Page 2 - Desert Lightning News So. AZ Edition, December 2020

2 December 2020 Desert Lightning News Desert Lightning News Devember 2020 3
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Remembering Christmases past, major military events Contested coastal rescue training conducted

by A damaged Confederate gun at Fort
KATie LANge Fisher, N.C., circa 1864, after the first by Airman 1st Class during which they executed a series of rescue
battle there toward the end of the KAiTLYN J. eRgiSh procedures over the Pacific Ocean to enhance
Department of Defense overall rescue capabilities, not only on land but
Civil War. 355th Wing Public Affairs
On Christmas Day every year, many also over and in water.
Americans relax and enjoy time with The 48th and 55th Rescue Squadrons com- “We shot moving targets towed behind a boat
their families. For many of our troops, The Battle of Trenton inspired this pleted contested maritime training off the while flying above the ocean,” said Capt. Dylan
though, it can be a day of sacrifice and famous painting by Emanuel Leutze coast of California, Nov. 1 through 14. The Foley, 55th RQS pilot. “Our crews applied weap-
hardship. of Gen. George Washington crossing training included day and night operations ons tactics to analyze how we can get better at
Throughout the history of the U.S., the Delaware River. taking opposing forces out while protecting the
several large-scale military actions have An HH-60 Pave Hawk II assigned to the 55th survivor we are picking up. We also focused on
taken place on December 25. The follow- Rescue Squadron flies over the Pacific using search and signaling devices such as a
ing are four of the most noteworthy. Ocean, Nov. 3. The 55th RQS completed con- radios, mirrors, flares and smokes to determine
1776: Washington’s Famous Cross- tested maritime training at Naval Air Station how effective they are based on different ranges
ing of the Delaware It was a debacle for the Union. North Island, California, from Nov. 1-14 to and altitudes of the aircraft.”
The winter of 1776 didn’t start well for First, the Union tried to pack a warship Airman 1st Class Kaitlyn J. Ergish enhance their over-water rescue capabilities. See rESCuE, Page 4
Gen. George Washington’s Continental with explosives to blow up the fort’s walls
Army. They suffered many defeats in the — but that didn’t work. It just blew up
COMMENTARY
first few months of the American Revo- their ship and alerted the Confederates Confined space training prepares Airmen for emergencies
lution and had been pushed out of New of an imminent attack. So on Christmas
York and New Jersey into Pennsylvania. Eve, the Union tried again, bombarding
For the troops, morale was low. the fort with heavy gunfire, most of which by Senior Airman “Training these situations is vitally important
Washington needed to renew faith in fell short or missed its target. JACoB T. STepheNS because it can happen to anyone at any time and we
the battle for independence, so he decided On Christmas morning, Union com- must know what to do,” said Airman 1st Class Eric
to surprise the Hessians — German manders decided to shell an area north 355th Wing Public Affairs Macklin, 355th CMS aircraft fuels systems troop.
troops hired by the British — who were of the fort so troops could land and come The 355th Component Maintenance Squadron Fuels “We have to be able to rely on the people around us
stationed in Trenton, New Jersey. He ashore. But when they did, more disap- Flight conducted confined space emergency action to work as a team in the event that something hap-
figured that doing so after the enemy’s pointment followed — the fort’s heavy training here Nov. 13. pens that requires us to execute these procedures in
Christmas celebrations would find them artillery was completely unscathed, so This annual training was accomplished to ensure a real-world situation.”
groggy and unprepared for a fight, es- that was a no-go, too. It was only then Airmen’s readiness in case of an on-the-job emergency. Teamwork is a critical element to mission success
pecially as a terrible winter storm was that the Union ordered troops to retreat. “This practice allows us to exercise pulling an in any facet, but relying on the Airmen you work with
brewing. While the first Battle of Fort Fisher incapacitated Airman out of a confined space and is even more important when faced with a potential
So, late Christmas night, Washington was a massive failure for the Union, the A B-52 Stra- performing emergency procedures as defined by our life-or-death situation.
and his troops hopped in boats and second wasn’t. In mid-January 1865, tofortress standards,” said Senior Airman Zachary Watkins, “The on-base fire department, bioenvironmental
waded across the icy Delaware River Union troops were finally able to capture bomber takes 355th CMS aircraft fuels systems troop. “This train- flight from the Medical Group and safety at the Senior Airman Jacob T. Stephens
to test his theory — and he was right. the fort, effectively cutting the Confeder- off from An- ing goes through the entire process, which includes squadron and wing-level are all involved in this Senior Airman Zachary Watkins, 355th Component
At dawn on Dec. 26, about 2,400 frozen ates off from global trade and supplies. dersen Air getting the Airman out of the fuel tank, calling emer- training,” Watkins said. “Getting everyone on the Maintenance Squadron aircraft fuels systems troop,
Continentals pushed into Trenton, and The Civil War ended three months later. Force Base gency services, changing the respirator and starting same page makes sure that in these situations, we pulls a simulated incapacitated Airman out of a fuel SPOTLIGHT
they did indeed surprise the enemy, who 1972: operation Linebacker ii in in Guam in to perform CPR.” are able to preserve our wingmen’s life.” tank during training Nov. 13. Watkins took lead in
surrendered within an hour and a half. North Vietnam support of The quality of this training was enhanced by using Working in confined spaces can create potentially the situation as he went through emergency pro-
The mission, which became known as American troops were in the middle of Operation a recently acquired C-130 wing to give more realism hazardous situations and training for any possible tocol to safely and effectively remove the Airman
the Battle of Trenton, was of huge signifi- the largest bombing mission in military Linebacker II to the type of confined space that will be seen in a scenario is critical to ensure the safety of the Air from the fuel tank, address any issues and treat for
cance to the Continental Army’s cause. history during the Christmas season of in December real-world situation. Force’s most valuable resource, its Airmen. potential injuries.
Not only did it raise the troops’ spirits, 1972. The air campaign, called Operation 1972.
but it revived the hope of the colonists, Linebacker II, has largely been consid-
who were beginning to think their battle ered the action that ended U.S. involve- The only day that both sides got a re- American troops wouldn’t leave the
for independence wasn’t feasible. ment in the Vietnam War. prieve was Christmas, when troops were country for another two years. Chapel Services national Vietnam War
1864: The First Battle of Fort President Richard Nixon ordered given a 36-hour break to celebrate. Dur- 1896: “Stars and Stripes Forever”
Fisher the bombings to begin on Dec. 18 after ing that time, Nixon ordered the North is Written Vets Day —
For most of the Civil War, North Caro- North Vietnamese delegates walked out Vietnamese to return to the bargaining While this wasn’t exactly a military Catholic services Staff
lina’s Fort Fisher saw very little combat. on peace talks. Nicknamed the “11 Days table. The North Vietnamese refused, so action, it’s definitely a symbol of Amer- Desert Dove Chapel Publisher ..............................................................Paul Kinison rescheduled
But that changed on Christmas 1864, of Christmas,” the operation consisted the bombings continued until Dec. 29, ica’s military might. Daily Mass: 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday Business manager ...............................................Lisa Kinison
when the Union decided it wanted to of 11 successive days of raids by B-52 when they agreed to resume peace talks. John Philip Sousa, who grew up dur- Saturday Mass: 5 p.m. Editor .......................................................................Amy Lamb
capture the last port the Confederates Stratofortress bombers flown in from In 11 days, Linebacker II dropped ing the Civil War, was a talented musi- Sunday Mass: 10 a.m. Advertising representative ................................Sandi Bueltel On National Vietnam War Veterans
Designer .................................................................Tinna Sellie
held on the Atlantic Ocean. Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. 15,000 tons of bombs via 729 U.S. Air cian who became a long-time director Protestant services, studies Day, the Defense Commissary Agency
Force sorties involving of the U.S. Marine Band. Known as the Published by Aerotech News and Review, Inc. has recognized the service of Americans
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Defense Department time, eventually starting his own band • Facebook Event page - Contemporary Service Aerotech News and Review prepares all editorial content for Desert Lightning Vietnam War. In past years, commissaries
records show the raids in 1892. 9 a.m. Live stream to include a link to join our News. The editor will edit or rewrite submitted material for clarity, brevity or to and exchanges hosted commemoration
conform to the Associated Press Style Guide, local policy and Air Force style as
destroyed or damaged On Christmas Day 1896, while cross- Sunday School live via Zoom and Children’s required by Air Force Instruction 35-101. Contributions for Desert Lightning News ceremonies on March 29.
1,600 structures, 500 rail ing the Atlantic on his way home from Church (lesson, materials and activities) can be emailed to the editor at amy@aerotechnews.com. Submission deadlines
targets, 10 airfields and a European vacation, Sousa’s lasting • Facebook Event page - Gospel Service 11:30 a.m. are the 15th day prior to the month of publication. Submissions will be based
80 percent of North Viet- legacy came to him. He said the notes Live stream to include a link to join our Sunday on space available and priority. Desert Lightning News uses information from However, this year, these events were
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of war. joying leave, family, friends and feasts, Chapel Facebook page. not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Nov. 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, to attend
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On this stereoscopic card, the John Philip Sousa Band plays on a bandstand in Philadel- involvement in the war Forever” in their honor. Have a great call 520-228-5411. cal handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the pur-
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