Total Force team supports Operation Tomodachi



Staff Sgt. Jason Doyle and Senior Airman Joshua Buckner, both air transportation Airmen, move supplies onto a C-17 Globemaster III on March 20, 2011, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The supplies were transported to Sendai Airport to be used for humanitarian assistance bringing relief to Japan after the earthquake and tsunami disaster. Doyle and Buckner are assigned to the 730th Air Mobility Squadron. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt. Jonathan Steffen)

 Total Force team supports Operation Tomodachi

3/28/2011 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- While supporting combat operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan, a total integrated force of active, Guard and Reserve Airmen are supporting humanitarian relief efforts in Japan following the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that ravaged parts of Japan March 11.Air Force officials are increasingly relying on the nearly 200,000-strong Guard and Reserve force to seamlessly augment the active-duty component as they engage in various operations around the globe, including ongoing combined and joint relief efforts in Japan as part of Operation Tomodachi. "Our Guard and Reserve Airmen are being called upon more frequently and for longer periods to support both war and peacetime requirements," said Col. Gregory Cain, the 13th Air Force chief of staff. "Reserve component forces are fully integrated into all operational plans because today no major military operation can be successful without their participation."Air National Guard and Reserve Airmen are deployed to Japan and other locations in the Asia-Pacific region to support relief efforts, and here to augment the Pacific Air Forces command staff and the 613th Air and Space Operations Center, where both command and control are conducted in support of U.S. Forces Japan, Joint Task Force 505 and Joint Support Force-Japan. Since March 11, less than 24 hours after the earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck Japan, Air Force officials have deployed more than 700 total-force personnel and 15 aircraft including the C-12 Huron, C-17 Globemaster III, C-130 Hercules and the KC-135 Stratotanker. A variety of support efforts have been performed, to include providing more than 46,000 gallons of fuel and fuel trucks to help grant much-needed power, and transporting more than 4.6 million pounds of food, water and blankets. In addition, Airmen have transported more than 5,500 people. Airmen from the Hawaii Air National Guard's 109th Air Operations Group here are augmenting 613th AOC active-duty Airmen where command and control operations are being conducted during the operation. The 109th AOG is the only ANG augmentation unit co-located with its active-duty unit and is fully integrated in all aspects of AOC operations, including strategy, plans, intelligence and mobility for command and control of real-world missions from the 613th AOC. "I'm certain the Air Force's sustained support of Operation Tomodachi would not be possible without the seamless integration of the active, Guard and Reserve components," said Col. Michael Compton, the 109th AOG commander and the 613th Air and Space Operations Center night-shift director during Operation Tomodachi. "The 109th warfighters fill many key roles and several are deployed to JTF-505 and JSF-J. Nearly the entire 109th has been activated to support the 24-hour, quick-response operations tempo."The 713th Combat Operations Squadron is an associated unit of 13th Air Force that is based out of Beale Air Force Base, Calif., which augments Pacific Air Forces headquarters staff. A total of 100 Reserve positions from the 713th COS augment Air Force job specialties within the Air Force forces, allowing PACAF to support increased operating and personnel tempo demands. "We are facing tough economic times with budget cuts and resource constraints, and total-force integration allows the Air Force to pare down its steady-state manpower, employing only the required forces," said Lt. Col. Roger Gibson, the 713th Combat Operations Squadron detachment commander here. "This provides the Air Force the flexibility it needs to surge its forces during increased operational requirements, like Tomodachi, that occur with little notice." Brig. Gen. Thomas P. Harwood III is the mobilization assistant to the 13th Air Force Commander, who is also a civilian airline pilot. As a reservist, he was tasked to be the PACAF chief of staff during Operation Tomodachi. "One of the key enablers for our guardsmen and reservists is having a civilian employer who allows them to take time off to perform duties as part of the total force," he said. "Without that employer support, we simply could not call upon the expertise of our part-time Airmen for important operations like Tomodachi."Only qualified and trained ANG and Reserve Airmen augment active-duty requirements. "Total-force integration guarantees that not just anyone will be picked to help during surge operations," Gibson said. "Our Reserve and Guard Airmen are trained and position certified to the same standard as their active duty counterpart. Our Airmen also come from many different backgrounds and many capabilities, with a large part of the Reserve forces being quality Airmen who previously served on active-duty and wanted to continue to participate in the military. They are quality people and we still want to capture that capability." In addition to leaving their families behind to defend their country, Guard and Reserve Airmen often leave their civilian careers behind at a moment's notice to respond to the needs of their country. Senior Airman Timothy Priest, an ANG intelligence analyst from the 713th COS, has a wife awaiting his return while he supports his unit during Operation Tomodachi. "This is a sacrifice I'm proud to make and one I'm committed to as an Air Force Reservist," Priest said. "I have had to leave home for deployments when I was on active duty, so I am used to these types of missions, but I always miss being home with my family. As a reservist, I'm able to attend college full-time and continue to serve my country, so it's the best of both worlds." Active-duty Airmen can be assured that their Reserve and National Guard counterparts are trained and ready to fill in when required. "I regularly work with reservist and ANG Airmen, both in the field and at home station, and I have always been able to trust and depend on the support they provide our unit," said Tech. Sgt. Gary Miles, a 13th Air Force spectrum manager and communications planner. "Whenever we are short manned Guard and Reserve Airmen are always willing to jump at the chance to augment active forces for mission success." The U.S. military is conducting search-and-rescue missions, sea survey, and providing logistics and troop movement support in Japan during Operation Tomodachi. U.S. Pacific Command, in conjunction with USFJ, is continuing to assess requirements and available assets in the Asia-Pacific theater to respond as quickly as possible to meet the requirements requested by the government of Japan.

by Master Sgt. Kerry Jackson
13th Air Force Public Affairs
http://www.amc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123248900

New ViperWest Video!

Thanks to Opi from ViperWest for letting me share this new video. It looks like its going to be a great year for the Hill AFB F-16 Demo Team. Coming to a Runway near you!

F-15E Strike Eagle Crashed while over Libya. Pilots Rescued.

 (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jason Passmore)

By Stephen Trimble

US Africa Command confirms a Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle crashed overnight in Libya becoming the first coalition aircraft lost while enforcing a no-fly-zone since 19 March.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but US forces also say both crew members ejected after the F-15E "experienced equipment malfunction".

Both crew members ejected over rebel-held territory, which generally extends east of the city of Ajdabiya on the Mediterranean coast, and are safe.

The crash occurred as the coalition extended the no-fly-zone westward from Benghazi to as far as Tripoli, the Libyan capital.

"I'm not concerned at this point about mission creep," Gen Carter Ham, chief of Africa Command, told reporters on 21 March. "I think our mission is clear and we're moving forward."

Three US Air Force F-15Es from RAF Lakenheath have been committed to enforcing the no-fly-zone, along with a wide range of coalition partners, including French Rafales and Mirage 2000s, Canadian CF-18s, Danish F-16s, Spanish F/A-18s and British Tornados and Typhoons. Qatar also has committed a detachment of Mirage 2000-5s.

The coalition force is flying about 70-80 sorties daily, with the majority flown by non-US forces, Ham says.

The USAF also confirms that a Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk flew in support of no-fly-zone operations before 21 March. No other unmanned aircraft systems from any country are acknowledged to have joined the operation.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/03/22/354617/first-coalition-aircraft-lost-over-libya.html

31th MEU Headed for Japan to assist with Relief Operations if Requested.

The 31st MEU including local Camp Pendleton 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines. Ships included in this MEU are the U.S.S. Essex (LHD 2), U.S.S. Germantown (LSD 42), U.S.S. Harpers Ferry (LSD 49). Air elements consisting of Marine HMM-262's CH-46E Sea Knights. Other elements assisting the relief effort are the Combat Logistics Battalion and the III Marine Expeditionary Force.

·        Eight KC-130J cargo aircraft from Marine Aerial Refuel Transport Squadron 152 (VMGR-152). Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and eight CH-46E Sea Knights helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (HMM-262), MAG 36, 1st MAW, III MEF, based out of Marines Crops Air Station Futenma have been made available to support Operation Tomodachi. In addition, another KC-130T from MCAS Iwakuni has been made available. The 9 KC-130 cargo aircraft are currently basing out of MCAS Iwakuni, and the CH-46s are basing out Naval Air Station Atsugi.

o       To date, they have flown 22 CH-46 sorties and 24 KC-130 sorties in support of Operation Tomodachi.

            ·        Four Humanitarian Assistance Survey Teams have been deployed to Honshu. These team will assess damaged areas and help assist the Government of Japan with providing accurate information to disaster relief planners, both military and civilian. The HASTs are capable of distributing supplies and providing basic medical care for those in immediate need of aid.

·        The HSV arrived in MCAS Iwakuni March 14 carrying a Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) for further transportation to Yamagata, the identified FARP location, and use in the assistance operations. A FARP is a temporary facility normally located close to the area of operations that allows aircraft to conduct continuous operations without having to return to an established airport to obtain fuel. This capability enables helicopters to fly rescue and transport missions in austere environments.

       Two KC-130J cargo aircraft delivered a Deployable Joint Command and Control (DJC2) Rapid Response system to Naval Air Station Atsugi. The DJC2 system provides an integrated, rapidly deployable, modular Joint Command and Control system to support Joint Task Force command and control operations

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)  

A MEU is the smallest of the MAGTFs. Together with U.S. Navy forces, this team serves as the nation’s forward-deployed, quick-response team, capable of accomplishing numerous missions around the globe.

A MEU, directed by a single commander, is comprised of about 2,200 Marines and Sailors, embarked aboard three ships configured as an Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON).

The 31st MEU, working with PHIBRON 11 and their naval vessels comprises one such Navy/Marine Corps team. We are one of the seven total MEUs in the Marine Corps, but are the only continually forward-deployed MEU. 

The 31st MEU provides a forward-deployed, flexible sea-based force capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response and limited contingency operations in the Asia-Pacific area.  Always ready to respond, the 31st MEU is also prepared to provide humanitarian aid and disaster relief when directed.  The 31st MEU remains the United States’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Our unit is routinely deployed through the Asia-Pacific region for three or more months at a time.

Elements of the 31st MEU

The ground combat element (GCE) for the 31st MEU is identified and attached to the MEU before the deployment. About 1,200 strong, it is based on the infantry battalion. It is reinforced with attachments including an artillery battery and an amphibious assault vehicle platoon.

The air combat element (ACE) for the 31st MEU is also identified and attached to the MEU before the deployment. About 500 strong, the ACE consists of a reinforced Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron, complete with CH-53E Super Stallions, CH-46E Sea Knights, UH-1Y Hueys, AH-1 Cobras and AV-8B Harrier Jets.

The final major element of the MEU is the Combat Logistics Battalion. About 300 Marines and Sailors of CLB-31 provide combat support, specifically supply; maintenance; transportation; explosive ordnance disposal; military police; water production and distribution; engineering; medical and dental services; fuel storage and distribution; and other services to the deployed MEU. The CLB gives the MEU the ability to support itself for 15 days in austere expeditionary environments.

The air-ground task -force concept is designed to thoroughly exploit the combat power inherent in air and ground assets by closely integrating them into a single force. The MEU brings what it needs to sustain itself from the sea for the rapid accomplishment of the mission or to pave the way for follow-on forces. The size and composition of the MEU make it well suited for amphibious operations; security operations; noncombatant evacuation operations; humanitarian assistance operations; and special operations.

History of the MEU

The 31st MEU’s regularly scheduled training and exercises are always contingent upon "real world" situations. Our MEU responded to three disaster relief situations in 2009 and one in 2010, including providing critical relief to earthquake victims in Indonesia and flood victims in the Republic of the Philippines. 

C-17's and KC-10's are on the way to aid Japan.

Thought this was a great article on how the AMC's C-17 Globemasters III and KC-10 Extenders are contributing to Japanese earthquake aid effort.

Mobility Airmen deliver search and rescue teams to Japan

CoNA Centennial of Naval Aviation, North Island.

With the Centennial of Naval Aviation in full swing now (NAF El Centro's airshow happing this weekend) I thought I post the full show from North Island's opening event. And it was quite an event. Enjoy!

Aaron Eckhart at Camp Pendleton

Aaron Eckhart made a visit to Camp Pendleton on March 3rd to promote the movie Battle:Los Angeles and give the Marines and their families a sneak preview of the movie. In addition to the preview he also spent about an hour signing autographs and taking pictures with the Marines who came. He even had time to sign two posters for my nephew Tyler! Thank you Aaron.