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MARCH 2015
TAMPA CHAPTER—A CHAPTER OF MOAA NATIONAL—A FIVE STAR CHAPTER 2002, 2004-2013
VOLUME 21, NUMBER 3
CHAPTER
MEMBERS
CONTACT
LTC
IN THIS ISSUE
GRIFFIN
TO HELP
P 2 OUR PRESIDENT
P 3 LEGISLATIVE
LOWDOWN
P 3 OPERATION
HELPING HAND
P 4 BULLETIN BOARD
P 5-11 SERVICE NEWS
P 12 LUNCHEON
Upcoming Events
CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
20 MARCH 2015
OUR BOARD WILL
MEET AT 1000 on:
· 05 MAR
· 02 APR
· 07 MAY
LUNCHEON
MEETINGS WILL BE
HELD AT 1130
AT SURF’S EDGE ON
ON::
· 12 MAR
· 09 APR
· 14 MAY
• PLAYER PARTICIPATION ($100 / $350 per FOURSOME)
• Pre-paid BALLS FOR BALL DROP - $10 / BALL, winner
wins 50/50 of proceeds to a maximum of $1,000.
• EVERYONE IS ELIGIBLE TO PURCHASE AS MANY
BALLS AS THEY WANT FOR THIS EVENT.
• GREEN FEES, CART, FREE PUTTING CONTEST AND
ONE BUCKET OF BALLS, BEER, SOFT DRINKS, WATER,
PATIO LUNCH, AWARDS, STEAK DINNER MAY BE PURCHASHED IN ADVANCE.
• SUPER MULLIGAN PACKAGE ($40) PURCHASED AT
SIGN-IN: Contains 2 mulligans, 1 throw, 4 special drawing
tickets, additional tickets may be purchased at sign-in.
• PLEASE COMPLETE PLAYER FORM ON GOLFERS SIGN-UP
PLAYER DEADLINE: MARCH 10, 2015
PAGE 2
MARCH 2015
PRESIDENT:
LTC Jim Griffin USA RET (813) 785-0552
TIGERPAW65@VERIZON.NET
IMMEDIATE PAST PRES/PROGRAM
CHAIRMAN & CHAIR, OPERATION HELPING
HAND/MEMBER, MOAA NAT BD OF DIR:
CAPT Bob Silah USN RET (813) 963-1854
BSILAH@aol.com
ASSIGNMENTS
1ST VICE PRESIDENT/EVENT RESERVATIONS:
MAJ SCOTTY CLELAND USAF RET (813) 988-4552
SNLTPA@MINDSPRING.COM
2ND VICE PRESIDENT/ PUBLIC RELATIONS/
EDITOR, THE RETROSPECT:
CAPT Don Dvornik USN RET (727) 441-2051
DSDVORNIK2@msn.com
EDITOR EMERITUS:
CDR Stanley Ewanowski USN RET PhD
MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN:
COL William Schneider USA RET
(813) 977-2572 Cell (813) 300-3202
GeoWillyl@aol.com
SECRETARY/DATA BASE MGR/
PHOTOGRAPHER:
CW2 Tom South USA RET (813) 975-5025
tsouth@uvresident.com
TREASURER:
COL Carol Zieres USA RET
(727) 793-0568 CELL (727) 366-1045
CZIERES906@AOL.COM
DEPUTY TREASURER:
CPT Wiley Hazel USA RET (813) 979-1739
LEGAL ADVISOR:
LT William Mitchell USN (FMR)
(813) 963-5098 Cell: (813) 679-1217
mitchlaw@askmitch.net
CHAPLAIN/COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER:
CDR Richard Helveston CHC USNR RET
(863) 510-5048 Cell (863) 602-3684
rhelveston@tampabay.rr.com or swabeathome@gmail.com
SCHOLARSHIP CHAIRMAN:
Col Milt Steadman USAF RET (813) 968-2835
LEGISLATIVE LIAISON:
Col Ronald Buchert USAF RET (813) 961-4129
ID CARD/BASE ENTRY:
Maj John Massey USAF RET (813) 886-1938
PERSONAL AFFAIRS:
Maj Dick Tinsley USMC RET (813) 886-2169
rctinsley1@aol.com
SICK CALL:
CW3 Bill Farrow USA RET (813) 884-7823
SAF1929@aol.com
FLAG OFFICER LIAISON:
Maj Gen James Jones USAF RET
FL NATIONAL GUARD LIAISON:
MAJ Chris Buckley, FLNG (727) 259-4563
RESERVE LIAISON:
LTC Robert Sawallesh USA RET (813) 654-3900
JR ROTC/ROTC
Lt Col Ken Martin USMCR RET (813) 831-4426
SENIOR FORMER OFFICERS LIAISON/
ASSISTANT JR ROTC/ ROTC:
FORMER 1LT James G. Kalemeris USAF
(813) 933-5493 CELL: (814) 924-5132
MBR RECRUITMENT/FUND RAISING: All Members
GOLF TOURNAMENT COORDINATOR:
Robert Ahern (813) 265-1605
MOWC PRESIDENT:
Bonnie Kerr (352) 593-4270
bojocare@gmail.com
is published monthly by members
of the Tampa Chapter of the
Military Officers’ Association of
America (MOAA), P.O. Box
6383, MacDill Air Force Base, FL
33608
33608--0383. Tampa Chapter
MOAA, Inc. is a 501
501--C-19 tax
CAPT DVORNIK
EDITOR
exempt veterans organization not
associated with the Department of
Defense. The views expressed in individually signed
articles do not necessarily reflect Chapter policy.
(Volume 21, Number 33—
—MARCH 2015)
PUBLICATION DEADLINE FOR THE
APRIL 2015 ISSUE IS 18 MARCH
PRESIDENT’S ARTICLE
A very special TAMPA CHAPTER thanks to SHERIFF DAVID
GEE for an excellent presentation. SHERIFF GEE covers more interesting information that directly impacts all of our daily lives than any
speaker we have had the opportunity to hear. We need him for an annual update of cold, hard facts.
As you can see by our modest front page, this month is the month
for the MOAA CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT to benefit OPERATIION HELPING HAND. Your participation as a player or a helper
LTC GRIFFIN
is sincerely requested. Remember the player and sponsor deadline is
10 MARCH. That date is before our next luncheon, so if you have not
signed up to play or to assist, the luncheon will be too late.
If you have not already sent in your signed letters to your representatives, I urge you to
send in this much needed response which clearly provides the “ONE POWERFUL VOICE”
that MOAA represents. In essence, the letter requests that our representatives ensure the FY
2016 Defense Authorization Act does not erode crucial career retention incentives in the
process of meeting the short-sighted, meat-ax budget cuts of sequestration.
I hope that you were able to attend and participate in last month's OPERATION HELPING
HAND DINNER. This is indeed a unique and very rewarding experience for all those who
are able to attend. We have learned that no country at any time has honored the active duty
wounded and injured as we do here in AMERICA. Further, we feel that no one organization
contributes more in time and money for the direct assistance to these wounded and injured
personnel and their families. As a special initiative of the TAMPA CHAPTER operated by
military retired officers and volunteers who donate their time and care, and do not receive
any compensation. If you were not able to attend last month, make it a point to make the
MARCH OPERATION HELPING HAND DINNER.
As you know, BILL SCHNEIDER, MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN, has been doing a fantastic job in getting new members. You must also know that our best recruiters in the TAMPA CHAPTER ARE YOU! Don't you wish that every eligible member had been at our last
luncheon to hear SHERIFF GEE! We will continue to reach out to these folks and bring
them in to the CHAPTER so they will also know that…
WE’VE GOT THEIR BACK, TOO!
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF DAVID GEE
Sheriff David Gee was elected in 2004, re-elected in 2008 and again in
2012. He began his remarks with a short history of the county: “Back in
1849, the county was eight times larger and extended down to Charlotte
Harbor, taking in the northwest shores of Lake Okeechobee and the Ocala
National Forest―when none of the counties we know today were yet chartered. The sheriff’s name back then was John Parker―an interesting, colorful character―who was not only the sheriff but the tax collector and
SHERIFF GEE
whose descendants still live around the Fort Lonesome area.”
Sheriff Gee has the county divided into four districts and will soon add a fifth due to the
growth in the southern part of the county and the area northeast of Plant City. The estimate is
that within the next 25 or 30 years, Hillsborough County will have a population increase of
over 600,000 people.
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county
and is responsible for law enforcement services for the nearly 1,300 square miles of unincorporated areas of the county as well as operation of the two jail facilities, a work release center, a training camp for prospective officers and courthouse security for the 13th Judicial
Circuit. Each of the three incorporated cities (Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace) has its
own police agency as does the Tampa International Airport and the University of South Florida.
As the chief law enforcement officer of the county, most of his deputies’ time is spent serving court orders and investigating traffic accidents. The office has one of the lowest officerto-citizen ratios in the state with only 1.34 deputies per 1,000 citizens (the national average is
2.7 per 1,000). The population of Hillsborough County is 19,893,297. He has 1,400 law enforcement officers and 1,000 staff in the jail under his supervision. He dispatches over
500,000 calls each year with only 75 people.
Editor
MARCH 2015
PAGE 3
LEGISLATIVE LOWDOWN
In late January the nine member Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission (MCRMC) released its report and a few days later the
President sent his FY 2016 defense budgCOL BUCHERT
et proposals to Congress. The President's
COL BUCHERT
budget included many of the same negative cost-saving things that have been proposed and turned down
many times. These proposals include a third straight year of military pay caps calling for a 1.3 percent pay raise, instead of the
2.3 percent raise mandated by law. The budget also includes a
plan for four additional years of pay caps which would be seven
consecutive years of caps below private-sector growth; a 5 percent increase in out-of-pocket housing expenses; and a continued
erosion of the $1 billion commissary subsidy, which means a 66
percent loss of purchasing power for military families. The President's plan would also consolidate TRICARE's Prime, Standard,
and Extra programs into one plan with working-age retirees paying for service in military treatment facilities and paying TRICARE Prime fees for civilian care givers. Just so over 65 retires
don't feel left out of these “good deals” the proposed budget
adds a TRICARE For Life enrollment fee the amount being determined by the retiree's military rank. Let's hope that Congress
treats these proposals as it has in the past.
The entire MCRMC commission met with the Senate and
House military affairs personnel committees and answered what
were primarily explanatory questions. The commission's 15
“suggestions” (as compared to “proposals”) include many very
complicated procedures and will require training just to understand what is being offered. The commission apparently realized
this and recommends that $85 million be allocated for this initial
training! Congress was not in session when the report was received so there haven't been a lot of comments yet.
The two most controversial suggestions apply to retired pay
and medical care. The most significant proposal would replace
the current 20 year “cliff” retirement plan with a vested defined
cash payment and a 401(k)-style retirement package. The plan
would be optional for the current force and mandatory for new
service entrants. Active duty personnel who elected to stay with
the current plan would accrue retirement benefits at the rate of 2
percent/year of service instead of the current 2 1/2 percent/year.
Already retired personnel would be unaffected. The commission
was impressed with surveys that showed that with today's 20
year retirement people who leave active duty earlier receive
nothing. The new plan would include a cash payment available
as early as12 years of service. This could cause retention problems but the commission did not feel that this would be a concern.
The other major change would be to provide medical care to
active duty personnel and their families and retirees and their
families. Active duty personnel would still be treated free of
charge at military facilities but their families and working-age
retirees and their families would receive care replacing it with a
selection of commercial insurance plans, similar to ones available for federal employees. TRICARE For Life would remain
intact.
—submitted by Col. Ron Buchert, USAF, (Retired), Member, MOAA Board of
Directors (2000-2006)/ Chapter, Legislative Liaison
OPERATION HELPING HAND
UPDATE: ALL IS WELL
Since I last wrote in this column asking
for Op HH dinner sponsors, we have added
Ferman Chevrolet, Bright House Networks
and Tampa Brass and Aluminum, as sponsors, but we still need 2 more for September
CAPT SILAH
and October. It is important to note that we
have been blessed with 127 consecutive
monthly dinners honoring our wounded/injured and we will continue, as long as we have sponsors.
We all have “pet peeves.” Mine is that, after over 10 years of
continuous Operation Helping Hand undertakings and over one
million dollars provided to our patients and their visiting families,
there are still many out there―especially at the VA Hospital (the
primary location where we operate)―that do not know who we
are and what we do. Maybe there is no need or interest in Operation Helping Hand or maybe there is complete ignorance. One of
my projects in 2015 is to be more proactive, and make people
aware of us.
In early February we were honored by The Villages. Their Villages All-star Master Productions (VAMPS) entertainment team
performed 2 nights before a crowd of 500 each night. All proceeds for these 2 nights goes to Op HH. Over the past 10 years,
The Villages have donated over $275,000 to us and their annual
golf tournament (which comes up in May) signs up 280 golfers
using 5 golf courses. Each year OpHH receives all tournament
proceeds. Without the financial assistance from The Villages, I'm
not sure we could have had the success that we have had.
The month of March offers a number of events in our area: The
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce's annual Military Appreciation Banquet; the Central Pasco Chamber's Business EXPO;
Congressman Gus Bilirakis annual Veteran's Resource Fair; the
MOAA Tampa Chapter's golf tournament; and the Carrollwood
Area Business Association (CABA) annual EXPO. We will be
well represented at all of these events, and will continue to do all
possible to “show our OpHH flag” in and around the Tampa Area. Help us if you can.
—submitted by CAPT Bob Silah, USN RET, Chairman of
Operation Helping Hand
O’Reilly is walking through a graveyard when he comes across
a headstone with the inscription "Here lies a politician and an
honest man." 'Faith now,' exclaims O’Reilly, 'I wonder how they
got the two of them in one grave?
——
When Clinton visited the Pope, he noticed a red phone on a small table in the
corner of the office. After several minutes of conversation, Clinton asked the Pope
what the red phone was.
The Holy Father told him that it was a very special phone with a direct line to
God. However, the Pope told Clinton he rarely used it because it cost $20,000 a
minute from the Vatican. Clinton accepted this explanation without another
thought.
Later, when Clinton visited Ireland, he saw another red phone in the Archbishop’s office. Being curious, Clinton asked the Archbishop what it was used for. The
Archbishop told Clinton it was a direct line to God, and he used it whenever he
had a puzzling question or concern.
Clinton asked if the calls were quite expensive since the Pope had to pay
$20,000 a minute when he used his red phone in the Vatican. "Oh no," replied the
Archbishop, "In Ireland it’s a local call."
PAGE 4
MARCH 2015
TAMPA CHAPTER BULLETIN BOARD
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
MG MIKE JONES USA RET, 825 Islebay Drive,
Apollo Beach, FL 33572-3381 (571) 332-2072
Spouse: Pat
—submitted by COL Bill Schneider, Membership Chairman
TAPS
SANDRA WALLACE, wife of the late LTC Ed Wallace
USA RET died on January 24, 2014, 4307 Hollow Hill Dr,
Tampa, FL 33624-1133
—submitted by Maj Dick Tinsley Personal Affairs Chairman
REMEMBER IN OUR PRAYERS
COL KENNETH W. DAVEY USAF RET, 4008 Mountain
Springs LN Tampa, FL 33624-1824
DR STAN J EWANOWSKI (CDR USNR RET), 5010
MARATHON DR MADISON, WI 53705-4713
LT COL EDWIN H GEASA USAFR RET, 4812
Wynwood Dr, Tampa, FL 33615-4945
CARLA HENSEN, wife of FORMER USAF CPT ERIC
HENSEN, 4425 Pine Meadow Ct., Tampa, FL 33624-5244
MAJ B R HEWITT USAF RET, 14450 Reuter Strass Cir
#701, Tampa, FL 33613-3127
LT COL JOANNE VEVERKA-TAUBER USAF RET,
13714 Chestersall Dr, Tampa, FL 33624-2501
—submitted by CW3 Bill Farrow, Sick Call Chairman
9
10
11
13
14
16
17
20
26
27
Rear Admiral James Malloy, a native of
Silver Spring, Maryland, is a 1986 graduate of
the U.S. Naval Academy. He holds a Master
of Science in Systems Technology
(Command, Control and Communications)
from the Naval Post Graduate School, a Master of Science in National Strategy from the
National War College, and a Master of Health
Sciences in Emergency and Disaster Management from Touro
University.
His sea tours include assignments on USS Deyo (DD 989)
and USS Benfold (DDG 65). He deployed in command of both
USS Falcon (MHC 59) and USS Pinkney (DDG 91), guiding
Pinckney through her maiden deployment. Most recently, he
commanded Destroyer Squadron FIFTY, acting as Commander, Middle East Force (CTF 55) and Commander, Coalition
Task Group 152.1 operating at sea and from Naval Command
Centers in Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.
Ashore, Malloy served as the Navy Theater Missile Defense
Officer and CINC Operations briefer in the J3 Directorate at
U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Florida. Following the 9/11
terror attack, he stood up the NAVCENT Friendly Forces Coordination Cell (F2C2) in Bahrain, acting as the deputy for this
operational liaison staff. His staff assignments include flag
aide to COMUSNAVCENT/C5F in Bahrain; initial requirements officer for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) on the staff of
the Chief of Naval Operations Surface Warfare Directorate
(N86); head, Washington Placement Branch at Naval Personnel
Command (PERS 441); and assistant deputy director, PoliticoMilitary Affairs (Asia) in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J5) on Joint Staff.
Malloy assumed responsibilities as deputy director of operations, U.S. Central Command in June 2014.
http://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/bio.asp?bioID=831
1 LTC ROBERT TUCKER USAR RET
3
5
7
APRIL SPEAKER: REAR ADMIRAL JAMES
MALLOY, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF
OPERATIONS, U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND
FORMER AIRFORCE CAPT ERIC HENSEN
COL CAROLE ZIERES USA RET
CW4 GERALD STACY USA RET
LTC JAMES ROY JR USAR RET
FORMER ARMY 1LT ROBERT WILDE
COL DONNIE GEORGE USA RET
COL MILT STEADMAN USAF RET
LT COL ROBERT WADSWORTH USAF RET
COL MICHAEL W BIHR USA RET
LT COL DONALD CARTER USAF RET
LT COL CASIMIR HARAZDA USAFR RET
LCDR BRYAN SMITH USN RET
COL RICHARD HUGHES USA RET
LCDR PAUL MUCKERETHALER USN AD
FORMER ARMY CPT PATRICK CRANE
CAPT WILLIAM PRAY USN RET
LCDR ROBERT GULLY USN RET
COL DARIUS V BAKUNAS USAF RET
COL ROBERT HOELSCHER USA AD
LTC ALEX ESPINOSA USA AD
BRIG GEN ROBERT BEYER USAF RET
A NOTE ABOUT RECEIVING YOUR NL VIA E-MAIL
A virus wiped out my files and to get rid of it, I had to restore my computer back to
the way it was when I purchased it.
So if you want to start receiving the Retrospect via e-mail, please send an e-mail to
my alternate e-mail address: swabeathome@gmail.com since it works okay.
—submitted by Dick Helveston
The Jefferson High School
Air Force Junior ROTC did a
super job in parading and
presenting the colors at the
opening of the Tampa
Chapter’s luncheon on 12
February 2015 aboard MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL.
Photo by CW2 Tom South USA RET
MARCH 2015
PAGE 5
LUNCHEON PHOTOS BY CW2 TOM SOUTH USA RET
PAGE 6
MARCH 2015
FLNG UNITS COMPETE IN TAG RIFLE AND PISTOL MATCH
By Staff Sgt. Karen L. Kozub, 107th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
(Story below on Florida National Guard team that placed first in the state now going to the national
level, Winston P. Wilson National Championship match, held at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock,
AK later this year. This competition began in 1902).
STARKE, FL―Seventeen Florida National Guard teams met at Camp Blanding
Joint Training Center this past weekend to compete in the 2015 Adjutant General
Rifle and Pistol match. After a tough battle, Maj. General Emmett R. Titshaw Jr.,
the Adjutant General of Florida, presented the first place award to the Recruiting
and Retention Battalion of Joint Force Headquarters.
Each year, Soldiers and Airmen compete in multiple scenarios that consist of
three rifle and three pistol matches. This year’s events included reflexive fire,
shooting from the prone, kneeling and standing positions, as well as engaging tarSeventeen Florida National Guard teams met at Camp
gets
from behind a barricade. The courses of fire within the events required the
Blanding Joint Training Center this past weekend to commen and women to shoot under simulated–stress conditions at ranges from 25 to
pete in the 2015 Adjutant General Rifle and Pistol match.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Karen Kozub 400 yards.
According to Sgt. 1st Class Seth Innes, a Soldier with the 13th Army Band and
winner of the 2015 Mark W. Lance trophy for placing first in the individual pistol category, this competition is important because
marksmanship is a skill every Soldier must possess. “Practicing these skills is essential because when under stress, you fall back on
your training,” said Innes.
Men and women of the Florida National Guard are encouraged to create teams from their units to compete in this event. Each team
is comprised of four firing members, two of which must be new firers in order to compete at the state level and above. The participating members are presented with the chance to earn trophies, military awards, and marksmanship badges. Winners of this match
are also afforded the opportunity to compete in the regional and national level competitions.
“The goal for this competition is to build esprit de corps and to improve their marksmanship,” said Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, State
Training Officer for the Florida Army National Guard. “It is also important to revive the history of this match, which began in
1902.”
The top two overall teams from this year’s TAG Rifle and Pistol match will represent the Florida National Guard at the MAC 3
Regional Match and the Winston P. Wilson National Championship match held at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock, AK.
—submitted by Maj Chris Buckley, Florida National Guard Liasion
http://www.fl.ng.mil/290622
The Doctor was puzzled ‘I’m very sorry Mr. O’Flaherty, but I
can’t diagnose your trouble. I think it must be drink.’
‘Don’t worry about it Doctor, I’ll come back when you’re sober.
DOING GOOD TO ALL
—submitted by Chaplain Helveston
Everyone of us has been given certain talents.
None of us came to this planet “empty handed”.
The gifts that we have will, of course, help us to
make a living, but they should also help others to
achieve their potential and encourage them when they are
down or on the verge of losing hope.
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the
Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also
may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill
the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6 New International Version (NIV)
The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis transits through a rainbow at sea, Feb. 3,
2015. The Stennis is training to prepare for future deployments.
U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ignacio D. Perez
http://www.defense.gov/homepagephotos/leadphotoimage.aspx?id=100560
MARCH 2015
PAGE 7
AIRMAN WEATHERS
STORMS IN
AFGHANISTAN
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Whitney Amstutz, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan―For most of us,
weather forecasts are taken
lightly― information to be
considered, but easily written
off with few consequences.
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Timothy Lawson prepares On an average day, the most
to change a filter on meteorological equipment
critical information conveyed
used to predict impending precipitation at
by a forecast might be whether
Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Jan. 28, 2015.
it's advisable to carry an umU.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Whitney
brella. But here, the counsel of
weather forecasters has the
power to ground airplanes.
Entrusted with the responsibility of keeping tabs on Mother Nature,
airmen assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron's weather flight provide up-to-the-minute recommendations to the
pilots who make American airpower one of the most effective deterrents
to terrorism.
There two Sides to Weather Operations: “We have an airfield side and
a mission side here,” said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Timothy Lawson, 455
EOSS weather flight chief, deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. “On the airfield side we take care of watch, warnings and advisories to ensure base resources are protected, and we issue forecasts which
are used by commanders in decision-making.
“On the mission side we go and brief the fighter and helicopter pilots
themselves, making sure they have good information when they're preparing for a mission,” Lawson continued. “We brief them on what conditions they can expect and whether they are going to have workable
airspace to accomplish objectives. We provide these briefings multiple
times a day, prior to every launch.”
Bagram Airfield's location provides unique trials for Lawson and fellow forecasters in the form of difficult-to-predict winds and an almost
perpetual layer of haze. “There are a lot of challenges, due to the fact
that the airfield is located in a kind of geographical bowl,” Lawson explained. “As the different mountain faces heat up, the winds change and
go different directions at different speeds. They vary many times
throughout the day going up and down the mountain slopes.
Another challenge is burning that goes on locally outside the base, as
smoke and haze get trapped in the bowl, creating visibility issues.
“However, based on wind flow, we can determine when the haze is going to set in, and when it will dissipate,” Lawson said.
In addition to acting as the brains of the weather operation, 455 EOSS
airmen also supply the brawn. “We perform monthly maintenance on
our equipment,” Lawson said. “We have to make sure filters are clear of
obstructions and swap them out to ensure the radar is able to get good,
cool air to keep it from overheating. The radar provides us with weather
signatures, so it helps us pick up on precipitation before it hits the airfield.”
Weather flight members also maintain the meteorological equipment,
Lawson said. “Our Ceilometer is used to assess cloud height by shooting a laser beam into the sky,” he added. “It's an extremely sensitive
piece of equipment, so we pour water over it to ensure it's free of dust
and debris.”
Despite the preventive measures taken to ensure equipment remains
operational, the weather team has a backup plan to ensure operations are
not impeded should the unexpected occur.
“We know how to take the readings manually,” Lawson said. “So if the
equipment was to break or fail, it would not cause a halt in the mission.
(Continued on page 9, see WEATHER)
Want to join the Tampa Chapter?
―Call Bill Schneider at
(813) 977-2572
PAGE 8
MARCH 2015
SOLDIER LEARNS OTHER SIDE OF DUTY STATION
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Teresa Cleveland, 633rd Air Base Wing
JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, VA More than 5,800 soldiers come through
Fort Eustis, Virginia, each year for advanced individual training to learn the basics
of helicopter and boat maintenance.
Most students graduate and move on to installations around the globe, but for
some, Fort Eustis remains their home.
Army Pvt. Jeffery Kemp, 331st Transportation Company, 11th Transportation
Battalion, 7th Transportation Brigade watercraft engineer, began his new career at
Fort Eustis as a student with the U.S. Army Transportation School.
Kemp adjusted quickly after basic military training to the continuous schedule of
school, formation, preparing his room for inspections and studying.
“[AIT] was a consistent schedule with strict, but necessary, rules,” he said. “We
were only allowed to go off post on the weekends, because our main priority was
training.”
As their graduation date drew near, Kemp and his fellow students received their
official orders. To his surprise, he learned he would be staying at Fort Eustis. “I
was excited to stay, because I’ve met some really cool people that live in the area,”
Kemp said. “Plus, it’s close to my hometown in Kentucky, so my family doesn’t
have to travel very far to visit me.”
Kemp said he discovered that although he stayed at the same installation, things
were not the same for permanent-party personnel as they were for students. One
adjustment, he explained, was that while he had to live up to high expectations
Army Pvt. Jeffery Kemp, a 331st Transportation Compawithin his work center, he could spend his off-duty time as he saw fit.
ny, 11th Transportation Battalion, 7th Transportation
“Once you get to your first unit, they know you’re a soldier and they want you to Brigade watercraft engineer, serves at Joint Base Langleybe responsible enough to do what is expected of you,” he said. “Once you’re done Eustis, Va., where he went through advanced individual
training.
with your work, your free time is your own to do what you want.”
As he adjusts to the new freedom within his unit and personal life, Kemp said, he
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Teresa J. Cleveland
plans to explore the installation and the local area to find new things to try during
his free time.
“It felt weird at first,” he said. “I got a chance to explore the local area a little on the weekends in AIT, but never [to] explore the
base. Now, I’ve gotten to take a look around and there’s a lot of really cool stuff here.”
Now that he works on the installation, Kemp said, he spends time with friends off-base and working on his car while balancing his
career and learning more about his job and what it means to be a soldier. “I’m always going to be learning throughout my career in
the Army,” he said. “I’m finding a balance now between learning my job and learning the Army. I’m really excited for what the future may hold for me in the Army and at Fort Eustis.”
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=128110&source=GovDelivery
U.S. Marines prepare for the tank mechanized assault course during Integrated Training Exercise 2-15 on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms,
Calif., Feb. 1, 2015. The Marines are assigned to the 1st Marine Division's Delta Company, 1st Tanks Battalion.
Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing Five perform a formation flight in
front of Mount Fuji, Japan, April 12, 2007. The wing is embarked aboard
USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), which operates from Fleet Activities Yokosuka,
Japan.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jarod Hodge)
http://www.defense.gov/dodcmsshare/homepagephoto/2015-02/hires_150202-M-
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pingnews/473097669/
MARCH 2015
PAGE 9
CLINICIANS HELP
DEPLOYED
TROOPS FIGHT
STRESS
(WEATHER, continued from page 7)
We're an essential asset to the flying squadrons
and we'll be here until the last plane leaves.
Supporting the fighter mission and making sure
By Navy LCDR Jesse Ehrenfeld,
they're able to provide close air support and
NATO ROLE 3 Multinational Mediother vital functions are probably our biggest
cal Unit
win as weather forecasters.”
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?
The primary responsibility
id=128124&source=GovDelivery
of the Behavioral Health Department at the NATO Role 3 McQuillan walked into a bar and ordered martini
Multinational Medical Unit
after martini, each time removing the olives and plachere is to mitigate and treat
ing them in a jar. When the jar was filled with olives
and all the drinks consumed, the Irishman started to
the stressors that arise in a
LCDR Mahmoud Ahmed, a Navy psychiatrist, left, speaks
leave. “S'cuse me,” said a customer, who was puzzled
with a patient at the NATO Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit forward-deployed environon Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.
ment. As the overall mission over what McQuillan had done. “What was that all
about?” “Nothing," said the Irishman, “me wife just
U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Jesse Ehrenfeld
in Afghanistan has changed sent me out for a jar of olives.”
and combat operations have
―
ended, the behavioral health assets have adjusted to meet the needs of service
One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They proceeded to
members.
each buy a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to
Currently, the behavioral health team at the NATO Role 3, one of the most
enjoy their creamy beverage a fly landed in each of
forward-operating behavioral health teams in Afghanistan, consists of a Navy
their pints, and were stuck in the thick head. The Engpsychiatrist, an Army social worker, an Army clinical psychologist and an Army lishman pushed his beer away from him in disgust.
behavioral health technician.
The Scotsman fished the offending fly out of his beer
Part of a joint enterprise between Navy Medicine and the Army's Combat Oper- and continued drinking it as if nothing had happened.
The Irishman too , picked the fly out of his drink, held
ational Stress Control Unit, these clinicians work together as a unified team to
provide the best care possible. “The medical providers at NATO Role 3 Multina- it out over the beer and then started yelling “spit it out,
spit it out you thief!”
tional Medical Unit on Kandahar Airfield are dedicated to supporting our de―
ployed soldiers, and it's an honor to work alongside such talented clinicians and to An aging man lived alone in Ireland. His only son
be afforded the opportunity to provide behavioral health care to our service mem- was in Long Kesh Prison, and he didn't know anyone
who would spade up his potato garden. The old man
bers who are deployed,” said Cpt. Ashley Davis, an Army psychologist.
wrote to his son about it, and received this reply, “For
One way the behavioral health team helps deployed service members manage
HEAVENS SAKE, don't dig up that garden, that's
stress is through their work to educate individuals on how to handle stress and
where I buried the GUNS!!!!!" At 4 A.M. the next
develop positive coping mechanisms. Psycho-educational classes are routinely
morning, a dozen British soldiers showed up and dug
offered which cover topics such as sleep hygiene, effective communication skills, up the entire garden, but didn't find any guns. Conanger management and improving interpersonal skills.
fused, the man wrote to his son telling him what hap“The impact of sleep on a person's mood cannot be overstated,” Davis said. “It pened and asking him what to do next. His son's reply
was: “Just plant your potatoes.”
is so important for deployed personnel to make sure they are rested
and able to engage when needed.”
One program offered at the Role 3 is called “Caring for the Caregivers.” The purpose of the program is to teach deployed health care
workers how to take care of one another and themselves. Often, providers get focused on taking care of everyone except themselves,
tending to put aside their own mental health needs.
The innovative program is a way for all caregivers to get support
and have a safe place to process own their experiences. The overall
goal is to enable these important caregivers to remain at the top of
their game, so they can function flawlessly when taking care of their
own patients.
Navy LCDR Mahmoud Ahmed, a psychiatrist from Eau Claire,
Wisconsin, provides oversight and direction to the Behavioral Health
Department here. By facilitating consultations and assessments, he
enables commands to determine if patients are able to receive care intheater or, when necessary, be transferred to a stateside facility for
further management. “My job is to assess whether a service member
is able to benefit from a brief intervention here or whether they need
more intense therapy elsewhere,” Ahmed said. “Ultimately, our department's goal is to ensure all service members are able to function at
their peak.”
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/14b6641adbe672e4
PAGE 10
MARCH 2015
U-2 PILOT BLAZES TRAIL
By Air Force Senior Airman Bobby Cummings, 9th
Reconnaissance Wing
Two F-15E Strike Eagles wait to receive fuel from a KC-135R Stratotanker during exercise Red
Flag 15-1 on their way to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev, Jan. 23, 2015. The F-15's are assigned to
the 4th Fighter Wing.
http://www.defense.gov/dodcmsshare/homepagephoto/2015-01/hires_150123-F-OB680407c.jpg?source=GovDelivery
If you have a child or grandchild graduating from High School this year,
they may be eligible for a $2000.00 scholarship from MOAA or MOWC.
Please go to our Web-site (moaatampa.org) and get the Scholarship information plus an application. The deadline for applications is May 1, 2015.
—submitted by Col. Milt Steadman, Scholarship Chairman
We host coalition officers at each luncheon. On 12 February 2015, we had the chairman of the
Coalition, BG LISSNER of Denmark, SNR COL ARTUR TEMIROV of KYRGYSTAN, and
LTC FREDI MAKSUTI of Albania. We always present them a framed certificate of thanks for
their country’s participation in the global war on terror and give them a turn at the microphone.
Photo by CW2 Tom South USA RET
BEALE
AFB CA―As
a child, Air
Force Lt. Col.
Merryl Tengesdal imagined flying
among the
stars, thousands of miles
Air Force Lt. Col. Merryl Tengesdal stands in above the
front of a U-2 at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Earth’s surFeb. 9, 2015. Tengesdal is the only black
face. Today,
female U-2 pilot in history.
USAF photo by Senior Airman Bobby Cum- she is one of
mings eight female
pilots ever to
fly the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft and
the only black female pilot in U-2 history. A Bronx,
New York, native, Tengesdal also is the 9th Reconnaissance Wing inspector general, and she was recently was selected for promotion to colonel. "I have
seen the curvature of the Earth," Tengesdal said.
"Flying at more than 70,000 feet is really beautiful
and peaceful. I never take it for granted."
Aug. 1 will mark the 60th anniversary of the U-2,
making it one of the few aircraft to operate in the Air
Force for more than 50 years. "The Air Force has
always been on the forefront of breaking aviation
and racial barriers," she said. "I am extremely proud
of being the first black female U-2 pilot in history."
The U-2 provides high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in direct support of
national objectives. The aircraft enables the capture
of imagery and delivers intelligence to decision makers worldwide. These missions often are at altitudes
of about 13 miles. Pilots are required to wear full
pressure suits during flight, similar to those astronauts wear. That suit, along with a specialized helmet and the U-2’s bicycle landing gear make it arguably the most difficult aircraft to land. "Every aircraft I've flown has something unique," Tengesdal
said. "The U-2 is no exception. I enjoy the challenge
of landing on two wheels."
Tengesdal is no stranger to challenges. The colonel
acknowledged that her childhood featured many opportunities for her to stray down the wrong path.
"Drugs and alcohol were prevalent in my hometown,
but I was influenced to pursue other aspirations," she
said. With guidance from her mother and teachers,
she said, she excelled in high school, particularly in
math and science. After high school, she attended the
University of New Haven in Connecticut and graduated in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical
engineering. Afterward, she attended the Navy’s
Officer Candidate School, commissioned as an ensign in September 1994, and attended flight training
(Continued on page 11, see PILOT)
MARCH 2015
PAGE 11
(PILOT, continued from page 10)
shortly after.
"During the mid ‘90s, the military had just begun opening more roles
for women in combat," Tengesdal said. "Combat pilot was one of the
opportunities. There was also a massive push for more minorities into
the pilot training program. I remember when I attended flight training. It
was racially diverse, which I was surprised to see. It was a good feeling.
However, I could tell there were a few people who did not appreciate
us."
The first aircraft she flew was the Navy's SH-60B Seahawk helicopter,
used for anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, anti-ship warfare
and special operations. She loved the versatility of the aircraft and its
capabilities. In 2004, Tengesdal followed her dream of flying higher and
cross-commissioned into the Air Force, joining less than 1,000 pilots wo
have been part of the U-2 program here.
U-2 pilot training is a rigorous nine-month course. Every candidate
must conduct training missions aboard the TU-2S, a dual-seat trainer
aircraft. After a solo high flight as a final challenge of their training,
pilots are often deployed around the world.
Tengesdal has been deployed to multiple locations and has flown missions in support of Operation Olive Harvest, in Afghanistan and in Iraq.
She also aided in preventing terrorism and piracy in the Horn of Africa.
"I'm incredibly fortunate. It's surreal," Tengesdal said. "From my time
in the Navy to my experiences in the U-2 program, I like to think I've
played a part in helping some of the troops on the ground get home safely."
Throughout her career, Tengesdal has logged more than 3,400 flight
hours and more than 330 combat hours. "I have been truly blessed to
have experienced all I have during my time in the military," she said.
She has flown at the edge of space and witnessed a shooting star from
the inside of a cockpit. She achieved what no African-American woman
ever had before.
CELEBRATIONS IN MARCH
03―National Anthem Day―The Star-Spangled
Banner, written by Francis Scott Key. celebrates
this song, and the rich history behind its creation.
The song officially became our national anthem
on March 3, 1931.
04―”Hug a GI Day.” Give a great big hug to any
and all GIs you see today. The people in our
armed forces deserve our thanks and appreciation.
08―Daylight Saving Time begins.
15―The Ides of March marks the 1st day of the
Roman New Year and the 1st day of spring in the
Roman calendar.
17―Saint Patrick's day is in honor of the Patron
Saint of Ireland, who brought Christianity to the
Emerald Isles, as Ireland is known. It is truly a day
of celebrating Irish history, ancestry, traditions
and customs.
20―CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT to
benefit Operation Helping Hand.
O'Gara was arrested and sent for trial for armed bank robbery. After
due deliberation, the jury foreman stood up and announced, 'Not
guilty.' 'That's grand,' shouted O'Gara, 'Does that mean I get to keep
the money?'
"It is very uncommon, even for this day and age, to be a
female pilot, much less a female minority," Tengesdal
said. "My career field is very male dominated, but I hope
I have helped other females with similar aspirations to
realize this is an option. I think we are all limitless as to
what we can accomplish."
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?
id=128163&source=GovDelivery
SECURITY WATCH:
U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher Ross, right, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Olin Harrington, center, and U.S. Army Spc. Jared Malda provide security for
their team in Zabul province, Afghanistan, May 26, 2013. Ross, Harrington and Malda are assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division's 2nd
Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment. Their unit participated in an Afghanled search for weapon and explosive caches during a joint operation.
http://www.defense.gov//dodcmsshare/homepagephoto/2013-06/
hires_130526-A-QA210-157c.jpg
THE TAMPA CHAPTER OF THE
MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
OF AMERICA
POST OFFICE BOX 6383
MACDILL AFB FL 33608-0383
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRST STD
U S POSTAGE PAID
TAMPA FL
PERMIT 850
TAMPA CHAPTER (www.moaatampa.org/)
www.moaatampa.org/)
OPERATION HELPING HAND (www.operationhelpinghandtampa.com/)
www.operationhelpinghandtampa.com/)
MOAA National (www.moaa.org/)
FL COUNCIL (www.moaafl.org/)
www.moaafl.org/)
IRS PHONE THREAT MESSAGE?
“Your retained attorney of record to return the call. The issue at hand is extremely time sensitive. I am Officer Julie Smith from Internal Revenue Service. And, the hotline to my division is 415-506-2430. I repeat, its 415-506-2430. Don’t disregard this message and do return the call before we take any action against you. Good bye and take care.”
Just another phone scam. According to the phone screen, the call came from Novato, CA. This was a message on our phone on 11 Feb 2015.
I'm shaking in my combat boots!
—submitted by LTC Bob Sawallesh USA
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS―The deadline for applications is 1 May 2015. Check it out
on our web at moaatampa.org
MOAA LUNCHEON
THURSDAY, 12 MARCH 2015
—submitted by Col Steadman
at 1130 hours at the SURF’S EDGE CLUB
ON MACDILL AFB
PLEASE NOTE:
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED
BY NOON ON FRIDAY
05 MARCH
MOAA RESERVATION NUMBER
(813) 676-4676
REMEMBER–if you make a reservation and
don’t show, you still must pay.
MENU
Corned Beef and Cabbage,
Parsley Potatoes, Glazed carrots
Fruit or Chef’s Salad: Order
with reservation
DRESS CODE CHANGE
JUST A REMINDER! Coats will
not be required at our luncheons
April 1-September 30. Wear your
MOAA shirt or some other open
collar shirt. Hang your coat in the
back of your closet and be
comfortable.