Joint Base Journal by Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Public Affairs

Joint Base Journal Vol. 4, No. 6

February 15, 2013

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Drill Team commander transitions after notable season BY SENIOR AIRMAN BAHJA JOI JONES 11TH WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY SENIOR AIRMAN BAHJA JOI JONES

Capt. Alexander Stanton, U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team commander, stands at attention alongside the members of the Drill Team at a performance Feb. 6 at Battleﬁeld High School in Haymarket, Va. The performance was Stanton’s ﬁnal performance with the Drill Team.

JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA BOLLING, D.C. -- The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team showcased the Air Force’s precision and excellence to a crowd of AF JROTC students at Battle Filed High School on Feb. 6 in Haymarket, Va. For one member, it was more than just another recruiting expedition; it was his final performance with the Drill Team and an end to a notable season. “During the performance I was focused on my part of the routine, but the ride over and the ride home was a great time to reflect on the amazing year I’ve had with some of the best Airmen in the Air Force,” said Capt. Alexander Stanton, Drill Team commander. Stanton, a New Orleans native, has been a part of the Honor Guard since December 2011. He was the flight commander for the Ceremonial Flight before he selected to command the Drill Team during the preceding performance season. Under his command, the Drill Team has achieved quite a few milestones. “This season we have done more than 140 performances, which is the most done

by any team in recent years,” Stanton said. “Also, for the first time, the Air Force was recognized as ‘best in the department of defense’ when the Drill Team won the Joint Services Drill Competition.” During this busy year, he has also led the drill team as they took part in the 57th presidential inauguration and in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade where they performed on live television. The members of the Drill Team expressed their appreciation for his leadership and the things they were able to accomplish during the season. “He is a type of officer that I have never worked for before. He is very by the book and does not accept any excuses,” said Staff Sgt. Hunter Overton, Drill Team member. “Through his leadership we have engaged with many more potential Airmen than ever before.” Stanton will continue to work with the Honor Guard, but will be transitioning to become the assistant director of operations for the Ceremonial Flight. “It is tough to walk away from a oncein-a-lifetime experience, but now I will have more time to dedicate to my job as a Ceremonial Guardsman,” Stanton said.

Build wealth, not debt through Military Saves pledge BY PAUL BELLO JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING PUBLIC AFFAIRS

JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING, D.C. – Recent statistics by the U.S. military show most families today are not saving enough for retirement and that many do not even have an emergency fund in place. To combat this trend, Military Saves Week, which takes place Feb. 25 – March 2, encourages service members and families to set financial goals and make a plan to start saving and get out of debt. As part of the Department of Defense’s ﬁnancial readiness campaign since 2003, Military Saves is geared towards motivating military families to save money each month. The Military Saves campaign is part of the larger nation-wide campaign of America Saves, which targets all Americans.

‘Home School at the Museum’ Brings STEM to Life for Home School Students Page 4

One aspect of Military Saves is thatit encourages service members, their families and civilian employees to take the Military Saves pledge. Savers who take the pledge can opt to receive a monthly enewsletter from Military Saves, as well as tips on debt reduction, establishing credit and planning for retirement. “The pledge is a personal commitment to be financially responsible,” said Dawn Sykulla, marketing director for Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling’s (JBAB) Morale, Welfare and Recreation. “Through Military Saves, individuals can receive access to free resources and learn how to use their money more wisely.” Through JBAB’s Military Family Support Center, a number of financial classes are offered year-round to help service members and families strive towards be-

coming better savers. Similar classes are also offered through MWR’s Liberty Center, Sykulla said. Five saving strategies for service members and family members to keep in mind are: 1. Save for emergencies: Having an emergency savings fund may be the most important difference between those who manage to stay afloat and those who are sinking financially. 2. Pay off higher cost debt: The best investment most borrowers can make is to pay off consumer debt with double-digit interest rates. 3. Save automatically: Use an allotment or set-up an automatic transfer monthly from your pay into a savings account. Saving automatically is the easiest and most successful way to save.

INSIDE

Navy corpsman shares skills with Marines Page 5

4. Participate in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): TSP is a retirement savings and investment plan for federal employees and members of the uniformed services, including the Ready Reserve. 5. Deploying? Take advantage of the Savings Deposit Program. A total of $10,000 may be deposited during deployment in one-year and will earn 10 percent interest annually. Those wishing to take the Military Saves pledge can do so by logging on to www.militarysaves.org. Additional tips can be found by following Military Saves on Facebook and Twitter. Information on financial readiness classes through JBAB’s MWR is available through its Military Family Support Center by calling 202-767-0450 or 202-433-6151.

Operation Homecoming for Vietnam POWs marks 40 Years Page 6

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Friday, February 15, 2013

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Lack of funding affects USS Lincoln refueling and complex overhaul FROM DEFENSE MEDIA ACTIVITY - NAVY WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) will not start due to a lack of funding, the Navy said Feb. 8. Lincoln was expected to move to Newport News shipyard next week to begin the overhaul. However, as a result of the fiscal constraints resulting from the ongoing continuing resolution (CR), the contract for the refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) has not been issued to Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. Lincoln will remain pierside at Naval Station Norfolk until sufficient funding is received to start the execution of the RCOH. In the meantime, the ship’s Sailors continue to conduct maintenance. In their 50 year life spans, one RCOH is scheduled for the midpoint of an aircraft carrier’s service life. Lincoln was commissioned 23 years ago Nov. 11, 1989. The impact of postponing CVN 72’s RCOH is three-fold: * the time scheduled for the RCOH will have to be lengthened because the overhaul won’t begin when it was expected,

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* delayed redelivery of Lincoln to the fleet, * and impacts to industry (takes away money/jobs and can delay subsequent scheduled availabilities). Cancelling or delaying maintenance creates a significant backlog of deferred maintenance and affects future year schedules and costs, as well as future readiness. The delay in Lincoln’s RCOH will affect other carrier work. Because of the short time available between sequential dockings, the delay will also result in day-for-day impacts to the defueling of the recently inactivated Enterprise (CVN 65) and the start of USS George Washington’s (CVN 73) RCOH. A yearlong CR impacts funds for fuel, parts, ship and aircraft repairs, base operations, maintenance for buildings, roads and runways, and salaries for our government employees and contractors. The fiscal uncertainties created by not having an appropriations bill and the measures the Navy is forced to take as a result, place significant stress on an already strained force and undermine the stability of a fragile industrial base.

U.S. NAVY FILE PHOTO

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Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling

Friday, February 15, 2013

AF leaders: Sequestration, more budget cuts will be devastating BY MASTER SGT. JESS D. HARVEY AIR FORCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS AGENCY

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Sequestration would leave the Air Force with untrained people, a lack of equipment and be “devastating” to the service, officials said Feb. 7. The warning echoes what Department of Defense officials have stated for months about across-the-board defense cuts, in addition to an ongoing continuing resolution. “Now that we’re staring at that possibility in less than a month, I can tell you, they were right,” said Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, Gen. Larry Spencer, during a media roundtable at the Pentagon. The meeting was aimed at discussing the toll that ongoing fiscal insecurity and looming sequestration are taking on the force. “We understand the national imperative of economic strength and getting the fiscal house in order,” said Acting Under Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Jamie Morin. “And we recognize that the Air Force is not going to be exempt from the sort of budgetary austerity that is a part of a balanced approach to getting the national fiscal house in order.” Although Air Force leaders have already taken steps to meet budgetary reductions, the impacts that will occur from sequestration put the service at risk.

“Those cuts from sequestration, as has been said over and over again, are going to be devastating; they’re going to be dangerous,” Morin said. Morin and Spencer, among others, laid out a set of near term actions the service is taking to hedge against the potential of sequestration. They included limiting training, facility maintenance and curbing spending. “The actions we’re taking (now) are focused on things that we see as reversible and not damaging to direct combat capability,” Morin said. “Nevertheless they are disruptive to a whole host of Air Force priorities.” According to Morin and Spencer, if sequestration does happen, the Air Force will have to take additional and likely irreversible actions. One such measure is to halt all but emergency facility repairs across the force. “That results in a 90 percent reduction in those expenditures through the rest of the fiscal year,” Morin said. More than 400 projects across more than 140 bases are affected by this measure, but it only equates to about $2.9 billion in savings. Sequestration, if it occurs, will cause a $12.4 billion shortfall for fiscal year 2013. That is compounded by a potential sequestration shortfall of $1.8 billion in overseas contingency operations. “We’ve taken a series of initial actions, but those actions don’t come close to cov-

ering $12.4 billion,” Morin said. “There’s a lot more we’d have to do.” For example, Morin said the reductions to the weapons systems sustainment account is going to drive an approximately one-third reduction in depot workload in fiscal year 2013. But, like many other actions that may take place under sequestration, depot maintenance is something that will have cascading effects. Aircraft overdue for depot maintenance will be grounded until funds become available to service them later on. So it’s going to push back that maintenance into a sort of bow-wave that will continue into fiscal year 2014 and beyond, according to Morin, resulting in serious inefficiency and reduction in operational capabilities. But of major interest to the sequestration is the potential furlough of civilian employees. The Air Force currently has more than 180,000 civilian Airmen, with many locations where those civilian Airmen make up the majority, if not all of the workforce. Spencer related a conversation he’d had with a wing commander. The commander was “extremely concerned about what will happen to his work force since his entire maintenance team consists of government civilians,” Spencer said. The military relies heavily on the ex-

pertise of its civilian Airmen and furlough would seriously limit the Air Forces ability to do the mission and would have a hugely negative impact on morale. “This sort of unprecedented furlough action would put at risk mission accomplishment in a whole host of areas,” Morin said. “It’s a breach of faith with the civilian Airmen who are critical to the success of the Air Force.” They also stressed the woes sequestration will have for the already difficult modernization programs. “Unless we get substantial reprogramming flexibility we will see damage to programs like the KC-46 tanker, the F-35 -- all in an environment where we’ve been bending over backwards to try and create stability,” Morin said. “That means delayed capabilities to the Airmen who are waiting for it, and it means increased cost to the taxpayer.” In the long term, Morin said, the nation is going to have “some pretty serious conversations about defense strategy, about what we ask of our armed forces and of what set of capabilities the nation needs to provide required national security.” “Sequestration has us looking a month from now, a week from now, a day from now,” Morin said. It’s like driving down a highway at 70 miles an hour, staring right in front of your hood ornament; it’s not a recipe for success.”

579th Dental Squadron recognizes National Children’s Dental Health Month STAFF SGT. CHANTAL CHURCH ADVANCED ORAL HYGIENE TECHNICIAN - 579TH DENTAL SQUADRON

JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING, D.C. - February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. As such, the 579th Medical Group would like to take this opportunity to raise awareness for its beneficiaries by providing informational topics, as well as hands-on community outreach activities. Dentist and technicians from the dental squadron are scheduled to visit Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling’s (JBAB) Child Development Centers 1, 2 and 3 on Feb. 15 and the Youth Center Feb. 21 - 22 and again on Feb. 25 to facilitate activities that promote proper oral hygiene habits, as well encourage healthy eating. This campaign promotes a lifelong commitment to oral health in both children and adults.

When should children start dental care?

The American Dental Association recommends that the first dental visit be within six months of the first tooth, which usually occurs around the child’s first birthday. Cleaning of your baby’s mouth should begin the first few days after birth. After every feeding, wipe the baby’s gums with a damp washcloth or gauze pad. After the first tooth erupts, start cleaning with a very soft toothbrush without toothpaste. Toothpaste can be introduced when the child learns to spit at or around age 5.

What is baby bottle decay and how do I prevent it?

Early childhood caries (ECC) previously known as baby bottle tooth decay, refers to a pattern of cavities involving primarily upper front teeth of children (but all teeth can

Joint Base Journal JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING WASHINGTON, D.C. This commercial enterprise Navy newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services, retirees, DoD civilians and their family members. Contents of Joint Base Journal do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. government, Department of Defense, U.S. Navy or U.S. Air Force and does not imply endorsement thereof. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Navy, Air Force, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling or Comprint Military Publications of the products or services advertised. Published by Comprint Military Publications, a division

be affected) who have frequent, prolonged exposure to sugary drinks. This decay occurs when the baby is put to bed with a bottle, or when a bottle is used as a pacifier. To avoid ECC, fill bottles with formula, milk or breast milk, and avoid filling the bottle with liquids such as sugar water, juice or soft drinks. More importantly, don’t “bottle prop”, or give a child a bottle during naps or at bed time, as they should finish their nap time/bedtime bottles prior to going to bed. If using a pacifier, do not dip it in sugar or honey. Encourage drinking from a cup by the first birthday and minimize frequent use of training (sippy) cups. Just as with bottles, avoid high sugar juices and soda in sippy cups. If ECC develops, seek dental care immediately because in most cases treatment will require sedation or general anesthesia in the operating room due to the child’s young age and extent of decay. Help your children develop healthy eating

of Post-Newsweek Media, Inc., 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD, 20877, a private firm in no way connected with DoD, the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive contract with Naval District Washington. The editorial content of Joint Base Journal is edited and approved by the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Public Affairs Office. Tenant commands and others are encouraged to submit news, high-quality photos and informational items for publication. All submitted content must be received by noon on the Friday prior to publication. E-mail submissions to pbello@dcmilitary.com. To place display advertising, call 240-473-7538. To place classified advertising, call 301-670-2505. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron.

habits early by choosing sensible and nutritious snacks.

When should children brush their own teeth?

Young children don’t have the manual dexterity to reach all the areas where plaque may accumulate (especially along the gums). You should help your children brush twice a day until about the age of 8. Flossing once a day is also important to reach tight spots between teeth. Regular dental visits and a healthy diet with limited sugar content round out the, “no-cavity” plan for children. More helpful information about children’s dental health is available at the American Dental Association website: www.ADA.org or by contacting our dental clinic at 202-404-5519. Remember that starting early is the key to a lifetime of excellent dental health.

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‘Home School at the Museum’ Brings STEM to Life for Home School Students

Students participating in Home School at the Museum, a program offered by the National Museum of the United States Navy, create makeshift telephones using cups and string during a lesson taught by the museum’s director of education, Karin Hill. Home School at the Museum began in 2010 and has since grown to teach more than 250 children a month. The program was designed for all home schooled students, aged 18 months to 18 years and has lesson plans based on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. BY PATRICK GORDON NDW WATERLINE

The National Museum of the United States Navy at the Washington Navy Yard has much to offer students interested in the history of our nation’s sea services. But for several years, it has been offering a group of students much more. Since 2010 the education department at the museum has been educating home school students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) with a Navy twist. “It is programming specifically designed for family learning groups, with a focus on STEM,” said Karin Hill, director of education and public programs at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy. “Anybody is welcome to come, but the reason we’re able to provide this level of programming is because parents participate in the program; so it’s our parent to child ratio that makes it possible to do what we’re doing.” Hill explained that the museum’s home school program offers a variety of educational projects to a wide range of students aged 18 months to 18 years. Courses in the program have focused on the scientific and mathematic principles of sound, weather, and sailing sciences to name a few. And each comes with research and hands-on elements that allow the students to practice what they’ve learned. Hill cites the unique nature of the museum and its staff as a means of bringing the practical elements of STEM to light for the students. “For example, when we were doing sound science, we were talking about sonar,” said Hill. “So my students were doing mathematical equations similar to those that Navy antisubmarine warfare pilots use. And we were able to have our chief of staff officer, who is an antisubmarine warfare pilot, come in and give us a twohour lesson on what pilots like him have to do be able to drop sonobouys on patrol so we could explain that to the students. So it’s really a unique opportunity for these kids.” She explained that the program has grown by leaps and bounds in the three years of its existence. What started with a handful of students has grown to monthly programs of 250 students at a time. Hill

said that word of mouth in the home school community helped to spread the program’s popularity. “We’ve always had home school groups come in to the museum, and we had always treated them the way every other museum treats home school groups, which is to provide them with programming for public school students,” said Hill. “And that doesn’t work, because they’re family learning groups, and you have to provide something for the entire family, because with a home school group, the entire family will come. So we started building programs specifically for home school students, which is why our program is different than those of most museums in the area, and probably why it is so popular; the home school families know that it is built specifically for them.” Hill said that she and Laura Hockensmith, the deputy director of education and public programs at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, work diligently every month to provide fresh and engaging educational programs for every home school student that comes through the museum each month. “It’s like being a first-year teacher every single year, because we’re in our third year, but we’ve never repeated a program,” said Hill. “A lot of the STEM concepts are the same, but the overall theme of a program has never been repeated. So we’re creating from scratch every single month.” Despite the hard work, both Hill and Hockensmith say the program is rewarding for them as well as the students. “One of my favorite parts of this program is seeing kids come back and tell me that they’ve been able to use what they’ve learned in our program,” said Hockensmith. “I just got an email from the mother of a student who said that they went to a performance at the Kennedy Center, and her child said that they were able to better understand how sound affects music based on our sound science class. So it’s fun to see that they’re not only learning, but applying what they’ve learned, here.” For information on the National Museum of the United States Navy Home School at the Museum program contact Laura Hockensmith at laura.hockensmith@navy.mil or call (202) 433-6826.

U.S. Navy photos by MC2 Gina K. Morrissette

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Friday, February 15, 2013

Navy corpsman shares skills with Marines BY MARINE CORPS PFC. DANIEL HOSACK MARINE BARRACKS WASHINGTON, 8TH AND I

WASHINGTON - A native of South Amboy, N.J., is helping to save the lives of Marines by sharing his skills as a corpsman. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Pappas, one of three Navy corpsmen stationed at Marine Barracks Washington, taught the Combat Lifesaver Course to 30 Marines on Jan. 31. The course teaches critical battlefield first-aid techniques designed to save the lives of Marines injured in combat. The three-day course gives Marines the handson instruction needed to provide lifesaving first aid in combat. They learned how to identify burns, treat bone fractures and wounds, and attend to other common battlefield injuries. The Marines also learned how to apply a tourniquet and open an airway, and

they were taught how to evacuate fellow injured Marines off the battlefield. “I think it’s a great course, because it teaches the Marines to take care of each other if something happens to one of them,” Pappas said. Pappas, who served in Afghanistan from 2010 to 2011, said he believes the three-day course was time well spent, and that the skills taught in the course increase the probability of Marines returning home if injured in combat. “A course like this one is vital, because it increases the amount of Marines we can get back alive to their families,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Charles Barbarick, a corpsman who taught the course with Pappas. “Our role is to ensure the well-being of mind, body and spirit of all our Marines.” In his regular duties, Pappas is responsible for

the medical care and the overall health and wellness of the Marines he serves with, as well as the management of the unit’s “sick call,” the military’s equivalent of an urgent care center. Pappas said he plans on staying in the Navy and entering the Navy Nurse Corps.

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Operation Homecoming for Vietnam POWs marks 40 Years BY DONNA MILES AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

WASHINGTON – Forty years ago today, a C-141A Starlifter transport jet with a distinctive red cross on its tail lifted off from Hanoi, North Vietnam, and the first flight of 40 U.S. prisoners of war began their journey home through Operation Homecoming. By the day’s end, three C-141A aircraft would lift off from Hanoi, as well as a C-9A aircraft from Saigon, South Vietnam. In a steady flow of flights through late March 1973 under terms set through the Paris Peace Accords, 591 POWs returned to American soil. Americans were spellbound as they watched news clips of the POWs being carried in stretchers or walking tentatively toward U.S. officers at the awaiting aircraft for the first flight from Hanoi’s Gia Lam Airport. The POWs ranged from privates first class to colonels, all wearing new gray uniforms issued by the North Vietnamese just before their release. Air Force Tech. Sgt. James R. Cook, who suffered severe wounds when he bailed out of his stricken aircraft over North Vietnam in December 1972, saluted the U.S. colors from his stretcher as he was carried aboard the aircraft. Also on the first flight was Navy Cmdr. Everett Alvarez Jr., the first American pilot to be shot down in North Vietnam and, by the war’s end, the longest-held POW there. He spent eight-and-a-half years in captivity. Celebration broke out aboard the first aircraft -- nicknamed the “Hanoi Taxi” -- as it lifted skyward and the POWs experienced their first taste of freedom. Historian Andrew H. Lipps captured the magnitude of the moment in his account, “Operation Homecoming: The Return of American POWs from Vietnam.” “Imagine you’re imprisoned in a cage; imagine the cage surrounded by the smell of feces; imagine the rotted food you eat is so infested with insects that to eat only a few is a blessing; imagine knowing your life could be taken by one of your captors on a whim at any moment; imagine you are subjected to mental and physical torture designed to break not bones but instead spirit on a daily basis. That was being a prisoner of

Newly freed prisoners of war celebrate as their C-141A aircraft lifts off from Hanoi, North Vietnam, on Feb. 12, 1973, during Operation Homecoming. The mission included 54 C-141 flights between Feb. 12 and April 4, 1973, returning 591 POWs to American soil. North Vietnam,” Lipps wrote. “Then imagine one day, after seemingly endless disappointment, you are given a change of clothes and lined up to watch an American plane land to return you home. That was Operation Homecoming.” Aeromedical teams assigned to each aircraft tended to the former POWs during the two-and-a-half hour flight to Clark Air Base in the Philippines, the first stop on their trip home. Meanwhile, many of the POWs joked and smoked American cigarettes as they caught up on all they’d missed while in captivity: fashion trends and the women’s liberation movement, among them. “Everything seemed like heaven,” recalled Air Force Capt. Larry Chesley, who, after being shot down over North Vietnam, spent seven years in the notorious “Hanoi Hilton” and other POW prisons. “When the doors of that C-141 closed, there were tears in the eyes of every man aboard,” he said. Air Force Maj. Gen. Ed Mechenbier, the last Vietnam POW to serve in the Air Force, recalled the emotion of his own journey out of North Vietnam on Feb. 18, 1973. “When we got airborne and the frailty of being a POW turned into the reality of freedom, we yelled, cried and cheered,” he said. The POWs arrived to a hero’s welcome at Clark Air Base, where Navy Adm. Noel Gayler, commander of U.S. Forces Pacific, led their greeting party. Joining him were Air Force Lt. Gen. William G. Moore Jr., who commanded 13th Air Force and the homecom-

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTOS

Air Tech. Sgt. James R. Cook, who was captured after bailing out of his stricken aircraft over North Vietnam, salutes the colors from his stretcher as he is carried aboard a C-141A aircraft during Operation Homecoming, Feb. 12, 1973. ing operation at Clark, and Roger Shields, deputy assistant secretary of defense for POW/MIA affairs. Speaking to the crowd that lined the tarmac to welcome the aircraft, returning POW Navy Capt. Jeremiah Denton -- who would go on to earn the rank of rear admiral and later was elected to the U.S. Senate, representing Alabama -- elicited cheers as he thanked all who had worked for their release and proclaimed, “God bless America.” Air Force Lt. Col. Carlyle “Smitty” Harris, who spent almost eight years as a POW after being shot down over North Vietnam, joined the many other POWs who echoed that sentiment. “My only message is, ‘God bless America,’” he said, dismissing assertions in the media that the POWs had been directed to say it. “With six, seven or eight years to think about the really important things in life, a belief in God and country was strengthened in every POW with whom I had contact,” he said. “Firsthand exposure to a system which made a mockery of religion and where men are unable to know truth made us all

appreciate some of the most basic values in ‘God bless America.’” Air Force Col. Robinson Risner, the senior Air Force officer at the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” honored today by a statue in his likeness at the U.S. Air Force Academy, choked back emotion as he arrived on the second C-141 flight from Hanoi. “Thank you all for bringing us home to freedom again,” he told the crowd. After receiving medical exams and feasting on steak, ice cream and other American food, the former POWs received new uniforms for their follow-on flights home. Their aircraft made stops in Hawaii and California. The first group of 20 former POWs arrived at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., on Feb. 14, 1973. News clips of the arrival reveal the deep emotion of the freed POWs as they arrived on the U.S. mainland. Navy Capt. James Stockdale, who went on to become a vice admiral and vice presidential candidate, was the first man to limp off the aircraft. Stockdale paused to thank his countrymen for the loyalty they

had showed him and his fellow POWs. “The men who follow me down that ramp know what loyalty means because they have been living with loyalty, living on loyalty, the past several years -- loyalty to each other, loyalty to the military, loyalty to our commander-inchief,” he said. Of the 591 POWs liberated during Operation Homecoming, 325 served in the Air Force, 138 in the Navy; 77 in the Army and 26 in the Marine Corps. Twenty-ﬁve of the POWs were civilian employees of U.S. government agencies. In addition, 69 POWs the Viet Cong had held in South Vietnam left aboard ﬂights from Loc Ninh. Nine other POWs were released from Laos, and three from China. Forty years after their release, two of the former POWs serve in Congress: Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Rep. Sam Johnson of Texas. A dinner and ceremony being planned for late May at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in California will honor the POWs, recreating the dinner the president hosted for them at the White House in 1973.

Army Surgeon General meets with double-arm transplant recipient BY ARMY MEDICINE PUBLIC AFFAIRS

U.S. ARMY PHOTO

Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho, Army surgeon general, presents former Sgt. Brendan Marrocco with a coin during a short break in his physical therapy session Feb. 11 at the Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore.

FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho, Army surgeon general and commanding general of U. S. Army Medical Command, met with former Sgt. Brendan Marrocco, the Army’s ﬁrst Soldier to survive after “giving” all four limbs in combat, Feb. 11, at the Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore. During this visit Horoho also met with Dr. W.P. Andrew Lee, the plastic surgery chief at Johns Hopkins, who led the team that conducted the limb transplant surgery on Marrocco.

Marrocco was wounded by an improvised explosive device in Iraq in 2009. He said that he could get by without legs, but hated living without arms. Marrocco is one of only 60 patients worldwide to receive a double-arm transplant and only the seventh double-hand or double-arm transplant in the U.S. The ground-breaking procedure was the most complicated to-date, taking more than 13 hours and involving 16 orthopedic and microvascular surgeons from ﬁve hospitals.

“Just not to give up hope. You know, life always gets better, and you’re still alive,” was his advice to other wounded warriors during a recent press conference according to the Associated Press. “And to be stubborn. There’s a lot of people who will say you can’t do something. Just be stubborn and do it anyway. Work your ass off and do it.” Lee said the new arms could eventually provide much of the same function as Marrocco’s original arms and hands. Marrocco, a former infantrymen who is now separated from the Army, said he

can already move his left elbow and rotate it some. “Meeting with this 21st century Warrior today reminds me of why I got involved with medicine in the ﬁrst place,” Horoho said. “Sergeant Marrocco’s story is the story of sacriﬁce, determination, and personal resiliency. His recovery has involved countless medical professionals dedicated to improving care for our wounded warriors. I am fortunate to have met such a remarkable Soldier, thankful for those that have cared for him, and proud to be a part of the Army Medicine team.”

Joint Base Journal

Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling

MWR calendar

Champagne Sunday Brunch

Feb. 24 | 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Bolling Club Washington Dining Room Feast on a abundant selection of shrimp, fresh oysters, salads, baked and fried chicken, turkey, beef, fish, grits, bacon, vegetables, seasonal fruits, eggs benedict, made-to-order waffles and omelets, homemade banana pudding, assorted cakes and pies. Club Members: $17.95 Non-Members: $22.95. For parties of ten or more, $1 will be added to each person’s meal.

Pre-Deployment

Feb. 25 | 9 to 11 a.m. | MFSC Bldg 13 This class is for anyone that will be deploying and their family members.

Employment Classes for February

19 19

22 25 26

Feb. 25 | 11 a.m. to Noon | MFSC Bldg 13 Adecco staffing is the leading provider of recruitment and workforce solutions. If you’re looking for a new job opportunity, it means Adecco USA gives you access to more companies than anyone else and give you the resources you need to realize your career goals.

Pre-Separation

Feb. 19 & 26 | 9 to 11 a.m. | MFSC Bldg

This class is mandatory for all personnel retiring/separating from the military.

Story Time

Tuesday and Thursday | 10 a.m. | Library Theme’s for February 2013 include: Feb. 19: Princess & the Frog Feb. 21: Healthy Smiles Feb. 26: International Polar Bear Day Feb. 28: We love Rosa Parks

Resume Writing Workshop

Feb. 19 | 9 a.m. to Noon | MFSC Bldg 13 | Sign up by Feb. 15 Learn techniques to write an effective resume.

Right Start

Feb. 20 & 27 | 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. | MFSC Bldg 13 | Sign up by the Friday before each class For all personnel new to Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. Come and learn about what JBAB has to offer. Family members are highly encouraged to attend. You must sign up.

Reintegration

ble for a metro card and the cost of dinner. There is no cost to attend the Aquatic Center. Current membership and permission slip is needed for this trip.

Sponsor Training

Youth Sponsorship and Monthly Birthday Celebration

Feb. 22 | 9 to 10:30 a.m. | MFSC Bldg 13 | Sign up by Feb. 15 For all personnel that are assigned as a command sponsor.

Applying for a Federal Job

In House Movies

ADECCO

Bldg 13 This class is a briefing for all those returning from deployment. Spouses are encouraged to attend. Call to register.

Feb. 13, 20 & 27 | 9 to 11 a.m. | MFSC

Feb. 15 | 6:30 to 10 p.m. | Youth Center |9 to 18 years old Enjoy and evening of movies and popcorn at the JBAB Youth Center. Preteen movie starts at 6:30pm and Teen movie starts at 8pm.

Command Financial Specialist Forum

Feb. 15 | 1 to 3 p.m. | MFSC Bldg 72 | Sign up by Feb. 8 This discussion will be on military financial issues, its impact on mission readiness, changes and updates to the Command Financial Specialist program.

3rd Friday: Chuck Brown Tribute Celebration of Black History Month

Feb. 16 | 7:30 to 8:30pm | Youth Center | 9 to 18 years old Join the JBAB Youth Center Staff for our Monthly Birthday Celebration. If your birthday is in Feb., this one’s for you. Current Youth Center Membership is needed for this event. We invite youth new to the JBAB community to come and find out what the JBAB Youth Center has to offer you. Meet fellow members and hear what they have to say about our programming, trips and activities.

Bench Press Challenge

Feb. 20 | Fitness Center I Test your strength and power against some of JBAB’s strongest lifters in the Bench Press Competition hosted by the JBAB Fitness Center. Participants will compete with others in their age class with the goal being to lift the most weight while performing a one rep bench press. Trophies will be awarded for 1st place in each age class and overall 1st Male/Female. Sign up at Fitness Center I.

Home Buying

Feb. 20 | 8 to 9am | MFSC Bldg 72 Learners should be able to: Determine what type of home they want and how much they can afford, choose a real estate agent and mortgage and how to negotiate and close on a deal.

Feb. 15 |5 p.m. to midnight | Bolling Club In honor of the “Godfather of Go-Go”, celebrate as we pay tribute to Chuck Brown featuring live music from Uncle Hill and Kinda Bleu playing a mixture of R&B, Hip-Hop and Go-Go.

Interviewing Techniques

Liberty Movie Trip

Clean up the Clutter

Feb.15 | 6 p.m. | AMC Hoffman Center

Join Liberty for a night at the movies to check out the latest new movies at AMC Hoffman such as Identity Theft, Good Day to Die Hard and Bullet to the Head.

Career Week

Preteen Swimming at the William H. Rumsey Aquatic Center

Feb. 16 | 2 to 6:30 p.m. | Washington, DC | Sign up by Feb. 13 | 13 to 18 years old Spend an afternoon swimming and then grab dinner with the JBAB Youth Center Staff. We will metro to the William H. Rumsey Aquatic Center and then enjoy dinner at one of the local eaterys near the Eastern Market. Member will be responsi-

Chinese New Year Tournament Night

Feb. 21 | 6pm | Liberty Celebrate Chinese New Year with Liberty! Enjoy traditional games, music and great food!

Black History Month Trivia

Feb. 22 | 7 to 9pm | Youth Center | Sign up by Feb. 19 | 9 to 18 years old Do you know all the facts about Black History Month? Join the Youth Center Staff and test your knowledge with a trivia contest. Light refreshments will be served at this event. Get your team together and compete. Sign up with your team of 3 members and see who knows the most.

Ice Skating and Snowmobiling

Feb. 23 | 7am to Midnight | The Homestead Resort, VA | Sign up by Feb. 18 ODR is headed up to the Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia for ice skating, swimming and snowmobiling. Slip on a pair of skates and glade across the ice surrounded by holiday lights and music. Then head over to the adjacent spring-fed heated pool for a relaxing dip in the warm mineral-rich waters or indulge in a leisure-

Friday, February 15, 2013

ly soak in the whirlpool. You could also explore the countryside on a snowmobile. The tours last for a half an hour and are great fun. Dress in layers, gloves and warm clothing. They provide a full-face helmet, too. It’s required! Meet at ODR at 6:30am and depart at 7pm. We will return around midnight. Cost for transportation is $34 per person. All activities will be paid for individually at the resort. Please check the website for pricing; www.thehomestead.com

Cooking Project- Quick Chili

Feb. 23 | 5 to 8pm | Youth Center | 9 to 18 years old Are you getting tired of the cold weather and would like to learn how to make a quick chili? Come and cook with the JBAB Youth Center Staff. Current membership is needed for this event. Sign up at the front desk.

Military Saves Campaign

Feb. 25-28 | 4pm | Liberty Need help balancing that check book, establishing good credit or want to improve spending habits? Well Liberty is in support of the Military Saves Campaign! We can point you in the right direction to help you with better financial habits.

Smooth Move and Overseas Planning

Feb. 26 | 9am to Noon | MSC Bldg 13 | Sign up by Feb. 22 Gain information on making a successful PCS move. Family members are encouraged to attend.

Conflict Resolution

Feb. 26 | 10 to 11am | MFSC Bldg 72 | Sign up by Feb. 22 This workshop teaches participants to define conflict, as well as discover how they feel when faced with a conflict, how they normally react to conflict, coping techniques and how to resolve it appropriately as it occurs.

Ask and See

Feb. 27 | 8 to 9am | MFSC Bldg 72 This is the opportunity to talk and ask questions of the Personal Financial Expert.

Volunteer Opportunity

The District of Columbia 2013 Special Olympics program has requested volunteer assistance in support of this year’s bowling championships. The multi-day event is being held on the following dates: Feb. 19 at AMF Marlow Heights Lanes, 4717 ST. Barnabas Road, SE Temple Hills, MD Feb. 21 at the AMF Capital Plaza Bowling Center, 4601 Cooper Lane, Hyattsville, MD. Military, civilian, family member and contractor volunteers are needed between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on both days. Volunteers will escort athletes, assist with score keeping, and facilitate the orderly participation of athletes. To volunteer, please contact your unit’s volunteer coordinator or email JBAB Public Affairs at jpcirone@ warwick.net with your name, rank, service branch, unit and the date you would like to volunteer.

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Joint Base Journal

579th MDG repeat as ﬂag football champs

U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY GREGORY WHEELESS, PROGRAM/FITNESS CENTER DIRECTOR, MWR

The 579th Medical Group (MDG) finished the flag football season for the second year in a row undefeated. The championship game was played last Saturday between the MDG and NMIC. The MDG finished the season 12-0 and NMIC finished the season 5-6. NMIC made an impressive run to the championship game by defeating WHCA 14-8 and NAVFAC 19-14. The 579th MDG defeated NAVSEA 38-6 and AFDW 27-12. The 579th MDG scored on their first three possession of the championship game to defeat NMIC 28 - 0.

For more news from other bases around the Washington, D.C. area,

visit www.dcmilitary.com.

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Panetta announces Distinguished Warfare Medal BY JIM GARAMONE AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has approved a new medal designed to recognize service members directly affecting combat operations who may not even be on the same continent as the action. The Distinguished Warfare Medal rec-

ognizes the changing face of warfare. In the past, few, if any, service members not actually in a combat zone directly affected combat operations. These new capabilities have given American service members the ability to engage the enemy and change the course of battle, even from afar, Panetta said at a Pentagon news conference today.

“I’ve always felt -- having seen the great work that they do, day in and day out -- that those who performed in an outstanding manner should be recognized. Unfortunately, medals that they otherwise might be eligible for simply did not recognize that kind of contribution.” Now, the Defense Department does. “The medal provides distinct, departmentwide recognition for the extraordinary achievements that directly impact on combat operations, but that do not involve acts of valor or physical risk that combat entails,” Panetta said. Technological advancements have dramatically changed how the American military conducts and supports warfighters. Unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned underwater vehicles, missile defense technology and cyber capabilities all affect combat operations while the operators may not be anywhere near the combat zone. The new medal recognizes the contributions of these service members. It will not be awarded for acts of battleﬁeld valor, ofﬁcials said. It will be awarded in the name of the secretary of defense to members of the military whose extraordinary achievements directly impacted combat operations, and cannot be used as an end-of-tour award. “This new medal recognizes the changing character of warfare and those who make extraordinary contributions to it,” said Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “The

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criteria for this award will be highly selective and reflect high standards.” The most immediate example is the work of an unmanned aerial vehicle operator who could be operating a system over Afghanistan while based at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. The unmanned aerial vehicle would directly affect operations on the ground. Another example is that of a soldier at Fort Meade, Md., who detects and thwarts a cyberattack on a DOD computer system. The medal could be used to recognize both these exceptional acts, officials said. In the order of precedence, the Distinguished Warfare Medal will be below the Distinguished Flying Cross, and will be limited to achievements that are truly extraordinary. “The member’s actions must have resulted in an accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set the individual apart from comrades or from other persons in similar situations,” a DOD official said. The military department secretary must approve each award, and it may not be presented for valorous actions. “This limitation was specifically included to keep the Distinguished Warfare Medal from detracting from existing valor decorations, such as the Medal of Honor, Service Crosses and Silver Star Medal,” the official said. Award criteria will be incorporated into the next revision of DOD Manual 1348.33V3, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, Volume 3.

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Joint Base Journal

JNOTES

Miscellaneous items related to your health, your career, your life and your community JBAB Girl Scouts Calling all Girls! Girls registered in Kindergarten - 12th grade this fall and interested in joining should contact JBABgirlscouts@yahoo.com. The troop meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at the community center on Chappie James Blvd at 6 p.m. Girl Scouts; building girls with conﬁdence, character and courage for 100 years.

Base directories available The 2013 Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling base directories are available at the Public Affairs Ofﬁce, Rm. 207 in Bldg. 20. For more information, call 202-767-4781.

Navy Wives Clubs of America The D.C. Metro chapter of Navy Wives Clubs of America, Eleanor Roosevelt #37, hosts meetings every second Thursday of the month to discuss and plan volunteer activities in the local military and civilian communities. Military spouses of all branches are welcome to attend. For more information, email angeladowns@me.com or visit our Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/NWCA37.

Thrift Shop Reopening The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Thrift Shop has relocated to Enterprise Hall (building 72). The store hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. and the ﬁrst Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. For more information call 202-433-3364.

Boys and Girls Club volunteer opportunity The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington needs volunteer coaches for

their youth baseball league for 10-year-olds and 12-year-olds. For more information or to sign up, call 512-560-5548 from 7 a.m.5 p.m. or email Michael.martinez@afncr. af.mil.

Toastmasters Club seeks members The Bolling Toastmasters Club meets every Wednesday from 12:15-1:15 p.m. at the JBAB Chapel Center. Participants can learn to hone their communication and leadership skills. Meetings are open to all services and anyone with base access. Call 301-4526931 or email james.queen@olg.com.

JBAB photo studio closure The JBAB Public Affairs photo studio is closed until further notice. For ofﬁcial studio photography support, contact 11th Wing Public Affairs at 240-612-4430.

AFOWC Thrift Shop The Air Force Ofﬁcers’ Wives’ Club Thrift Shop is located at 13 Brookley Ave and is open Tuesdays, Wed-nesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Donations are accepted during business hours only. Proﬁts from the AFOWC Thrift shop go towards college scholarships and other military charitable organizations. For more information about the AFOWC or its Thrift Shop call 202-5636666 or email afowcthriftshop@verizon.net.

Protocol & Special Events Ofﬁce has moved The JBAB Protocol & Special Events Ofﬁce has moved to Building P-12. Coordinator Karen Smith’s new phone number is 202-767-7710.

Worship Guide

Call 301-670-7106

CAMP SPRINGS COMMUNITY CHURCH 8040 Woodyard Rd., Clinton, MD • 301-868-3030 Dr. James Lowther, Pastor www.campspringschurch.com Sunday: Sun. School 9:45am, Worship Services 11:00am & 6:00pm Wednesday: AWANA, Teen Clubs, Adult Prayer & Bible Study 7:00pm An Independent Bible Centered Church • In the Baptist Tradition - Missionary minded Affiliated with IFCA International • Nursery Available All Services

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Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling

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NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN! Know an outstanding caregiver or non-profit organization that deserves to be recognized? Nominate them for our Wounded Warrior Caregiver of the Year Award presented by DCMilitary Family Life. Write a short essay about an individual or organization that has provided exceptional assistance to a Wounded Warrior during their time of need over the past year. Submissions will be collected and judged based upon their recent sacrifices and contributions made in order to care for Wounded Warrior(s). 5 finalists from each category will be chosen by a panel appointed by Comprint Military Publications and all will be invited to attend an awards luncheon where the winners will be publicly announced. All finalists will appear in the June issue of DCMilitary Family Life magazine. Cash prizes will be donated to the winners and top finalists.

Visit www.dcmilitary.com/award for more information or email your essay to caregiver@dcmilitary.com Enter by March 29, 2013! SPONSORS INCLUDE: