Shining a Spotlight on the 2018 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

Air Force Magazine Daily Report, 17 November 2018

Brian Everstine, Steve Hirsch, Amy McCullough, and Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory

The Air Force Association will recognize the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2018 on Sept. 17, during the opening night of its Air, Space & Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Md. A total of 36 nominees were considered, and an Air Force selection board chose the 12 winners on the basis of leadership, job performance, and personal achievement. The Outstanding Airman of the Year program debuted at AFA's 10th annual National Convention in 1956, and the association has continued to shine a spotlight on the outstanding airmen from each major command every year since.

TSgt. April A. Spilde

Flight Chief/Security Forces Craftsman

30th Security Forces Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, CA

Home of Record: Minneapolis, MN

Sgt. April Spilde was instrumental to the Total Force success of the 58th Presidential Inauguration, dedicating 80 hours to training 90 Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Airmen as Ceremonial Guardsmen with the USAF Honor Guard. Spilde led a three-person mobile training team to the 156th Airlift Wing at Air Base Muniz, Puerto Rico, and established a fully funded base honor guard program including a budget increase of $10,000. As a Security Forces flight chief, Spilde led 135 airmen securing $10.2 billion in space launch assets and managed the flight schedule, logistics, and daily police operations defending 999 family houses, 2,100 facilities, and 15,000 personnel across a 99,000-acre installation. Spilde masterfully completed nine college classes and graduated cum laude, earning her bachelor’s degree in English. She graduated from the NCO Academy and was the recipient of the John L. Levitow leadership awards.

DEFENDER CHALLENGE 2018 RESULTS

Sourced by: AFIMSC/PA

 2018 DEFENDER CHALLENGE CHAMPIONS
1st: U.S. Pacific Air Forces
2nd: Air Combat Command
3rd: Air Force Materiel Command

SADLER CUP (Dismounted Ops)
1st: AMC
2nd: PACAF
3rd: ANG

COLEMAN CUP (Weapons)
1st: PACAF
2nd: ACC
3rd: AFSPC
 

TOP SHOT
1st: SST Benjamin Rodriguez, AFDW
2nd: SRA David Hightower, AETC
3rd: A1C Curtis Covington, PACAF

OUTSTANDING DEFENDER
Winner: LCPL Adam Butler, RAF Regiment
Nominated: SSGT Oscar Gomez, PACAF
Nominated: OR-6 Robin Schwab, German AF

COMBAT ENDURANCE
1st: German AF
2nd: ACC
3rd: AMC

Defender Challenge Cup (Defender Challenge 2018 Champion).  First place team receives a "traveling" trophy; this trophy must be returned prior to the next competition.  First, second, and third place teams will receive a plaque or equivalent.  First, second, and third place team members will receive medals. Overall team champion for the competition.

Coleman Cup (Combat Weapons Challenge).  First place team receives a "traveling" Coleman Cup; this trophy must be returned prior to the next competition.  First, second, and third place teams receive a plaque or equivalent.  First, second, and third place teams members will receive medals.  The weapons competition is an individual event designed to identify the most skilled and disciplined shooter. Presented to the teams that displayed the highest marksmanship skills during the competition.

Sadler Cup (Dismounted Operations Challenge).  First place team receives a "traveling" Sadler Cup; this trophy must be returned prior to the next competition.  First, second, and third place teams receive a plaque or equivalent.  First, second, and third place teams members will receive medals. A four-person fire team will compete in a physically and mentally challenging event.  The objective is to measure strength, endurance, agility, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and knowledge of core skills. Teams navigated a difficult course through the thick brush while
completing various skills assessments critical to their daily duties.

Combat Endurance Challenge.  First, second, and third place teams receive a plaque or equivalent.  First, second, and third place teams members will receive medals. A four-person fire team will compete in a Combat Endurance Relay Competition.  The objective of this event is to negotiate four pre-determined physical agility stations along with predesignated shooting stations for each leg of the relay as quickly as possible.  Each team member will execute one station of the relay.  Tested how each individual and team reacted under stressful conditions. Individual team members completed a grueling relay of calisthenics to increase their physiological stress level prior to engaging a target with their weapon.

Individual Awards:

a.      Top Shot Awards.  Awards will be based on the composite results of all weapons events.  First, second and third place individuals will receive awards.  Presented to individuals who clearly mastered the vital marksmanship skills necessary for our profession.

b.      Most Outstanding Defender Award.  This award is presented on behalf of the Director of Security Forces for outstanding leadership and performance throughout the competition. The three were nominated by their team, observed by the cadre as demonstrating exceptional leadership throughout the competition and evaluated by a panel of Chiefs.

Congratulates all the teams competitors on showing true warrior spirit and determination. You made the competition spectacular and highly motivating. HOOAH!!!

AFSFA contributed $2,000, GEICO donated $500 and the below listed chapters, individuals and supporters allowed the Jack Brokaw-Alamo Chapter to provide an additional $2,675!!  AFSFA members continue to find ways to still serve our Security Forces.

Thanks to the following for their generous contributions: Billie Renfroe Chapter, Eagle Chapter, Front Range Chapter, Gateway Chapter, Jack Brokaw-Alamo Chapter, Pete Magwood Chapter, Ron Blatman-Evergreen Chapter, Sacramento Chapter, and Silver State Chapter; members - Basil Ricconomi and Dave Coulie; and corporate friend ADS, Inc..

PAE Seeking Vice President, Safeguard and Security (SAS) and Emergency & First Responders (E&FR)

Summary: Looking for a retired 0-6/0-5/Chief. Current TS clearance required. Nuclear base experience or work with DOE also very helpful. The location is near Richland, Washington. Here is the application link with the fuller job description:

https://pae.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/PAE_Careers/job/US-WA-Olympia/Vice-President-Safeguards-and-Security_R0024726

The hiring authority, Mr. Kevin Smith can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 509-396-1683.

Position Title: Vice President, Safeguards and Security (SAS) and Emergency & First Responders (E&FR)

Position Description: As a member of the executive leadership team, the candidate will be responsible for delivery of comprehensive, high-quality safeguards and security (SAS) and emergency and first response (E&FR) services under the Hanford Mission Essential Services Contract (HMESC) at the Department of Energy’s (DOE) 586-square mile Hanford Site near Richland, Washington. The candidate will directly supervise the Hanford Patrol Chief and Hanford Fire Chief, and others as assigned. The Hanford Patrol Chief leads the protective/security force to ensure the physical protection of Hanford Site special nuclear material (SNM), classified materials, industrial assets, and to mitigate and deter radiological and toxicological sabotage events. The Hanford Fire Chief leads the fire and first responders to prevent or effectively control/mitigate wildland and structural fires, and ensure timely and successful responses to emergency events on the Hanford Site.

Responsibilities:

• Put in place the governance and operational working practices of the SAS and E&FR department.
• Lead the SAS and E&FR team: Coach, mentor, motivate and empower the team.
• Plan the overall SAS and E&FR services from end-to-end. Monitor and report progress.
• Attend and participate in a variety of meetings and task force groups to integrate activities, communicate issues, obtain approvals, resolve problems and maintains specific level of knowledge pertaining to new developments, requirements and policies.
• Develop, maintain and enforce departmental policies and standard operating procedures.
• Follow all company and DOE policies and procedures; perform all assigned duties in a safe manner.
• Create and maintain the departmental plan, integrating key deliverables of the program.
• Coordinate and submit deliverables related to SAS and E&FR effort.
• Work with union leadership to develop & maintain common understanding of priorities and issues.
• Report overall departmental status to the leadership at regular intervals and on an ad-hoc basis.
• Responsible for departmental quality, and embed quality processes into operations from the outset.
• Work closely with the Quality Assurance, as necessary.
• Identify issues, initiate corrective action as necessary, work corrective actions to final resolution.
• Manage the program risks; embed a risk management process into the program from the outset.
• Review and evaluate job performance of subordinates as well as assess response crews for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Communicate regularly and effectively will stakeholders to include DOE, other Hanford Contractors (OHCs), direct management, and the entire contractor team.
• Coordinate representation of the Hanford Site SAS and E&FR team at local, state and national gatherings. Host gatherings of teams from other locations at the Hanford Site.
• Develop and manage the SAS and E&FR budget: Receive budget information from subordinate personnel, prepare budget estimates, manage to the approved budget.
• Responsible and accountable for the coordinated management of multiple related projects directed toward SAS and E&FR departmental objectives. Approve the project plans of the project teams, negotiating work packages as required. Ensure the delivery of these work packages within the set time, quality, and budget constraints.
• Monitor costs incurred against plans, demonstrate savings through innovative planning and coordinating techniques. Reduce assets in alignment with Site remediation and closure.
• Participate in analysis of cost and schedule specific to the SAS and E&FR scope, write variance analysis to support EVMS format 5.
• Prepare reports to the management summarizing departmental activities and status.

Qualifications Required:

• Bachelors’ degree in related field, such as law enforcement, police science, police administration, or criminology
• Fifteen (15) years’ experience in security or law enforcement administrative and operations (that includes protection of nuclear material) in the armed forces security police or civilian equivalent
• At least eight (8) managing large safeguards and SAS teams on a 24/7/365 operational schedule
• Prior security / law enforcement experience includes a leadership role in configuration and maintenance of physical security systems, information security, and personnel security programs
• Direct management of teams that provide SAS services to multiple stakeholders across a large geographical area.
• Understanding of emergency services
• Must possess and maintain a Top Secret security clearance
• Experience working within, influencing within, and networking within a matrix environment.
• Innovative problem solver.
• Excellent communication and briefing skills.

Qualifications Desired:

• Prior program leadership / management role within DOE or as contractor to DOE.
• Experience working at the DOE Hanford Site
• Experience in similar role at another DOE site
• MBA or other advanced degree

Optional program management qualification (PgMP or MSP)

PAE is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, national origin, age, United States military veteran’s status, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, family structure, medical condition including genetic characteristics or information, veteran status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law.

These Four-Legged Military Heroes Will Soon Have an Award of Their Own

By: Noah Nash, Military Times, 8 August 2018

Senior Airman Ryne Wilson, 99th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, praises Habo during a patrol at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Aug. 7, 2017. (Airman 1st Class Andrew D. Sarver/Air Force) 

Military working dogs, the beloved canines who have saved countless of troops on the battlefield, will soon have their own commendation.

The “Guardians of America’s Freedom Medal,” created via legislation introduced by Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., is the first official Defense Department commendation for military working dogs, the New York Times reported.

Menendez announced the passage of the legislation on Tuesday at the U.S. War Dog memorial in Holmdel, New Jersey. The award, included in the latest defense authorization act, will be official when President Trump signs the NDAA, something he’s expected to do in the coming days.

The legislation will allow each service to establish its own criteria for the award, Menendez said, according to the New York Times. Each service also will design its own version of the award.

“These dogs endure multiple tours of duty. Some come back having lost limbs and others give their lives in service to their teams,” Menendez said, according to the New York Times. “Yet until now the U.S. military did not recognize the incredible service and sacrifice of working dogs and their handlers.”

The military's first official commendation for military working dogs and their handlers is about to become official. The U.S. War Dog memorial in New Jersey is shown here. (Wikimedia Commons)

The U.S. War Dog memorial, where Menendez made the announcement, features a bronze statue of a Vietnam War soldier kneeling next to his loyal canine companion. The memorial was built in 2006 next to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 

According to the New York Times, several hundred dogs are currently deployed to the Middle East.

Menendez, who cited the life-saving exploits of several working dogs and their handlers who attended Tuesday’s announcement, said there’s no reason why military dogs should be treated as just equipment or animals.

“If we as a nation can strap a Kevlar vest on Cairo and send him on a mission with SEAL Team 6, or we can deploy dogs like Kira or Khrusty or Rudy to dangerous regions around the world, then I think they deserve more than treats and a pat on the head,” he said.

The new measure is a significant change of pace from the way military dogs were considered at the time of the Vietnam War. According to the New York Times, dogs were often considered to be “equipment” and that many were euthanized or given away to the Vietnamese at the end of their service.

“Honoring [the dogs'] service — as well as their partner — I think is incredibly important. You know, we have lost a lot of dogs along the way who gave their lives ... others have been maimed for life,” the senator said. “At the end of the day, I think it’s the least a grateful nation can do for them and for their handlers.”