Page 3 - Desert Lightning News So. AZ Edition, June 2021
P. 3

2  June 2021  Desert Lightning News  Desert Lightning News                June 2021                                                                     3
 www.aerotechnews.com/davis-monthanafb                          www.aerotechnews.com/davis-monthanafb
 Facebook.com/DesertLightningNews                                  Facebook.com/DesertLightningNews
 Asian American, Pacific Islander Heritage Month  EOD helps keep Tucson safe






 by    about the rich culture and contributions of Asian   Story and photos by Senior Airman    opportunity to practice range procedures in regards to
                                                            handling explosives, priming into them and setting them
 355th WiNg   American and Pacific Islanders.  BLAke goNzALeS  off successfully and safely.”
 The rich AAPI heritage spans across the world   355th Wing Public Affairs
 Equal Opportunity Office                                     While Davis-Monthan’s EOD Flight and the Pima Re-
 and through the depths of  America’s history.
 The Department of Defense celebrates  Asian   Generation after generation, AAPI members have   TUCSoN, Ariz. — The 355th Civil Engineer Squadron   gional Bomb Squad both deal with properly identifying,
 American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month   forged a proud legacy that reflects the spirit of our   Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight participated in demoli-  handling and disposing of explosives, their areas of exper-
                                                            tise are slightly different based on their respective mission
 every May. May was chosen as the dedicated month   nation — a country that values the contributions   tion training hosted by the Pima Regional Bomb Squad in
 to celebrate the anniversary of the first Japanese   of everyone who calls America home. America is   Tucson, Arizona, April 28.  sets and responsibilities.
 immigrants to  America in 1843.  This dynamic   known as a melting pot of different ethnicities, cul-  The training allowed both parties to practice handling   “There are some equipment and tools that we might use
 celebration recognizes the various obstacles faced   tures, and backgrounds. It has taken many years   explosives in a safe and controlled environment. It also   as public safety bomb technicians that military members
 by Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native   and many brave citizens to propel this nation in   provided a valuable opportunity for both sides to network,   don’t use as much,” Rockwell said. “Conversely, there are
                                                            things in the military that we don’t see as much too, so we
 Hawaiians and honors their countless contribu-  becoming a worldwide influencer. The DoD would   share their experience and learn from each other.
 tions in American history.  be remiss to not celebrate the Asian American and   “A couple of times a year, we do what we refer to as a   can offer that input and that collaboration about the tools
 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage   Pacific Islanders that have gotten us here today.  ‘range day’ or a ‘demolition day,’” said Sgt. Jason Rockwell,   that we use and why.”
 Month serves as an annual reminder of the many   For more information about  Asian  American   Pima Regional Bomb Squad supervisor. “It gives us the   These kinds of integrations not only help train for each
 individuals that put their life on the line to protect   and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, please con-  side’s respective missions, but also help streamline the sup-
                                                            port process when one must rely on the other. Specifically,
 this great nation, dating all the way back to the   tact the 355th Wing Equal Opportunity office at
 Civil War. One of the most highly decorated units   228-5509, or visit: https://www.deomi.org/human-  these training sessions are immensely helpful when the
 in military history  is an  all-Japanese American   relations/special-observances.cfm.  Pima Regional Bomb Squad identifies a military munition   Airman 1st Class Ronald Cataldo, 355th Civil Engineer
 unit from WWII that earned 9,485 Purple Hearts,            within the Tucson community, and thus must call on Davis-  Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight team
 eight Presidential Unit Citations and 21 Medals            Monthan’s EOD Flight Airmen to support.          member, prepares explosives during demolition train-
                                                              “We help them out when it comes to military munitions
 of Honor.  The Department of Defense celebrates Asian Ameri-                                                ing in Tucson, Arizona, April 28. Davis-Monthan Air
 In 2017, Congress awarded Filipino WWII vet-  can and Pacific Islander Heritage Month every May.   that are found,” said Airman 1st Class Noah Blakley, 355th   Force Base’s EOD Flight worked alongside the Pima
 erans with Congressional Gold Medals for their   May was chosen as the dedicated month to cel-  CES EOD Flight team member. “They’ll go out, do a recon   Regional Bomb Squad to train, learn and network with
 service and to honor the 260,000 Filipinos that   ebrate the anniversary of the first Japanese immi-  on it and see what the item is. If it’s a military munition,   their civilian counterparts.
 fought alongside of them. Our military history   grants to America in 1843. This dynamic celebration   they immediately call us and that’s when we’re dispatched.”
                                                              The 355th Wing’s EOD must respond to these calls not
 is rich in diversity and has had an abundance of   recognizes the various obstacles faced by Asian
 like-minded people fighting for a greater cause.   Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians   only because these items are government property and
 Equal Opportunity specialists are ensuring each   and honors their countless contributions in Ameri-  must be handled by them, but also because they have the
 American installation is teaching its populace   can history.   courtesy graphic  most knowledge and resources to dispose of them safely.
                                                              “We have a very baseline understanding of the ord-
                                                            nance that’s out there,” Rockwell said. “They have access
                                                            to the data sheets on them, what makes them dangerous
 (from Page 1)
 Bringing home silver medal  effectively deter and, if necessary, defeat a near-peer adver-  Senior Airman blake Gonzales  experts.”
 buShwhAckEr
                                                            and how to make them safe. They’re the subject matter
                                                              The 355th CES EOD Flight primarily deals with military
 sary.”
 The wing is working toward U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff
          Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight team
                                                            Bomb Squad requests their aid for general calls.
 Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown Jr.’s charge to accelerate change   Airman 1st Class Noah Blakley, 355th Civil Engineer   ordnance, but there are times when the Pima Regional
 by training multi-capable Airmen to compete, deter and win   member, prepares explosives during demolition train-  “Interoperability is a huge thing for us — especially for
 the high-end fight. This is accomplished by accounting for the   ing in Tucson, Arizona, April 28. The Pima Regional   me and a lot of the other new guys,” said Blakley. “When we   Officer Joshua Corn, Pima Regional Bomb Squad tech-
 ambiguity and uncertainty expected in future conflicts as they   Bomb Squad provided a valuable opportunity for both   eventually become team leaders, we already have connec-  nician, holds a detonating cord while Airman 1st Class
 learn to become more lethal, agile and resilient.  sides to learn, develop and network by hosting the   tions here and we can work with them properly and easily.”  Noah Blakley, 355th Civil Engineer Squadron Explo-
 “Readiness is something the wing continually works to   training.  While both sides perform their missions, it’s important   sive Ordnance Disposal Flight team member, plants
 improve,” Pearce said. “Our ability to adapt and prepare for   to know what to do if you encounter a possible explosive   an explosive during demolition training in Tucson,
 tomorrow’s fight is pivotal in accomplishing the rescue and   in any area of Tucson.                         Arizona, April 28.
 attack missions we are tasked with.”                         “Number one, don’t touch it,” Rockwell said. “Contact your
 By ensuring the wing’s ability to wield combat rescue and   nearest law enforcement agency so they can coordinate with
 attack airpower, it ensures the operational advantage needed   the bomb squad. At that point, we will respond, or we will
 to successfully outthink, outmaneuver and outfight our na-  get information regarding what it is. We will then coordi-
 tion’s enemies.                                            nate with Davis-Monthan about whether it’s something
                               Staff                        we’re going to deal with, if they’re going to come out or if
                                                            it’s just something we do in coordination with each other.”
 Notice of claim  Publisher ..........................................................................Paul Kinison  contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at (520)
                                                              For information about the Pima Regional Bomb Squad,
            Business manager  .......................................................... Lisa Kinison
            Editor ...................................................................................Amy Lamb
            Advertising representative ............................................Sandi Bueltel  251-4600 or go to https://www.pimasheriff.org.
 On April 21, 2021, Davis-Monthan lost an incredible   Designer .............................................................................Tinna Sellie
 Airman, Senior Airman Joesph A. Bronte.  We ask that   Published by Aerotech News and Review, Inc.  RiGHT: Airman 1st Class Noah Blakley, 355th Civil En-
 anyone who may have a claim of indebtedness to his es-  877- 247-9288 • www.aerotechnews.com  gineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight
 tates, please contact the Summary Courts Officer (SCO)   Aerotech News and Review prepares all editorial content for Desert Lightning News. The   team member, tests the continuity on a line of firing
 1st Lt.  Garrett Hayes at garrett.hayes.2@us.af.mil  editor will edit or rewrite submitted material for clarity, brevity or to conform to the As-  wire during demolition training in Tucson, Arizona,
            sociated Press Style Guide, local policy and Air Force style as required by Air Force Instruc-  April 28. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base’s EOD Flight
            tion 35-101. Contributions for Desert Lightning News can be emailed to the editor at amy@  integrated with the Pima Regional Bomb Squad to help
            aerotechnews.com. Submission deadlines are the 15th day prior to the month of publica-  train for each side’s respective missions.
            tion. Submissions will be based on space available and priority. Desert Lightning News uses
 Notice of claim  information from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base website, the Armed Forces Information                           From left, Officer Joshua Corn,
            Service, Air Force News Service, Air Combat Command, staff writers and other sources. All
            advertising is handled by Aerotech News and Review. For business advertising, call 877-247-                         Pima Regional Bomb Squad tech-
 On May 16, 2021, Davis-Monthan lost an incredible   9288 or email Sandi Bueltel at sbueltel@aerotechnews.com. For classified advertising, email     nician, shows Airman 1st Class
 Airman, Staff Sgt. Franklin Kaunang, a Flight Engineer   classifieds@aerotechnews.com.                                         Noah Blakley, 355th Civil Engi-
  courtesy photos  on the EC-130H who operated out of the 43rd ECS.   Desert Lightning News is published by Aerotech News and Review, a private firm in   neer Squadron Explosive Ord-
 (Left to Right) Majors Robert Carpenter, Daniel Levy, James Buchanan, and Ryan Cummings, 47th Fighter   Please keep his unit and his family in your thoughts   no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under written agreement with the 355th   nance Disposal Flight team mem-
            Fighter Wing. Contents of Desert Lightning News are not necessarily the official views
 Squadron pilots, pose for a photo before stepping to their A-10 Thunderbolt IIs during the Hawgsmoke   and prayers during this difficult time. He loved being   of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense or the Department   ber, Capt. Travis Ellison, 355th
 2021 competition at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., April 13-17. The competition consisted of A-10 Thunder-  stationed here and being a member of the 43rd. “Once A   of the Air Force. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or   CES EOD Flight Commander, and
 bolt II four-ship teams from around the world fighting to be considered the ‘Best of the Best’ in ground at-  Bat, Always A Bat.”  We ask that anyone who may have   supplements, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by   Airman 1st Class Ronald Cataldo,
 tack and target destruction. These pilots brought home 2nd place overall. The 47th FS, a flying squadron   a claim of indebtedness to his estates, please contact the   the DLN, DOD, Air Force or Aerotech News and Review. Everything advertised in this   355th CES EOD team member,
 in the 924th Fighter Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, is a Geographically Separated Unit   Summary Courts Officer (SCO) Capt.  Jonathan Hall   publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race,   how to prepare explosives during
 of the 944th Fighter Wing.  at jonathan.hall.32@us.af.mil.  color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affilia-  demolition training in Tucson,
            tion or any other non-merit factor of the purchase, user or patron.
                                                                                                                                Arizona, April 28.
   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8