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Thunderbolt 23June, 2016
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GEoRGIA (from Page 2) words as we traveled through the be a symbol of freedom and a beacon PILoT (from Page 22)
rural countryside to our rst concert for human rights? Could the power of
of goodwill was an everyday oc- in Gori, Georgia. attraction to American culture inspire overall, said Gen. Mike Holmes, deputy chief of staff for strategic
currence here. nations to cooperate and see eye to plans and requirements, to the Senate Armed Services subcom-
Gori, a city of approximately 50,000 eye in a way military force, by itself, mittee in March.
But this was all new to me. people and birthplace of Soviet Union couldn’t?
In the middle of the night on Oct. leader Joseph Stalin, is located just a In the short term, the Air Force will focus on retaining the
15, I found myself in the Tblisi Inter- few kilometers from the border that When it was my turn to conduct current pilot force through bonuses, said Holmes. The Air Force
national Airport in Georgia with police caused con ict during the 2008 Russo- the band, the announcer thanked the bonus program is known as Aviator Retention Pay, which allows
and curious onlookers watching as 33 Georgian War. Russians bombed and soldiers for their dedication in support eligible pilots to enter into an agreement for ve to nine years with
USAFE bandsmen retrieved strangely occupied the city. Local leaders were of NATO efforts in Afghanistan and a per year payout and the option to receive 50 percent up front.
shaped suitcases filled with tubas, forced to ee and more than a dozen dedicated “Amazing Grace,” sung by
tambourines and trumpets from bag- citizens were killed. Master Sgt. Michele Harris, to Kuli- beat (from Page 20)
gage claim. We crammed onto a bus janishvili, the Georgian soldier killed
and took off down George W. Bush We took the stage at a beautiful just a few weeks earlier. May 20: Security forces responded to a report of shoplifting
Boulevard into the capital city with Soviet-era theater that was starting at the Exchange. After reviewing the video tape, security forces
Georgian military police escorts, with to show its age, and Georgian soldiers As I led the band through that pen- identi ed and detained an active-duty member attempting to
lights ashing. — some straight out of basic training, sive hymn, I couldn’t help but think depart without rendering full payment. The individual was
The next morning, I learned more I was told — lled the theater. Stand- about Kulijanishvili and his fellow charged and released to the unit rst sergeant.
about this beautiful, yet complex, so- ing in the wings, I peered out at the service members on the rapid reaction
ciety and its 2,000-year history from camo-clad crowd as the house lights force at Bagram.I thought of his family May 24: Security forces responded to a re alarm in Bldg.
a taxi cab driver who expressed his dimmed,and I wondered if music could and friends. I also thought of all those 640. After securing the scene and determining no re was
appreciation for America and told me truly transcend language barriers and Georgian soldiers packed into that old present, security forces identi ed an individual using an e-
how hard it was growing up in a Soviet enhance partnerships. theater listening to the USAFE Band. cigarette in a dorm room. The individual was charged with
“colony.” In broken English, he said he Article 92, failure to obey an order or regulation, and was
wanted his sons to “know freedom,” As the band’s commander led both After the show, we mingled with released to the unit rst sergeant.
but Russia had cast a “dark shadow.” national anthems and went on with the soldiers in the crowd. They were
The taxi driver’s perspective echoed the show, I was surprised by how euphoric.The language barrier did not May 29: Security forces responded to an individual walk-
the comments Gen. Phillip Breedlove, much American music the Georgian hinder our interactions as the smiles, ing on top of the base perimeter wall. Security forces made
the supreme allied commander in soldiers knew. It was as if this Ameri- pats on the back, and the music said contact with the individual who had fallen from the wall and
Europe, made to Congress earlier this can music was a part of them. Their things words couldn’t. This enriching sustained an injury. Medical services and Glendale police were
year:“(Georgia,Moldova and Ukraine) faces brightened. There was smiling, person-to-person interaction was at contacted and took control.
have implemented political and eco- cheering and even dancing. It was a the very core of our goal of preserving
nomic reforms to advance democracy powerful moment. partnerships,sustaining relationships Alarm activations
and integrate with Europe; however, and improving capacity and interoper-
their ability to make further progress I thought of America’s in uential ability. It wasn’t about the music, but Security forces responded to 16 alarm activations on base.
is signi cantly constrained by Russian economy, its military might, its geo- the music was the tool that helped us
interference and pressure.” political pull, and then I watched as build bonds of trust with these young Tip of the week
I couldn’t help but think of those Georgian soldiers reacted overwhelm- soldiers who could one day share a
ingly to American music. battle eld with Americans. Keep cords and wires off the oor and out of walkways.
Most of ce injuries are due to people not noticing an electri-
Could culture itself be one of Amer- Courtesy of af.mil cal cord on the oor.
ica’s most powerful exports? Could it
Courtesy of Staff Sgt. Christopher Washburn, 56th SFS
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