Peninsula Warrior 2.7.2020

J O I N T

B A S E

AIR FORCE EDITION | 2.7.2020 | Vol. 10 | No. 5

L A N G L E Y - E U S T I S

Airmen provide emergency care to wounded personnel PG 8

For more online content, check out www.JBLE.af.mil

Biomedical Sciences Week PG. 2

Funding the Fight PG. 10

P u b l i s h e d i n t h e i n t e r e s t o f p e r s o n n e l a t J o i n t B a s e L a n g l e y - E u s t i s • w w w. p e n i n s u l a w a r r i o r. c o m

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www.peninsulawarrior.com • Peninsula Warrior - Air Force • February 7, 2020

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS EDITORIAL STAFF Joint Base Langley-Eustis Commander Col. Clinton A. Ross Joint Base Langley-Eustis Public Affairs Officer Capt. Sara Harper • Sara.Harper@us.af.mil Joint Base Langley-Eustis Editor Aliza Reisberg • aliza.reisberg@us.af.mil Per Air Force Instruction 35-101/Army Regulation 360-1, only stories and photos submitted by members of the Department of Defense community and DOD news services may be printed in The Peninsula Warrior.

Any stories, photos or announcements must be submitted eight days prior to publication. Stories and photos should be submitted to the editor and/or assistant editor at 633abw.paedit@us.af.mil or Public Affairs Office, 601 Hines Cir., Fort Eustis, VA 23604. Announcements for the Community Section should be submitted to fteustismain@gmail.com. Announcements for the Outside the Gate Section should be submitted to fteustismain@gmail.com. For more information call 878-4920.

Authors’ names may be withheld, but all letters must include the authors’ signatures and telephone number.

The Peninsula Warrior is an authorized publication for all the members of the U.S. military. Contents of The Peninsula Warrior are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, Department of the Air Force or the Department of the Army.

The Peninsula Warrior is printed every Friday by offset as a civilian enterprise newspaper for the Public Affairs Office, U.S. Air Force by Military Newspapers of Virginia at 150 W. Brambleton Ave. Norfolk, VA 23510 under exclusive written contract with the commander, Joint Base Langley-Eustis. MNV is a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Air Force or Department of the Army. Printed circulation: 25,000.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. A confirmed violation or rejection of this policy of equal opportunity by any advertiser will result in refusal to print advertising from that source.

All editorial content of The Peninsula Warrior is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the Public Affairs Office Joint Base Langley-Eustis.

All photographs are Air Force or Army photographs unless otherwise stated. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or MNV of the products or services advertised.

MILITARY NEWSPAPERS OF VIRGINIA Home Office: 150 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, VA 23510; 222-3990 Advertising Sales: Pam Bullock, 446-2795 728 Blue Crab Road, Suite C, Newport News, VA 23606.

Airman 1st Class Zoie Cox

The U.S. Air Force recognizes the hard work and achievements of the men and women who comprise the Biomedical Sciences Corps by designating Jan. 27-31 as BSC Appreciation Week.

Biomedical Sciences Corps Appreciation Week

By Airman 1st Class Zoie Cox 633d Air Base Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, VA.

Each year the U.S Air Force celebrates Biomedical Sciences Corps Appreciation Week from Jan 27-31 to recognize the hard work and dedication of the officers and enlisted Airmen who comprise the most multifaceted corps in the service.

“During BSC Appreciation Week we recognize all the Air Force Specialty Codes that make up this very diverse corps,” said U.S Air Force 2nd Lt. Shellene Sawyer, 633rd Medical Support Squadron Pathology Flight Central Operations Element chief.

Dating back to the U.S. Army Sanitary Corps in 1917, the BSC was

formally established within the Air Force Medical Service in 1965.

“On Jan. 28, 1965, Special Order GA-5 established Biomedical Sciences Corps and on March 15, 1965, the Biomedical Sciences Corps was officially created as a separate entity from the Medical Services Corps,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Jennifer Middlebrooks, 633rd Medical Group Interservice Physician Assistant Program director.

The BSC is made up of 16 medical specialties to include physical therapists, optometrists, physician assistants, audiologists, podiatric surgeons, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, occupational therapists, aerospace and operational physiologists, dietitians, bioenvironmental engineers, public health officers, pharmacists, biomedical laboratory officers, and health and med-

ical physicists.

“The BSC mission finds members engaged in research, key leadership roles throughout the Air Force Medical Service and the Defense Health Agency, and assisting in the transition of Military Treatment facilities to DHA management while fostering integrated support to combatant commanders,” Sawyer said.

The more than 2,400 officers, 1,000 civilians and 6,000 enlisted members that make up the BSC work diligently at all levels to provide full-spectrum health support. BSC medical professionals take care of active duty, Guard and Reserve military members, retirees and dependents.

“We are holding different events throughout the week to recognize all the folks who make up the BSC to include a BSC Professional Development Day, a BSC tech appreciation ice cream party and a BSC social event,” Sawyer said.

Join us in celebrating BSC week in recognizing the achievements of the hard-working men and women in the medical community and their contributions to the Joint Base Langley-Eustis mission!

We want to hear from you. Contact us at 633abw.paedit@us.af.mil, or call 878-4920 or 764-5701.

www.peninsulawarrior.com • Peninsula Warrior - Air Force • February 7, 2020

735 SCOG impresses Gen. Kirkland during his visit to JBLE

By Airman 1st Class Marcus M. Bullock 633RD AIR BASE WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, VA.

During normal day-to-day functions, it may be easy to take for granted the tools of one’s specific trade. However, if a unit is not properly equipped, their mission can come to a screeching halt and possibly cost lives.

The 735th Supply Chain Operations Group at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, ensures that squadrons across the U.S. Air Force have all the tools needed to make sure that this does not happen. This task may not seem herculean, but when considering that they help to manage equipment for the entire Air Force, the gravity of their mission carries more weight.

Made up of the 438th Supply Chain Operation Squadron, 439th SCOS, 440th SCOS and the 441st Vehicle Support Chain Operation Squadron, the 735 SCOG delivers logistics capabilities to the entire Air Force.

The various missions of these squadrons range from servicing our warfighters, supporting national strategic deterrence capabilities, managing support equipment to ready the Air Force and delivering premier enterprise vehicle support to meet dynamic warfighter needs.

“The 735 SCOG is our group that is paying close attention to readiness both stateside (CONUS) and overseas (OCONUS) 24/7,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Gene Kirkland, Air Force Sustainment Center commander.

“They engage weapons systems sup-

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porting personnel around the world, along with almost every fighter and bomber system, to make sure the warfighter at the base-level has what they need to accomplish the mission.”

Using the 441 VSCOS as an example, the squadron manages a vehicle portfolio of around 97,000 vehicle assets, valued at roughly $7 billion, across the entire Air Force. Along with this responsibility, the 441 VSCOS is tasked with providing sustainment to keep all Air Force vehicles up and functioning to meet mission requirements.

Kirkland went on to highlight that the supply and transportation professionals at the 735 SCOG have a global reach when it comes to making sure aircraft or vehicle parts, needed at any base in the world, are being tracked and a solution is being made to resolve the issue.

“We have to make sure that one MAJCOM isn’t sub-optimizing at the expense of another,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Ryan Bakazan, 735 SCOG commander. “We can make sure the most critical requirements globally are fulfilled so we can do what is right for the totality of the mission and en-

3 sure readiness and lethality.”

Taking a more proactive approach to ensuring mission readiness, the Air Force is embarking in predictive analytics to help preempt supply chain needs.

According to Bakazan, the 735 SCOG hopes not only to take into account the history of certain aircrafts and parts, but to look towards the future of how long certain aircraft will be flying, how often, and even what types of sortie missions they will be flying to help predict what parts will be needed and when.

“The general idea is to be able to know before that part breaks or wears out so we can replace it. This will help prevent unscheduled maintenance and down time,” Kirkland said.

“By removing that part and putting another one in during the time aircraft would have been down for scheduled maintenance has a positive overall effect on mission readiness.”

Kirkland commended the 735 SCOG on their connectedness to the units like Air Combat Command, 1st Fighter Wing and the 192nd Fighter Wing because it helps understand the requirements of these organizations.

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www.peninsulawarrior.com • Peninsula Warrior - Air Force • February 7, 2020

MRT: Passing resilience skills through the ranks

By Senior Airman Monica Roybal

633RD AIR BASE WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, VA.

The Ready and Resilient Performance Center conducted a Master Resilience Training course consisting of Soldiers, Sailors and civilians at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Jan. 27-Feb. 7.

Service members from the local region traveled here to attend the course, which aims to reduce behavioral health issues by teaching leaders problem-solving skills and stress management to help promote individual and collective resilience within their home units.

“This course is in line with the Army’s mission to build resilience, readiness and a culture of trust among Soldiers and their leaders,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Segun Ayodele, Army Health Promotion Program Ready and Resilient Performance Center program manager.

“We want to make sure Soldiers are not only physically strong, but mentally as well. When Soldiers have both strengths, it enhances mission readiness and it can bring a balance to their home life as well as the whole community.”

The 10-day course will allow participants to analyze resiliency myths and effective teaching methods that will nourish personal and team success. Instructors challenged participants to consider different ways to build connections within their teams by discussing various resilience and performance skills including:  Avoiding thinking traps  Identifying character strengths in self and others  Emotion awareness and regulation  Assertive communication  Detecting icebergs  De-catastrophizing  Attention control  Building confidence  Energy management  Impulse control The MRT course was developed in 2009 as a joint effort between Army leaders, the University of Pennsylva-

nia Positive Psychology Center, the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The program’s main components are preparation, sustainment and enhancement.

“The program is not only for enhancing your performance at work or enhancing your mental toughness, but we’re teaching skills that can be applied in all facets of life,” Ayodele continued. “We all face challenges in life, including myself, and each time I’m struggling, I think about which skills I’ve learned in MRT can be applied to help ease my stress and which skills can help me overcome the issue.”

Upon completion of the course, participants will graduate as certified MRT instructors and will be tasked with teaching resilience skills, mental endurance and conducting annual MRT training at their home units.

Fort Eustis leaders support this long-term strategy in the hopes of teaching service members and their families to thrive in the military environment while facing everyday challenges.

“I hold MRT courses near and dear to my heart because graduates of this course have potential for great impact,” said Sgt. Maj. Abby Macdonald, 733rd Mission Support Group command sergeant major.

“They are making sure our Soldiers are taken care of. Whether they’re helping their brothers and sisters tackle financial issues, divorce or whatever struggles a Soldier may face, they know how to build connections to show that their Soldiers have someone to talk to and rely on.”

While MRT’s emphasis is on resilience, the course’s significance relies heavily on each certified instructor’s utilization of their newly learned skills and how to become a meaningful influence to their fellow service members and family members.

For more information on the course, call the Ready and Resilient Performance Center at (757) 5017267.

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A1C Sarah Dowe

Medics prepare a simulated patient to be moved to a safe environment for treatment at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, January 24, 2020.

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A1C Sarah Dowe

U.S. Air Force medics practice applying tourniquets to themselves at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, January 22, 2020.

A1C SARAH DOWE

Medics move a simulated wounded patient to a safe environment for treatment at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, January 24, 2020.

In the danger zone; Airmen provide emergency care to wounded personnel

By A1C Sarah Dowe

633RD AIR BASE WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, VA.

Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. – Dragging a bloodied body away from the sound of firing bullets, the Airmen struggle to provide life-saving care. Working quickly, they prepare to evacuate the danger zone, when one of them gets hit, their vest covered in yellow paint. This isn’t a real-life combat zone. This is the Tactical Combat Care Course.

A new program being implemented across the entire U.S. military, TCCC teaches advanced lifesaving skills through hands-on training in realistic environments.

At Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, medics are learning the skills necessary to perform emergency first aid both at home and overseas.

“TCCC training saves lives on and off the battlefield,” said U.S Air Force 1st Lieutenant Omar Vargas, 633rd Medical Group education and

training course advisor. “An example of this is the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013; many lives were saved because of so many military and prior military members who knew how to provide emergency first aid.”

Air Force medics are nationally registered Emergency Medical Technicians, which means they play a huge role in responding to emergencies with ambulances and the resources available to them.

During the course medics must complete the mission with the limited supplies they would have in a hostile environment.

“This course changes their mindset to where they are the only medic and the only resources available to them are what they have on their person or spread throughout their unit,” said Staff Sgt. Mitchell Turley, 633rd MDG education and training course coordinator and program director. “This gets them thinking more along the lines of frontline battlefield tactics, maneuverability,

accessibility, austere environments and extreme weather.”

Many weeks of planning go into making each training as beneficial for the students as possible.

“We are always adding to the training, making it more realistic and adding elements to it,” Vargas said.

“Our goal is to make it as realistic as possible so our medics are fully trained and fully capable to have our Airmen and military members backs when they need it.”

Between lectures, classroom time and performing hands-on emergency procedures, the training takes three days to complete.

The training covers an algorithm called MARCH, which stands for: massive hemorrhage, airways, respirations, circulation, head trauma and hyperthermia. Students are taught how to apply a tourniquet, tourniquet control, surgical airways, needle decompressions and how to treat traumatic injuries.

Practicing each aspect of MARCH, students ensure they have the confi-

dence and skills necessary to be able to treat patients and provide life-saving care.

The skills portion of the training involves three different phases: Care under fire: students move the mannequins from the point of injury to a safe location where they can be treated.

Tactical field care: students provide emergency first aid, following MARCH, to the mannequins, which respond to the treatment they are receiving.

Evacuation: students place the simulated patients, on stretchers and carry them to where they would be evacuated by helicopter.

Once students have been evaluated and have passed these skill sets, they receive their three-year certification.

“As an Air Force, our focus is providing excellent medical care for the base and the clinic,” Turley said.

“This training focuses on being able to provide emergency medical care in any environment.”

Personnel at JBLE are continuously working to bring up training standards so no matter which unit or military branch medics get assigned to they will be able to save lives, continue the mission and perform with excellence in all they do.

U.S. Air Force medics listen to a brief at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, January 22, 2020.

A1C Sarah Dowe

Medics treat a wounded “patient” (mannequin) at Joint Base LangleyEustis, Virginia, January 24, 2020.

A1C Sarah Dowe

A1C Sarah Dowe

A U.S. Air Force medic practices applying bandages at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, January 22, 2020.

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www.peninsulawarrior.com • Peninsula Warrior - Air Force • February 7, 2020

PAI D A DVE RTI S EM E NT

Planning for Your Future How much does senior living cost and how do people pay for it?

You’re the kind of person who plans ahead. You chose a home that fit in your budget and helped the kids pay for college. Now is the time to start preparing for your future by choosing a senior living community. But how much will it cost?

Many families sell the home and use part of the sale to pay for senior living. Often when comparing taxes, insurance, and upkeep of a home to the cost of living in a community, the financial benefits are equal or greater than what you would expect.

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Courtesy photo

Capt. Andrew Van Timmeren led the ACC/FM team through a tour of the F-22 flightline and the history of fighter aircraft.

Funding the Fight

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The cost for senior living depends on the size suite you select as well as the amount of support you require. On average, this works out to be between $3,500 - $5,000 per month.

Families pay for senior living in a variety of ways. If you have invested in Long Term Care insurance, this is the time to reach out to your insurance provider and ask about qualifying for benefits. You will likely qualify should you need assistance with two activities of daily living. This would include bathing, dressing, getting in and out of bed, and other personal care assistance.

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I frequently hear “the sound of freedom” as fighter jets fly over Joint Base Langley-Eustis,Virginia, the home of Air Combat Command (ACC). As a budget analyst at ACC/FM responsible for funding Combat Air Force wings, hearing the roar of the engines makes me think about their cost: how much it takes to build them, keep them flying, maintain them, and enable them to meet sortie quotas. Interested in seeing firsthand how funding for the F-22 Raptor is spent, I recently arranged a tour of the flightline at the 1 FW for the ACC/FM staff.

The F-22 is a fifth-generation, singleseat, twin-engine, all-weather stealth tactical fighter. This aircraft is manufactured by both Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. As of 2010, the total program cost was $67.3 billion, and cost per unit was $150 million.1 ACC does not fund all of the costs directly, but we do bear responsibility for reimbursing aircraft maintenance, the flying hour program, and non-fly, depotlevel repairs.

During the tour, our gracious host, Capt Andrew J. Van Timmeren (call sign “Scar”) walked us through the history of fighter aircraft and the F-22’s specific capabilities. We learned that the first fighter jets appeared around the end of WWII, and were improved upon during the Korean conflict and

later wars. The capabilities of today’s “fifth generation” aircraft are far superior to their predecessors. They are far stealthier, feature more advanced weaponry, and also cost much more than our grandfathers’jets. Their capabilities are important deterrents to our strategic adversaries.

Multiple contract platforms come together in the F-22, which can be thought of as a flying computer that costs $50 thousand per hour to fly.

And, we learned that the missiles and bombs flown on the F-22 each cost between $100-200 thousand. Depending on where the aircraft is operating, aerial refueling adds costs to each mission.

The bottom line is that it takes substantial funding to field this incredible asset.

Learning about the costs and capabilities of the F-22 was enlightening for the ACC/FM team, but it was even more rewarding for us to see how our hard work translates into combat capability. I served in the Air Force for over 20 years, but only joined the FM career field in the past few years. Because we work in offices, and not on the flightline, we sometimes lose sight of the purpose that various “requirements” actually have.

We need financial managers justifying and safeguarding every dollar for our Air Force and our wings. Without us, there would be no hangars, no maintenance, no trained pilots, and above all, no security and safety at our borders and beyond. The next time you question whether your work supports the mission or the warfighter, just look in the sky, listen to the “sound of freedom,” and remind yourself that you are one of the hundreds of folks who play a part in keeping that sound echoing in every American’s ear.

www.peninsulawarrior.com • Peninsula Warrior - Air Force • February 7, 2020

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•

WHILE YOU ARE AWAY BEING A HERO FOR OUR COUNTRY, THEY REMAIN

Little Heroes at Home.

Veterans Homecoming event Feb. 8

By Senior Airman Derek Seifert 633RD AIR BASE WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia will host a Veterans Homecoming event at Fort Eustis, which will include food trucks, prizes and giveaways Feb. 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Fort Eustis Commissary and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service parking lots. Early registration at Fort Eustis will begin at 8 a.m.

AAFES, along with different vendors, will be giving the first 50 customers gift bags. They will also be giving away Amazon smart home items and the chance to enter to win a $100 gift card.

“Whether their service was 30 days or 30 years, it doesn’t matter to us,” said Donna Fontes, director of the 733d Force Support Division. “That doesn’t affect our degree of thankfulness. Our arms are open and we just want them to come in and enjoy our facilities.”

Morale, Welfare and Readiness will have displays and people in the commissary and AAFES parking lot assisting eligible Veterans and caregivers with registration for installation access as well as ensuring they know what services they can expect to receive when they visit JBLE. Upon entry onto the installation each veteran will receive a punch card with seven MWR locations for a raffle. To be entered into the raffle, each punch card holder will need to visit at least five of the locations to be eligible to win a weekend stay at one of the MWR cabins.

The event will also include giveaways at the commissary with prizes such as 55-inch TV, a brand-new washer and dryer and commissary gift cards. Commissary employees will be standing in the parking lot to help veterans sign up for the giveaways. The commissary will also hold a sidewalk sale for authorized customers.

All veterans or caregivers who want to have access to the installation Feb. 8 for the Veterans Homecoming event will be required to be enrolled in the VA health care and have a Veterans Health Identification Card, or VHIC. To enroll in VA health care, call 877-222-VETS (8387) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. EST, visit www.va.gov/healthbenefits/enroll, or register in person at a local VA medical facility.

January 1 of this year, the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security expanded commissary, military exchange, and morale, welfare, and recreation retail privileges to Veterans who are Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, all Veterans with service-connected disabilities, and individuals approved and designated as the Primary Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. The DoD, DHS. Defense Commissary Agency, military Exchanges, and MWR are honored to welcome home these heroes.

Additional information about the Expanded Patronage and the Feb 8 event can be found at www.JBLE.af.mil under the Veteran and Retiree Info Tab.

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www.peninsulawarrior.com • Peninsula Warrior - Air Force • February 7, 2020

SOLDIERS COMPLETE ANNUAL WEAPONS QUALIFICATIONS Senior Airman Derek Seifert

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 93rd Signal Brigade prepare to fire the M4 carbine at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Jan. 31. The Soldiers zeroed their weapons in the prone shooting position, then qualified in various shooting positions, including kneeling and standing.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 93rd Signal Brigade check targets after firing an M4 carbine at Joint Base LangleyEustis, Va., Jan. 31. Soldiers have an annual requirement to qualify on their rifle as one task to remain deployable.

A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to the 93rd Signal Brigade fires the M4 carbine during annual qualification at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Jan. 31. The M4 carbine is the standard issue weapon for the Army, which fires a 5.56 mm round and can be accurate up to 500 meters.

www.peninsulawarrior.com • Peninsula Warrior - Air Force • February 7, 2020

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A1C Sarah Dowe

Dr. Courtney Humphrey, 633rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron optometrist, holds a lens used to look into a patient’s eye at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Jan. 27.

Humphrey is one of three doctors in the Langley AFB optometry clinic, treating active-duty military members from all branches.

EYES ON IT: OPTOMETRY CLINIC ENSURES MISSION READINESS

By A1C Sarah Dowe

633RD AIR BASE WING PUBLIC AFFFAIRS JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, VA.

From annual eye exams to extracting debris from eyes, the Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, optometry clinic sees it all.

Depending on real-world situations such as emergency patients or deployment requirements, personnel at the clinic may see between 30 to 50 patients a day. Serving not only Airman, but Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coastguardsmen as well, the optometry staff work diligently to ensure each patient is fit to fight.

“The mission of any optometry clinic is ensuring the readiness of the base,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Erich Wanagat, 633rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron optometry flight chief.

“We ensure everyone from flyers to maintainers have the required eye-

wear. We make sure they are seeing as well as possible and that there’s nothing we need to worry about going forward.”

Eye exams are more than just reading a chart; doctors can uncover lifethreatening diseases that may not have been discovered otherwise.

Therefore, the optometry staff suggest active-duty military members schedule a routine exam at least once every two years to ensure they are healthy and mission-ready.

“Having an annual eye exam is an essential part of your total body health,” said Dr. Courtney Humphrey, 633rd AMDS optometrist. “I have discovered problems with patients who did not need glasses or contacts but had a different type of issue.”

As a way to test visual acuity, patients are required to read from an electronic Snellen chart which simulates what it would look like to read

words up to 200 feet away.

When it comes to eyewear, the clinic uses what is called a lensometer to verify patients have the correct prescription.

“The lensometer finds the center point on the lens of glasses and lets us know the patient’s prescription based on that reading,” said Senior Airman Alexander Peterson, 633rd AMDS ophthalmic technician. “It lets us know how far apart the pupils are so we know where the light’s coming in.”

Another important part the clinic is the Aircrew Soft Contact Lens Program which ensures pilots who wear contact lenses are supplied with the best prescription and have a matching set of glasses.

“We work with Flight Medicine to make sure that any pilot on active flying status checks in with us for their contact lenses,” Peterson said. “All

the pilots are required to have a pair of glasses with them while wearing contact lenses in the cockpit so in case a lens falls out or is damaged, we know they will still be able to see with 20/20 vision.”

Helping to keep other services mission-ready, the clinic also teaches U.S. Army and U.S. Navy students handson skills such as cutting lenses, making glasses, writing prescriptions and much more.

“We help them brush up on skills as if they were working in a family practice,” Peterson said.

The ophthalmology clinic is conveniently located in the same hall as optometry, therefore any patients requiring surgeries are able to be treated within the same facility.

“This improves patients’ access to care,” Wanagat said. “We are able to see these patients in a timely manner and tap into specialty care when necessary.”

Doctors and personnel at the Langley clinic continue to ensure activeduty military members receive the best care possible to continue the mission of their specific unit and base.

www.peninsulawarrior.com • Peninsula Warrior - Air Force • February 7, 2020

13

A1C Sarah Dowe

Dr. Courtney Humphrey, 633rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron optometrist, holds a lens used to look into a patient’s eye at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Jan. 27.

Humphrey is one of three doctors in the Langley AFB optometry clinic, treating active-duty military members from all branches.

EYES ON IT: OPTOMETRY CLINIC ENSURES MISSION READINESS

By A1C Sarah Dowe

633RD AIR BASE WING PUBLIC AFFFAIRS JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, VA.

From annual eye exams to extracting debris from eyes, the Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, optometry clinic sees it all.

Depending on real-world situations such as emergency patients or deployment requirements, personnel at the clinic may see between 30 to 50 patients a day. Serving not only Airman, but Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coastguardsmen as well, the optometry staff work diligently to ensure each patient is fit to fight.

“The mission of any optometry clinic is ensuring the readiness of the base,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Erich Wanagat, 633rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron optometry flight chief.

“We ensure everyone from flyers to maintainers have the required eye-

wear. We make sure they are seeing as well as possible and that there’s nothing we need to worry about going forward.”

Eye exams are more than just reading a chart; doctors can uncover lifethreatening diseases that may not have been discovered otherwise.

Therefore, the optometry staff suggest active-duty military members schedule a routine exam at least once every two years to ensure they are healthy and mission-ready.

“Having an annual eye exam is an essential part of your total body health,” said Dr. Courtney Humphrey, 633rd AMDS optometrist. “I have discovered problems with patients who did not need glasses or contacts but had a different type of issue.”

As a way to test visual acuity, patients are required to read from an electronic Snellen chart which simulates what it would look like to read

words up to 200 feet away.

When it comes to eyewear, the clinic uses what is called a lensometer to verify patients have the correct prescription.

“The lensometer finds the center point on the lens of glasses and lets us know the patient’s prescription based on that reading,” said Senior Airman Alexander Peterson, 633rd AMDS ophthalmic technician. “It lets us know how far apart the pupils are so we know where the light’s coming in.”

Another important part the clinic is the Aircrew Soft Contact Lens Program which ensures pilots who wear contact lenses are supplied with the best prescription and have a matching set of glasses.

“We work with Flight Medicine to make sure that any pilot on active flying status checks in with us for their contact lenses,” Peterson said. “All

the pilots are required to have a pair of glasses with them while wearing contact lenses in the cockpit so in case a lens falls out or is damaged, we know they will still be able to see with 20/20 vision.”

Helping to keep other services mission-ready, the clinic also teaches U.S. Army and U.S. Navy students handson skills such as cutting lenses, making glasses, writing prescriptions and much more.

“We help them brush up on skills as if they were working in a family practice,” Peterson said.

The ophthalmology clinic is conveniently located in the same hall as optometry, therefore any patients requiring surgeries are able to be treated within the same facility.

“This improves patients’ access to care,” Wanagat said. “We are able to see these patients in a timely manner and tap into specialty care when necessary.”

Doctors and personnel at the Langley clinic continue to ensure activeduty military members receive the best care possible to continue the mission of their specific unit and base.

14

www.peninsulawarrior.com • Peninsula Warrior - Air Force • February 7, 2020

JBLE Community Durand Gate Reopened

Submit Eustis Community announcements to pw@militarynews.com

Social Media Techniques

Come learn techniques to enhance your job search effort and ensure results 9:30 a.m. – noon, Feb. 12, at the A&FRC classroom.

Come join our FREE community meal at the Kid’s Ministry to Bethel Manor Wednesday Meal Nights 5 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Wednesdays at Bethel Manor Chapel. POC: Liz Hedger, 764-7264 or elizabeth.hedger.ctr@us.af.mil

The Fort Eustis Tax Center will open Jan. 27 – April 15, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m, at 2733 Madison Ave. Both appointments and walk-ins are available but walk-ins must arrive by 4 p.m. Call 757-878-2343 to set up and appointment. Assistance is available to active duty, retirees and dependents.

Hearts Apart Valentines Dinner

Retiree Council Meeting

Langley Tax Center

Newcomers Orientation

Please be aware that the Durand Gate has been reopened as of 5 a.m., Jan. 31.

Fort Eustis Tax Center

The Langley Tax Center will be open from Feb. 3 – April 10, Mon. – Thurs., 8 a.m. – noon, at the Education Center bldg. 1027 Rm. 137, 450 Weyland Rd. Tax preparation is done by tax center volunteers by appointment only. To schedule an appointment or find out more information, call 757-778-0045.

Veteran Homecoming event

JBLE will host a "Veterans Homecoming" celebration on Fort Eustis at the Exchange and Commissary parking lots, February 8, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will include giveaways, food trucks, and Commissary and Exchange sales. As part of the celebration, the commissary will be having a sidewalk sale Feb. 8 - 10 with great deals and lots of giveaways, you do not need to be present to win. Spin the wheel at the Exchange from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or enter your name to win prizes or coupons. 733d Force Support Division (MWR) will have lots of giveaways, information booths, MWR equipment on display, and representatives on site at each of their facilities to answer any question you may have. Visit 5 participating facilities and you and your family can enter to win a weekend stay at one of the outdoor recreation cabins. You much be a valid ID cardholder to participate in all sales and giveaways.

National Prayer Breakfast

The JBLE National Prayer Breakfast will be held February 11, 7 - 8:30 a.m. at the Fort Eustis Club. The Guest Speaker is Eric Patterson, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Religious Freedom Institute. The topic is "Empowering Religious Freedom." No-cost tickets are available from your Unit Religious Support Team. Breakfast is funded by the Fort Eustis Chapel tithes and offering fund as a community religious support event. For more information, please contact the Regimental Memorial Chapel at (757) 878-1450, www.jble.af.mil/forteustischapel, or www.facebook.com/regimental memorial chapel.

Black History Month Dialogue

Come out and enjoy an “Our democracy no longer represents the people” dialogue 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Feb. 12, at the Base Theater. Topics for these dialogues will range from politics to prison reform and go throughout the month of February.

Come on out and enjoy dinner during the Hearts Apart Valentine’s Day Dinner, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Feb. 13, at the at the LAFB dining facility. This dinner is served for families of deployed service members. Please call (757) 764-3990 for more info.

If you are new to the base, come out to the Newcomers Orientation, 7:30 a.m. – noon, Feb. 18, at the Bayview Commonwealth Center. The orientation is part of the Relocation Program which provides service members, civilians and their families with valuable information to assist them during PCS moves. Uniform of the day is mandatory for all military members. Free childcare may be provided upon availability. For more information, call 764-3990.

Federal Employment Workshop

Come out and learn the fundamentals for applying for federal jobs and strategies for onlne applications at the Federal Employment Workshop, 9:30 a.m. – noon, Feb. 19. At the A&FRC Classroom.

Plan My Move

Come out and take part in a PCS preparation seminar for active duty and family members, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m., Feb. 19, at the A&FRC classroom. This brief is mandatory for E1 – E4 PCS’ing for the first time and all ranks PCS’ing OCONUS for the first time. This briefing also serves as a remote tour pre-deployment briefing. Family members are encouraged to attend. Virtual MPF out-processing tasks will be cleared after completion. Please call 7643990 to register.

JBLE Retiree Council will meet every 3rd Wednesday at 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. each month in the Army Community Service conference room, building 650, on Fort Eustis.

There is no membership fee to join or to attend the meetings. Retirees and those approaching retirement from all military branches are invited to attend. Members can stay connected with their community and local events as well as learn more about investments, benefits and other military-related information. For more information or to join, contact (757) 878-5884 or (757) 218-7118, or torrence0512@gmail.com.

Palace Chase/Palace Front Briefing

Come out and take part in Palace Chase/Palace Front briefings the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 10 a.m., and the 4th Wednesday of every month at 1 p.m., at the MPF/BLDG 15 Auditorium room 203. This is great information for any Airmen that may be looking for information or are planning on separating the Air Force soon. The Air Force Reserve is a great way to continue serving parttime, while maintaining most of the benefits you receive from active duty for you and your family.

New Employee Assistance Program Phone Number and Website What has changed is how to access the program: New Number: 1-866-580-9078 New Web Address: www.AFPC.af.mil/EAP

Langley AFB Hospital’s North entrance closing

Come out and enjoy some company while you eat your lunch during the AFCEA-Tidewater Chapter Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Feb. 20, at the Langley Bayview Commonwealth Center. Guest speaker will be Col. Melissa A. Stone from the 363rd Intelligence, Surveillance, & Reconnaissance Wing.

Due to construction, Langley AFB Hospital’s North entrance (located across from the flight line) will be closed until further notice beginning Dec. 2. All patients and staff must use the South entrances (Emergency Room/water side) for all appointments. Please leave an extra 15 minutes of travel time in case of any delays due to the construction. A shuttle will be provided with pick-up and dropoff locations on the North and South sides as indicated on the map. Thank you for your patience as we improve our Medical Group!

Summary Court Martial Officer

Official Photo Scheduling

AFCEA Luncheon

"MAJ James Barr, TRADOC Fort Eustis, is detailed as the Summary Court Martial Officer to secure and make proper disposition of the personal effects of Sergeant First Class Nathan P. Stanton. Anyone having knowledge of money or property due to the deceased or has claims against the estate of deceased, contact MAJ Barr at 757501-5783."

Kid’s Ministry to Bethel Manor Wednesday Meal Nights

Just a reminder when trying to schedule an official photo, the new link to schedule is located on the JBLE website. Visit www.jble.af.mil and scroll over the public affairs tab. From the drop down menu, scroll over the official photo section and click on either the Air Force or Army tabs which will then direct you to a site that will give you step by step instructions on downloading and filling out official AF Form 833s and scheduling your studio appointment. If there are any questions, feel free to give the PubSee

JBLE | 15

www.peninsulawarrior.com • Peninsula Warrior - Air Force • February 7, 2020

JBLE Community Continued from14 lic Affairs office a call at 764-5701.

JBLE Family Child Care Programs

JBLE Family Child Care Programs are currently recruiting fun loving self-motivated individuals to provide licensed child care in their homes.  Infants 4 weeks to 24 months  Expanded Child Care Programs  Children with special needs  All ages (4weeks to 12 years old) for all shifts including swing shift, night shift, and weekend care Romona Butler– FCC Chief | Joanne Reddick- FCC Chief 501 Madison Avenue -Fort Eustis | 117 Burrell Loop Langley 757-878-5584/5726 757-764-3585 FCC Hours of Operation– Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

CAC ID Services

The MPF is rolling out an initiative to improve the availability of CAC ID card services! Starting Monday, October 21, the ID card office will be open by appointment from 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. The appointments will be booked via the MILSUITE application (exactly the same way as a PT test), and be available in 30 min increments. The only customers we will be servicing during these appointments will be CAC card holders (no Dependents). Walk in customers will be seen as time allows.

Basic ID card reminders: For all new CAC cards, members require 2 forms of ID. Driver’s licenses need to be current and not expired (despite the issuing state law).

Please ensure for lost/stolen cards, the member has a letter from the Security Forces desk, and 2 forms of ID. For any member not in uniform, the member must still meet all AFI 36-2903 grooming standards. Shaving waivers will be accepted if presented at the time of appointment.

Did You Know…New Transition Assistance Program Curriculum & Requirements

There are new requirements/changes coming to the Congressionally Mandated Transition Assistance Program (TAP) beginning 1 October 2019. Members who have completed the Pre-separation Counseling and signed the e-form by 30 September 2019 are grandfathered in the FY19 curriculum.

If the e-form is not signed by 30 September 2019, service members must re-accomplish the Pre-separation Counseling and complete applicable new requirements (FY20 curriculum). For a detailed explanation of what those requirements are, per individual, please call the Airman & Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), 764-3990/94 for guidance.

Weekly Live Fire Schedule for 03 Feb 2020- 17 Feb 2020 Attention Fort Eustis Community: Please do not enter any range, training area or facility unless you have signed

15

Submit Eustis Community announcements to pw@militarynews.com in at Range Operations and received authorization to enter. Entering training areas without proper authorization during hunting season could result in serious injury or death. Range Operations is located on, Mulberry Island Road, Building 2432, JBLE Range Operations can be reached at (757) 878-4412. Hunters: If military training, government work or other non-hunting activity occurs around you; make yourself seen and heard, vacate the area, and contact SFS Game Warden immediately @ (757)-878-4556 / 4557.

Effective 9 December 2019 through 28 February 2020 Range 3 is closed for target system upgrade.

IAW ASA Regulation 350-1, the Range Safety OIC/RSO Certification brief is conducted every Friday at Range Operations (Bldg. 2432 Mulberry Island Rd). Start time is 0900. A Commander’s certification Memorandum is required. For hunting and private owned firearms range requirements contact Outdoor Recreation at 757-878-2391.

DATE RANGES TIMES 7 Feb BTRAC, R1 0700-2200 *08 Feb 2020 NO LIVE FIRE EVENT SCHEDULED --------------*09 Feb 2020 NO LIVE FIRE EVENT SCHEDULED --------------10 Feb 2020 BTRAC,R1 0700-2200 11 Feb 2020 BTRAC, R1 0700-2200 12 Feb 2020 BTRAC, R1 0700-2200 13 Feb 2020 BTRAC,R1 0700-2200 14 Feb 2020 BTRAC,R1 0700-2200 *15 Feb 2020 NO LIVE FIRE EVENT SCHEDULED ---------------*16 Feb 2020 NO LIVE FIRE EVENT SCHEDULED ---------------17Feb 2020 NO LIVE FIRE EVENT SCHEDULE ---------------DATE MOUT/ UOS SITE TIMES CLOSED TO ALL TRAINING TA 20, TA 21 -------------TA-28 AND UOS UNIT TRAINING 3-15 Feb 2020 TA 28 UOS 0800-2300 There is construction in progress vicinity TA 20, 21 and 28. Expect large commercial trucks and use caution. For scheduled training in TA 28 and UOS all vehicles/personnel must enter at TA-19. * Denotes weekends ** Holidays

DISCLAIMER

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by Joint Base Langley-Eustis, the United States Air Force or the Department of Defense, of the external website, or the information, products or services contained therein. Although Joint Base Langley-Eustis may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for information, it does not exercise editorial control over the information you may find at these locations or the privacy and user policies of these locations.

Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of the website. References to non-federal entities do not constitute or imply Department of Defense or Air Force endorsement of any company or organization.

“

I’VE NEVER UNDERSTOOD WHY MY HUMAN WON’T LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT HER LEASH. I THINK SHE’S AFRAID OF GETTING LOST. BUT IT’S OK, I KIND OF LIKE SHOWING HER AROUND.

„

–HARPER adopted 08-18-09

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www.peninsulawarrior.com • Peninsula Warrior - Air Force • February 7, 2020

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