By Johann R. Kinsey, Colonel, TXSG, Vice Commander, Air Component Command

It’s a sad fact that hardly a couple weeks goes by and there is a Homeless Veteran Funeral at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Sometimes, in the past, there was no one in attendance … a very sad state of affairs for the final event in a Veteran’s life time. Here in San Antonio, there is an organization of retired Colonels and Navy Captains who support the Fisher House program at Lackland AFB with an annual fund drive. Additionally, the local VA office notifies us when a Homeless Veteran is scheduled to be buried at the military cemetery and we put the word out for volunteers to attend so that the Veteran gets a proper send-off complete with military honors. On the day this photograph was taken, we had two Homeless Veterans to honor…an Air Force Veteran and a Navy Veteran. We are honored to volunteer are services in support of this initiative. As you can see by the photograph, our Air Force Security Forces are also represented at these events.

Maj Ohlmeyer Takes Command of 72 SFS
Around Tinker AFB Web Site 7/17/2015

7/17/2015 - Maj. Steven Ohlmeyer receives his first salute as commander of the 72nd Security Forces Squadron during a July 8 change of command ceremony. The major replaces Lt. Col. Frank Reyes. To signify the change of command, Colonel Reyes unloaded his weapon and Major Ohlmeyer loaded his. The major is a career defender and this will be his third assignment commanding a squadron. He told the defenders he was extremely proud to be here. “You make the squadron great,” he said. “As commander, I will take care of you and your families, and will effectively lead the squadron through upcoming challenges and opportunities and together we will make the squadron better.” (Air Force photo by Kelly White/Released)

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Col Green Takes Helm of 72 MSG
By: John Parker, The Journal Record, The Tinker Takeoff July 20, 2015
Col. Stephanie Wilson, 72nd Air Base Wing commander, left, and Col. Todd Vician, right, congratulate Col. Michael Green after he assumed command of the 72nd Mission Support Group during a July 9 ceremony at the Tinker Club. Colonel Green replaces Colonel Vician, who will become the chief of staff for the 7th Air Force in the Republic of Korea. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

Col. Michael R. Green is the new leader of the 72nd Mission Support Group. Col. Stephanie Wilson, 72nd Air Base Wing commander, who presided over the 72nd MSG’s change of command ceremony July 9, said Colonel Green is “a seasoned officer with vast experience at the helm of some of the Air Force’s toughest mission sets.
“I can tell you … that he has excelled at every opportunity, and he comes to us with incredible credentials,” the colonel said at the Tinker Club.

Colonel Green was most recently the Plans Division chief of the J-5 Directorate of United States Cyber Command at Fort Meade, Md. He is a 21-year Security Forces veteran who has commanded three security squadrons and a former deputy commander of the 99th Security Forces Group at Nellis AFB, Nev.

The Bronze Star recipient has served in combat deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“I’m truly honored and feel blessed to be in this position,” Colonel Green said at the ceremony. “To Team Tinker, I look forward to working with each of you, and I’m really looking forward to getting out there and getting the job done.”
The nearly 1,500 members of the 72nd MSG are responsible for supporting the base’s many missions with services ranging from jet fueling, munitions and logistics to Airman family support and education programs.

Colonel Green replaces Col. Todd M.B. Vician, who was pinned with the Legion of Merit at the ceremony for his two years’ leading the group.

“During his tenure, Todd has dedicated himself to continuous process improvement, to getting more mission done with less resources and to drive innovation and creativity into the way his group thinks,” Colonel Wilson said.

The award citation credited Colonel Vician for exemplary installation support to Air Force Materiel Command’s largest air logistics complex with a base constituency of more than 94,000 military and civil service personnel, retirees and family members.
The colonel said the members of the 72nd MSG are the reasons behind the accomplishments.

“People are where I focus my efforts, and they’re the reason that I and the group succeeded,” Colonel Vician said.

The colonel drew laughs when he asked the audience to indulge him while he took a selfie with them in the background. “It’s been an honor to be a member of the Wildcatter team and the commander of the Mission Support Group,” the colonel concluded.

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LtCol Meier Takes Command of 377 WSS
Left to Right: 377SFG Commander, Colonel Richard Demouy, presents 377 WSSS Squadron Guidon to incoming commander, Lt Col James Meier at Change of Command ceremony at Kirtland AFB, NM on 17 July, 2015. Outgoing commander Lt Col Russ Stilling observes. Stilling will assume the position of 377SFG Deputy Commander.

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Maj Pickrell Takes Command of 377 SFS
Left to Right 377SFG Commander, Colonel Richard Demouy, with Outgoing 377SFS Commander Major William Smith and incoming commander Major Brenton Pickrell at Change of Command ceremony at Kirtland AFB, NM on 10 July, 2015.

BASES THAT ALLOW ON-BASE CARRY WITH LEOSA CREDENTIAL

As reported 29 July by DCS LLC, San Antonio, TX

Defenders,
This is the official listing of USAF bases that currently allow those with credentials to carry ON BASE under LEOSA. Some bases listed below are allowing only members actively assigned to the SF units on the associated bases. A more detailed version of the list and the base specific rules has been posted to the HQ AFSFC’s SMARTnet secure domain and will be posted to the public site later this week.

IMPORTANT: THIS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND I WOULD HIGHLY SUGGEST... YOU VERIFY AT EACH BASE PRIOR TO ENTRY.

Dyess
Columbus
Andrews
Barksdale
Grissom ARB, IN
Minn. St. Paul ARS, MN
MacDill
Travis
104 FW/BARNES ANGB, MA
123 AW/LOUISVILLE, KY
129 RQW/MOFFETT FED AFLD, CA
130 AW/McLaughlin ANGB, WV
132 FW/DES MOINES ANGB, IA
134 ARW/McGEE-TYSON ANGB, TN
144 FW/FRESNO ANGB, CA
152 AW/NEVADA ANGB, NV
158 FW/VERMONT ANGB, VT
162 FW/TUCSON ANGB, AZ
166 AW/NEW CASTLE, DE
169 FW/McENTIRE JNGB, SC
173 FW/KINGSLEY FIELD ANGB, OR
CRTC/ALPENA COUNTY REG JAP
CRTC/VOLK FIELD AGB

Photo: Gen. Robin Rand accepts the Air Force Global Strike Command flag from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III during a change of command ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., July 28, 2015. The Air Force elevated AFGSC to a four-star major command to provide its nuclear deterrence and global strike missions with the highest level of leadership oversight similar to the service’s other core operational missions. AFGSC develops and provides combat ready forces for safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrence and conventional global strike operations to support the President of the United States and combatant commanders. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jannelle Dickey)

AFGSC Posted 7/28/2015 by Carla Pampa
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Gen. Robin Rand took command of Air Force Global Strike Command during a ceremony here July 28, becoming the newest leader of the organization responsible for the nation's force of ICBMs and nuclear-capable bombers.

A command pilot with more than 5,000 hours, including 470 in combat, Rand previously served as commander of Air Education and Training Command. He succeeds Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson who had served as AFGSC's commander since October 2013.

Presiding at the ceremony, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III said, "General Wilson and the Global Strike team have worked tremendously hard to make significant, positive changes for the Airmen who are charged with the deterrence mission. General Rand is the perfect leader to connect with those Airmen and continue to drive improvements for them and their families. They deserve nothing less."

Addressing an at-capacity crowd of Airmen, distinguished visitors, commanders and senior Air Force leaders at Barksdale's historic Hoban Hall, Rand said, "Today is a great day to be an American Airman and it's a great day to be in Air Force Global Strike Command.

"The thousands of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen who are doing job No. 1 for our nation -- these Airmen keep the wolves at bay in locations like Malmstrom, F.E. Warren, Minot, Whiteman, Barksdale, soon to be Kirtland, Dyess and Ellsworth," he continued. "Bad people with bad intentions don't mess with the United States because of these amazing Airmen."

A seasoned leader and airpower tactician, Rand previously served as commandant of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, commander of the 8th Fighter Wing, 56th Fighter Wing and 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing; and commander of 12th Air Force, in addition to commanding AETC. He pledged to keep AFGSC focused on developing and providing combat-ready forces for nuclear deterrence and global strike operations.

"My priorities are mission, Airmen and families," he said. "We must deter and assure. In order to do that, the staff and I will laser focus on making sure our wings receive the tools, the equipment and the training necessary to execute our combat mission with great precision and lethality. Likewise, Kim and I will place a high premium on our families and their well-being. Trust me -- military families are personal to me."

The general also reminded Airmen of the importance of maintaining the Air Force core values, and of the rich heritage the command holds.

"Air Force Global Strike will focus on ensuring our Airmen have an unyielding commitment to our core values of integrity, service and excellence. And finally, we will ensure that our Airmen have a keen awareness of our rich heritage and legacy that was forged in blood, sweat and tears by countless Americans and Airmen before us who were assigned to 8th Air Force and 20th Air Force," he said. "While history makes us smarter, our heritage will make us prouder, and we will use that heritage to help inspire our Airmen to great heights."

The Air Force elevated AFGSC to a four-star major command in order to provide its global strike mission with the highest level of leadership oversight similar to the service's other operational core missions.

"The appointment of a four-star sends a powerful message to our Airmen, allies and any would-be enemy," said Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James. "It speaks to our commitment and promise to our Airmen and Nation to ensure a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent and global strike capability with the right level of leadership emphasis.

In a complex global environment, having a four-star general responsible for the world's most powerful weapons is critically important," James added. "General Rand will continue to give voice to our Airmen and continue to advance progress made in the nuclear enterprise."

Welsh stressed to AFGSC Airmen that the Air Force will continue to support the nuclear enterprise.

Nuclear deterrence for America and her allies remains our number one mission priority," he said. "A four-star at the helm of Air Force Global Strike Command affirms that commitment."

Wilson led AFGSC through a number of important changes during his tenure, including the Force Improvement Program, which instituted a culture of empowerment of its Airmen.

In his farewell address, Wilson praised the Global Strike Airmen and civilians for their hard work and dedication.

"I'm extremely proud of what you've accomplished over the past few years. You are our nation's deterrent and global strike force. You provide safe, secure and effective deterrence, and should deterrence ever fail, you are America's ability to swiftly and decisively strike anywhere on the globe," he added. "Because of you, we are the greatest Air Force on the planet. You are America's global power, and much like the Chief says about airpower, without global strike, you do lose."

Wilson will become the deputy commander of U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.