Page 2 - Desert Lightning News, So. AZ Edition, Sept. 1 2017

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September 2017 Desert Lightning News www.aerotechnews.com/davis-monthanafb
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American, coalition airmen mark 3 years of lethal airpower against ISIS
by Lt. Gen. JEFF HARRIGIAN Air Forces Central Command
AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar — In early 2014, people across the globe were horrified by images of a menacing force sweeping across the Middle East, overwhelming superior armies and brutalizing those unfortunate enough to fall beneath its black shadow of terror. Nearly a month after the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria announced the establishment of their so-called caliphate, America struck back, delivering the first airstrike against ISIS on Aug. 8, 2014.
In the three years since, coalition airmen and aircraft from 20 nations have delivered more than 94,000 weapons against ISIS targets. Through around-the- clock planning and operations, this lethal air armada, led by American Airmen, has decimated ISIS’ fighting capacity with precise strikes. These strikes have destroyed thousands of fighting positions, command and control facilities, vehicle borne improvised explosive devices and VBIED factories, and helped erase tens of thousands of fighters from ISIS rosters. Many of those foreign fighters no longer pose the threat of returning to their home countries to carry out attacks.
Who are the Airmen responsible for producing the lethal force delivered daily in support of our courageous partner forces on the ground? They’re the 20 year- old mechanics turning wrenches on 60-year-old B-52 Stratofortress bombers in 120-degree heat to enable the delivery of precision munitions against targets in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan to strike fear in our enemies and protect U.S. and partner ground forces.
It’s the young captain serving as a targeting cell chief whose Airmen closely monitor enemy patterns of life with 24/7 persistent surveillance aircraft, develop- ing and vetting targets so as to precisely remove our enemies from the battlefield, yet not harm the people we’re trying to help.
They are the aircrew I remind daily to exercise disciplined patience in an increasingly complex war zone where a split-second decision at 400 knots, like shooting down a Syrian aircraft or dropping a precision guided weapon in an urban setting, can have strategic implications.
What makes the coalition’s air force special are the men and women in its ranks who hail from communities across America and around the world, collaborating
against a common threat and empowered to decisively make tough decisions. Over the past year, I have entrusted coalition airmen, from the most junior pilot to the most senior enlisted, to deliver lethal and precise airpower.
Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago more than 40 years ago, never did I imagine one day having the privilege of commanding nearly 20,000 American and coalition airmen serving across the region, from far flung outposts in Afghanistan and Syria to well-established installations like Al Udeid Air Base.
I was fortunate to be raised in squadrons that brought up their junior members by quickly letting out the leash. We made mistakes and learned fast. I would argue that’s a characteristic somewhat unique to the air force; operations at the speed of sound require us to learn fast and empower our people so they’re confident when the stakes are high.
Outside the commander’s office at Headquarters, U.S. Central Command, an image adorns the wall of a young Airman who tragically died loading bombs for an F-15E Strike Eagle mission against ISIS. I think of her family’s sacrifice, and I’m reminded of a hot July day 21 years ago, when 12 of my wingmen and seven other Airmen died in the Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia. These memories forever remind me the stakes are high, and the sacrifice real when we step up to the plate in this game.
Some may question if our efforts are making a difference after three years fighting. I have no doubts. I’ve watched my airmen pummel ISIS into a remnant of its former self, unable to focus because of a daily forecast of punishing airpower that has played a decisive role at reclaiming 27,000 square miles – nearly 80 percent of the territory ISIS once controlled in Iraq and 60 percent in Syria.
For the thousands of innocent civilians still suffering at the hands of ISIS, they can be confident knowing they have a formidable force in their corner in America’s Air Force and the coalition airmen I command.
Today marks three years since we delivered our first blow against ISIS. We’ve learned a lot and have them on the ropes. We owe our best performance, not only to our joint and coalition partners courageously carrying the fight on the ground, but to those who have perished at the hands of a heartless enemy in attacks around the globe, from London to Paris to Egypt. This is why American and coalition airpower will continue to annihilate ISIS and prevent them from fighting another day.
‘All in’ investing in tomorrow — Air Force Junior ROTC
by Lt. Gen. STEVEN KWAST Air University
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE,
Ala. — General of the Air Force Henry H. Arnold once said, “We must think in terms of tomorrow.”
At Air University we do just that; tomorrow is our focus today.
Throughout America’s history we have seen numerous studies link the education of our children to national security. One such report came in 2012 from the Council on Foreign Relations.
In a PBS news interview that same year, former Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Condoleez- za Rice said, “Education could be (our) greatest national security challenge.”
While many experts may debate Rice’s comment and that of these reports, one thing is clear -- our educational system produces our next generation of parents, entrepreneurs, politicians, leaders and warriors. Education indirectly, if not directly, impacts every aspect of our tomor- row. If you and I value the idea of our children having a better life than we
do, then our commitment, time and resources need to be “all in,” support- ing the next generation’s education.
As president and commander of the Air Force’s Air University, I am committed to a strong and vibrant secondary educational system that develops leaders, enriches minds and inspires service. Why is Air University committed to a strong secondary edu- cational system?
General Arnold put it best again, “... our Air Force belongs to those who come from ranks of labor, manage- ment, the farms, the stores, the pro- fessions and colleges and legislative halls ... Air Power will always be the business of every American Citizen.”
Simply put, our students today will become the great Americans who may choose to defend our country as Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers and Marines tomorrow. The vast majority, however, will provide health care, plant fields, transform technology, manage busi- nesses and lead our country.
Junior ROTC is the Air Force’s larg- est educational program. That’s right, our largest educational program is not serving Airmen; it serves high school
students in 898 schools across the nation. This is not a mistake. It’s an investment with dividends payable to the United States of America. Air Uni- versity pours time and resources into your sons and daughters every day, but we want to do more. Our challenge in accomplishing more is balancing current military needs and resources with increasing support to our high school outreach programs. The best way we can do more is to capitalize on partnerships. By joining forces with like-minded organizations, our time, resources and efforts go further.
Junior ROTC is already one of the Air Force’s leading organizations participating in public-private part- nerships. Junior ROTC is currently working with more than 650 school districts across the nation. Teaming with local school districts has allowed our joint resources to attract and re- tain top-quality instructors, provide a world-class curriculum and expose 120,000 high school students to amaz- ing leadership opportunities. In fact, we could not afford to do this on our own. If we want to do more, we need a larger team. I have directed my staff
to explore more ways to partner with other government agencies, elected officials, corporate America and non- profit organizations dedicated to citizenship, leadership and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) opportunities for America’s youth.
Air Force Junior ROTC operates in 49 states and 15 overseas locations, and it is an incredibly diverse student organization with 58 percent minority and 40 percent female students. In 2016, 50 percent of our programs were in low-income Title 1 schools. Our students learn and practice aerospace science, leadership and citizenship tenants. Additionally, last year they performed more than 1.6 million community service hours in local communities. Partnering with Junior ROTC provides a unique opportunity to reach students across the country. Junior ROTC brings a lot to the table, and we are looking for opportunities to team with the right people and organizations to make a difference. The bottom line is this, if we want to change tomorrow, it requires we do something today. I’m all in! Are you?
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