Volume 4, No. 2 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick AFB, Fla. February 2006

2 Angel�s Wings February 2006

Commander�s Corner

Angel�s Wings

Volume 4, No. 2

Col. Tim TarchickCommander

1st Lt. Cathleen Snow

Chief of Public Affairs

Master Sgt.

Raymond PadgettStaff Writer

Tech. Sgt. Shane SmithStaff Writer

Senior Airman

Heather L. Kelly

Editor

This authorized Air Force Reserve news-

paper is published for the members of the 920th

Rescue Wing, Patrick AFB, Fla. Contents of

Angel�s Wings are not necessarily the official

views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government,

Department of Defense or the Department of

the Air Force. The editorial content is edited,

prepared and provided by the Public Affairs

Office of the 920th Rescue Wing, 740

O�Malley Road, building 559, Patrick AFB, FL

32925. (321) 494-0535. The deadline for sub-

mission is the Friday after the UTA for the next

month�s issue. All photos are the property of the

U.S. Air Force unless otherwise indicated.

If you�d like to contribute to our maga-

zine, please contact:

Public_Affairs@rescue920.patrick.af.mil

Developing future leaders:

Mentoring for success

On the Cover:

39th Rescue Squadron

radio operators Senior

AIrman Jennifer Drake

(front) and Tech. Sgt.

German Jaramillo perform

with their active duty coun-

terparts on the Patrick Air

Force Base honor guard.

Photo by Senior Airman

Heather L. Kelly

The primary concern of thementoring program is grow-ing future leaders, both offi-

cer and enlisted. Shape yourcareer with asking the right ques-tions to the right people.

In the role of a mentor, it isimportant to convey to protégésthat our main concern as mentorsis the success of their careers.

In the role of a protégé, it isimportant to define career goalsand understand the academiccourses, assignments, technicalskills, and attainability of thosegoals.

Mentoring is an inherentresponsibility of leadership. Knowyour protégé and accept personalresponsibility for them. Take anactive role in their professionaldevelopment.

This includes performance feed-back, Professional MilitaryEducation programs, educationacademic opportunities, assign-ment policies, recognition pro-

grams, and the individual's ownpersonal goals and actions.

People are more effective at car-rying out the mission when theyare professionally prepared toassume the duties and responsi-bilities commensurate with their

grade or position.Mentors assume different roles

during the course of a mentoringrelationship. These roles include:teaching, guiding, counseling andchallenging.

Mentoring may start with yourrespective supervisor, but it'simportant to note that it is notlimited to that individual.

Others within or outside yourunit may be able to provide thementoring you seek.

This brings me to a personalnote. Throughout my career I'vehad numerous mentors.

Some pointed to different careerpaths that helped shape the posi-tion I hold today.

I started my career as an air-man basic, working up throughthe senior noncommissioned offi-cer ranks, started all over againas a second lieutenant until Ireached my present position.

I can honestly say that the suc-cess of my career is directlyattributed to the men and womenwho provided the advice, guidanceand mentoring I received.

A word of advice: Take advan-tage of every opportunity you getto seek the assistance needed toenhance your career. It's price-less.

By Col. Erotokritos Shiakallis

920th RQW Mission Support

Group Commander

�Mentoring may start with

your respective supervisor,

but it's important to note

that it is not limited to that

individual.�

Col. Erotokritos Shiakallis

920th RQW Mission Support Group

Commander

February 2006 Angel�s Wings 3

News

Annual ball to be held in March

Recruiting pararescue forces

The 920th Rescue Wing first annu-

al military ball will be held March 4 at

6:00 p.m.

The Air Force Reserve Jazz Band

will provide entertainment.

Dress for the occasion will be mess

dress for military members and a

gown or tuxedo for civilians.

For ticket inquiries and additional

information, please contact Lt. Col.

Julio Lopez at (321) 494-3498.

Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere.Pararescuemen are skilled at getting to the people they

are rescuing and getting them out safely.

They are expert SCUBA divers, parachutists, mountain

climbers and marksmen. Jumping head first into the

unknown isn't everyone's idea of fun. But for an Air Force

Reserve pararescuemen, it's just a part of a day's work.

Whether the mission involves a high altitude jump mis-

sion to recover a downed pilot behind enemy lines, hoist-

ing civilian victims out of a natural disaster, rescuing astro-

nauts mid-ocean after a space shuttle mishap, or extricat-

ing personnel trapped in aircraft wreckage on a glacier.

Pararescuemen adapt easily to the challenging environ-

ments in combat or civil search and rescue. Saving lives is

what they do.

Minimum Qualifications:Male only

US Citizen

Normal Color vision

General score of 44 on the Armed Forces Vocational

Aptitude Battery test (ASVAB)

Be able to pass a Class III flight physical

Be able to pass a Physical Ability and Stamina Test

Physical Ability and Stamina Test

Requirements are the following:20 meter underwater swim

500 meter swim less than 13 minutes

1.5 mile run less than 10:30 minutes

Sit ups (2 Min) 50 reps

Push ups (2 Min) 50 reps

Flutter Kicks (2 Min) 50 reps

Chin ups (2 Min) 8 reps

Upon selection you will be required to

complete the all schools listed below:PJ Preparatory Course: Lackland AFB TX (2 weeks)

Indoctrination Course: Lackland AFB TX (10 weeks)

Combat Diver (Scuba School): Key West, FL (5 weeks)

Pararescue Home-Base: Move PCS to Kirtland AFB NM

Basic Army Airborne School: Ft. Benning GA (3 weeks)

Military Freefall School (HALO): Yuma AZ (4 weeks)

Survival & Underwater Egress: Fairchild AFB WA (17

days)

PJ Medical (EMT-Paramedic): (26 weeks)

Pararescue Course: (20 weeks)

To get a closer view of the Air Force Reserve

experience, visit our website at

www.afreserve.com or call (321) 494-3002. "These Things We Do That Others May Live"

4 Angel�s Wings February 2006

News

Air Force to replace combat

search and rescue helicopters

Air Force combat search andrescue teams will use a newhelicopter -- the now under

development CSAR-X -- to helprecover downed pilots around2012.

The new helicopter will replace101 HH-60G Pave Hawk helicop-ters Air Force combat search andrescue teams now use.

The Air Force expects to beginpurchasing the new aircraft by fis-cal 2009, with delivery by fiscal2011. They will be operational infiscal 2012.

The cost of the new system isnot yet determined because it willbe based on the final source selec-tion, said Lt. Col. Dave Morgan,combat search and rescue pro-gram element monitor for AirForce acquisition.

The Air Force must enhance thePave Hawk fleet's size and avail-ability for use by combatant com-manders, said Lt. Col. Michael T.Healy, Air Force deputy divisionchief for mobility, combat searchand rescue and special operationsrequirements.

"The HH-60 also has capabilityshortfalls, predominantly in rangeand in cabin size," he said. "It isjust fundamentally too small of anaircraft to do the mission we areasking it to do."

The Air Force is consideringseveral replacements for the HH-60. They are all based on existinghelicopters which need modifica-tion to meet Air Force needs.

The replacement doesn't have tobe a helicopter. But a fiscal 2002analysis of alternatives deter-mined a helicopter would probablybe the most cost effective answerto Air Force Special Operations

Command's call for a new air-frame.

"We will select that which hasthe most benefit and cost-effectivesolution and will then take thatdecision forward, meet a milestonedecision with the defense acquisi-tion board and award a contractin Fiscal 2006," Colonel Morgansaid.

The acquisition strategy takesan existing aircraft and adds thecapabilities needed for the CSARmission. Building a new searchand rescue platform on top of anexisting airframe will bring thenew hardware to pararescuemensooner. And it will be more costeffective, Colonel Morgan said.

The CSAR-X requirements willmake up for many of the HH-60�sshortfalls -- most notably its size. Colonel Healy said, "If (the HH-60)were fundamentally a bigger air-craft, there would be other thingswe could do to it, such as improv-ing the engines and adding differ-ent systems that could meet ourrequirements. But when you havean aircraft that small you justcan't add any more to it. There isno more room."

Colonel Healy said, �no matterwhich candidate wins CSAR-X, itwill include room for more special-ized equipment and -- perhapseven more critical -- for moreinjured passengers.�

An increase in cabin size was arequirement developed by directinvolvement with the search andrescue community -- specificallywith pararescuemen who fly in theHH-60. The cabin size require-ment was so important, ColonelHealy said, that the JointRequirements Oversight Council,chaired by then Vice Chairman ofthe Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen.Peter Pace, elevated it to the level

of "key performance parameter" The effective space in the HH-

60�s cargo area allows for only oneinjured person on a stretcher. Inthe CSAR-X, pararescuemen willhave room for four stretchers. Inthe past, rescuers in an HH-60were forced to leave equipmentbehind at a landing zone toaccommodate extra passengers.

The CSAR-X will have an autohover mode that will shootapproaches and do landings with-out pilots having to touch the con-trols. These kinds of additions willhelp pilots during landing underbrownout conditions.

Requirements also specify thereplacement aircraft be able totravel greater distances. The HH-60 can fly about 160 nauticalmiles, do a 30-minute rescueoperation and return. The CSAR-Xwill be able to double the range tosome 325 nautical miles.

The Air Force will add 141CSAR-X aircraft to its combatsearch and rescue forces. Theywill provide units more capability.At that time, HH-60s will begin toretire.

The benefit of the new airframewill extend beyond the Air Force.

The combat search and rescuecapability will benefits all services.

That fact was reemphasizedwhen the Joint RequirementsOversight Council validated therequirement for the aircraft,Colonel Healy said.

"They made a very strong state-ment that this is a critical capabil-ity for our combatant command-ers all over the world," he said."We can go places others can't.

The CSAR-X is a very efficientand interdependent way to exer-cise this capability -- so we canrescue those Soldiers, Sailors,Marines and downed Airmen.

By Staff Sgt. C. Todd Lopez

Air Force Print News

February 2006 Angel�s Wings 5

News

The 2006 National DefenseAuthorization Act signed intolaw Jan. 6 provides new or

enhanced benefits for NationalGuard and Reserve members, asenior defense official said.

President George W. Bushsigned the legislation Jan. 6, pro-viding a variety of benefitsdesigned to bring reserve-compo-nent compensation more on parwith what the active componentreceives, Chuck Witschonke, theDOD's deputy director for compen-sation, said.

The package provides other ben-efits that affect all forces, bothactive and reserve, including betteroverall compensation andimproved quality of life, while pro-moting overall recruiting andretention, he said.

The law also provides a variety ofbenefits specifically targetingmembers of the reserve compo-nents. These include: -- Full housing allowance pay-ments for reserve members calledto active duty for more than 30days, versus the previous 140-dayrequirement; -- Income replacement benefits tohelp offset the pay loss somereservists and guardsmen experi-ence when called to active duty,based on specific guidelines to beestablished within the next sixmonths; -- Accession and affiliation bonus-es of up to $20,000 for enlistmentin the Selected Reserve, and anincrease for officers for service inthe Selected Reserve, from $6,000to $10,000; -- A bonus of up to $100,000 formembers with a designated criticalskill or who volunteer to serve in a

designated high-priority unit; and -- Extension of eligibility for aprior-service enlistment bonus toinclude Selected Reserve memberswho previously received one.

Mr. Witschonke emphasized thenew law does not guarantee thatall servicemembers will qualify forthese pays and benefits, or thatthose who do will receive the high-

est amounts authorized. Rather,the law gives defense and serviceleaders the flexibility they need totailor the force to meet operational,recruiting and retention goals.

One big change in the new law isa provision that shortens the dutytime before a reserve-componentmember qualifies for the full hous-ing allowance. Reserve and Guardmembers called to active duty formore than 30 days will now get thefull allowance, just as active-com-ponent troops do, Mr. Witschonke

said. Another benefit, the critical-

skills retention bonus, will be "avery good tool" in helping keepmembers with important experi-ence and training in the force andin maintaining readiness in high-priority units, Mr. Witschonkesaid.

The 2006 authorization act alsoincreases recruitingbonuses for the Reserveand Guard, Mr.Witschonke said. The newlaw authorizes accessionand affiliation bonuses ofup to $20,000, to beoffered as needed by the

services, he said. For reserve-component

members who experience paycuts when called to active duty, the

new provision for incomereplacement will helpreduce the strain militaryservice places on the fami-ly, he said.

"It can be difficultfor a family that has beenliving on a certain incometo now have less money,particularly at a time whenthey're stressed by achange in their lifestyle"due to a military deploy-

ment, Mr. Witschonke said. The income-replacement pro-

gram won't be instituted for sixmonths, in accordance with thelaw. At that time, specific guide-lines and qualifications will beissued, he said. This authority willend in December 2008.

These enhancements in reserve-component pay and benefits areparticularly critical during theglobal war on terror, when mem-bers of the Guard and Reserve areplaying a major role in U.S. nation-al defense, he said.

Guard, Reserve benefit from

defense authorization By Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

6 Angel�s Wings February 2006

When they aren't ensuringflawless radio communi-cations on board an HC-

130 aircraft, traditional reservistsTech. Sgt. German Jaramillo andSenior Airman Jennifer Drake areexecuting maneuvers of a differentkind.

Both Airmen are currently per-forming man days with the PatrickAir Force Base honor guard underthe Military Funeral Honors ManDay Program. The program allowsAir Force Reserve and Air NationalGuard members to serve with theiractive duty counterparts on a basehonor guard.

The Patrick team performs atchange of command ceremonies,military balls and special militaryevents, but the majority of theirbusiness comes from funerals. "It gives a sense of satisfaction tobe able to honor those who havefallen," said Senior Airman Drake,an honor guard veteran of threeyears.

With nearly 1 million veterans inthe state of Florida, demand for theteam shows no signs of slowing. "In the month of December alonewe performed 60 military funeralhonors," said Greg Firkel, mortu-ary affairs officer for Patrick AFB."Active duty isn't able to keep upwith the demand so having theman day program in place is a realhelp," he continued.

"For some people, seeing thehonor guard is their only experi-ence with the military," saidSergeant Jaramillo. "Watchingtheir loved one being honored bytheir country is genuinely moving,and they are touched by what wedo," he explained.

Consisting of 82 personnel, theteam completed 601 details in2005. One of those details was fullmilitary honors for Airman 1stClass Elizabeth Jacobson, the firstfemale Airman killed in the line ofduty supporting Operation IraqiFreedom. The ceremony was heldin Riviera Beach, Fla.

"We're responsible for theCentral and South Florida area, sothe schedule can sometimes bevery demanding," said Mr. Firkel.Balancing that demand with keep-ing up with flying currency is noeasy task, but Senior AirmanDrake and Sergeant Jaramillo takeit all in stride.

"We are able to coordinate ourschedules with the Reserve andactive duty so there are rarely anyconflicts," said Sergeant Jaramillo.

The Patrick AFB honor guard isan all-volunteer team with a mini-mum commitment for active dutymembers being 12 months. Airmenare typically recognized for theadditional duty with quarterlyawards and decorations, butaccording to Sergeant Jaramillo,participating is its own reward.

"Some of the letters we receivefrom the families after performinga funeral detail are really moving,said Sergeant Jaramillo. "The feel-ing is indescribable," he said

920th Airmen honor more than

military service, tradition

Feature

By Senior Airman

Heather L. Kelly

920th RQW Public Affairs

Handpicked to serve as a member of the United States Air

Force Honor Guard, my standards of conduct and level of

professionalism must be above reproach, for I represent all

others in my service.

Others earned the right for me to wear the ceremonial uni-

form, one that is honored in a rich tradition and history. I will

honor their memory by wearing it properly and proudly.

Never will I allow my performance to be dictated by the type

of ceremony, severity of the temperature, or size of the

crowd. I will remain superbly conditioned to perfect all move-

ments throughout every drill and ceremony.

Obligated by my oath I am constantly driven to excel by a

deep devotion to duty and a strong sense of dedication.

Representing every member, past and present, of the United

States Air Force, I vow to stand sharp, crisp, and motionless,

for I am a Ceremonial Guardsman.

United States Air ForceHonor Guard Creed

February 2006 Angel�s Wings 7

Feature

Maintaining superiority: 920th

AMXS NCO wins Sikorsky award

Senior Master Sgt.Cheryl King, anaerospace mainte-

nance superintendentwith the 920th AircraftMaintenance Squadron,was awarded theSikorsky Maintainer ofthe Quarter in January.

"This is the first timewe've given this award inyears," said Chief MasterSgt. Armand Barrett, pro-duction superintendentwith the 920th RQWAMXS. "Having a seniorNCO of her caliber hasbeen a God-send," hesaid.

Among her manya c c o m p l i s h m e n t s ,Sergeant King was citedfor going above andbeyond during HurricaneKatrina rescue opera-tions.

Most notably, generat-ing around the clock sor-ties with five aircraft and

only five crew chiefs forthe initial three days ofoperations, and obtainingcritical information whileoff-duty that resulted inthe timely rescue of amentally disabledHurricane Katrina sur-vivor.

That critical informa-tion came after SergeantKing spoke with a hotelclerk where the crewswere staying in Jackson,Miss.

"After I told him wewere a combat rescueunit, he asked if we couldgo look for his handi-capped cousin that hadbeen missing sinceKatrina hit," describedSergeant King.

"The next day, I wasable to pass the informa-tion he gave me alongand our crews were ableto locate and rescue himthat day," she recounted.

"It probably had to beone of the most reward-ing experiences of mycareer because we were

able to help so many peo-ple," said Sergeant King.

"I was fully confidentshe would take care ofmaking the mission hap-pen; overseeing the main-tenance, inspections, safepractices and watchingout for people," SergeantBarrett said.

"There's no way wecould have done it with-out her," he added.

Although she was cru-

cial to the success of thewing's operations in NewOrleans, Sergeant Kingshared credit with her fel-low maintainers.

�It really was a groupeffort," said SergeantKing. "If it wasn't for allof us pulling together andworking hand in handwith the other units, wecouldn't have made theimpact that we did," shesaid.

Crew chief Senior Master Sgt. Cheryl King was pre-

sented with the Sikorsky Maintainer of the Quarter

during the January Unit Training Assembly.

By Senior Airman

Heather L. Kelly

920th RQW Public

Affairs

Read the amazing story of the Hurricane Katrina res-

cue victim Sergeant King aided in finding at

http://www.afrc.af.mil/afrcnews/voices%20in%20your

%20head.asp.

Photos by Senior Master Sgt. Elaine Mayo

8 Angel�s Wings February 2006

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February 2006 Angel�s Wings 9

Feature

10 Angel�s Wings February 2006

Around The Pattern

Commander of the 920th Rescue Wing, Col. Tim Tarchick (left), pres-

ents Tammie Morlock (right) with a parting gift January 5. Mrs.

Morlock served on Col. Tarchick�s administrative staff while attending

school. Well wishes to Mrs. Morlock and her family! She will be

missed!

Air Force ROTC Cadets from Purdue University visited Patrick Air Force Base January 5. During their visit they

received a 920th Rescue Mission Briefing and a tour of HH-60G Pave Hawk while on static display.

AroundThePattern

Photo by 1st Lt. Cathleen Snow

Photo by 1st Lt. Cathleen Snow

February 2006 Angel�s Wings 11

Bulletin

BRIEFS

New personnel systemstart date pushed back

Defense officials have scaled back the initialgroup of civilian employees to fall under the newNational Security Personnel System to 11,000 froma previously scheduled 60,000, officials announcedJan. 17.

The implementation date was also changed fromFeb. 1 to April 30.

Personnel officials have been seeking feedbackon proposed rules from employees, managers,human relations specialists and employee unionsfor several months. That feedback "led us to con-clude we need more time to focus on simplifyingthe performance management design, getting per-formance objectives right and ensuring the systemis simple, clear and understandable," NSPS officialssaid in a statement on the program's Web site.

The National Security Personnel System isintended to streamline cumbersome personnelrules and make it easier for managers to bothreward stellar performance and correct sub-parperformance among the Defense Department's650,000 civil service employees.

The system also includes a means to rate leaderson management functions.

"DOD is committed to making the NSPS transi-tion as smooth as possible for the workforce.Ensuring that we 'take the time to do this right' hasalways been a principle in our event-driven imple-mentation approach," officials said on the pro-gram's Web site. "We want to make sure that ouremployees, supervisors and leaders fully under-stand this system, and they have the tools to suc-ceed in a results-focused, performance-based envi-ronment."

Air Force government travel card billing cycles forindividually billed accounts will begin closing out onthe 22nd of each month beginning in March. The current cycle ends the third day of everymonth, so cardholders will experience a long cyclerunning Feb. 3 through March 22.

Bank of America will have customer service rep-resentatives available and prepared to handle allcalls relating to the cycle date change.

Cardholders can now register online for electron-ic account government ledger system user IDs and

Billing date changes forgovernment travel card

passwords using information found on GTC state-ments. This system allows cardholders to view cur-rent transactions and previous statement activityand maintain account information online.

To register, visitwww.gcsuthd.bankofamerica.com/eagls_selfregis-tration/selfreg.aspx. EAGLS user IDs and passwordswill be mailed to the address associated with yourGTC. Call the EAGLS technical help desk at (800)472-1424.

Servicemembers and civilians who took part inHurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita relief effortsmay be eligible for a medal.

The director of the Joint Staff has approvedawarding the Humanitarian Service Medal and theArmed Forces Service Medal for U.S. military per-sonnel. Department of Defense civilians mayreceive the Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal.

To qualify for the HSM, servicemembers musthave provided direct support to immediate reliefoperations for at least one day in the area of eligi-bility -- east of and including Houston (designatedas 96 degrees longitude), Alabama, Louisiana orMississippi -- from Aug. 29 to Oct. 13, 2005.

Servicemembers eligible to receive the AFSMmust have provided direct support to relief opera-tions for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecu-tive days in the continental United States fromAug. 27, 2005, to Feb. 27, 2006 -- minus the spe-cific area and time-period used to qualify for theHSM.

If a member receives an HSM for Katrina reliefoperations, he or she cannot receive a second HSMfor Rita. The same applies for the AFSM. However,people who receive the HSM may later qualify forthe AFSM if their direct support does not includethe dates and actions used in their qualificationsfor the HSM.

Medals approved for hurricane relief work

Tarchick family farewellA farewell dinner for Col. Tarchick and his family

will be held at the Cocoa Beach Courtyard MarriottMarch 3 at 6:00 p.m.

Please RSVP in person to De Houck by Feb. 24.Cash is needed upon RSVP. Names will not beadded to the guest list until payment is received.

Dinner includes a large buffet with your choice ofthree salads, entrees, pasta and side dishes.

The cost is $36.48 for adults. Children ages 4-10are $17.64 and children ages 3 and under are free.

Attire is nice casual. Contact Mrs. Houck for fur-ther information at (321) 494-2218.