Arnold AFB, Tenn. May 17, 2021Vol. 68, No. 10

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE PAIDTULLAHOMA TNPERMIT NO. 29

…Page 2 …Page 5

AEDC videographer writes fantasy fiction when not

behind the camera

AEDC Legal OFfice helps us understand “What is a

“Gift?”…Page 3

Mental Health Awareness Month: Resources available for

those in need of help

By John LambAEDC Facility Support Services

Previously only overwin-tering here, a pair of bald ea-gles began nesting at Woods Reservoir at Arnold Air Force Base for the first time in 2009. They have built two additional nests since then, but only use one at any given time.

Two or three eaglets have fledged from nests around

Woods Reservoir almost every year since.

The bald eagle is a large raptor, 30-43 inches tall, with a wingspan of 7 to 8 feet. Bald eagles typically live over 20 years and mate for life. Known for being the national bird of the United States, the bald eagle is found from Alaska to California and from Maine to Florida. They most commonly feed on fish and various water-birds, like coots and ducks,

but will also eat the occasional roadkill.

Young eagles are dark brown and are easily mistaken for golden eagles. They don’t develop the typical white head and tail feathers until they are 3 to 5 years old. The young birds tend to disperse to other areas prior to the next nesting season.

The bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list in 2007, a great achieve-

ment for conservation efforts, but it is still protected from harm by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

The bald eagle nest at Woods Reservoir is checked weekly from the time nesting is initiated, usually in February, until all the young have fledged from the nest about three months later. These numbers are reported to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

By Bradley HicksAEDC Public Affairs

Military personnel, gov-ernment employees and con-tractors across Arnold Engi-neering Development Com-plex are subject to enrollment in Continuous Evaluation, or CE, which is an ongoing screening process to review the background of individu-als tasked with sensitive du-ties or those eligible to access classified information.

CE essentially bridges the gap between investigations necessary to maintain this ac-cess. It is a component of secu-rity clearance reform efforts to modernize personnel security practices and increase the time-liness of information reviewed between periodic investigation cycles.

CE is the random periodic reviewing of selected individu-als that have current Top Secret or Secret eligibility to deter-mine whether they continue to

meet the requirements for na-tional security eligibility. DOD Instruction 5200.02 states all personnel in national security positions will be subject to CE.

“CE leverages automated record checks and applies busi-ness rules, aligned to the Fed-eral Investigative Standards, to assist in the ongoing assess-ment of an individual’s contin-ued eligibility,” said Alecia Da-vis, facility security officer for National Aerospace Solutions, the Test Operations and Sus-

tainment contractor for AEDC. Enrollment in CE removes

the traditional investigation re-quirements based on risk man-agement principles and dra-matically reduces the amount of time it takes to run the tradi-tional periodic reinvestigation.

“This allows investigators to concentrate efforts on high-er risk personnel,” said Jack Glasser, AEDC Personnel and Operations Security Program

AEDC announces 70th anniversary open house

Continuous Evaluation program in place to ensure secure operations

By Bradley HicksAEDC Public Affairs

Members of the community are in-vited to help the men and women of the Arnold Engineering Development Complex celebrate the organization’s 70th anniversary.

The “Hap Arnold Day” 70th Anni-versary Celebration will take place at Arnold Air Force Base, where AEDC is headquartered, on June 26 from noon to 4 p.m.

The drive-through event beginning at the Main Gate will highlight the mission, capabilities and accomplish-ments of AEDC personnel. The open house will feature displays, virtual fa-cility tours, and informational booths along the route. Pre-packaged food will be available for cash-only pur-chase.

“The team at Arnold Air Force

Base is very excited to open the gates, pull back the curtain, so to speak, and give the public some insight on the work performed here in pursuit of the AEDC mission,” said AEDC Com-mander Col. Jeffrey Geraghty. “We hope members of the community take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the vital role this installa-tion continues to play within the Air Force and in meeting the demands of national defense.”

On June 25, 1951, President Harry S. Truman visited Arnold Air ForceBase to dedicate the site as the ArnoldEngineering Development Center inhonor of Gen. Henry “Hap” Arnold.Arnold is credited with helping tobring the testing center to fruition.

The Arnold Engineering Develop-ment Center was re-designated as Arnold

See ANNIVERSARY, page 3

A bald eagle rests in its nest at Woods Reservoir at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. Bald eagles first began nesting at Woods Reservoir in 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo)

AEDC names winners of

engineering, test management

awardsBy Jill PickettAEDC Public Affairs

Arnold Engineering Develop-ment Complex senior leadership announced the Complex-level winners for the Air Force Materiel Command Science Engineering and Test Management Awards on April 27.

Nomination packages are eval-uated in three areas: operational impact, innovative improvements and customer focus.

The AEDC winners listed be-low will now compete at the Air Force Test Center level. AFTC winners will go on to compete at the AFMC level.

• Junior Military Scientist/Engineer: Capt. Brian Gatzke– Propulsion Test Branch

• Mid-Career MilitaryScientist/Engineer: Maj.Justin Howland – 746th TestSquadron

• Junior Civilian Scientist/Engineer: John Hile – Space Test Branch

• Mid-Career Civilian Scientist/Engineer: Melissa Tate – Propulsion Test Branch

• Senior Civilian Scientist/Engineer: Jose Diaz – 746th Test Squadron

• Technical Management:Michael McGuire –Detachment 1, 704th TestGroup

• Technical Management –Team: Advanced Engine TestTeam – Propulsion Test Branch

• Engineering Technician:Russel Loos – OperatingLocation AC, 704th Test Group

Arnold AFB home to bald eagles

See AWARDS, page 3

See EVALUATION, page 4

2 • May 17, 2021

Values

Vision

• Ethics. We are uncompromising in our integrity, honesty, and fairness.

• Safety & Health. We are relentless in keeping people safe from harm, andwe provide a safe and healthy work

environment.• Security. We are disciplined and vigilant in protecting sensitive AEDC information and ensuring system integrity to support

national security and our customers.• Excellence. We thrive on challenge, accomplishment, and mission success.• Quality. We are passionate about doing

our work right the first time.• People. We have a mission-focused,inclusive workforce who have a diverse skill set, are committed to success, demonstrate innovation and have a can

do attitude.• Culture. Our team is proud of our diver-sity, inclusiveness, and collaborative work environment. We are proud of what we do

and how we do it.• Relationships. We build positive, long-term business relationships through trust,

respect, and collaboration.• Innovation. We overcome challenges through creativity, perseverance, technol-ogy, and flexibility. We actively seek to

continually improve.• Sustainability. We plan and act for thelong term benefit of our communities and

our environment.

v

High Mach Staff:Kathy Jacobsen,

NAS Executive Editor

Jill Pickett NAS Editor

Arnold Air Force

Base

Richard TigheGeneral Manager,

National Aerospace Solutions

High Mach is published by Lakeway Publishers, Inc. a pri-vate firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, Arnold Air Force Base, Arnold Engi-neering Development Complex (AEDC) or National Aerospace Solutions (NAS), under exclu-sive written contract with NAS at Arnold AFB, Tenn., 37389.

Everything advertised in this publication will be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital sta-tus, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron.

The High Mach office is located at 100 Kindel Drive, Suite A236, Arnold AFB, Tenn. 37389-1236. Editorial content is edited and prepared by NAS. Deadline for copy is Wednes-day at close of business one week before publication.

This commercial enterprise newspaper is an allowable NAS contractor publication for personnel at Arnold AFB.

The content of High Mach does not necessarily reflect the views of the Air Force, Arnold AFB, AEDC or NAS. The ap-pearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, Arnold AFB, AEDC, NAS or Lakeway Publishers, Inc.For general information about High Mach, call (931) 454-5655 or visit www.arnold.af.mil.

Core Values• Integrityfirst

• Service before self• Excellence in all

we do

Use High Mach to mar-ket your products and services. Contact Joe at 931-455-4545 or jmartin@tullahomanews.com

“NAS delivers the best aerospace testing

capabilities today and in the future.”

Col. Jeffrey GeraghtyCommander

Jason AustinChief,

Public Affairs

Smoking Policy1. The following revised Arnold AFB smoking policy is effective immediately and applies to all individuals on

Arnold AFB.2. Traditional Tobacco products (e.g. cigars and cigarettes):

a. Smoking is permitted solely in Designated Tobacco Areas (DTAs) identified by designated signage. If nosignage exists, smoking is not permitted in that area. It is the responsibility of all smokers to keep DTAsclean of cigarette butts.

b. Tobacco use on the Arnold AFB Golf Course is permitted, but discouraged based on the health hazardsof tobacco use and secondhand smoke. No smoking is permitted within 50 feet of golf course buildingsexcept in the approved DTA.

c. Smoking in government-owned/leased vehicles is strictly prohibited. Personnel are allowed to smoke in theirpersonal vehicles at any time; however, at no time will personnel discard cigarette butts outside their vehicle.

d. For government employees, the fact that a person smokes has no bearing on the number of breaks theymay take. Breaks should be taken in accordance with the current supervisory and personnel policies thatafford all employees the same break opportunities consistent with good work practices and accomplish-ment of the mission.

3. Smokeless Tobacco products (e.g. snuff and dip):Smokeless tobacco products are not to be restricted to DTAs. Smokeless tobacco use will be permitted in allworkplace areas (inside and out) subject to reasonable safety and sanitary conditions. Specifically, containersof tobacco waste product, including sealed containers, must not be left unattended or disposed of in trashreceptacles. Users of smokeless tobacco must flush tobacco waste down the toilet.

4. Electronic Cigarettes (also known as “e-cigs”):Pursuant to Air Force Instruction (AFI) 40-102, Tobacco Free Living, e-cigs are considered to be equivalent totobacco products; however, e-cigs are not restricted to DTAs and are allowed to be used outdoors at a minimumdistance of 25 feet from building entry/egress points. (This policy is dated July 27, 2016)

Team AEDC,I believe in free and open communications

with our Team AEDC employees, and that’s why we have the Action Line available. People can use the Action Line to clear up rumors, ask ques-tions, suggest ideas on improvements, enter complaints or get other issues off their chests.

The Action Line has been expanded to in-clude an option for your ideas, comments, or suggestions on the AcqDemo personnel sys-tem. Simply call the normal x6000 commander’s action line. You will then be prompted to select option 1 for the Commander’s Action Line or Op-tion 2 for the AcqDemo line. They can access the Action Line via the AEDC intranet home page and by calling 931-454-6000.

Although the Action Line is always available, the best and fastest way to get things resolved is by using your chain of command or by con-tacting the organization directly involved. I en-courage everyone to go that route first, then if the situation isn’t made right, give us a chance.

Col. Jeffrey GeraghtyAEDC Commander

Action Line

By Deidre MoonAEDC Public Affairs

If you see David Wright around Arnold Air Force Base, he’s usually toting videogra-phy equipment and lights into test cells, videoing a special event or interviewing individu-als for a project he’s working.

Though Wright, who has been in the role of AEDC vid-eographer since January 2019, has mostly been working be-hind the lens since graduating with a bachelor’s degree in ra-dio, television and film from the University of Georgia in 1993, he is a man of many tal-ents.

When he’s not putting his video and video editing skills to use at Arnold, he likes to spend his free time writing fan-tasy fiction novels.

Wright published his first book “My Brother’s Keeper,” part of the series called Ga-lahad’s Doom, in 2014. His second book in the trilogy, “Marching as to War,” came out in 2018. He is currently working on the third and fi-nal book, which will be called “The Armor of God.”

“I finished the draft for it in June 2020 and immediately got it into the hands of my core group of beta readers because I’m so excited about it,” Wright said. “I don’t have a specific target date for publication but it will definitely be sometime in 2021. There’s a lot involved in both the revisions process and the design process.

“Galahad’s Doom was a planned trilogy from the be-ginning so ‘Armor of God’ will complete the story. I’m extremely pleased with how it turned out and anyone who has read the first two will not be disappointed.”

Wright mentioned that he has always had a passion for storytelling, no matter what creative outlet that entails. Once he decided to start writ-ing, he of course chose a top-ic that he would want to read himself.

“What inspired me was wanting to demonstrate there was room for the Christian

faith in fantasy storytelling,” he said. “There is a percent-age of people that find it dif-ficult to reconcile their faith with any stories that include magic. I took direct inspiration from the armor of God passage in Ephesians 6 and the phrase “the worlds were framed by the word of God” in Hebrews 11:3 (KJV).

“I was intrigued by the use of the plural ‘worlds,’ and with a desire to sort of defend the fantasy genre, my brainstorm-ing process began. That was around 1997. I then spent 10 years really studying story structure, developing ideas for the novel, getting my feet wet with a few published short stories and making contacts within the small press world. I finally began writing my first Galahad’s Doom draft toward the end of 2007.”

Though the background of the stories is somewhat based on religious virtues, Wright mentioned that one does not necessarily have to be a believ-er to enjoy it.

“Galahad’s Doom is an epic swords and sorcery fantasy,” he said. “It is action-packed adventure that happens to be informed by my personal faith. But it is not some contrite little Sunday school lesson. This is a sweeping epic that, by the end of the third book, is told on the grandest of scales. Ancient prophecies, magic swords, wizards, knights, elves and dragons. It is not kiddie fare.

“The story I wanted to read did not exist, so I wrote it. And while it’s probably PG-rated, there was no attempt to write to a certain age group. This is just a great, fun story for any fan of

the genre. The themes revolve around duty, honor, forgive-ness and redemption.”

With his full-time gig at Arnold and having a family, Wright advised that the biggest challenge that he faces when writing is simply just finding the time to do it.

“Time management is defi-nitely the number one chal-lenge for part-time writers,” he said. “I’m only able to write by staying up later at night than anyone else in my fam-ily. I wrote the first book dur-ing a time in my career when I was working for a ministry as a producer and director of documentaries. The job took me all over the world, includ-ing places like Africa and the Vatican. That’s actually when I started writing a lot, when I had so much spare time to fill at airports and hotels.

“By the time I was on the second book, I had returned to a more mundane 9 to 5 existence and my output dropped off sig-nificantly. The third book sur-prised me with how quickly I was able to write it. As the concluding volume, I guess the finish line was so clear in my mind I was able to just get after it, and it just started flowing.”

Wright also noted that what started out as a fascination with the craft of storytelling has now become what most would consider a successful hobby.

“I was always more inter-ested in the choices a writer or director would make, more than with being immersed in any given story,” he said. “I’ve studied story structure and classic archetypes. And then after a few years of casually working on story and charac-

ter ideas without much of an end goal in mind, I plugged into a community of indie au-thors and small press book publishers and received a lot of encouragement. Writing is a great hobby that does not cost anything and does not take up extra room in your house, just a fun way to spend your time, like any hobby should.”

For those who also like to dabble in writing or would like to start, Wright offers some ad-vice based on his experiences.

“Read,” he said. “Read a lot. Study how your favorite authors write dialog or reveal character. Write. Don’t put yourself under any pressure to get published, just write for the fun of it and learn from your mistakes. Study story struc-ture. Do you know the turning points in a three act structure? When watching a movie, try to identify when the third act starts.

“I highly recommend ‘Save the Cat’ by Blake Snyder when it comes to learning about genre and story beats. I also found short stories make for great study. It’s easier to dis-cern the structure when all the key elements have to be com-pressed into a shorter word count.

“Observe life. There are too many interesting people filling up our daily existence to ever have an excuse for boring char-acters. Relish language. Wield the written word like a paint-brush. Or a scalpel. Or an X-35 at Mach 1. Just have fun with it.”

If interested in learning more about Wright’s novels, visit: http://www.whiterocket-books.com/galengriffon/

AEDC videographer writes fantasy fiction when not behind the camera

David Wright, a videographer for Arnold Engineering Development Complex, sets up his camera to capture video in support of the AEDC test mission, Dec. 14, 2020, at Arnold Air Force Base. When not putting his video and editing skills to use at Arnold, Wright spends his free time on other cre-ative projects, such as writing fantasy fiction novels. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jill Pickett)

David Wright, videographer for Arnold Engineering Develop-ment Complex, pictured in Oc-tober 2018 with his first book “My Brother’s Keeper,” which was published in 2014. (Cour-tesy photo)

May 17, 2021 • 3

Mental Health Awareness Month: Resources available for those in need of helpBy Bradley HicksAEDC Public Affairs

Each May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month to raise awareness for mental health, as the name im-plies, but also to promote mental illness education and support.

Lee Smith, Arnold Engi-neering Development Complex Community Support coordina-tor, said the goals of Mental Health Awareness Month are especially important as the CO-VID-19 pandemic persists.

“After a year of isolation for many due to the pandemic, this month provides all of us a reminder that the mental health of our friends, family and, most importantly, ourselves deserve attention and understanding,” Smith said. “I think it is incum-bent on us to show compas-sion and seek to help anyone in our sphere of influence to get the support they need to live a healthy and joyful life. Hope-fully, this month can help start a conversation on mental health.”

Last spring, the AEDC Inte-grated Resilience and Violence Prevention Office provided the AEDC community informa-tion describing how stressful an event such as a global pandemic can be for friends and loved ones.

Stress and anxiety are among the mental health conditions listed by Mental Health Amer-ica, the organization that estab-lished May as Mental Health Awareness Month in 1949. Ac-cording to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five adults in the U.S. experience a mental illness each year. One in 20 adults in the United States will experience what is defined as a serious mental illness in a given year.

“Some people may be vul-nerable if they already have a health or generalized anxiety disorder,” Smith said. “In ei-ther case, feeling stressed can affect your immune system and increase the risk of getting ill in general. That is why it is im-portant to take steps to manage your anxiety and how you react to stressful situations.”

Another objective of Men-tal Health Awareness Month is to reduce the stigma that Smith said unfortunately still exists with mental illness and seek-ing treatment for mental health. This stigma can be combatted by urging individuals negatively affected by the pandemic to be proactive in their journey to be healthier, Smith said.

“It is important for everyone to encourage their friends, co-workers and family to seek help when they show indications of early signs of distress,” he said.

Smith described the Air

Force Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as an “awesome resource” for those looking for help. All Air Force civilian per-sonnel to include non-appropri-ated funds, or NAF, employees; Guard and Reserve; and their family members may use the EAP at no charge to either the individual or family member.

“If you or someone you know is having difficulty man-aging stress, or if a household member is hyper-vigilant, ob-sessively reading about the crisis and worrying about the effects, remember you can call your EAP operator,” Smith said.

The EAP is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Call 866-580-9078 to speak with a clinical profes-sional. All services are free and confidential. Air Force employ-ees may also visit the EAP web-site at www.afpc.af.mil/eap for more information and to access Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy apps for anxiety, panic, phobias and depression.

Active duty Airmen and their families also have support avail-able 24/7. Military OneSource counselors are available at no cost and offer short-term, confi-dential, non-medical counseling services for a wide range of is-sues including marital conflicts, anger management, stress man-agement and coping with sepa-ration loss and deployments. More information on Mili-tary OneSource is available at https://www.militaryonesource.mil/ or by calling 800-342-9647.

A number of resources fo-cused on well-being are avail-able to AEDC Airmen and their families:

• Air Force EAP866-580-9078www.afpc.af.mil/eap

• Military One Source800-342-9647https://www.militaryonesource.mil/

• 24/7 On-Call Chaplain (viaElgin AFB Command Post)850-883-4020

• Suicide Prevention Hotline800-273-8255https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

• DOD Safe Helpline877-995-5247https://www.safehelpline.org/

• Air Force ResilienceProgramhttps://www.resilience.af.mil/

• Family Suicide PreventionTraininghttps://wingmanonline.org/Programs/Video-Training-Modules

• Veterans/Military Crisis

Line 1-800-273-8255

• 24/7 On-Call Sexual AssaultPrevention & ResponseVictim Advocate931-581-7494

• AEDC Medical Personnel931-454-5351

• Integrated Resilience andViolence Prevention Office931-454-5494Similar resources are avail-

able 24/7 to employees of con-tractors at Arnold AFB:

• National AerospaceSolutionsEAP888-293-6948https://www.workhealthlife.com/

• AkimaLifeWorks888-456-1324https://login.lifeworks.com/

• QuantiTechAbility Assist CounselingServices800-964-3577(800-96-HELP)Via the QuantiTechemployee portal at www.quantitech.com

• CW ResourcesMagellan Healthcare EAP800-424-4178https://MagellanAscend.com Employees of other con-

tractors or those with questions about well-being resources may contact their employer’s human resources department.

Smith added his priority and focus is on ensuring all AEDC military and civilian Airmen and their families have access to the tools and resources needed to thrive. If you or someone you know would like Smith’s assis-tance, he can be reached in his office at 931-454-5494 or via cell at 931-581-6592.

Smith also shared these ad-ditional resources:

Veterans/Military Crisis LineThe purpose of the Veter-

ans/Military Crisis Line is to connect service members, their families and their friends to a qualified Department of De-fense responder in a time of crisis. The VCL/MCL can be reached by phone at 1-800-273-8255, by text at 838255 or via online chat.

https://www.veteranscri-sisline.net/get-help/military-crisis-line

Department of the Air Force Family Vector (DAF Family

Vector)The DAF Family Vector is

part of the Exceptional Family Member Program offered by the Airman and Family Readiness Center. The website provides re-sources for service members and

their families who need medical information, special education, moving assistance or other as-sets that may not be available at their current or projected assign-ment location.

https://daffamilyvector.us.af.mil/membersite/

Family Advocacy Program (FAP)

The Family Advocacy Pro-gram (FAP) is dedicated to do-mestic and Child abuse preven-tion, education, prompt report-ing, investigation, intervention and treatment. The Air Force provides a variety of services to Airmen, Guardians and their families to enhance their rela-tionship skills and improve their quality of life.

https://www.myairforceben-efits.us.af.mil/Benefit-Library/Federal-Benefits/Family-Ad-vocacy-Programs-(FAP)

Make the ConnectionA public awareness cam-

paign by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) that provides personal testimonials and resources to help Veterans discover ways to improve their lives.

http://maketheconnection.net/conditions/suicide#

Mental Health AmericaDedicated to promoting

mental health, preventing men-tal and substance use condi-tions and achieving victory over mental illnesses and addictions through advocacy, education, research and service.

http://www.nmha.org/go/suicide

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

The mission of NIMH is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical re-search, paving the way for pre-vention, recovery, and cure.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-preven-tion/index.shtml

SAVE: Suicide Awareness Voices of Education

Their mission is to prevent suicide through public aware-ness and education, reduce stig-ma and serve as a resource to those touched by suicide.

http://www.save.org

Psychological Health Center of Excellence

(PHCoE)Provides psychological

health information and connects service members/families with resources.

1-866-966-1020https://www.pdhealth.mil/

Compassionate FriendsProvides highly personal

comfort, hope, and support to every family experiencing the death of a son or a daughter, a

brother or a sister, or a grand-child, and helps others better as-sist the grieving family

http://www.compassionate-friends.org/home.aspx

The Dougy Center for Griev-ing Children & FamiliesProvides support in a safe

place where children, teens, young adults, and their fami-lies grieving a death can share their experiences. Provides sup-port and training locally, na-tionally, and internationally to individuals and organizations seeking to assist children in grief.

http://www.dougy.org

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

NAMI, is dedicated to build-ing better lives for the millions of Americans affected by men-tal illness. Advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raising awareness and building a com-munity of hope for all of those in need.

http://www.nami.org/

Parents of SuicideA mailing list provides that

provides a supportive environ-ment for parents whose children have died of suicide. It is in-tended to provide a place where parents can discuss the lives and deaths of their children with other parents whose children have died by suicide.

http://www.parentsofsui-cide.com/parents.html

SiblingSurvivors.comShare stories of surviving

sibling suicide and continue supporting the need for open dialog and community amongst those affected by the loss of a sibling.

http://www.siblingsurvivors.com

Suicide: Finding Hopehttp://www.suicidefinding-

hope.com/home

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

TAPS provides immediate and long-term emotional help, hope, and healing to all who are grieving the death of a loved one in military service to Amer-ica. TAPS meets its mission by providing peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma re-sources, casework assistance, and connections to community-based care.

http://www.taps.org/

Exceptional Family Member Program

The Exceptional Family Member Program is designed to support military family mem-bers with special needs.

https://www.airforcemedi-cine.af.mil/EFMP/

ANNIVERSARY from page 1Engineering Development Complex in July 2012. AEDC operates nearly 70 aerodynamic and propulsion wind tunnels, rocket and tur-bine engine test cells, space environmental chambers, arc heaters, ballistic ranges and other specialized units located across eight states. The AEDC mission is to prove the su-periority of systems required to meet the de-mands of the National Defense Strategy.

To comply with Department of Defense COVID-19 restrictions, visitors must remain in their vehicles. If they are required to exit their vehicle, appropriate facial coverings and social distancing will be enforced. For a com-plete listing of COVID-related policies, visit www.arnold.af.mil/coronavirus. Many areas of Arnold AFB are considered an industrial

area, and visitors must stay on the prescribed route provided upon entry of the Main Gate and obey all traffic rules. The policy of the DOD is to only permit the display of specific flags which promote unity and esprit-de-corps. For a listing of permitted flags, please view the Secretary of Defense memo dated July 16, 2020, at https://media.defense.gov/ 2 0 2 0 / J u l / 1 7 / 2 0 0 2 4 5 8 7 8 3 / - 1 / - 1 / 1 / 2 0 0 7 1 7 - F L A G - M EMO - D T D - 2 0 0 7 16-FINAL.PDF. Any person dis- playing an impermissible flag will be turned away.

For the most up-to-date event in-formation visit the Arnold Engineering Development Complex Facebook page @ArnoldAirForceBase.

AWARDS from page 1• Career Achievement:

Collin Broughton – 746thTest Squadron

• Support: Clarence MitchellJr. – 846th Test Squadron

• Gen. James FergusonEngineering Award:Maj. Nathan Lesman –

Detachment 1, 704th Test Group

• Gen. Bernard P. RandolphEngineering Team Award:High-Temperature MaterialsTest Team – Space TestBranch

• Capt. Roland R. Obenland

Engineering Award: 1st Lt. David LaBuda – 846th Test Squadron

• Outstanding ScientistTeam Award: AerodynamicPerformance Test andEvaluation Team –Aerodynamics Test Branch

An F-15EX assigned to the 53rd Wing takes off from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, in support of exercise Northern Edge 2021, May 4. Approximately 15,000 U.S. service members are participating in the joint training exercise hosted by Pacific Air Forces, May 3-14, on and above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, the Gulf of Alaska, and temporary maritime activities area. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Savanah Bray)

On the edge

4 • May 17, 2021

EVALUATION from page 1manager. “Additionally, where the tradi-tional reinvestigation could take three to seven months, CE enrollment vetting is a proactive process that takes an average of one week and continuously thereafter throughout an airman’s career. The re-duction of time and resources has paid dividends and has allowed the DOD to focus on funding other programs that support the National Defense Strategy.”

Individuals authorize participation in CE when signing the Standard Form 86, or SF-86, for release of information and submission for either their initial clear-ance determination as part of the pre-employment process or periodic back-ground investigations.

Completion of an SF-86 is required:

• Six years from the date of anindividual’s last investigation forT5Rs, which pertain to Top Secretlevel, Sensitive CompartmentedInformation and Special AccessProgram access

• Ten years from the date of an

individual’s last reinvestigation for T3Rs, which pertain to Secret level access

Enrollment in CE does not eliminate the requirement to complete an SF-86 for a periodic reinvestigation.

“Anyone that has a Secret or Top Se-cret clearance is subject to periodic re-investigations at predetermined intervals as well as Continuous Evaluation as they are enrolled,” Davis said.

“If NAS employees are enrolled in CE, they are made aware of the fact they are enrolled and given a document with additional information concerning re-porting guidelines. They are advised to self-report in accordance with the Adju-dicative Guidelines rather than waiting for the CE program to identify the infor-mation.”

The 13 Adjudicative Guidelines refer-enced by Davis are the guidelines used to determine whether someone is a security risk or concern and his or her eligibility to perform sensitive duties. These guide-

lines include: allegiance to the U.S., for-eign influence, foreign preference, sexu-al behavior, personal conduct, financial considerations, alcohol consumption, drug involvement, psychological condi-tions, criminal conduct, the handling of protected information, outside activities and the use of information technology systems.

When an individual is enrolled in CE, his or her employer will be alerted to any changes in his or her eligibility.

Investigation submittals with poten-tially adverse information still require formal investigation and adjudication.

“Immediate self-reporting adverse information is more important than ever since the implementation of CE,” Davis said. “The CE processes are receiving real-time information about individuals; no more waiting until the periodic inves-tigation to report.”

Davis said it is important to note that CE will check an individual’s credit pe-riodically. However, the check does not show on the credit report and does not

affect the credit score. “The Information Protection Office

stresses everyone to report credit issues that may adversely affect their credit score before a random CE review reveals the adverse,” Glasser said. “Random re-views of financial issues through the three main credit bureaus – Experian, Equifax and TransUnion – have increased during the pandemic, and the DOD Central Ad-judicative Facility, or DOD CAF, wants to ensure that the individual has made a good-faith effort to repay overdue credi-tors or otherwise resolve their debt. Self-reporting strengthens your conviction to repay overdue debt.”

It is also possible to be unenrolled in CE if a commander or the DOD CAF de-termines the circumstances surrounding an Airman poses an unacceptable risk to national security.

According to the Defense Counter-intelligence and Security Agency, all clearance holders will be at least partially enrolled in CE by the end of the 2021 fiscal year.

Vaccines, telework and more addressed at AFMC Virtual Town Hall

By Marisa Alia-NovobilskiAir Force Materiel Command

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – Air Force Materiel Command leaders addressed hot topics from across the command during a virtual town hall, April 27.

Gen. Arnold W. Bunch, Jr., AFMC Commander, was joined by Patricia M. Young, AFMC Executive Director and Chief Master Sgt. Stan-ley C. Cadell, AFMC Com-mand Chief, on a Microsoft Commercial Virtual Remote Teams live event viewed by over 6,000 Airmen from across the mission footprint.

Bunch kicked-off the event by highlighting the dig-ital campaign and efforts to-wards diversity and inclusion as his top two focus areas for AFMC as he commences his third year of leadership in the organization. He also mentioned ongoing efforts in software innovation, facili-ties and talent acquisition as key to continued enterprise success.

“I need everyone to stay focused on the information that we’re putting out there so that you can understand where we’re going and how it may impact you,” said Bunch. “We need to be focused so we can execute speed with dis-cipline to try to get after the many efforts that we have.”

The discussion began with an update on COVID-19 and vaccines, two ongoing topics of widespread interest across the command. Bunch talked about command-wide vacci-nation efforts and the support AFMC Airmen are providing nationwide in critical areas.

“It is still a big push to get as many Airmen and their families vaccinated as possible. We continue to en-courage uniformed and non-uniformed Airmen aged 16 and above to get those shots as quickly as possible so that we can try and get us to the point that we have herd im-munity and can be more free with what we can do,” said Bunch.

Though the vaccine is still under emergency use authori-zation and not yet mandatory for military or civilian Air-men, Bunch encouraged per-sonnel to speak with medical providers to understand ben-efits and risks, so that they can make better informed decisions for themselves and their family.

“Get the facts and have a dialogue to make sure that you’re making an informed decision…not one based off

rumor or what you may see on the internet,” he said. “We are encouraging everyone to get the vaccine so that they can protect themselves and the others around them.”

Bunch also talked about the nationwide support AFMC Airmen are providing to aug-ment community efforts to distribute vaccines across all populations.

“I had the privilege of vis-iting the site in Detroit where we have 200 Airmen deployed, and over 150 of them are from AFMC…they’re doing great community outreach, putting close to 7,000 shots in arms every day. I am really proud of the great work by all of our Airmen,” he said.

With many AFMC Airmen continuing to telework and the recent publication of the AFMC Telework Guide, many event participants had ques-tions on current guidelines and the future status of work-place operations.

“You have demonstrated that you can get the work done (through telework), and we are not going back to the way things were before,” said Bunch. “We’re going to open that aperture more and use it more as a tool as we move into the future. There are still a lot of items that we need to work through and mak-ing sure we have the right

connectivity. We’re going to continue to make investments in the infrastructure....we’re looking at our facilities and how this impacts our utiliza-tion of those facilities. We ask for your patience as we work through this process.”

In regards to return-to-full capacity, Bunch reiterated the importance of remaining flexible and for individuals to work with their supervisors to determine what can be done from home and that which re-quires work to be done in the physical workplace.

“I am not rushing this. I am not setting a mandate. We’re getting the mission done,” he said. “There are some people who want to come back into the office and some who have not been able to telework due to their mission….work with your supervisors to figure out what you can or can’t do and whether you can come back into the office or not. I have not said any date as long as we’re getting the mission done and we are demonstrat-ing we can get it done.”

Related to the telework discussion, the leaders also reiterated the importance of adhering to the Department of Defense-wide mask man-date, regardless of vaccina-tion status, and upcoming changes to telework technol-ogy as the Air Force phases

out CVR teams over the next few weeks. The leaders also spoke of the importance of maintaining a good work-life balance and physical activity, particularly when the work-space and personal space are one in the same.

“Telework gives more flex-ibility and a little more time at home when not commuting. Look into that flexibility…do you have time to work-out in the morning or evening when you would usually be com-muting? We encourage every-one to take care of themselves, and remember to balance your personal lives with the work-load,” said Young.

The event continued with discussions on the results of the recent diversity and inclu-sion survey and ongoing com-mand efforts to provide for greater diversity in recruit-ment, hiring and promotion. The leaders also addressed the continued focus on enterprise-wide diversity and inclusion training to ensure an environ-ment where every Airman has the opportunity to succeed.

“We have to demonstrate and help our workforce un-derstand what the right behav-iors are…how do you make someone feel included? How do you build that teamwork?” said Bunch.

“The big picture is that we need to create effective

teams...we need to do every-thing we can to ensure that on those teams everybody is respected and that we have created an environment where we all have the potential to grow into our full capabili-ties,” said Cadell.

In the latter part of the town hall event, the leaders addressed topics including accountability, the recent ex-tremism down day, facility up-grades, performance appraisal systems and progress in the AFMC Digital Campaign. The event concluded with the leaders expressing apprecia-tion for the widespread partic-ipation and a reminder for all to continue to remain curious and ask questions.

“Thank you for what you do. It’s an exciting time to be in the Air Force,” said Bunch. “I am nearing the two year point of having the honor and privilege of serving as the commander of AFMC with a great leadership team…you are doing the hard work and making the mission happen. Thank you for all that you do as our most valuable re-source.”

AFMC Airmen can view the full town hall on Micro-soft Streams via the emailed link. A link to follow-up que-ries and responses will be sent to all internal audiences in the next few weeks.

U.S. Air Force Gen. Arnold W. Bunch Jr., commander of Air Force Materiel Command, answers participant questions and pro-vides information during the virtual AFMC Town Hall April 27 at Headquarters AFMC, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Bunch, Patricia M. Young, AFMC executive director, and Chief Master Sgt. Stanley C. Cadell, AFMC command chief master sergeant, provided AFMC military and civilian personnel an opportunity to directly interact and ask mission related questions during the town hall event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jerry R. Bynum)

May 17, 2021 • 5

Give your back a break by practicing safe lifting techniques

Around Arnold

By AEDC Safety

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overexertion during lifting or lowering was cited as causing an injury or illness that resulted in missed workdays more than 86,000 times in 2019.

Several factors can contrib-ute to making a lift a potential risk for injury. These include the weight of the object to be lifted, body positioning when

lifting, frequency and duration of lifting, and available hand-holds.

According to the Occupa-tional Safety and Health Ad-ministration, risk of injury increases when lifting loads heavier than approximately 50 pounds. When such a lift is necessary, consider using mechanical assistance, such as a forklift or hand truck. If the item must be lifted manually, seek assistance from one or

more other individuals and use proper lifting techniques.

Ergonomics should be kept in mind when making any lift, but as the weight increases, so the does the importance of proper lifting techniques to avoid injury. The type, weight and location of a load will ne-cessitate different techniques. The goal is to maintain a neu-tral and straight spine when possible, bending at the knees rather than the waist and keep-

ing the load close to the body. Bending and twisting should be avoided as much as possible when carrying a load.

The more frequently lifting must be done or the longer an item must be held can increase the risk of back and shoulder injuries. Using devices to help hold items in place can help reduce the strain. Rotating lift-ing tasks among employees is another option to avoid risks associated with fatigue.

Poor handholds can make a lift more difficult and increase the chance of the item being dropped. When an item does not have adequate handholds, place it in a container that does to facilitate the lift. Wearing gloves can also give a better grip.

Take care to assess any lift, then plan accordingly to accom-plish the task so that everyone goes home as safe and healthy as when they came to work.

AEDC Legal Office helps us understand “What is a “Gift?”

By Eric NortonArnold AFB LegalOffice

Who doesn’t like getting a gift? I think we can all agree that getting gifts (and some-times the act of giving gifts) is generally a very good thing. However, as a federal employ-ee, both military and DOD ci-vilian, there are many things one should consider when be-ing offered a gift and whether or not you should accept it. Also, there are things to con-sider before you offer a gift to someone, or participate in a group gift being given to an-other employee.

Let’s start off by establish-ing some ground rules. By law, a federal employee may not directly or indirectly ac-cept a gift from a “prohibited source,” or accept a gift given because of the employee’s of-ficial position unless an “ex-ception” applies. A “prohib-ited source” is anyone (per-son or organization) that is seeking official action, doing business with or seeking to do business with, or is regulated by the employee’s agency or has interests that may be sub-

stantially affected by perfor-mance or non-performance of the employee’s duties.

Okay, got it. Now tell me, what is a gift? The Office of Government Ethics (OGE) defines a gift as “anything of monetary value.” This defini-tion specifically includes things like transportation, local trav-el, lodging and meals (whether provided in-kind, pre-purchase or as a reimbursable expense). Anything of monetary value – that’s just about everything,right? Well, not exactly. Let’stake a closer look at the defi-nition. Below are some exclu-sions and exceptions to the definition of a gift.

Common exclusions to the gift definition include: mod-est refreshments (e.g. coffee and donuts); greeting cards, plaques, and other items of little intrinsic value; discounts available to the public, or all government employees; and rewards or prizes connected to competitions open to the gen-eral public. The exceptions to the gift definition include: a gift valued at $20 or less, or less than $50 per the same source in the same year; a gift moti-

vated solely by a family rela-tionship or personal friendship; a gift based on outside business or employment relationships (includes spouse and federal employee); a gift of free atten-dance to certain events deemed a “widely attended gathering” (see AEDC/JA for more infor-mation on these type of gifts); and certain unsolicited gifts of informational materials.

The above discusses gifts from prohibited sources or those being offered to you from outside sources, but what about gifts from co-workers, subordinates, etc.? Great ques-tion. Let’s take a quick look at retirement gifts. If a group of employees are contribut-ing to a group gift to a retir-ing supervisor or leader, then the entire gift cannot exceed $300. If seeking donations for the gift, the maximum sug-gested amount cannot exceed $10; and employees need to be told that all donations are voluntary, that they are free to give less, or nothing at all. Further, the same employee cannot participate in donating from more than one group. In this scenario the $300 limit

would apply to both groups, effectively making them one large donor group. What about an individual gift from a sub-ordinate to a superior? Gen-erally speaking, there is no dollar limit, however, the gift should be appropriate to the occasion and reasonable under the circumstances and only in situations that terminate the senior-subordinate relation-ship. What about a gift to the departing employee’s spouse? Generally speaking, the value of a gift to a government em-ployee’s spouse is imputed to the employee, therefore the same $300 limit applies. (Said another way, the limit is $300 for one or both of them.)

If the gift being offered fits neatly into all of the above re-strictions and cautions, then I can accept it without reserva-tion, right? Well, not exactly. The OGE states, “Even if an employee may accept a gift, employees should consider de-clining gifts when they believe their integrity or impartiality would be questioned if they were to accept the gift. In mak-ing this judgment, employees may consider, for example, the

value of the gift, the timing of the gift, whether the employ-ee’s actions could affect the donor, and whether accepting the gift would provide the do-nor with significantly dispro-portionate access to the gift giver.” The bottom line here is that it’s never wrong to turn down a gift, even if it’s an oth-erwise acceptable gift.

Is there anything else I should be aware of? Abso-lutely. Please understand this information barely scratches the surface of the many ethical issues that apply to gift giv-ing and receiving. When faced with a situation that involves a gift of any kind please don’t hesitate to reach out your ethics officials in the AEDC/JA Legal Office. It is our job to help you navigate these often confusing and troubling matters and get you to a safe place where your support to the AEDC mission can continue unimpeded.

For more information you may contact our office at 931-454-7814. There is also in-formation available to you atour organizational SharePointsite: https://org2.eis.af.mil/sites/21526/ja/default.aspx

AFMC Connect May focus: ContributeBy Estella HolmesAir Force Materiel Command

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – A healthy work-place is one in which everyone collabo-rates to achieve mission goals and feels compelled to contribute, which is the focus topic for AFMC Connect for May 2021.

It is important for each individual Air-man to contribute to a unit’s mission and to have that contribution recognized. Each person’s role should be clearly understood and opportunities for continual growth provided.

Strategies that create an environment where everyone feels their contributions are valued include, but are not limited to:

• Providing a safe space to voice ideas,opinions and concerns

• Fostering transparency with reasonableexpectations

• Celebrating each individual’s strengthsby encouraging people to be their ‘fullselves’ at work

• Recognizing good work and letting

people know they are valued

Effective interaction through existing delivery forums like meetings and office calls can aid a discussion on personal con-tributions. Leaders should consider a line

of questions similar to:

1. What is your contribution to the mission?

2. How do contributions aid in the

discovery of individual strengths, workstyles, and values?

3. How can the team create anenvironment that celebrates andsupports everyone’s contributions?

4. Are there more effective waysindividual contributions can becelebrated?

5. Is there an apparent connectionbetween individual contributions andunit mission success?

Fostering an understanding of thecontribution of each member of the team perpetuates mission success and a healthy work environment.

Team members who are connected within a healthy workplace situation ac-tively contribute toward accomplishing the mission of the organization.

More information can be found in the implementation guide for facilitat-ing discussions on contribute along with local support sources at https://www.afmc.af.mil/Portals/13/AFMC%20Connect%20-%20CONTRIBUTE%20%28May%29%20.pd

Each month a different AFMC Connect focus is emphasized. For May, AFMC Connect focuses on the importance of the contribution each Airman makes to mission success. (U.S. Air Force graphic)

6 • May 17, 2021

By Staff Sgt. Nicolas Z. ErwinSecretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) – Innovation and a forward-looking mindset have longbeen key aspects of Air Forceculture. Today, Airmen world-wide continue to exemplifythese traits as they find inno-vative ways to implement newprograms and processes to ac-celerate change in support ofAir Force Chief of Staff Gen.Charles Q. Brown, Jr. ‘s “Ac-celerate Change or Lose” stra-tegic approach and accompa-nying Action Orders.

The action orders assist fu-ture planning efforts and add detail and clarity to Brown’s call for Airmen to push for ac-celerated change in modern-izing the Total Force. The Ac-tion Orders are - Action Order A, Airmen; Action Order B, Bureaucracy; Action Order C, Competition; and Action Or-der D, Design Implementation.

“My strategic approach of ‘Accelerate Change or Lose’ explains the ‘why’,” Brown said in December when he re-leased the Action Orders. “It is all of us...our talented Air-men…that are key to cutting unnecessary bureaucracy, rec-ognizing and understanding our competition, and think-ing of creative ways we can reshape the design of our Air Force.”

In response to Brown’s ini-tiative, Airmen were empow-ered to develop improvements in how the Air Force does busi-ness and prepares for the chal-lenges facing the service and the nation in the future. There are multiple examples of Air-men demonstrating innovation and initiative towards this end across the service.

Action Order A - Airmen

Prompted by Action Order A, Air Education and Train-ing Command launched the Air Force Rated Diversity Improvement Strategy in March to recruit and retain the Air Force’s best talent in the rated career fields. Also in

support of this action, HAF/A1 (Manpower, Personnel and Service) established the Air Force’s Foundational Compe-tencies and transformed the Airman Comprehensive As-sessment in February to im-prove performance feedback focused on ten Airmen Leader-ship Qualities.

“Our leaders have a respon-sibility to Airmen and their families to provide an environ-ment and community where they can reach their full po-tential,” Brown said. “Leaders must provide clear guidance so our Airmen are resilient, able to make decisions at the lowest levels, and can execute our mission. That starts with recruiting the best, developing the best, and then retaining the best.”

In another example, two Airmen at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, took their own initiative to help improve Airmen development. First Lt. Kristen Havens, a 333rd Training Squadron instructor, and Maj. Venise Hunter, 333rd TRS Director of Operations, transformed how all new cy-ber warfare officers learn and train by eliminating multiple choice exams and standard-ized AETC progress checks. Acting only on their com-mander’s intent, they pressed ahead with curriculum chang-es for Undergraduate Cyber Warfare Training to require students to demonstrate profi-ciency through China-focused training missions and perform rigorous oral exams. Accord-ing to 81st Training Wing of-ficials, the changes ensure Air and Space Force cyber warfare operations officers now gradu-ate with institutionalized op-erational behaviors, greater awareness of national threats, and a foundation of competi-tive thinking.

Additionally, the Air Force launched another Airmen-in-spired and quality of life ini-tiative in March known as the Exceptional Family Member Program Family Vector. This effort aims to better connect Airmen and families with the resources they need through

Department of the Air Force Child and Youth websites.

“Military service demands exceptional resiliency from our people and families,” said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass. “It is critical that we continue to build a culture of support and have the programs available to help wherever possible.”

Action Order B - Bureaucracy

One important aspect of the Action Orders is giving Air-men resources they need and developing leaders to attract and retain the most capable and lethal Airmen for the Air Force. Action Order B is de-signed to enable decisions that expedite the mission, making the Air Force more effective and efficient.

“I really hate bureaucracy,” Brown said during a fireside chat at the virtual 2021 Air Force Association Aerospace Warfare Symposium. “Know-ing that something can be improved, but the amount of work to change it…it really doesn’t work for me. I want to cut through processes that add time and/or layers, but don’t add much value.”

Acting on Brown’s intent, Airmen across the Air Force

used the Department of the Air Force’s Enterprise Decision Rights Process Approach to refine more than 800 distinct work streams into approxi-mately 226 processes instead. Airmen will use this approach to refine other strategic and operational activities for the upcoming program objective development cycle. Under Action Order B, Airmen are encouraged to challenge the status quo to improve the Air Force’s decision-making time-lines and processes.

In another example, two Airmen assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, took the initiative to elimi-nate hard-copy forms and old school data entry processes to improve availability of air-craft readiness data. Tech. Sgt. Michael Heasley and Senior Airman Declan Coppernoll developed a virtual aircraft 781-series form eliminatingthe requirement for aircrewand maintenance personnel tophysically complete a paperform regarding KC-135 Stra-totanker aircraft status. As aresult, wing officials said thevirtual form provides real-timesituational awareness of air-craft readiness to fleet healthmanagers and mission task-ing authorities regardless ofaircraft location, and in directsupport of Agile Combat Em-ployment concepts. It also re-sulted in savings of $120K and2.5K labor hours annually forthe wing.

Action Order C - Competition

Since releasing “Acceler-ate, Change or Lose” in Au-gust, Brown has repeatedly emphasized all Airmen must understand the ambitions of competitors and how they might conduct future warfare. In line with Action Order C – Competition, the Headquarters Air Force’s Strategic Assess-ment Team recently hosted a competition-focused workshop attended by Airmen and in-terested parties from various think tanks and academia. The findings from this workshop will help tailor the service’s re-sponse to adversaries.

In addition to the need to accelerate understanding of the nation’s competitors, Ac-tion Order C also calls on Airmen to accrue warfighting advantages to the U.S., its al-lies, and partners; enhance col-lective deterrence credibility; and drive competition to areas of U.S. advantage and com-petitors’ weakness. Airmen at Air University’s Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Academy at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, took this to heart when they designed a Command Senior Enlisted Leadership course in collaboration with their Esto-nian military counterparts dur-ing a three-day virtual planning workshop April 6-8 with the Baltic Defence College in Tar-tu, Estonia. The course, which is scheduled for September 2021, will help senior enlisted leaders gain a greater under-standing of the needs of all na-tions bordering the Baltic Sea, and how the U.S. and allies can work to amplify their collective strengths against competition in the region.

In another example, Air-men deployed to Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, also took initiative to close a training gap and demonstrate an innovative capability that makes the Air Force more com-petitive. Lt. Col. David Gunter, 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander, and his squadron formed a joint op-

erations and maintenance team that planned and conducted an F-15E Strike Eagle hot pit refueling and integrated com-bat turn at another location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. This entailed sending required maintenance equipment and personnel to the downrange location, conduct-ing the hot pits and integrated combat turns for the fighter air-craft, and then returning every-one and their equipment to Al Dhafra AB the same day.

Action Order D – Design ImplementationAction Order D highlights

the need to “make force struc-ture decisions … and amend force planning processes to cre-ate the fiscal flexibility required to design and field the future force we need.” This entails determining what the Air Force will need in the future and then making decisions supporting that vision.

Toward that end, Airmen assigned to HAF in AF/A5 (Strategy, Integration, and Re-quirements), AF/A8 (Plans and Programs), and AF/A9 (Stud-ies, Analyses and Assessments) recently implemented three ‘deep dive planning processes’ to aid the Air Staff in establish-ing resource planning priorities based on mission capabilities instead of specific aircraft, or platforms. During these deep dives, teams prioritized current and future Air Force programs focused on capabilities such as penetrating and non-penetrat-ing forces, mobility forces, and the advanced battle manage-ment system.

In another example, the 366th Fighter Wing at Moun-tain Home AFB, Idaho, exer-cised the force design needed for the future by rapidly devel-oping and executing a four-day Agile Combat Employment exercise in the desert of west-ern Utah. According to wing officials, Airmen from nine squadrons and twenty differ-ent functional areas developed the exercise on their own ini-tiative and rapidly set up a contingency location in only a couple hours with nothing but a runway and a water source. During the exercise, the Air-men recovered fighter aircraft, conducted integrated combat tums, refueled, reloaded, retar-geted, and launched the aircraft back into the simulated fight. The exercise trained and vali-dated 65 multi-capable Airmen from diverse backgrounds and demonstrated the agile com-bat employment the Air Force will need to succeed in a future fight.

Empowered Airmen Accelerate Change

According to Brown, invest-ing in and empowering Airmen means they will not only imag-ine a better future for the Air Force, but they will be the ones to lead and propel the service toward the future force the na-tion needs. Ultimately, the four Action Orders serve to provide bookends that provide Airmen with a focus on accelerating change and ensuring the ser-vice can fulfill its mission to fly, fight, and win and deliver Airpower anytime, anywhere.

“Every Airman is directly responsible for acquiring, de-livering, supporting, launching and driving Airpower,” Brown said. “Airpower is the culmina-tion of the diverse specialties, expertise and capabilities that make up our Air Force. Without it, all those planes and vehicles on the flight line would just be static displays. It’s on all of us to accelerate change and make progress together.”

Empowered Airmen accelerate change across Air Force

Innovation and a forward-looking mindset have long been key aspects of Air Force culture. Today, Airmen world-wide continue to exemplify these traits as they find in-novative ways to implement new programs and processes to accelerate change in sup-port of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. ‘s “Accelerate Change or Lose” strategic approach and ac-companying Action Orders. (U.S. Air Force graphic)

May 17, 2021 • 7

Empowered Airmen acceleratechange across Air Force

8 • May 17, 2021

By Air Force Research Laboratory Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFRL) – The U.S. Air Force has awarded the first airwor-thiness approval for a manned electric aircraft to BETA Tech-nologies, a partner in the AF-WERX Agility Prime Program. This enables BETA to begin flying its ALIA aircraft in the Agility Prime program. The airworthiness award from the Air Force is the latest milestone in BETA’s test program after recently entering its next phase of flight testing.

“U.S. Air Force engineers spent more than a year exam-ining BETA’s ALIA aircraft, evaluating its design and flight capabilities against the de-manding MIL-HDBK-516C standard,” said Camron Guth-rie from BETA. U.S. Air Force personnel and subject matter experts evaluated the aircraft’s design and maintenance re-quirements along with the com-pany’s operations and flight test plans.

“Electric aviation is a Na-tional Security priority and fortunately this was recognized early by the Air Force. The speed and efficiency of the Air

Force Agility Prime program to support sustainable elec-tric aviation has been remark-able,” said Kyle Clark, BETA’s founder and CEO. “The people and expertise that the Air Force has brought to the electric avia-tion industry and specifically our ALIA program is accelerat-ing the development of incred-ibly capable, safe and reliable aircraft.”

Under a new contract to be signed in June, the Air Force will have access to the first of its kind, manned 7,000-pound class electric aircraft, and first of their kind immersive eVTOL simulators located in Washing-ton, D.C. and Springfield, Ohio.

“This agreement will enable Air Force acquisition profes-sionals to make data driven de-cisions informed by real assess-ments of military utility,” said Col. Nathan Diller, AFWERX Director.

BETA’s aircraft simulation and training facilities allow Air Force pilots and engineers to experience the future of elec-tric vertical flight by rehearsing and testing the ALIA aircraft in a variety of potential mis-sion sets and scenarios. The advanced urban air mobility technology simulator near the Air Force Research Laboratory

in Springfield, Ohio, provides easy access to the Air Force’s greatest technical experts and acquisition professionals. The Washington, D.C. facility pro-vides an ideal venue for future operational concept develop-ers across the Air Force, joint force, and interagency to con-duct research, assessing the opportunities of the electrified future. These state-of-the-art simulators are physics based and include weather, emergency handling, and mission scenarios with multiple aircraft.

Agility Prime seeks to ex-pand technology transition paths to accelerate emerging dual-use markets by leveraging govern-ment resources for rapid and affordable fielding. In a first-of-a-kind arrangement, AFRL engineers used unique equip-ment and analysis capabilities to conduct structural testing on the ALIA aircraft. This valuable data will advance the flight test program safely while providing valuable insight to the Air Force on a unique and novel aircraft design.

“Agility Prime is about cre-ating a new path to adopt ad-vanced technologies in the De-partment of Defense by working with innovative companies like BETA in ways that enable new

markets,” said Diller. “The en-gineering, test, and acquisition professionals in Air Force Mate-riel Command have phenomenal expertise to help accelerate this and other emerging markets.”

In March, BETA advanced to the next phase of its flight testing program, completing an interstate flight with ALIA from its Plattsburgh, New York home airport test facility to the com-pany’s headquarters near Burl-ington International Airport in Vermont. To abide by Federal Aviation Agency protocols con-cerning the flight of experimen-

tal aircraft beyond designated test areas, BETA completed rigorous testing to ensure reli-able and predictable aircraft performance. In the same week that ALIA flew its first interstate flight, BETA also set a new re-cord for range and altitude in ALIA of 130 nautical miles and 8,000 feet respectively.

BETA added to its growing customer list securing agree-ments with BLADE and UPS for its ALIA aircraft and charg-ing stations. BETA partners now span medical, logistics, defense and passenger segments.

Air Force awards first airworthiness approval for human flight in AFWERX Agility Prime electric aircraft program

BETA’s ALIA a simulator in BETA’s Washington, D.C. facility is a fully immersive eVTOL flight simulator and training facility. (Photo courtesy of BETA)

By Charles PopeSecretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (AFNS) – Acting Secretary of the Air Force John P. Roth told a congressional subcommittee Friday that both the Air and Space Forces are moving decisively to confront new and emerging threats, including those from China and Russia, while also devoting resources “to rid our ranks of corrosive elements and in-justices.”

Appearing alongside Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., and Chief of Space Operations Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond, Roth told the House Ap-propriations Subcommittee on Defense that the Air and Space Forces continue to recalibrate their practices, personnel and policies to address “peer adversaries” after years focusing primarily on terrorism.

“Long-term strategic competition with China and Russia demands that we focus on the capabilities we need today to win tomorrow,” Roth told the subcommittee in his opening statement. “Our nation’s competitive strategic advantage relies on air and space superiority, which is under-pinned by rapid technological advance-ment and the extension of space as a warf-ighting domain.”

Testifying before the Defense Appro-priations Subcommittee is the first and one of the most important steps in determin-ing how much funding the Air and Space Forces will receive in the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. But because Congress has not yet received detailed spending pro-posals from any federal agency, the ques-tions during Friday’s two-hour session were more general than in a typical year.

They spanned topics ranging from how the Air Force is responding to its pilot shortage, to questions about readiness and detecting “space junk,” to an assessment of China’s influence in Latin America and the Department’s view on modernizing the aging Minuteman III ground-based nuclear missile system.

When asked, “In the event you got more money, where would the focus be, what would be the top priority?” Roth acknowledged there would be difficult trade-offs.

“We’re going to have to make some hard choices and some difficult decisions concerning trying to invest in the future versus continuing to support some of our legacy systems,” he said. “My sense is the budget you’ll see is a balanced budget that can support the national security strategy with some reasonable risk.”

At the same time, he emphasized, “We need to continue investing in tech-nology for the future.”

When asked about nuclear modern-ization, Brown said the case is strong for moving ahead with a new system known as the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent.

“What you will get is something that is more safe, more secure, and more reli-able and also outpaces the threat we’re up against,” Brown said. “So it’s im-portant that we do modernize that part of our nuclear portfolio,” he continued, noting that the current frontline system, the Minuteman III, is more than 40 years old.

With the Space Force entering its sec-ond year in existence, Raymond received a number of questions about fiscal dis-cipline, acquisition programs and this: “Why do we need a Space Force? Why is not the regular Air Force program just as effective if not more so?”

Raymond expanded on his opening statement in which he said the United States remained preeminent in space, but there are now more nations operating with more sophistication and with differ-ing motivations than ever before.

“The capability gap is shrinking be-tween us and our closest competitors,” Raymond said in response to the ques-tion. “They are catching up.”

The nation’s leaders decided, he said, “To stand up a service that was purpose built for this domain. We’ve already seen the benefits of that elevation. We’re at-

tracting greater talent. We’ve got a strong voice on requirements. We have a strong voice with our allies and partners. … So across the board we have seen a critical elevation of capability since we’ve es-tablished the Space Force.”

Answers by Roth, Brown and Ray-mond throughout the hearing reflected the Department’s overarching priorities. The practices and priorities, they said, include a mixture of imperatives such as modernizing the nation’s air and land-based nuclear deterrent, ensuring con-tinued “air superiority,” nurturing strong and capable leaders, and continuing to lock arms with allies and partners.

It means continuing to rollout F-35 (Lightning II) aircraft into the fleet. The F-35, according to Air Force senior leaders, “is the cornerstone of our fu-ture fighter force and air superiority.” It means continuing to introduce the KC-46 (Pegasus) into the fleet, while also continuing to revamp the service’s “ca-reer field” categories to match personnel and leadership philosophies to the needs of national security and modern warfare.

They also said it requires a new focus, fresh thinking and speed.

“The strategic environment has rap-idly evolved and we haven’t changed fast enough to keep pace,” Brown told the subcommittee, noting that prior to becoming chief of staff, he was the Air Force’s senior military official in the In-do-Pacific.

Brown added, “If we continue on a

path of incremental change, our advan-tage erodes and losing becomes a distinct possibility.” That possibility he said, is why he released a document entitled, “Accelerate Change or Lose” soon after becoming chief of staff.

Along with emphasizing speed, the three leaders said another major prior-ity is ensuring that the U.S. Space Force continues to build on its achievements. The nation’s newest military service came into being on Dec. 20, 2019, and in its second year, is focused on integrating with partners at every level.

“Now that we have built this service, we are moving at speed to capitalize on its creation,” Raymond told the subcom-mittee in describing the Space Force’s near term priorities.

“We have set conditions to outpace emerging and dynamic threats and create new military options, working with the joint force, interagency, industry, and our partners and allies. These partnerships will allow us to move at speed without breaking our national treasury,” he said.

Like Roth and Brown, who specified emerging threats in blunt terms, Ray-mond detailed the way space is evolving into a more complex and challenging en-vironment.

“These threats include robust jam-ming of GPS and communications sat-ellites; directed energy systems that can blind, disrupt or damage our satellites; anti-satellite weapons in space or from the ground that are designed to destroy U.S. satellites; and cyber capabilities that can deny our access to the domain,” Ray-mond said.

Like Raymond, Brown and Roth also offered clear rationales for why the Air Force’s capabilities and readiness are crucial to the larger national security ef-fort.

“Our Air Force is the only service that provides our joint partners and allies the assurance of air superiority, the ad-vantage of global strike, and the agility of rapid global mobility through a range of capabilities most requested by today’s combatant commanders.”

Although confronted with an array of threats present in the air and space domains, Roth reaffirmed the Depart-ment’s commitment to its mission. “Our Airmen and Guardians stand ready, will-ing, and able to meet responsibilities to our nation,” he said. “From 300 feet to 300 miles off the ground, we protect the homeland, we project power, and we defend democracy.”

Roth, Brown, Raymond present Air, Space Forces priorities to Congress

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. answers questions during the House Appropriations Committee on Defense during a virtual hearing at the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, May 7. Committee members raised topics that included confronting new and emerging threats, air and space superiority, and nuclear deterrence. (U.S. Air Force photo by Wayne Clark)

May 17, 2021 • 9

Roth, Brown, Raymond present Air,Space Forces priorities to Congress

10 • May 17, 2021

By 1st Lt Savanah Bray53rd Wing

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – A B-52 Stra-tofortress from the 49th Test and Evalu-ation Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, conducted a successful simulated hypersonic kill chain employ-ment from sensor to shooter and back during Northern Edge 21, May 5, 2021.

During the more than 13-hour sortie from Barksdale AFB, La. to Alaska and back, the B-52 was able to receive tar-get data from sensors via the All-Domain Operations Capability experiment, more

than 1,000 nautical miles away miles away at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richard-son. Once it received the data from the ADOC-E, the bomber then was able to successfully take a simulated shot of the target from 600 nautical miles away us-ing an AGM-183 Air Launched Rapid Response Weapon.

“We were really exercising the data links that we needed in order to com-plete that kill chain loop, and then get the feedback to the players in the air-space that the simulated hypersonic mis-sile was fired and effective,” said Lt. Col. Joe Little, 53rd Test Management Group deputy commander.

This was a successful showcase of Beyond Line of Sight Kill Chain employ-ment, and notably, was a success in the highly contested and realistic threat en-vironment that Northern Edge provides.

“The team did an outstanding job ef-fecting this event both in planning and execution, said Lt. Col. Matt Guasco, 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron com-mander. “This is a win for the USAF and greater DOD as a whole but make no mistake, we are just getting started.”

The ADOC-E is a joint team repre-sents the operational-level “blue” train-ing audience designed to experiment with synchronizing joint functions in forward locations. The ADOC-E design allows the synchronization of joint func-tions in forward, contested environment when traditional C2 structure effective-ness is degraded or denied. ADOC-E per-sonnel have coordination authority ca-pable of facilitating long-range joint fires and further hosting future capability pro-

vided through and advanced battle man-agement system approach. The ADOC-E use of current and emergent technology provides assessment opportunities for experimental capabilities and concepts and accelerates employment of relevant TTPs and technologies supporting major combat operations.

NE21 is a U.S. Indo-Pacific Com-mand exercise designed to provided high-end, realistic war fighter train-ing, develop and improve joint in-teroperability, and enhance the com-bat readiness of participating forces. This is done by providing a venue for large force employment training and multi-domain operations; tacti-cal training for the full spectrum of conflict; execute and advance adap-tive basing joint tactics, techniques, and procedures; advance live-virtual-constructive capabilities; and sup-port U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s experimental initiatives.

B-52 Hypersonic Kill Chain Employment SuccessA B-52 from Barksdale Air Force Base, La. sits on the ramp at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. on July 30, 2016. Aircrew brought the 53rd Wing bombers to allow wing personnel an opportunity to see one of their geographically separated aircraft up close. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Parnell)

May 17, 2021 • 11

B-52 Hypersonic Kill Chain Employment Success

By Daryl MayerAFLCMC Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio (AFLCMC) – The Skyborg leadership team conducted a two-hours and ten minute flight test April 29 of the Skyborg autonomy core sys-tem (ACS) aboard a Kratos UTAP-22 tactical unmanned vehicle at Tyndall AFB, Florida.

Termed Milestone 1 of the Au-tonomous Attritable Aircraft Experi-mentation (AAAx) campaign, the ACS performed a series of founda-tional behaviors necessary to char-acterize safe system operation. The ACS demonstrated basic aviation capabilities and responded to navi-gational commands, while reacting to geo-fences, adhering to aircraft flight envelopes, and demonstrating coordi-nated maneuvering. It was monitored from both airborne and ground com-mand and control stations.

The Skyborg Vanguard team is a unique relationship that pairs Brig. Gen. Dale White, Program Executive Officer for Fighters and Advanced Aircraft as the Skyborg PEO, and Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle, Com-mander of the Air Force Research Laboratory as the Skyborg Technol-ogy Executive Officer (TEO). The 96th Test Wing, under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Scott Cain, serves as the executing agent for these test mis-sions.

“We’re extremely excited for the successful flight of an early version of the ‘brain’ of the Skyborg sys-tem. It is the first step in a marathon of progressive growth for Skyborg technology,” said White. “These initial flights kickoff the experi-mentation campaign that will con-tinue to mature the ACS and build trust in the system.”

Milestone 1 is the first step in test-ing the ACS and begins a sequence of experimentation events planned over the next several months.

“Through this operational experi-mentation campaign, AFRL is lean-ing forward to get early engagement with the warfighter to deliver a suite of full-mission autonomy on a rele-vant timeline,” said Pringle. “AFRL is proud to be developing this force multiplier for the U.S. Air Force with our partners at PEO Fighters and Advanced Aircraft and the 96th Test Wing.”

The 96th Test Wing is well-posi-tioned to integrate and test emerging technologies like autonomy on vari-ous platforms (aircraft and weapons) and has provided critical infrastruc-ture support and test expertise to Sky-borg. Milestone 1 was the first time an active autonomy capability was demonstrated on an Air Force test range, and is a first step to integrat-ing these aircraft into a complex op-erational environment.

“As we have throughout our his-tory, the Test enterprise is adapting our people and capabilities to support this rapidly maturing technology, and the execution of this flight test is a great milestone for our closely integrated development and acquisi-tion team. Safely executing this test and providing the knowledge needed to advance the technology is at the heart of what we do. And as always, we’re highly motivated to help bring war-winning technology to the next fight,” said Cain.

Follow on events will demon-strate direct manned-unmanned teaming between manned aircraft and multiple ACS-controlled unmanned aircraft.

The aim of the Skyborg Vanguard program is to integrate full-mission

autonomy with low-cost, attritable unmanned air vehicle technology to enable manned-unmanned teaming. Skyborg will provide the foundation on which the Air Force can build an

airborne autonomous ‘best of breed’ system of systems that adapts, ori-ents, and decides at machine speed for a wide variety of increasingly complex mission sets.

Skyborg ACS has successful first flight

The Skyborg autonomy core system launches aboard a Kratos UTAP-22 tacti-cal unmanned vehicle at Tyndall AFB, Florida on April 29. (U.S. Air Force photo)

12 • May 17, 2021