Air Force Joins Effort to Help Libyan Evacuees

By Air Force Master Sgt. Jim Fisher  17th Air Force Public Affairs DJAERBA, Tunisia, March 4, 2011 - The U.S. military's contribution to an international effort to end the suffering of Libya's evacuees began in Italy today when two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft picked up humanitarian aid and headed to Tunisia. U.S. Airmen from the 435th Air Mobility Squadron, from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, load blankets, tarps and water containers onto C-130 aircraft in Pisa, Italy, March 4, 2011. The aircraft flew the supplies to Tunisia as part of the U.S. government's efforts with the international community to meet the humanitarian needs of the Lybian people and others in the country who fled across the borders during political uprisings. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brendan Stephens  The 37th Airlift Squadron, from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, stopped in Pisa, Italy, where they picked up cargo from the U.S. Agency for International Development. The team then flew the aid to Djaerba, Tunisia, near where tens of thousands of Libyans and foreign nationals have fled due to the recent political uprising in Libya. Air Force Lt. Col. Charles "Doc" Schlegel, commander of the 435th Air Mobility Squadron, is leading a contingency response team working with aircrews from the 37th ALS on the humanitarian missions. He said his team is excited to partner with 17th Air Force to support the State Department. "We know that there are a lot of folks that are currently displaced, that will hopefully soon be able to return to their home countries and, hopefully, we can expedite that and bring humanitarian assistance to people who need it," Schlegel said. "The 17th Air Force did a great job coordinating with the agencies here, making sure the stuff was ready and could be quickly delivered to people who are in need. This is being driven by the State Department and we are ready to support any requests they have." Alberto Chidini, coordinator of the Army's Camp Darby humanitarian Assistance program near Pisa was on the flightline for the pickup in Italy, making sure the humanitarian cargo was ready to load. It's important for people to be willing to help in situations like the one in Libya and its border regions, he said. "I've seen the reports. Everything is lacking," Chidini said. "The situation is very bad and our people are ready to react. It's important because this could happen to anyone and hopefully someone is ready to help. In this case, [it's] us. "It makes you feel good, it makes you feel proud," he added. While waiting for further requests, the team from Ramstein stayed focused on the task at hand, delivering 40,000 wool blankets, 40 units of plastic sheeting and 9,600 water containers to Djaerba. After finishing the first day's work, the teams regrouped to plan more assistance missions for the days ahead.

U.S. Airmen from the 435th Air Mobility Squadron, from Ramstein Air Base, picked up blankets, tarps and water containers from the U.S. Agency for International Development to load onto C-130 aircraft in Pisa, Italy. The Air Force will fly the supplies to Tunisia as part of the U.S. government's work with the international community to meet the humanitarian needs of the Lybian people and others in the country who fled across the borders during political unrest. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brendan Stephens  U.S. Airmen with the 435th Air Mobility Squadron, from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, unload blankets, tarps and water containers provided by U.S. AID at Djerba Zarzis Airport in Tunisia. The U.S. government is working with the international community to meet the humanitarian needs of the Lybian people and others in the country who fled across the borders in recent political unrest. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brendan Stephens

Public Affairs NCO Teams with Iraqi Counterparts

By Air Force Senior Airman Andrew Lee  9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force Iraq CAMP VICTORY, Iraq, March 3, 2011 - Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Dean Miller is using his 21 years of military experience to assist Iraqi air force officials in developing their own public affairs professionals. Miller deployed here from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Initially, he served here as the team chief for the Air Component Coordination Element-Iraq public affairs team. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Dean Miller prepares to board an Iraqi C-130 aircraft Sept. 21, 2010, at New Al Muthana Air Base, Iraq, Sept. 21, 2010. Miller is the 62nd Airlift Wing's chief of public affairs. Courtesy photo  The senior Air Force noncommissioned officer said the changing mission in Iraq had him a little concerned regarding whether or not there would be enough public affairs work to do. "I was worried that things had become so quiet in Iraq there would not be much of a PA mission," Miller said. "In fact, there was an amazing amount of PA work to be done." Then, Miller received another opportunity during his deployment. He would also serve as the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-Air Force PA mentor and be the ground breaker to formalize the Iraqi air force's public affairs advisory program. Miller went full-afterburner with both jobs. "Once I found out I would be serving as an adviser, I knew it would be a great chance to assist another PA team, and strengthen the partnership between the U.S. and Iraq," Miller said. "But I also knew I needed to determine the priorities of the Iraqis for their PA program before I could help them." The key challenge at that time was deciding where to start, Miller said. "This was quickly resolved once I met with the Iraqi air force chief of public affairs and we discussed what he wanted to gain for his team," he said. "From there, we moved forward rapidly." Miller worked directly with the Iraqi public affairs team, quickly overcoming language and cultural barriers. After discerning the Iraqi chief's goals, he developed a plan to achieve them. Rapport with the Iraqi team improved throughout his deployment, Miller said, along with the professional accomplishments of the Iraqis. The Iraqi airmen supported the U.S. Forces-Iraq change of command and transition to Operation New Dawn, he said, assisting with the escort and interviews of more than 150 members of the news media at the event ceremony. "This was not merely an advise and train relationship, but a partnership between Iraqi and American military public affairs professionals," Miller said. "Uniting both the U.S. and Iraqi air force PA teams established a trusting partnership and enduring friendship." A highlight from this partnership was the dual Iraqi and U.S. coverage that resulted from the successful Iraqi AC-208 Cessna aircraft Hellfire missile shot. The Iraqi PA team created a professional video news release that the Ministry of Defense PA team released to regional news media. The ACCE-I PA team produced its coverage around the high-quality Iraqi aerial video. Miller said both teams routinely shared video and still photography in a mutually-supportive manner, and joint mission planning leveraged the skills and manpower of both teams. As the relationship developed, he said, the Iraqi PA team members went to great lengths to share their culture with their American partners, introducing local foods and teaching Arabic. Miller said he and his U.S. team reciprocated by bringing the Iraqis to United Service Organizations events and inviting the Iraqi airmen to share meals. "I was surprised at how much they enjoyed one of the country western bands that performed," Miller said. "We always had a great time. Everything we did together really helped us grow as a team."