Photo by MC2 Vladimir Potapenko

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ayanna Gonzalez, a supply NCO with the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command J4 directorate, moves hoses as part of an inventory of all supplies at the JPAC Pearl City warehouse, Dec. 18. The warehouse inventory is being completed by J4 NCOs at both the Pearl City and Hickam warehouses in preparation for the implementation of the automat-ed Defense Property Accountability System Warehouse inventory program.

J4 NCOs completing warehouse inventoryby MC2 Vladimir PotapenkoJPAC Public Affairs

...Continued on Page 5

The Joint POW/MIA Account-ing Command J4 directorate non-commissioned officers are currently conducting a wall-to-wall inven-tory of the Pearl City and Hickam JPAC warehouses, beginning with the Pearl City warehouse. The inventory, started Nov. 18, is meant to prepare JPAC for the implementation of an automated warehouse management system.

After the completion of the inven-tory there will be a baseline for JPAC’s stock levels as well 100 percent accountability of all items, said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brian Geschke, the J4 logistics officer. “This inventory will allow JPAC to accurately account for all mission related items as well as general supplies,” he said. “We are counting everything from a ball-point pen used in any of our direc-torates to a water pump that is used

on a worldwide mission.” As part of the inventory, the J4 supply NCOs, Staff Sgt. Ayanna Gonzales, Sgt. Matthew Rausch, and Staff Sgt. Gaston Dorador, followed a three step process. First, the NCOs conducted location maintenance where they cleaned the warehouse to provide for better organization. The NCOs then con-ducted a location survey to ensure items were in their proper place and with a proper label. Lastly,

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Editorial Staff

Mr. Johnie Webb Deputy to the Commander for External Relations

Maj. Phillip Ulmer Director, Public Affairs

MC2 Vladimir Potapenko Layout and Design JPAC Public Affairs 808.448.1940 310 Worchester Ave, Bldg D Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI 96853 WWW.JPAC.PACOM.MIL

This newsletter is an authorized publication for members of the Depart-ment of Defense. Contents of The Pursuit are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the JPAC Public Affairs Office.

Commander’s Cornerby Maj. Gen. Kelly McKeagueJPAC Commander

The recommendations of two Department of Defense reviews of the Personnel Accounting Commu-nity, which include JPAC, are ex-pected this year. While they could result in significant organizational and process modifications, what will not change are JPAC’s com-mitment and diligence to its noble mission. Here are two recent, and compelling, reasons for this fact. On Dec. 13, U.S. Air Force Col. Francis McGouldrick was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, which was 45 years to the day that his B-57E aircraft crashed in a Laos jungle. His gravesite is shared with his wife, Jacquelyn, who waited patiently for her husband’s return, but lost her battle to cancer in 1980. After a joint JPAC-Lao team discovered the crash site in 2007, three recovery missions in 2011-2012 returned possible human remains, which JPAC scientists identified on Aug. 28 as that of Col. McGouldrick. And at his burial, an Air Force senior officer presented folded American flags to his four daughters (pictured above right), who were between four and 13 years old when their father went missing. The other story involves human

remains a South Korean citizen turned over to U.S. authorities in 2006. Subsequent JPAC laboratory analyses over the years led to the identification of U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Gantt on Sept. 26. SFC Gantt died in early 1951 while in a Prisoner of War camp in North Korea. Mrs. Clara Gantt, his 94-year old widow, who refused to re-mar-ry, poignantly received her hus-band’s flag-draped casket at Los

Angeles International Airport, and remarked, “I’m so happy--it’s a closure. He’s home.” SFC Gantt was buried with full military hon-ors at Inglewood Park Cemetery on Dec. 28. No matter the challenges that come in 2014, JPAC’s talented and dedicated professionals will contin-ue to dutifully serve fallen heroes like Col. McGouldrick and SFC Gantt, and their families.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan J. Sonnier

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...Continued from Page 1the NCOs began the actual accounting of the items through counting, annotating nomenclature, and quan-tifying materials of issue. “I am extremely proud of the level of effort that the NCOs are putting in at Pearl City,” said Geschke. “To see NCOs from different services combining their lo-gistical knowledge to create a quality product that will have so many benefits for this command is amazing.” “It’s hard work what we are doing, long hours and dirty hands, but it is all worth it,” said Rausch. “It’s all worth it because it is going to save the command mon-ey and better our warehouse practices in the future.” Following the inventory of both the Pearl City and Hickam warehouses, JPAC J4 plans to integrate the

automated Defense Property Accountability System Warehouse program into their warehouse operations. By doing so, JPAC would be the first military orga-nization to use this warehouse system, said Geschke. The DPAS Warehouse program will manage asset receipts, issues, and returns for both individuals and units in a warehouse environment. It manages both serialized and bulk asset types and provides restocking notifications when available stock reaches a minimum threshold. The new system will propel JPAC toward a greater system of inventory and better logistics prac-tices. “It’s not the prettiest job, but it’s necessary,” said Gonzales, speaking about the inventory. “It only helps the mission, so I am glad to be a part of this effort.”

JPAC Santa volunteers for Make A Wish kidsby MC2 Vladimir PotapenkoJPAC Public Affairs

Big, jovial, and with the requisite white mustache and beard, Dan Dwyer, a quality assurance special-ist with the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, seems to be in Hawaii not for a job, but a vacation from the North Pole. Not actually Santa Claus (con-trary to what more than a few JPAC personnel be-lieve), Dwyer is just a kindhearted man with a desire to give back to his community. Dwyer’s desire to help came through in a big way Dec. 6 when he volunteered to take part in the Believe Campaign for the Make a Wish Foundation at the Ma-cy’s department store in Aiea. Dressed as Santa Claus, Dwyer greeted and took photos with children who agreed to write a letter to their favorite holiday figure. For every letter written, Macy’s made a donation to the Make a Wish Foundation. The event was a rousing success with many children participating, and Dwyer was just glad to be able to contribute to the giving spirit of the holiday season. “I prefer to do community service for the joy that it brings me to give back,” he said. “I am a thankful person and want to share in whatever capacity that I can to those who are in need.” For Dwyer, that capacity was filling children with the wonderment of the holidays through his role as Santa Claus, something that he has been doing on and off for 10 years. “I started when I was working at Veterans Affairs in West Palm Beach, Florida,” he said. “I would take donations from my [coworkers] and purchase toys. I would then take the toys dressed as Santa to the

local hospitals that had pediatric wards and distribute them.” To prepare for his role, Dwyer stops shaving and cutting his hair at the beginning of July, allowing am-ple time to grow Santa’s famed curled mustache and flowing beard. Though he already has his name on the “nice” list thanks to his charity, Dwyer has one piece of advice for others, “if you get to feeling low during the holi-day season, just do something nice for someone else. [It] doesn’t have to cost a dime.”

Photo by MC2 Vladimir Potapenko

Dan Dwyer, a quality assurance specialist with the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, poses for a photo dressed as Santa with children who took part in the Believe Cam-paign at Macy’s department store in Aiea, Dec. 6. The Be-lieve Campaign is attached to the Make a Wish Foundation.

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Stay focused on your New Year’s Resolution!by Master Sgt. Michael SwamJPAC CSEL

With the holiday season now over, I am glad to see everyone making their way back from a much de-served vacation. Over the past year, I have been proud to take part in an organization that so clearly expresses an understanding of the noble nature of its work. The care, diligence and commitment expressed by every member of JPAC is a testament not only to the integ-rity of our people, but the dignity of our mission. I know that the resolution that JPAC has shown in its efforts to locate, recover, and identify unaccounted-for Americans shall continue and we will again reach and surpass the benchmark we have set for ourselves. While I know we will stay resolute to our mis-sion, we must also stay focused on our New Year’s

resolutions. Often forgotten within a few weeks into January, I urge all of our teammates to make and hold fast to a resolution that can better the quality of their lives. For many of us that may be to shed a few extra pounds we gained during the holidays. To achieve this goal, a good plan featuring consistent healthy diet and exercise is key. Getting into shape only makes us better at our jobs as it makes us more prepared for our missions and the grueling work all of us do in one way or another. Regardless of what New Year’s resolution you have, stay committed to it. Show it the same dedica-tion you have for the work you do at JPAC. If you do that, I know you will be successful. Happy New Year and thanks for the great work done in the past year. Until They Are Home.

JPAC football team takes 2nd placeU.S. Army Master Sgt. Shedrick June, quarterback for the JPAC intramural flag football team, throws a pass as U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Baker and JPAC civilian member Rodney Lovett, offensive linemen for the JPAC squad, block the defense from stopping the play during the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam flag football championship game held on Ward Field against the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Hot Boyz Dec. 10, 2013. After a long and grueling season, the JPAC flag football team took second in the end of the year playoffs. The JPAC team lost the championship game by one overtime touchdown, with a final score of 28-21. The second place finish was a bittersweet conclusion to their terrific season.

Photo courtesy of JBPH-H Facebook page

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Promotions

SGT Fred Pedro to SSG SGT Jonathan Whitaker to SSG

Recognitions

Mr. Robert Maves – 15 years of civil service

Ten JPAC personnel recognized during January awards, promotion, recognition ceremony

Photo by MC3 Clifford Bailey

Sgt. 1st Class Selander Douglas (right) and Staff Sgt. Alain Castro (left), both U.S. Army members of a Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command recovery team, perform a casualty evacuation rehearsal to ensure medical readiness in case of emergency as part of a JPAC recovery mission in Honiara, The Commonwealth of the Solomon Islands, Nov. 23. JPAC strives to locate, recover, and identify the remains of service members still unaccounted-for from our nation’s past conflicts.

Awards

EODC Matthew Harrison – DMSMSSG Alfonso Gacusan – JSCM

SSG Jeffrey Morris – JSCMSSG Joshua Walker – JSCM

SSG Eduardo Santiago-Bonilla – JSAMDr. Laurel Freas – JCSAM

Ms. Mindy Simonson – JCSAM