http://www.37trw.af.mil en-US Wed, 22 May 2013 20:48:10 GMT Wed, 22 May 2013 20:48:10 GMT Air Force Link RSS Generator http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123349090 Nearly 70 mobilized reserve Soldiers preparing for "advise and assist" missions in Afghanistan trained May 6-10, 2013, at the Air Force Air Advisor Academy.

Trainer/mentors assigned to the 174th Infantry Brigade train deploying Airmen on Army Warrior Tasks routinely.

The roles reversed thanks to a new partnership with the Air Force.

Leaders and Soldiers mobilized in support of the NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan received the core knowledge and skills portion of regional awareness training at the AAA in line with the Army's Regionally Aligned Force Concept. The five-day condensed academic portion of the program - part of a three-pillar construct including core knowledge and skills; language, region and cultural studies; and field craft -supports the training and mobilization of general purpose advisors.
more...]]> collen.mcgee.2@us.af.mil (Capt. Antonia Greene-Edwards ) http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123349090 Fri, 17 May 2013 15:51:00 EST http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123345402 Sixteen Army, Navy, Air Force and Department of Defense officials met at Joint Base San Antonio- Lackland for the Council on Recruit and Basic Training Conference to discuss training and basic entry-level recruit operations across the services, April 9 - 11.

After more than 10 years of close joint operations in the war-fighting arena, military members are coming together to take the communication lessons learned during military operations overseas and apply them closer to home; starting at the basics with entry-level enlisted military training.
more...]]> collen.mcgee.2@us.af.mil (Maj. Carla M. Gleason) http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123345402 Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:23:18 EST http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123343687 Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772 Marines provided support to the U.S. Air Force Air Advisor Academy's most recent Field Training Exercise (FTX) here March 29, 2013.

The Marines flew a CH-53E Super Stallion to the range where the Academy students and instructors were waiting to evacuate a simulated injured service member. The HMH-772 operations officer briefed the flight crew to prepare them for a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel mission.

Academy students on the ground participated in an exercise in which they were to meet with a key leader who they would be working with for the next several months, while the CH-53E was flying in the nearby airspace. The students had to plan the route and coordinate roles among each other for travel using the skills they learned throughout the academy's eight-week course.
more...]]> collen.mcgee.2@us.af.mil ( Airman Sean M. Crowe) http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123343687 Tue, 9 Apr 2013 13:27:00 EST http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123342347 Airmen who gathered in the stands behind the Basic Military Training Reception Center set an enthusiastic tone before Saturday's quarterly drill down competition started.

As drill team members from the three competing squadrons with the 37th Training Group and one from the 737th Training Group waited nervously to begin, a series of cheers moved through the spectators packed in the stands - almost 2,000 technical training students - in a giant wave.

Their message to the competitors: Forget the elements - a brisk northerly wind and occasional mist - it's game on and we're behind you.
more...]]> collen.mcgee.2@us.af.mil (Mike Joseph) http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123342347 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 15:54:19 EST http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123341570 The Inter-American Air Forces Academy celebrated turning 70 with a special event attended by more than 350 people in the IAAFA Airfield Training Complex at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland March 15.

Senior leaders, distinguished visitors and guests helped commemorate the anniversary with IAAFA staff, instructors and students in one of the complex's hangars, which included a ceremonial cake cutting with a saber and a wine toast.

The specially designed three-tier cake was cut by a student from Panama, where the academy was originally founded. The toast to IAAFA and its international partners was made by guest speaker Jaime Vazquez, a retired colonel and former IAAFA commander, to senior leaders with wine from Latin America partner nations.
more...]]> collen.mcgee.2@us.af.mil (Mike Joseph) http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123341570 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:21:14 EST http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123341553 Women's History Month will be easily remembered for Airman Kaycee Franco, for it's the month that she began making her own personal piece of Air Force history: receiving the Air Force Airman's coin and becoming an Airman.

Receiving the coin signifies completing basic training and that Franco was one step closer to graduating. It also earned Franco the right to be called "Airman."

Originally from Dewey, Okla., a very small town boasting a population of only 3,432 according to the 2010 census, Franco said she found the eight weeks of basic training to be "insane."
more...]]> collen.mcgee.2@us.af.mil (Dona Fair) http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123341553 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:28:10 EST http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123340346 During his first visit to the 37th Training Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas State Rep. Joaquín Castro got a close-up look at Air Force basic military training
recently.

After lunch with the 502nd Air Base Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Theresa Carter, and other military officials, Castro visited the 323rd Training Squadron and toured the first-of-its-kind Airmen Training Complex.

The 1,250 bed, $73 million dormitory and office space includes state-of-the-art closed circuit cameras, centralized security and access control, upgraded drill and physical training facilities and numerous other upgrades from the 1960s-era Recruit Housing and Training Facility it replaced.
more...]]> collen.mcgee.2@us.af.mil (Maj. Jeff Pixley) http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123340346 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 10:21:00 EST http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123339966 An expert speaker on leadership and leadership training once defined a leader as someone who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. That is exactly what the Combat Leadership Course, Level II, Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis did for 42 Security Forces Airmen in 26 days.

Staff Sgt. Luke Wyszomirski, a Security Forces patrolman from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, attended the course and explained what challenges the curriculum required and what can be learned.

"The combat leader's course is a hard-hitting, fast-paced scenario-based training," Wyszomirski said.
more...]]> collen.mcgee.2@us.af.mil (Airman 1st Class Roswell Sartwell) http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123339966 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:44:00 EST http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123339964 After Tech. Sgt. Joshua Sharp spent three days shadowing a military training instructor in the 322nd Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, it solidified his decision to become an Air Force MTI.

"I already had a pretty good idea I wanted to do this, but the shadowing really hammered it home," Sharp said.

"Hearing the MTIs talk about the sense of pride they have when their flight graduates and how civilians become Airmen actually reinforced how much I wanted to be a part of it," Sharp said. He said he came through basic training in 2002.
more...]]> collen.mcgee.2@us.af.mil (Mike Joseph) http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123339964 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:35:00 EST http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123338822 The Lackland Gateway Heritage Foundation took a major step toward its goal of building a new USAF Airman Heritage Museum at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Air Force Feb. 11 at the 502nd Air Base Wing headquarters on JBSA-Fort Sam Houston.

The MOU clearly defines the roles and responsibilities in the project by the Foundation, the 502nd ABW and the 37th Training Wing. The agreement was signed by Brig. Gen. Theresa Carter, JBSA and 502nd ABW commander; Col. Mark Camerer, 37th Training Wing commander; and Foundation President Jaime Vazquez, a retired Air Force colonel.
more...]]> collen.mcgee.2@us.af.mil (Mike Joseph) http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123338822 Tue, 5 Mar 2013 16:53:10 EST http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123338025 The Defense Language Institute English Language Center's Basic American Language Instructor Course students participated in Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland's African American Heritage Luncheon, Feb. 13, at the Gateway Club.

The guest speaker, Lt. Gen. Ronnie Hawkins, Jr., Director, Defense Information Systems Agency, Fort Meade, Md.

Hawkins' address focused on the national theme of, "At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington." He spoke of the hardships and suffering that so many people had endured and the difficulties that blocked their paths. He charged listeners with the responsibility of making sure future generations know what freedom and equality cost.
more...]]> collen.mcgee.2@us.af.mil (Annette Janetzke) http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123338025 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:35:10 EST http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123337188
In his first visit to the 37th Training Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Congressman Joaquín Castro (D, TX) was given a close-up look at Air Force Basic Military Training.

After lunch with the 502nd Air Base Wing Commander, Brig. Gen/ Theresa Carter, Congressman Castro visited the 323rd Training Squadron in the first-of-its-kind Airmen Training Complex. The 1,250 bed, $73M dormitory and office space includes state-of-the-art closed circuit cameras, centralized security and access control, upgraded drill and physical training facilities and numerous other upgrades from the 1960's era Recruit Housing and Training Facility it replaced.
more...]]> collen.mcgee.2@us.af.mil (Maj. Jeeff Pixley) http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123337188 Thu, 21 Feb 2013 13:28:00 EST http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123336608 Jumping from an aircraft can be risky and what a jumper doesn't know can cause death or serious injury and scrub the mission.

"The capability of the operator determines whether you're a quick reaction force verses becoming a victim," explained Tech. Sgt. Marc Esposito, 342nd Training Squadron instructor, adding that constant practice, with safety as a top priority, leads to mission success.

Several military parachutists from the 342nd Training Squadron jumped over the 37th Training Wing Parade Field Jan. 13 as a practice and training exercise, part of a comprehensive training program at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The program prepares Airmen for battlefield assignments such as Pararescue, combat control, tactical air control party and special operations weather technician.
more...]]> collen.mcgee.2@us.af.mil (Staff Sgt. Holly Brown, Military Training Instructor) http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123336608 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:31:00 EST http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123335725 An online project created by the 37th Training Wing Office of History and Research at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland reached a milestone Jan. 28.

The 10,000th Air Force Basic Military Training flight photo was posted to http://www.bmtflightphotos.af.mil, a project started with only 60 flight photographs in 2004.

"The most common request back then was, 'Do you have a copy of my BMT flight photograph?'" said Tracy English, 37th TRW Office of History and Research chief, a retired Air Force technical sergeant.
more...]]> collen.mcgee.2@us.af.mil (Mike Joseph, Senior Writer) http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123335725 Fri, 8 Feb 2013 14:48:00 EST http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123335715 The men and women who serve as military training instructors in the 737th Training Group graduate about 35,000 new Airmen every year at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

Their effectiveness for more than 60 years as leaders, teachers and mentors has changed countless lives by converting civilians who enter Air Force Basic Military Training into skilled, disciplined and physically fit warrior Airmen.

The newest Military Training Instructor School graduates to accept the challenge recently
more...]]> collen.mcgee.2@us.af.mil (Mike Joseph, Senior Writer) http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123335715 Fri, 8 Feb 2013 14:13:00 EST http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123334845 Taking a break from catching drug dealers, Capt. Maria Tejada-Quintana came to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland to attend the Inter-American Squadron Officer School at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy, graduating Dec. 12 with 278 fellow IAAFA students.

Tejada-Quintana, a petite brunette, claims the title of the first female combat pilot for her country, the Dominican Republic. Her short stature belies the size of her calling: flying interdiction missions aimed at stopping narcotrafficking over the Caribbean Sea, while monitoring the border with Haiti in an Embraer A-29 Super Tucano aircraft.
more...]]> collen.mcgee.2@us.af.mil (Staff Sgt. Delia Marchick) http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123334845 Fri, 1 Feb 2013 16:09:00 EST http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123334773 As of January 27, merchants in the United States and U.S. Territories are permitted to impose a surcharge on any credit card transaction that uses a MasterCard or Visa branded card, which includes the Government Travel Charge Card, both Individually Billed Accounts (IBAs) and Centrally Billed Accounts (CBAs).

This surcharge is permitted to be charged in all states except California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma and Texas.

more...]]> collen.mcgee.2@us.af.mil () http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123334773 Fri, 1 Feb 2013 12:21:00 EST http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123334715 For a few weeks in January, Mountain Home Air Force Base held the distinction of having the longest-serving military working dog in the Department of Defense.

Base leadership, fellow defenders and other members of the Gunfighter family came out to say farewell to Tanja as she left the 366th Security Forces Squadron kennels for the last time.

"She is a Belgian Malinois and has been in the program for almost 12 years," said Staff Sgt. Robert Wilson, 366th SFS military working dog handler. "She has deployed five times to various countries around the world and has been a definite asset during her military career."
more...]]> collen.mcgee.2@us.af.mil (Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton) http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123334715 Fri, 1 Feb 2013 09:01:00 EST http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123334589 Editor's Note: The following speech was recently delivered to a graduating class at the Defense Language Institute - English Language Center here at Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland. It is well-known how DLI builds lasting partners for our nation one person at a time. This student reminded us all that those bonds also reach laterally and build relationships across borders all over the world. DLI-ELC teaches English to military students from more than 130 countries.
more...]]> collen.mcgee.2@us.af.mil (Captain Zaid Ahmed Saleh Tagaddin) http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123334589 Thu, 31 Jan 2013 10:50:00 EST http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123334290 The need to communicate with 80,000 employees at three geographically separated locations in San Antonio is a challenge, and the launching of the Joint Base San Antonio mobile app will provide basic information about the primary locations at the users' fingertips.

The mobile app, called "JBSA," is available for download through the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

"Our original intent was to create a mobile app that newcomers would use," said Dan J. Solis, JBSA-Randolph Public Affairs photo imaging chief and team lead for the app project. "By the time we reached completion, the team had created a tool that students, employees and family members can use daily."
more...]]> collen.mcgee.2@us.af.mil (Marilyn Holiday) http://www.37trw.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123334290 Tue, 29 Jan 2013 16:53:52 EST