my faith in my country.” See WARRIORS, Page 2
Retired Air Force Col. Kenneth Cordier, a former Vietnam prisoner of war (1966 to 1973), and Col. Matthew Villella, 435th Air Expeditionary Wing and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing vice commander, place the POW/MIA memorial wreath Sept. 15 on Ramstein’s River Rats memorial. According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, there are no more than 82,000 military members unaccounted for from past conflicts, 1,600 from Vietnam alone.
Airmen assigned to the 21st Operational Weather Squadron held the first Warfighter Weather Conference, Sept. 14 to 16, on Kapaun Air Station. Thirty-three units assigned to several combatant commands, NATO partners, and sister services attended the conference with the intent to educate and network between operators and leadership in support of the warfighter. “Networking, a big thing about this conference is networking,” said 2nd Lt. Matthew Wetmore, 21st OWS assistant
flight commander. “How can we help our customers out and how can we help each other out to better support the mission.” Throughout the conference the service members broke down their unit’s respective areas of responsibility, capabilities, and duties for a clear understanding of each unit’s role in supporting the warfighter. “It was very useful to listen to all the different briefs and what the different units do to help the warfighter,” said Wetmore. “It helps us understand what each units does better, so if I do have an issue, I know exactly who I need to talk to.” The efforts made during the Warfighter Weather Conference are projected to
increase productivity and mission efficiency through the relationships made and the capabilities that coincide. “I think it’s going to be immensely more efficient,” said Wetmore. “The thing about this conference is it’s an open house, so they can just come down and talk to the forecasters who actually forecast for their base. This allows them to talk about their processes and procedures which strengthens relationships, so you actually know the other person on the end of the phone and how they operate.” By understanding each unit’s specific role in supporting the warfighter, weather services are able to ensure success while
NEWS
Story and photos by Airman 1st Class D. Blake Browning 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NEWS
Warfighter Weather Conference: Weathermen predict efficiency
See WEATHERMEN, Page 6
Fall is here. Motorists should watch out for wet leaves and fog.
KMC spouse wins CPI office logo contest, Page 3
LIFESTYLES
Tip of the Week:
Senior Airman Dylan Scott, 7th Weather Squadron regional weather maintenance technician, performs final checks on a TMQ-53, tactical meteorological observing system, during a demonstration at the Warfighter Weather Conference Sept. 14 on Kapaun. The conference brought together 33 units assigned to several combatant commands, NATO partners, and sister services with the intent to educate and network between operators and leadership.
86th MMS keeps Air Force ready for action, Page 7
Farmers market takes place in Schneckenhausen, Page 15