Page 2 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, November 6, 2020

2 November 6, 2020 Commentary Desert lightNiNg News s. NevaDa Desert lightNiNg News s. NevaDa News November 6, 2020 3
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On behalf of a Nellis showcases advanced training

grateful nation capabilities to ACC command team

by Bob Alvis and commemorate their service in this By Senior Airman Miranda Loera as the “home of the fighter pilot,”
Kelly emphasized the importance of the
special to Aerotech News country, that understands the sacrifice. Nellis AFB, Nev. graduate-level warfighter training and
A personal reflection I would like
Veterans Day 2020 will definitely to share is the one I have been witness Gen. Mark Kelly, commander of Air resources that Nellis provides as the last
have a different feel to it this year, as to many times over my years of being Combat Command, and Chief Master stop for Airmen before a deployment.
the usual gatherings and ceremonies friends with so many veterans, and Sgt. David Wade, command chief of Two advancements in innovation at
will be watered down or, in many cases, that is the inevitable graveside service ACC, toured Nellis Air Force Base, Nellis that meet the Air Force Chief of
not happen at all — and that is a real and saying the final “goodbye” — that Nev., during a week-long visit, Oct. Staff’s “Accelerate Change or Lose” vi-
tragedy. special aspect of the veterans’ memo- 19-23, 2020. sion are the Virtual Test and Training
We who will still remember and find rial service, as the flag is folded and During Kelly’s first visit to Nellis Center and the 5G network develop-
a way to commemorate the service of Taps is played. With the kneeling of since assuming command, he got a ment.
those brave men and women in uniform a soldier in front of a family member, Courtesy photo behind-the-scenes look at how Team The Virtual Test and Training Cen-
past and present will, through many the words of grateful nation are spoken. Nellis works to keep the complex mis- ter is an innovative training facility on
forms of communication, spread the Tears and trembling hands receive the watching over the family and will for- and diminishing numbers of the heart- sion of six wings aligned with senior Nellis that allows pilots to simultane-
word and raise a toast to those who an- flag that says your loved one was loved ever be grateful for your loved ones’ ser- felt citizens that understand the sacrifice leaders’ top priorities. ously train together in live and virtual
swered the call of our nation, and do our by so many more than just your family vice and he or she will not be forgotten. and dedication, we end up in a closet as “It’s always nice to visit Nellis and environments.
best to see that they are not forgotten. and we all feel your loss, and also kneel There is that word “forgotten” again. an old folded American flag whose story the Nevada Testing and Training Range The 5G network, another innova-
Forgotten: That word haunts me as before you and mourn your loss. I hope and pray, as time and our nation has passed on, along with the family because the training and resources tive development that recently came to
Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class Dwane R. Young
being a man of the stories from past That folded American flag makes it move forward, that we do not replace members who would tell the story to that our Airmen get here don’t exist Gen. Mark Kelly, commander of Air Combat Command, and Chief Master Sgt. David Wade, fruition through the awarding of a DoD
generations, which has been my call- home with a special family member the word “remember” with the word keep the service to country and the anywhere else in the world,” Kelly said. command chief of ACC, talk with Airmen at the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis Air contract with AT&T, also drew praise
ing for many years, finds me worrying and usually sits in a place of honor. It “forgotten” and that, with the absence pride it brought at the forefront of our “Team Nellis is truly at the tip of the Force Base, Nev., Oct. 19, 2020. Kelly coined three USAFWC Airmen who were recognized from the commander. Kelly expressed
about future generations who distance is a constant reminder that America is of traditional Veterans Day programs American journey. spear when it comes to advancing our as quarterly star performers. how the advancement of 5G technol-
themselves from the history books, “Remember” this Veterans Day. Bring force toward the digital moderniza- ogy will bridge the gap between legacy
tactical command and control entities
statues and ceremonies that past gen- forth a renewed spirit in the absence of tion that it will take to win tomorrow’s tegic positions across ACC and our Air ment of Defense and Department of and the future of C2.
erations used for inspiration to become ceremony and make it your own per- fight.”
As Nellis is home to six of ACC’s Force. They take what they learn here Energy testing, research, and develop-
better citizens for the nation they call sonal outreach to inspire and educate 35 wings, Kelly used this visit to see a at courses like the Weapons School and ment area on NTTR. “The United States Air Force War-
home. those who may not ever get a chance variety of operational mission sets that then it propagates across our force.” “This team maximizes every re- fare Center and its subordinate units
The Citizen Soldier Dad or Mother, to celebrate the service of a soldier. The provide U.S. and allied Airmen the
brother or sister, the boy or girl next greatness of our nation is and will be fall under his command. Throughout the visit, Airmen and source they have and they’re moving tools, tactics and training to meet and
A key theme throughout the event senior leaders provided insight on cur-
fast,” said Wade. “The command defeat any adversary,” said Kelly. “From
door, or just a relative in the family that we will not forget, but that we will rent operations and highlighted Nellis’ goes the way Nellis goes because of the Weapons School to Red Flag to the
tree who answered the call and in many all remember the citizen soldier for was showcasing Nellis’ ability to pro-
vide Airmen with world class training ability to create realistic and effective the training, testing and tactical pro-
cases went off to war and never came generations to come. incredible capability the VTTC brings,
back or, if they did, carried the mental Peace my friends. Enjoy your Veter- that readies the force for tomorrow’s testing and combat training for today’s cedures that happen here every day. Team Nellis works every day to prepare
warfighters. Kelly got an insider’s view They’re always looking to the future warfighters to succeed in the high-end
scars from the eyes that had seen more ans Day! adversaries. and trying to make us a more lethal fight by delivering realistic, effective
“We take the best of the best, bring of the advanced composite force train-
pain and suffering than a human being them here to Nellis, and train them up,” ing, tactics development, the electronic and ready force.”
training that is relevant to our joint and
should have to experience. combat testing areas and the Depart- While touring the base, aptly known coalition operations worldwide.
Veterans on Veterans Day value the Lt. Gen. Francis M. Beaudette (Commanding Wade said. “Then we put them in stra-
gathering of those around them, which General of the United States Special
helps to ease their sense loss and suffer- Operations Command) gives Miranda
ing as they remember those who served Shurer (wife of Medal of Honor recipient
beside them. Our commemorations Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Shurer II) a flag that
send a message that service to country represents Shurer’s sacrifice to his country
comes at a very high price and to not as his military funeral comes to a close
take your freedoms for granted. Those on Oct. 27, 2020, at Arlington National
who served saw firsthand how the de- Cemetery. Shurer was awarded the Medal
fense of the nation and its Constitution of Honor Oct. 1, 2018, for his actions in
is to not be taken lightly, or used for Afghanistan April 6, 2008. Members from
anything else but to serve the freedom- the U.S. Army, U.S. Secret Service, previous
loving people of the world. That’s a lot to Medal of Honor recipients and his family
put on the backs of our men or women gathered to honor Shurer as he was laid to
in uniform, but that’s why we honor Army photograph by Sgt. Steven Lewis rest in Arlington National Cemetery.

Desert Lightning News, So. Nevada edition is Department of the Air Force or Aerotech News and For all submissions, a name and phone number Air Force photograph by Tech. Sgt. Alexandre Montes Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class Dwane R. Young
published by Aerotech News and Review, a private Review of the products or services advertised. of a person to contact must be included in the event Master Sgt. Nathan Grosse, 32nd Weapons Squadron, An F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet piloted by Gen. Mark Kelly,
firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force. Everything advertised in the publication shall be questions arise. shows a coin received from Gen. Mark Kelly, Air Combat commander of Air Combat Command, takes off at Nellis
Contents of Desert Lightning News, So. Nevada edition made available for purchase and use of patronage All material is edited for accuracy, brevity, clarity Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class Dwane R. Young
Desert Lightning News Staff are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national and conformity to the Associated Style Guide, to Command commander, for his hard work and dedication Gen. Mark Kelly, commander of Air Combat Command, Air Force Base, Nev., Oct. 21, 2020. The F-15E Strike Eagle
Paul Kinison, Publisher, Aerotech News and Review by, Aerotech News and Review, the U.S. government, origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political include military ranks and proper writing etiquette. to his Airmen and the mission for the 57th Wing at Nellis Air takes notes during a pre-flight briefing at the 17th Weapons assigned to the 336th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson
Stuart Ibberson, Editor the Department of Defense or the Department of the affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the Corrections: Desert Lightning News staff
Tinna Sellie, Editorial Layout members strive for accurac y each week . Force Base, Nev., Oct. 21, 2020. Kelly coined several Airmen Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Oct. 21, 2020. The AFB, N.C., is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-
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