Travis Tailwind: July 14, 2023

TRAVIS TAILWIND

SALUTE TO SERVICE

Roquan Smith, an NFL linebacker, runs through a drill with a football camp participant during a visit to Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 23. Smith and fellow athlete, Jonathan Abram, visited Kadena AB as part of the NFL’s “Salute to Service” program.

Senior Airman Sebastian Romawac

Military Star cardmembers enjoy double points day at the Express every month

Army & Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE — Shopping at the Express with the Military Star card is twice as nice on double points day.

On the 15 th of each month, Travis Air Force Base airmen and military shoppers who use their Military Star card at any Army & Air Force Exchange Service Express receive four points per $1 spent instead of the usual two points.

Cardmembers earn unlimited rewards points on purchases and receive a $20 digital rewards card every 2,000 points. In 2022, military shoppers worldwide earned $36 million in rewards by using their Military Star cards.

“The Military Star rewards program adds to the great value that shoppers already receive at the Exchange and with Military Star’s discounts and benefits,” said Travis BX General Manager Cathie Byrns. “It helps the Travis community stretch their hard-earned dollars further.”

Rewards points are earned everywhere the card is accepted, including all military exchanges, commissaries, ShopMyExchange.com, myNavyExchange.com, ShopCGX.com and Exchange mall vendors.

The Military Star card is an exclusive line of credit for service members, military families, retirees, Veterans and Department of Defense civilians – no matter where they serve. Other benefits of the card include:

n 10% discount on all first-day purchases for new cardmembers.

n 5 cents off every gallon of gas at Exchange fuel locations.

n 10% off food purchases at participating Exchange restaurants.

n Free shipping on all ShopMyExchange.com and MyNavyExchange.com orders.

n One low APR for all cardmembers, regardless of credit score.

n No annual, late or over-limit fees.

n Reduced-interest deployment plan with no payments required for eligible cardmembers.

Rewards exclude the Military Clothing Plan. For more information, see a store associate or visit https://aafes.media/ MilStarPA.

TRAVIS TAILWIND

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

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75th Anniversary of the 60th AMW celebration

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ABOVE: U.S. airmen with the Band of the Golden West, play a rendition of the national anthem during the 75th anniversary of the 60th Air Mobility Wing celebration at Travis Air Force Base, July 7. The original wing was stood up at Kaufbeuren Air Base, Germany, in July 1946 and became the host unit at Travis AFB in 1966.

RIGHT: U.S. Air Force Col. Derek Salmi, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, left, and Airman Basic Alexis Cooper, 60th Aerial Port Squadron air transportation apprentice, cut a cake during the 75th anniversary of the 60th AMW celebration, July 7.

Travis Tailwind is a publication produced by the Daily Republic. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form, in whole or in part, without written permission, is prohibited. Content published in Travis Tailwind is not necessarily the official view of, nor is it endorsed by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. The appearance of advertising in the publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or the Daily Republic of the products or services advertised.

Those off base who wish to receive home delivery of Travis Tailwind may call 707-427-6975. For information on paid advertising, call 707-425-4646. Correspondence may be sent to: Travis Tailwind/Daily Republic, 1250 Texas St., Fairfield, CA 94533.

14

Classifieds

ON THE COVER Roquan Smith, an athlete in the NFL, runs through a drill with a football camp participant during a visit to Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 23. Senior Airman Sebastian Romawac/U.S. Air Force

SrA Alexander Merchak/U.S. Air Force photos

Travis airmen march in Fourth of July Parade

Nicholas Pilch/U.S. Air Force photos

LEFT: U.S. airmen wave during the Independence Day parade in Fairfield, July 4. A formation representing units from across Team Travis marched in the parade highlighting the relationship Travis Air Force Base has with the local community.

BOTTOM LEFT: U.S. airmen wave during the Independence Day parade in Fairfield, July 4.

BOTTOM RIGHT: A local resident, front right, cheers for U.S. airmen marching during the Independence Day parade in Fairfield, July 4.

TOP RIGHT: A local resident waves a flag during the Independence Day parade as U.S. airmen march in Fairfield, July 4.

Department of the Air Force rolls out Climate Campaign Plan

Department of Defense

WASHINGTON (AFNS) — The Department of the Air Force released its Climate Campaign Plan July 11.

The Department of the Air Force Climate Action Plan, which was published in October 2022, defines how it will preserve operational capability, increase resiliency, and do its part to help mitigate future climate impacts. The plan lays out an enterprise-wide approach to why it is important to ensure policies, technology innovation and evolving operations remain relevant in a changing climate.

The Climate Campaign Plan is the implementation portion of the Climate Action Plan and breaks down the strategy through specific and measurable objectives and key results. This plan details the actions, offices of primary responsibility, external partners and timelines to achieve the key results.

DAF’s overall goal is to be resilient to the effects of climate

Electronics eligible for back-to-school layaway at the Travis Exchange for limited time

Army & Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs

change and preserve a combatcredible force that is increasingly impacted by climate change. The department’s ability to adapt to these challenges will be critical to meet our national security obligations.

“Our priorities are to maintain air and space dominance in the face of climate risks, ensure our decisions reflect an understanding of the impacts of climate on our mission, and build resilience by optimizing energy use and pursuing alternative energy sources,” said Dr. Ravi Chaudhary, assistant secretary of the Air Force for energy, installations and the environment. “Ultimately, this Campaign Plan is about warfighting and responding at the point of effect for theater commanders – and we will be ready.”

The department will provide updates as necessary to address new policies, technology innovation, and evolving missions that answer emerging climate concerns.

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE — To help military families stay on budget while preparing for the school year, the Travis Exchange is offering limited time layaway on electronics through Sept. 1. Computers, notebooks, iPads, tablets and other electronics that support educational excellence are not usually eligible for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service layaway program, but service members and their families can enjoy the expanded program before the school year.

“There can be a lot of costs that hit all at once when preparing for the start of school,” said Travis Exchange General Manager Cathie Byrns. “The Travis Exchange’s layaway program is a great choice to not only manage expenses for clothes, shoes and backpacks but electronics as well.”

A $3 service fee and a 15% deposit are required to place these and other items on layaway, and the items must be picked up by Sept. 2. Shoppers can visit the Travis Exchange for more information.

Tech. Sgt. Liliana Moreno/U.S. Air Force Retired Tech. Sgt. Brandon Jones and his service dog, Apache, browse through the aisles at the Travis Air Force Base Exchange store.

LCpl. Alexander Quiles/U.S. Marines U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Robert G. Sutton, left, and Cpl. Moses E. Perez, field wireman with Combat Logistics Regiment 15, install new solar panels on Combat Outpost Shukvani, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Nov. 19, 2012.

House GOP channels US culture wars in Pentagon budget battle

The Washington Post

The Republican-led House is expected to vote as soon as this week on an $886 billion bill that aims to shape Pentagon policy next year, but its path to passage faces a potentially messy partisan battle over abortion access, LGBTQ rights, efforts to promote diversity in the military and other politically charged social issues.

The House version of the National Defense Authorization Act includes increased investment in precision missiles, warships and newer technologies like artificial intelligence and hypersonics - core bipartisan priorities as the Pentagon directs greater attention toward China. It also authorizes a 5.2 percent base pay increase for military personnel and expanded support for their families through housing improvements, and broader access to child care, health care and education benefits.

“The threat posed by China is real, and it represents the most pressing national security challenge we’ve faced in decades,” House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike D. Rogers (RAla.) told colleagues in remarks Tuesday. The defense bill, he added, was designed “with that underlying goal: to deter China.”

But it is the country’s intensifying culture-war battles, not any specific approach to U.S. national security, likely to attract the most vociferous debate as lawmakers consider amendments to the bill in the coming days. While it is widely considered one of the few must-pass pieces of legislation Congress takes up each year, some members and their staffers have warned that inserting contentious issues like abortion into the bill could derail the process entirely, complicating U.S. defense strategy and funding for the coming year.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Tuesday seemed to concede that the rancor surrounding some amendments could lead to delays. “We’re

going to get it passed,” he said, adding, “It doesn’t have to be on a specific time.”

“It’s not how you start,” he said. “It’s how you finish.”

The Senate has yet to schedule a vote on its version of the bill. The two chambers will ultimately meet to reconcile any differences before the legislation can move to President Biden for approval. The White House has criticized aspects of the House measure, which has diverged in some key ways from the proposal that the administration sent to Congress.

The bill, approved last month by the House Armed Services Committee on a 58-1 vote, succeeds in “pushing back against the radical woke ideology being forced on our servicemen and women,” according to a summary of the legislation released last month by committee Republicans.

The House bill would ban drag shows and the teaching of critical race theory in the military while rolling back initiatives, passed by the Democratic-controlled House in previous years, meant to foster diversity and inclusion within the Defense Department. That includes eliminating the department’s chief diversity officer position and a department working group designed to counter extremism in the ranks.

Also built into the House bill is a plan to offer reinstatement to service members who defied the military’s coronavirus vaccine requirement, since repealed, and were discharged for their refusal to do as they were told. That component of the legislation “sets a dangerous precedent that not following lawful orders is an option for service members,” the Biden administration warned.

On Tuesday, the House Rules Committee began evaluating the more than 1,540 amendments that House lawmakers have sought to insert into the defense policy bill. Among the record number of proposals are scores that have little to do with defense, including efforts to change laws governing

concealed firearms, environmental standards, drug penalties and immigration policy. One seeks to declare the month of July “American Pride Month” - to bolster patriotism.

Not all amendments will be debated on the House floor, but some moderate Republicans worry that the influence of three far-right lawmakers who sit on the committee - Reps. Chip Roy (R-Tex.), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ralph Norman (RS.C.) - could prioritize the most

polarizing proposals for consideration.

One amendment with more than 60 Republican co-sponsors would prohibit the Pentagon “from paying for or reimbursing expenses relating to abortion services,” the measure says. Conservatives have zeroed in on the policy, adopted in the wake of last year’s Supreme Court decision repealing the constitutional right to an abortion, that protects service members who must travel out of state to obtain the

procedure.

A group of swing-district Republicans has vowed to defeat certain abortion-related amendments if they reach the House floor, said a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to disclose internal discussions. Many House Democrats have said they would not vote to pass the defense bill if it includes an amendment that repeals the policy.

In an interview, the armed See BUDGET Page 10

Senior Airman Alexander Merchak

TRAVIS AIR FORCE

BASE — With Mobility Guardian 2023 well underway, U.S. Air Force Gen. Mike Minihan, Air Mobility Command commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Jamie Newman, AMC command chief, visited numerous AMC locations, including Team Travis, July 1112, 2023.

Mobility Guardian 2023 is AMC’s largest full spectrum readiness exercise in the command’s history and Minihan was here to observe the strategic role Travis AFB plays in the region.

“Everything that’s special about this [AMC] patch exists on this base,” said Minihan. “There is not another power projection platform on the planet that is more important than this base. Your efforts are being felt globally because of the work being done on this base.”

This is the largest Exercise Mobility Guardian in the command’s history with more than 3,000 mobility airmen participating across the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility demonstrating all tenants of Rapid Global Mobility, maneuvering the Joint Force, and integrating with our Allies and partners. Team Travis deployed more than 400 personnel, including aircrew and support teams from the C-17 Globemaster III, C-5 Super Galaxy and the 60th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron.

Team Travis was emphasized as a strategically important node identified as one of the key mobility touchpoints visited by higher headquarters as part of MG23, further highlighting Travis as the “Gateway to the Pacific.”

“Travis demonstrates tremendous support to the Indo-Pacific region on a regular basis,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Derek Salmi,

60th Air Mobility Wing commander. “Mobility Guardian is an opportunity to showcase our ability to succeed with our allies and sister services in providing rapid global mobility on any scale. We’re no strangers to the trials of an operationally limited environment and we welcome this opportunity to show that we’re prepared to address these challenges and support the Joint Force in all aspects of combat operations.”

MG23 features a wide range of refueling and transport aircraft working with thousands of Joint service members and international Allies and partners to practice interoperability across airlift, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation, air mobility operations (Global Air Mobility Support System), and command and control in contested, degraded, and operationally limited environments. Many different units supported the heavy lift to seven different countries where U.S. airmen worked side-by-side with multiple partner nations.

During MG23, land, naval, air, and defense forces from Australia, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand and the United Kingdom will conduct operations alongside U.S. Joint Force elements while spanning 3,000 miles.

“It should be evident by now that success of the Joint Force requires a capable and integrated

Mobility Air Force,” Minihan said in a statement released when MG23 kicked off. “MG23 will turn planned integration into operational integration within the theater, stretching MAF capabilities to meet future demands and, protect shared international interests with our Allies and partners.”

Minihan stressed preparation

Air Force Senior Airman Oliver Davis, left, 60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron C-5M Super Galaxy home station check journeyman, and Gen. Mike Minihan, Air Mobility Command commander, change a tire on a

during a visit amidst Mobility Guardian 2023 at Travis Air Force Base, July 11.

Symposium aims to increase dental health of military dogs

Tech. Sgt. Philip Bryant

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE —

The 60th Dental Squadron and the renowned University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) have joined forces to advance dental care for some of the unsung heroes of the military, the military working dogs (MWDs).

With a shared goal of enhancing the overall health and performance of these exceptional canines, the partnership took shape in the form of the first-ever MWD dental health joint symposium, June 28, 2023, at UC Davis with a series of training workshops covering topics such as periodontal disease, vital pulp therapy, root canal therapy, and tooth wear.

A team of dental specialists from Travis AFB immersed themselves in the world of veterinary medicine, while UC Davis SVM’s experts gained invaluable insights into the unique challenges and requirements of dental care for MWDs. This pioneering partnership has set a

new standard for interdisciplinary cooperation ensuring these brave companions are capable and ready when called upon.

“(Human) Dentists treating MWDs happens only occasionally at a typical base, however when the need exists, it is urgent,” explained U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Stephen Arnason, 60th Dental Squadron residency program director. “MWD dental training for Air Force dentists is capabilitydriven to ensure all warfighters, regardless of species, can return swiftly to the fight when the need arises.”

The collaboration began when U.S. Air Force Maj. Andy Ellis, 60th Dental Squadron residency deputy program director, recognized the need for expanding dental training for their residents to cover MWDs. Understanding the vital role that dental health plays in the well-being of our canine teammates, Ellis reached out to the faculty at UC Davis SVM, known for their research and veterinary education.

“Partnerships between UC Davis SVM and military working

dogs, such as those based at Travis Air Force Base, are meaningful because they contribute to the well-being of these dedicated service animals, enhance training programs, foster knowledge exchange, and support applied research,” said Maria Soltero-Rivera, University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine surgical and radiological sciences assistant professor. Together, along with the lone military veterinarian stationed at Travis AFB, U.S. Army Capt. Melodie Raese, the base’s veterinary clinic officer in charge, they shared insights and best practices to provide the finest dental

care for MWDs.

“Since it is [MWDs] mission to protect their human counterparts, their teeth are their weapons,” said Raese. “It is extremely important for our MWDs to have good oral hygiene, because that directly translates to functionality. It is just like a soldier being down range with their issued weapon -- if it is full of grit and extremely dirty, it will not fire appropriately when it’s most needed.”

One of the significant results of this unique training, is the development of new military dental

Tech. Sgt. Philip Bryant/U.S. Air Force Gyozo, 60th Security Forces Squadron military working dog, chews a toy at Travis Air Force Base, July 10. See DOGS Page 11

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Fight over NATO membership for Ukraine overshadows Biden’s diplomatic triumph

Los Angeles Times

President Biden celebrated Finland’s addition to NATO – and Sweden’s impending membership – on Wednesday, but fierce arguments over when and how Ukraine should join the Western alliance overshadowed a moment the administration has hailed as a diplomatic triumph.

Capping a high-stakes summit in the Lithuanian capital city of Vilnius, Biden said he remained “optimistic” about NATO’s future, declaring that it was stronger and more united than ever in its history.

“We will not waver,” Biden said in a courtyard at Vilnius University. “Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for liberty and freedom today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.”

The question of Ukraine’s membership has split the North Atlantic Treaty Organization since Russia’s February 2022 invasion.

The United Kingdom, Lithuania and Poland have argued that the alliance should detail exactly how and when Kyiv might join. But the U.S. and Germany have warned that a fast-tracked bid would put NATO in a direct – and possibly nuclear – confrontation with Moscow.

Turkey dropped its objection to Sweden’s bid for membership just as NATO’s annual summit kicked off on Monday, putting the bloc’s focus squarely on the Ukraine dispute.

The alliance released a heavily qualified diplomatic statement on Tuesday that declared “Ukraine’s future is in NATO,” but failed to lay out a real plan for when that might occur. NATO leaders said the bloc would “be in a position to extend an invitation” once all allies agreed and Ukraine met certain unspecified conditions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky bashed the proposed language as “absurd” when it was leaked ahead of its official release Tuesday, but softened his tone Wednesday.

During a meeting with Biden on the sidelines of the summit, the Ukrainian leader said unity among NATO members and security guarantees amounted to “success.”

Biden conceded Zelensky must feel “the frustration, I know,” but assured him the U.S. would be a long-term partner for Ukraine.

“I know, you’re many times frustrated about what things get to you quickly enough, and what’s getting to you and how we’re getting there,” Biden told Zelensky. “But I promise you: The United States is doing everything we can to get you what you need as rapidly as we can get it to you.”

The alliance’s communique about Ukraine is “a modest step forward but it could have been better,” said Daniel Fried, a former U.S. ambassador to Poland and assistant secretary of State for Europe. “The Biden administration could have gone further and been a little more forward leaning, but they ended up on the right side of an important line, which is whether Ukraine ultimately is part of the European and transatlantic family or whether it belongs to the Kremlin.”

The alliance established a new NATO-Ukraine Council to include Kyiv on security discussions and simplified Ukraine’s process to join by removing the “membership action plan,” which would have required a multi-year reform effort to meet NATO standards.

Ukraine is “now closer to NATO than ever before” after NATO leaders lifted the See NATO Page 11

60th MXG Change Of Command

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Tech. Sgt. Philip Bryant/U.S. Air Force

U.S. Air Force Col. Derek Salmi, left, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, Col. James Reaves, middle, outgoing 60th Maintenance Group commander, and Col. Clinton Varty, incoming 60th Maintenance Group commander, salute during the national anthem to start the 60th MXG change of command ceremony at Travis Air Force Base, July 5. The ceremony is rooted in military history dating back to the 18th Century where the command flag was passed to the individual assuming command in the presence of the entire unit.

US destroys the last of its chemical weapons stockpile

The Washington Post

The United States’s last declared chemical weapon – an aging rocket filled with sarin nerve agent – was destroyed late last week at a Kentucky munitions plant, the Pentagon affirmed Monday, ending a decades-long operation to cull U.S. stocks of deadly toxins.

Chemical agents, whose terrifying use throughout World War I led to global proliferation despite their horrifying effects, are considered weapons of mass destruction. They can disperse

Budget

From Page 5

services committee’s top Democrat, Rep. Adam Smith (Wash.), charged that “a few Republicans hijacked the bill to push their social agenda and their extreme MAGA agenda” - referring to “Make America Great Again,” a rallying cry among conservatives loyal to former president Donald Trump. Democrats have sought to portray “MAGA Republicans” as espousing the party’s most polarizing and dangerous views, including those concerning abortion, equality and LGBTQ rights.

“We’ve taken some steps over the four years that we were in the majority to get the Pentagon to make sure that they did a better job of recruiting and making sure that people in historically marginalized communities - primarily LGBTQ women and people of color . . . know that they’re welcome within the military, because historically they have not been,” Smith said, referring to Republican proposals to repeal those measures.

The country’s armed forces are facing a major recruiting challenge, Smith noted, and eliminating diversity and inclusion initiatives hinders the military’s ability to recruit talented

gases, liquids, aerosols or powders intended to kill or incapacitate their victims. Some cause a person’s skin to blister. Others induce suffocation or destroy the nervous system.

At its peak, the U.S. chemical weapons stockpile measured about 30,000 metric tons.

Congress directed the weapons’ eradication in 1986. The Chemical Weapons Convention of 1997, which the United States joined with 192 countries to forbid their creation and stockpiling, required complete elimination by Sept. 30. Since then,

individuals from marginalized groups.

Lawmakers also are divided - though not always along party lines - over the administration’s approach to China and Ukraine. More than 60 amendments concern U.S. policy toward China, Chinese people or Chinese entities, including some that Democrats say appear to be racist.

Republicans also submitted nearly 20 separate amendments to cut back on or eliminate U.S. security assistance to Ukraine and NATO - proposals that stoked debate Tuesday and are likely to expose intraparty tensions if they go to the House floor.

“We should not be devoting time and resources and putting the people of Ukraine over American citizens,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said, urging her colleagues to consider three proposals she introduced to defund the war effort in Ukraine.

Leading Republicans in the Armed Services Committee on Tuesday urged their Rules Committee colleagues to stick to relevant amendments, with Rogers imploring them to focus on those “that advance the security of our nation and the needs of our service members.”

In the Senate, the partisan rift over abortion access has had enormous implications for the military’s promotion process.

3.5 million munitions were dismantled along with thousands of containers used to store their agents, U.S. officials have said.

It has taken more than a decade to destroy the last 10 percent, the Pentagon said. And while the United States was the last participating country to have finished culling its chemical weapons stocks, officials pointed to a congressional requirement to develop a safe and environmentally conscious alternative to incineration as one factor responsible for drawing out the process.

“Destroying the remainder

For the past seven months, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) has blocked military confirmations and promotions in the Senate Armed Services Committee in a bid to pressure the Pentagon to abandon its policy.

As a consequence, the Marine Corps this week witnessed the departure of its top general without a Senate-confirmed successor. Vigorous floor debate is

posed a greater challenge because it involved the more complicated approach of neutralizing these munitions’ chemicals,” Douglas Bush, an Army assistant secretary, told reporters Monday.

The United States also helped other nations – including Russia, Libya and Albania – destroy their stockpiles, officials said.

Though China and Russia are signatories of the pledge to end their chemical weapons programs and eliminate their stocks, U.S. officials said they have concerns about whether they have followed through.

important, Rep. Rob Wittman (RVa.) said in an interview Tuesday. But ultimately, “all of us need to look at getting behind a bill that ensures that our men and women of the military will have the tools they need to be the most lethal and effective fighting force in the world.”

Committee members in both parties have sought to emphasize the legislation’s bipartisan

“We have questions about some of the destruction of China’s stockpile,” Mallory Stewart, the assistant secretary of state for arms control, verification and compliance. “We also have concerns, specifically, with respect to the undeclared chemical weapons that Russia is maintaining,” pointing to Kremlin-linked attacks on a spy and a dissident. Syrian troops launched a chlorine gas attack as recently as 2018, killing 43 civilians, a chemical weapons watchdog concluded in January. It’s one of See STOCKPILE Page 13

wins, including its robust funding to bolster the defense industrial base - a deepening concern as the Pentagon has raided its stocks of artillery munitions to aid Ukraine - and modernize the military by retiring outdated aircraft, ships and weapons systems while investing in the development of advanced satellites, drones and munitions.

Dransfiled, 60th Dental Squadron resident. “Having the opportunity to learn from experts at UC Davis gave me the confidence to be an option for MWD dental care. This joint training offered a glimpse into a new realm of dentistry that I have not considered before.”

The joint symposium is a testament to the power of collaboration. Both Arnason and Ellis expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to work side by side with UC Davis Veterinary School’s faculty and students.

studying working dogs in various contexts, such as their performance, health, and well-being, we can contribute to developing improved veterinary dental care and overall maintenance and rehabilitation of the oral health of working dogs during training and after trauma.”

The collaboration serves as an example of the power of community partnerships and their ability to drive significant positive change. The joint commitment helps to ensure the MWDs serving at Travis Air Force Base and beyond receive the dental care required to serve.

Dogs

From Page 7

residents and that impact will extend beyond the immediate benefit to MWDs at Travis AFB.

“Conducting this training with our residents acts as a force multiplier as they will take this knowledge gained at Travis AFB and disperse across the globe, bringing their enhanced MWD operational training to remote assignments,” said Ellis. “The symposium bridges the gap between dental school and Air Force mission requirements to ensure that

NATO

From Page 9

“membership action plan” requirement, NATO SecretaryGeneral Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday.

“If you look at other membership processes, there have not been timelines,” Stoltenberg said in defense of the alliance’s ambiguous language on Kyiv’s membership. “They are condition based – has always been.”

Biden and Group of Seven leaders also unveiled a joint declaration on Wednesday to provide Kyiv with long-term security commitments to modernize its military capabilities and support

we maximize the readiness and lethality of our total species force worldwide.”

This comprehensive training equips new military dentists with the knowledge and skills to conduct dental exams, perform dental procedures, and provide postoperative care for the dogs. By sharing expertise and best practices, it has contributed to the growth and enhancement of dental care capabilities within the military community.

“I personally gained a deeper appreciation for our MWD program and realized I have the skillset to help,” said Capt. Jakob

training for Ukrainian forces to fend off future Russian attacks.

The declaration will launch negotiations between Kyiv and individual countries on future investment and send a message to Russia “that time is not on its side,” according to Amanda Sloat, the senior director for Europe at the National Security Council.

Earlier on Wednesday, Zelensky tweeted that although he was grateful for the security guarantees, “the absolute majority of our people expect specifics” about the conditions it must meet in order to receive an invitation.

NATO previously promised Ukraine and Georgia membership at a 2008 summit in Bucharest, but 15 years later has still failed to fulfill its pledge. That

“MWDs are a critical piece of the USAF mission set, and the reality is that there are very few experts in their oral health worldwide,” said Arnason. We are grateful for the ability to forge relationships with those experts and to get training tailored for our MWD airmen elevated our ability to diagnose and treat them when needed.”

As the partnership continues to flourish, plans are underway to expand the collaboration and explore innovative research avenues to further enhance the readiness and health of MWDs throughout the Air Force.

“In the future, we look forward to this collaboration to allow our team to conduct applied research that can have a realworld impact on those working dogs,” said Soltero-Rivera. “By

history has played a role in the bloc’s cautious approach in Vilnius, Mary Elise Sarotte, a historian and author of “Not One Inch,” a book detailing the history of NATO in the lead-up to and after the collapse of the Soviet Union, said.

“There’s been a lot of damage and consequences of over-promising and under-delivering,” Sarotte said, pointing to Russia’s invasion of Georgia in 2008 and annexation of Crimea in 2014. “And now we’re in wartime, not peacetime, so the cost would be even higher.”

Any quick entry would likely bring NATO to war with Russia –a scenario Biden and his foreign counterparts have been trying to avoid.

Tech. Sgt. Philip Bryant/U.S. Air Force Maria Soltero-Rivera, University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine surgical and radiological sciences assistant professor, discusses canine oral health as a part of the first military working dog oral health joint symposium between Travis Air Force Base and UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in Davis, June 28.

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7:00am & 10:00 am

Bible Study

Tuesdays at 12 noon (virtual)

Suisun Campus

601 Whispering Bay Lane, Suisun City, CA 94585

707-425-1849

www.mcbcfs.org for more information

Live Stream on:

First Baptist Church of Vacaville

The All Together Different Church

CHURCH OF CHRIST

“Making More and Better Disciples.”

1000 Blue Jay Dr, Suisun Pastor Richard A. Guy

Sunday School: 9:45

Worship Services: 11 am

Prayer Meeting: 12 pm

Wednesday Bible study 6:00 pm

Sunday Morning Worship 10AM

1127 Davis Street, Vacaville 707-448-6209 www.fbcvv.com

For advertising information about this directory, call Classifieds at 707-427-6973

Worship With Us… St. Paul Baptist Church

1405 Kentucky Street Fair eld, CA 94533

Rev. Dr. Terry Long, Pastor

Sunday Sunday School: 11:00 a.m.

Morning Worship Service: 12:00 p.m.

Children’s Church: 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday Prayer Meeting: 6:30-7:00 p.m.

Bible Study: 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Web Site: www.stpaulfair eld.org

Email: stpaulbcfair eld@comcast.net

Church Phone: 707-422-2003

Live stream at: itsallaboutfamilies.org

301 N. Orchard Ave., Vacaville 707.448.5848

SUNDAY

Classes for all ages..........10:00 am

Worship..............................11:00 am

CORE Bible Studies12:30 & 5:00 pm (2nd & 4th Sunday)

WEDNESDAY

Adult Studies........................2:00 pm

AWANA for Kids..................6:15 pm

Adult & Youth Studies.........6:30 pm

Tel: (707) 429-8895

www.GCCSuisun.org

email: GCCSuisun@gmail.com

CATHOLIC

Holy Spirit Parish

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

www.holyspiritfair eld.org

Weekend Mass: Saturday • 5:00 pm & 7:00 pm (Spanish)

Sunday • 6:00am (Spanish), 7:30, 9:00, 10:30am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm (Spanish), 7:00pm (Spanish)

Daily: M-F • 7:00am & 9:00am

Saturday • 9:00am;

Tues & Fri • 7:00pm (Spanish); Wed • 7:00pm (English) OLPH

Confessions in

English: Saturday • 3:00-4:30pm

Spanish: Tues & Fri • 4:00pm-6:00pm

CHURCH of CHRIST Meetsat

Rockville Cemetery Stone Chapel

4221 Suisun Valley Rd, Fairfield

9:00 a.m. Sunday Morning Bible Study

9:50 a.m. Sunday Morning

Worship

5:30 p.m. Sunday Evening Bible Study

7:00 p.m. Wednesday Evening Bible Study

We welcome and encourage you to come and hear the good news of the gospel of Christ, and to learn about eternal salvation for all mankind that is offered through Jesus.

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Bring a heart and mind willing to hear God’s Word and to do His great will...

For more information or directions, please visit our website at www.rockvillecofc.com

Stockpile

From Page 10

hundreds of chemical weapons attacks linked to the government of Bashar al-Assad.

Nearly 100,000 people were killed by chemical weapons in World War I, according to the United Nations. Since then, the weapons have been responsible for at least 1 million casualties worldwide, the U.N. says.

The elimination process has

been arduous, officials said. The munitions contain explosives and chemical agents, and each can become unstable over time.

Legislation required the Defense Department to determine ways to destroy the weapons and agents without burning them, which lawmakers and advocates feared could pose environmental hazards and have adverse health effects on people living near the facilities where the work was completed.

“These weapons were not designed to be taken apart,”

Kingston Reif, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for threat reduction and arms control, told reporters Monday. “They had to be painstakingly disassembled in reverse.”

The work was done at two facilities, the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky and U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado. Robots were used to reduce risk to workers.

In Colorado, mustard agents were drained from shells, diluted in hot water and other elements, and then introduced to microbes

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

that broke them down further, said Michael Abaie, who oversaw the disposal program. The process is akin to using bacteria in septic system, he said.

At the Kentucky depot, nerve agents were mixed with hot water and caustic soda to reduce their toxicity before being shipped to another facility for incineration, Abaie said.

Some weapons, mostly older mustard rounds, had solidified and couldn’t be drained. They were inserted into a detonation chamber, where the material

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

was heated, rendering gas safe enough to be purified and released, according to Abaie and an Army webpage detailing the process.

Over the next three to four years, the sites will undergo decontamination before being decommissioned and demolished, officials said.

“While the [weapons’] destruction is complete,”Abaie said, “we still have much more work to do.”

Vacaville Church of Christ 401 Fir St., Vacaville, CA 95688 (707) 448-5085

Minister: Elliott Williams

Sunday Morning Bible Study

For advertising information about this director y, call Classifieds at 707-427-6973 or email: cgibbs@dailyrepublic.net

•

The Father’s House 4800 Horse Creek Drive Vacaville, CA 95688 (707) 455-7790

9:30 AM

Sunday Morning Worship

10:30 AM

Sunday Evening Worship

5:00 PM

•

www.tfh.org

•

•

Service Times

Wed. Evening Bible Study 7:00 PM www.vacavillecofc.com

•

Sunday: 9am & 11am Live Stream at tfhvacaville

tfhvacavilletfhvacaville

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

“To know Him, and to make Him known”

490 Brown Street Vacaville, CA 95688 707-446-8684

Sundays:

Sunday School (9:45 am)

Worship Service (11:00 am)

Fellowship Lunch (12:30 pm)

Thursdays:

Prayer Meeting (7:00 pm)

Bible studies throughout the week.

Pastor Ben Smith www.vacavillebiblechurch.com office@vacavillebiblechurch.com

If you would like to take a free Bible correspondence course contact: Know Your Bible Program 401 Fir Street • Vacaville, CA 95688 (707) 448-5085

UNITED METHODIST

“The People of The United Methodist Church™”

Visit

From Page 6

for MG23 was not limited to a small group of planners, rather it was a whole of force effort taking heed to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.’s directive to “Go Faster.” When he

took command in October 2021, Minihan propelled the command toward droves of unconventional but risk-informed approaches, guiding the way AMC projects mobility forces across the globe.

As Minihan concluded his visit in California, the Travis team spread across the globe supporting MG23 and the air mobility mission.

SrA Alexander Merchak/U.S. Air Force photos LEFT: U.S. Air Force Gen. Mike Minihan speaks at an all-call amidst Mobility Guardian 2023 at Travis Air Force Base, July 11.

FAR LEFT: U.S. Air Force Gen. Mike Minihan, Air Mobility Command commander, fires an M4 with 5.56 simunition training rounds during a visit amidst Mobility Guardian 2023 at Travis Air Force Base, July 11.