Travis Tailwind: Friday, March 31, 2023

349th MXS airmen help maintain readiness

349th AMW sweeps up three Raincross Awards

TRAVIS TAILWIND

HERE COMES THE BOOM

Capt. Christopher Allen, 6th Airlift Squadron deputy chief of squadron training, copilots a C-17 Globemaster III to be refueled by a KC-46 Pegasus over the Eastern Seaboard, March 9.

Operation Homecoming

Friday event schedule

60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE — In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Operation Homecoming, Travis Air Force Base is hosting commemorative events to celebrate the return of the American prisoners of war from Vietnam to Travis from March 30 to 31.Events are open to former POWs and their families as well as base personnel and community members (with base access). The event schedule is as follows:

March 31:

9:30 a.m. – Travis AFB Passenger Terminal

n Travis AFB Passenger Terminal renaming

n Historic marker dedication

n Aircraft nose art presentation

11 a.m. – Travis AFB Heritage Museum

n Presentation from former POW

n Presentation by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

n Open viewing for all exhibits to include the updated Operation Homecoming exhibit

n Tours of C-141 Starlifter, C-123 Provider and C-7 Caribou

TRAVIS TAILWIND

Serving Travis Air Force Base and the surrounding community 1250 Texas St., Fairfield, Calif. 94533 707-425-4646 | Fax 707-425-5924

Publishers: Foy S. McNaughton and T. Burt McNaughton

Advertising Director: Louis Codone

Distribution: Bob Franks

Phoenix Spark hosts innovation week

Editor: Glen Faison

Copy Editor: Todd R. Hansen

Layout : Robinson Kuntz

Photo Editor: Robinson Kuntz

ABOVE: U.S. Air Force Maj. Byron Doan, Phoenix Spark director, gives a speech during a March 16 Q&A session with Simon Sinek at Travis Air Force Base. Phoenix Spark hosted an entire week of innovation-focused classes, events and demos.

U.S. Air Force file photo Travis Air Force Base is commemorating the 50th anniversary of Operation Homecoming.

Chustine Minoda/U.S. Air Force photos

RIGHT: U.S. Air Force airmen listen to the keynote speaker during a Q&A session March 16 with Simon Sinek at Travis Air Force Base.

349 MXS airmen help maintain mission readiness

Travis Exchange celebrates Month of the Military Child

Army & Air Force Exchange Service

Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE — The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is saluting Travis’ youngest heroes with a monthlong celebration of free events, activities and prizes during Month of the Military Child.

For the sixth year, the Exchange will give away military “brat” patches starting April 1. Military children can visit the customer service area at the Travis BX to receive a collectible patch while supplies last.

“The Exchange honors the important role that children of service members have in the Travis community,” said Travis BX General Manager Cathie Byrns. “Military children face unique challenges every day, and the Exchange is excited to provide opportunities for America’s youngest heroes to take a break from their routines and enjoy fun activities at the Travis BX.”

Events and offers include:

n A sweepstakes giving away more than $9,000 in the hottest toys and Exchange gift cards to military kids. Authorized shoppers 18 and older can enter on their favorite military child’s behalf at ShopMyExchange.com/ sweepstakes.

n Five in-store events for military kids to gather with friends and try out the latest games and toys: FurReal Baby Alive Event on April 1; Play-Doh Event on April 8; Hasbro Gaming Games Event on April 8; Beyblades Event on April 22; and Nerf Event on April 29. Look for more details on the Exchange’s community Hub at ShopMyExchange.com/momc.

n An exclusive coupon for military children 18 and younger to receive a free treat at participating Exchange restaurants beginning April 1. Treats include a free side item, fountain drink or dessert. Shoppers can contact the Travis BX for more information.

n “Purple Up” events throughout April. Military families can drive up or visit the Travis BX to receive a free goodie bag and certificate of appreciation. Shoppers can contact the Travis Exchange at 707-437-4633 for the date, time and event location.

Military families can find more information on Month of the Military child exclusive deals, event details, sweepstakes information and more on the Exchange’s community Hub at ShopMyExchange.com/momc.

Tech. Sgt. Daniel Peterson/U.S. Air Force

ABOVE: Airman 1st Class Kyla Gish, a 349th Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technician welds repair support equipment pieces on March 8.

FAR RIGHT: Senior Airman Jeremy Machado, a 349th Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technician works diligently on fabricating aluminum parts for aircraft on March 8.

Grant Okubo/U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Daniel Peterson/U.S. Air Force

RIGHT: Airman 1st Class Kyla Gish, a 349 Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technician welds repair support equipment pieces on March 8.

349th AMW sweeps up three Raincross Awards

Rossi D. Pedroza

349TH AIR MOBILITY WING

TRAVIS AIR FORCE

BASE — The 349th Air Mobility Wing brought home not one, not two, but three out of six excellence awards during the 2022 Fourth Air Force Annual Raincross Trophy Awards Dinner on March 1 in Riverside.

“Congratulations to all,” said 349th AMW commander Col. Lee Merkle. “Winning these three distinguished awards given to the Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Aeromedical Staging Squadron and the 70th Squadron Aviation Resource Management and wing is an outstanding accomplishment.”

The 349th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron was the first organization of its kind to win the prestigious Aircrew Excellence Award. The squadron’s mission was to coordinate aeromedical evacuations, liaison planning, and execute swift actions to advert loss of life. The 349th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron was recognized for its ready

posture when it answered the call to deploy on special orders for Operation Allies Welcome.

Six members mobilized as the initial “boots on the ground” to lead the historic recovery effort for over 18,000 refugees. These 349the AES members coordinated medical planning and patient movements, including relocating and resettling 72,600 Afghans into allied installations and throughout the U.S.

The award cited the 349th AES for maintaining its high standards while multiple teams were built to perform the mission. The squadron distinguished itself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States during this historic humanitarian effort. The 349th AES trained as joint capable assets to be prepared to operate in hostile environments.

The second trophy went to the 349th Aeromedical Staging Squadron for Medical Excellence Award in recognition of their advancement with planned operational deployments. The squadron led as the primary for

Exercise Ultimate Caduceus, in which they enabled 17 missions and 343 patient movements in four days. More than 9,500 patients were transported, leading the total force team on 23 staging missions, racking up 90 aeromedical evacuation patients and accumulating 800 flight hours throughout the deployment. The 349th ASTS also deployed to

support over 500 missions and delivered $3 million in medical care equipment and supplies.

The 349th ASTS Airmen represented the wing, too, by the generation of 2,976 resiliency hours of training. Other specific accomplishments detailed in the overall award package were innovation readiness, leadership development, and community

projects.

The Air Force Recruiting Service officially recognized the 349 ASTS as a “star recruiting squadron” with 15 new member accessions, increasing critically staffed positions by 38%.

The 349th Air Mobility Wing earned the Annual Innovation Award in recognition of the 70th See AWARDS Page 5

Tech. Sgt. Daniel Peterson/U.S. Air Force Raincross Awards 2022 ceremony presented six trophies for excellence during the dinner recognition event at March Air Reserve Base, Calif. The 349 AMW walked away with three of trophies in medical excellence, innovation excellence, and aircrew excellence. The ceremony was March 1.

Awards

From Page 4

Air Refueling Squadron, Squadron Aviation Resource Management. The SARM proactively capitalized on the increased telework during and after the coronavirus lockdown, so they looked ahead and implemented a paperless process. The team committed to a complete digital overhaul of 18 aircrews, comprised of 104 personnel, and effectively managed a large conversion from hard copies to an electronic documentation and digital storage

Making

system.

An updated process flow that incorporated 1,000 electronic flight bags was issued to Total Force Integration operators, who incorporated multitasking the EFBs, which resulted in a positive, measurable increase in return on investment.

The SARM continued to align the mission and vision, and implemented a ready now and transformative view for future priorities.

“You have set the example for all mobility wings, continue to excel and demonstrate to our adversaries that we are ready now!” said Merkle.

Lt. Col. Robert Cousebaker/U.S. Air Force file (2015) During an engine-running offload, Senior Master Sgt. Jeremy Morton, 349th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, directs a litter-carry team moving a simulated critically ill patient out of a C-130J Super Hercules to a waiting ambulance bus during 349th Air Mobility Wing Air Force Specialty Code training June 6, 2015, at Travis Air Force Base.

WASHINGTON (AFNS) — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III unveiled a comprehensive plan March 22, aimed at improving the lives of the dedicated U.S. military force and their families.

The new plan consists of six additional actions that address essential needs in education, childcare, parental leave and career advancement. The Department of Defense said it is committed to working with Congress and other stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of these measures.

Austin is directing the implementation of the following:

Universal prekindergarten at DoD Education Activity schools: The DoD is collaborating with Congress to secure funding for universal prekindergarten at

DoDEA schools. The program is set to undergo a phased implementation over a five-year period, providing high-quality early education for military children.

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts for service members: To alleviate financial pressure on service members with dependents, the DoD will enable access to Dependent Care FSAs, allowing them to set aside up to $5,000 in pretax income through payroll deductions for eligible dependent care expenses.

New military parental leave benefits: The DoD will promote new parental leave benefits that provide 12 weeks of paid, nonchargeable leave to service members welcoming a child into their family through birth, adoption or long-term foster-care placement. This initiative supports the wellbeing and work-life balance of military families.

Improvements to the Excep tional Family Member Program: The DoD is committed to en hancing the EFMP to better sup port the unique needs of excep tional military families. Further improvements and streamlined processes will ensure that these families receive the necessary re sources and assistance.

Expanded spouse eligibili ty for My Career Advancement Account financial assistance: To support career advancement for military spouses, eligibil ity for MyCAA financial assis tance will be expanded to E-6 and O-3 ranks. This program provides up to $4,000 in aid for obtaining a

Photo

Families

From Page 6

license, certificate or associate degree.

Portability and best practices for professional licenses: The DoD will continue efforts to make professional licenses portable for military families, working with states to encourage sharing of licensure best practices and approval of occupational licensure

compacts. This initiative aims to reduce barriers to employment for military spouses.

Austin is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the U.S. military force and their families through these new measures. The DoD will collaborate with Congress and state partners to ensure the successful implementation and ongoing support of these initiatives.

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Travis

Exchange to host events for children Saturdays in April

Army & Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE —

Military kids can enjoy free activ ities each Saturday in April at the Travis Exchange to celebrate the Month of the Military Child.

Beginning April 1, military kids can visit the Travis BX from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. each Saturday to participate in free activities featuring products from popular toy brands Baby Alive, Fur Real Friends, Play-Doh, Hasbro Gaming, Beyblades and Nerf.

Throughout the month, military kids ages 3 and up can:

n Play with Baby Alive and Fur Real Friends and show off their artistic skills with coloring pages on April 1.

n Create sculptures to take home at the Play-Doh sculpting event on April 8.

n Participate in popular Hasbro games, including Jenga, Hungry Hippos and Connect 4 on April 8.

Military kids ages 7 and up can:

n Launch Beyblade Bursts on April 22.

n Practice their aim in the Nerf Blaster Testing Tent on April 29.

“The Travis Exchange is excited to host fun activities in honor of our youngest heroes throughout the month,” said Travis Exchange general manager Cathie Byrns. “Month of the Military Child is a special time for the Travis community, and these free events are much deserved for military kids. They serve, too!”

Pre-registration for events is not required. For information, call 707-437-4633.

For the full list of Month of the Military Child activities and events, visit ShopMyExchange. com/momc.

Give us a call to schedule an appointment or just stop by we always have coffee brewed and popcorn popped. We look forward to meeting you and providing you with excellent customer service.

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First Assembly Of God

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Lead Pastor: C. Eric Lura

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MOUN T CA LVARY BA PTIST CHURCH

Dr. Claybon Lea, Jr. - Senior Pastor

Fairfield Campus

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Sunday Worship Services

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Suisun Campus

601 Whispering Bay Lane, Suisun City, CA 94585

707-425-1849

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First Baptist Church of Vacaville

The All Together Different Church

1127 Davis Street, Vacaville 707-448-6209

www.fbcvv.com

Holy Spirit Parish

1050 North Texas Street Fair eld, CA 94533-0624 707-425-3138

www.holyspiritfair eld.org

Weekend Mass:

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Sunday • 6:00am (Spanish),

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DoD announces new bereavement leave benefit for service members

Defense News

WASHINGTON (AFNS) —

The Department of Defense announced March 29, a new nonchargeable, paid bereavement leave benefit for service members who suffer the loss of their spouses or children. Directivetype Memorandum 23-003 – “Bereavement Leave for Service Members” implements the policy

and procedures for the administration of bereavement leave for service members across the Department of Defense. The new leave benefit is authorized in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022.

The loss of a spouse or child has detrimental effects on a service member’s ability to perform assigned duties. Bereavement leave is designed to allow service

members time away from their military duties to make the arrangements required by the tragic death of their spouses or children and to attend their funeral, burial, or memorial service. Service members will be afforded the opportunity to take up to two weeks of leave in connection with the death of a service member’s spouse or child, consistent with operational requirements.

Specifically, an active and reserve component service member (on active duty for longer than 12 months) who experiences the death of a spouse or child and who has fewer than 30 days of accrued ordinary leave on the date of the death is eligible for up to 14 consecutive days of bereavement leave. Based on the law, this benefit is only available to service members with accrued

leave balances below 30 days. Thus, a service member with a leave balance of 30 or more days may take chargeable emergency leave as they would in the past. However, if, while on emergency leave, his or her balance falls below 30 days, the service member will become eligible for the bereavement leave benefit of up to 14 days.

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Pentagon chief warns Senate amid abortion-policy showdown

The Washington Post WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is raising alarm over one Republican senator’s bid to block the promotion of nearly 160 senior U.S. military officers in a dispute over the Defense Department’s abortion policy, joining top Democrats in labeling the political showdown a threat to national security.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, speaking Tuesday before the Senate Armed Services Committee, warned that by impeding these officers’ promotions, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.)

had caused a “ripple effect in the force that makes us far less ready than we need to be.”

The remarks were Austin’s most direct in a dispute that has grown increasingly acrimonious since Tuberville, earlier this month, promised he would require the promotions to be approved one-by-one, rather than in batches – what Congress calls unanimous consent. The nominations can still move ahead, but would require time-consuming steps by Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D.-N.Y.), who complained Tuesday that Tuberville’s gambit was

Puzzles

Previous solution - Medium

tantamount to “hostage taking.”

“The women of our military,” Schumer said in remarks on the Senate floor, “are more than capable of making their own decisions when it comes to their health. They do not need the senior senator from Alabama making decisions on their behalf. And they certainly do not need any senator throwing a wrench in the function, the vital functioning of our military when they work every day to keep us safe.”

Tuberville fired back at his

critics, saying during Tuesday’s hearing that the Pentagon’s policy, which allows military personnel to recoup associated travel expenses if they are stationed in states that ban or restrict the procedure, approves the use of taxpayer dollars to terminate pregnancies despite a congressional block on such spending via a decades-old law known as the Hyde Amendment.

“You all have the American taxpayer on the hook to pay for travel and time off for elective

abortions,” Tuberville said. “And you did not make this [policy] with anybody in this room or Congress taking a vote.”

At the center of the dispute is Austin’s approval of the policy granting up to three weeks of paid time off and travel reimbursement for service members and dependents if they travel out of state to receive an abortion. The move followed last year’s Supreme Court’s ruling ending the constitutional protections granted 50 years ago in Roe v. Wade.

Tuberville told Austin that if the Pentagon wants to spend money on such initiatives, they

See POLICY Page 12

SUDOKU

No. 640

You can find more help, tips and hints at www.str8ts.com 6792

gaps but can be in any order, eg [4,2,3,5]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to see how ‘straights’ are formed.

Previous solution - Very Hard

239561478

516748293

748329651

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Policy

From Page 11

should be included in the department’s annual defense policy bill, the National Defense Authorization Act.

Austin urged him to reconsider, saying that women comprise nearly 20 percent of the military and they do not get to choose where they are stationed.

“Almost 80,000 of our women are stationed in places . . . where they don’t have access to non-covered reproductive health care,” Austin said. “I heard from our troops. I heard from our senior leaders. And I heard from our chiefs and our secretaries, and this policy is based on strong legal ground.”

A senior U.S. defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the issue is so politically fraught, aid Tuberville’s hold on promotions has affected five three-star officers who are due to rotate into new jobs within the next 90 days. They include the commander of the Navy’s 5th Fleet, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, and the Pentagon’s

representative on NATO’s military committee.

The official said that Austin’s comments were intended to highlight that, unless Tuberville relents, the problem could get significantly worse in the next eight months. Seventy other three- and four-star generals and admirals are scheduled to rotate into new roles this year, including the four-star commanders in charge of U.S. Cyber Command, U.S. Space Command, and U.S. Northern Command, the official said.

The Biden administration also is preparing to replace Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who is expected to leave his job by the end of September, along with the top officers in the Army, Navy and Marine Corps.

Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the committee’s chairman, said that “if we cannot resolve this situation, we will be, in many respects, leaderless at a time of great conflict. “So,” he added, “I would hope we will deal with and expedite and move quickly on this front.”

Matt McClain/The Washington Post Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, center, appears Tuesday before the Senate Armed Services Committee.