An airlift squadron from McChord Field deployed last week in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn with a Reservist in charge.

More than 100 Airmen from the 62nd Airlift Wing's 4th Airlift Squadron departed Oct. 26 for a 60-day deployment to the Middle East.

Leading the mission will be Lt. Col. Anthony Angello, who also serves as the 313th Airlift Squadron commander under the 446th Airlift Wing. This deployment marks the first time a Reservist will be commanding an active duty squadron for the 817th EAS.

"It is an honor to be the first Reservist serving as a deployed commander," said Angello, 817th EAS commander. "But for me this is more reflective of our every day operations at McChord Field. We work side by side as a Total Force, so we respect the professionalism, work ethic and preparedness active duty and Reservists bring to the mission. I don't expect us to skip a beat while supporting our operations downrange."

The Airmen will take over operations of the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron.

The unit will operate out of two bases, managing and flying missions concentrated in and around Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa, replacing the 8th Airlift Squadron.

Their mission is to provide global strategic airlift, airdrop, aeromedical evacuation and humanitarian relief, to create an air bridge for personnel, equipment and supplies throughout the assigned areas of responsibility.

The 62nd AW's four active duty flying squadrons share responsibility for the deployed squadron and rotate operating the 817th EAS continuously. The deployments allow Air Mobility Command to consistently position assets closer to the action.

From hiring controls to voluntary separation initiatives, the civilian workforce footprint is changing, and Air Force Personnel Center officials are working to provide easy-to-digest information to the workforce.

To help Airmen understand how they are or may be affected by workforce shaping initiatives, the AFPC Civilian Force Integration Directorate has developed several podcasts that describe ongoing initiatives, said Michelle LoweSolis, the civilian force integration director.

The podcasts cover information that ranges from voluntary early retirement authority and voluntary separation incentive pay to reduction in force and transfer of function.

"Our goal is to provide a readily-understandable overview of topics that are often discussed in a very technical and complex manner," LoweSolis said. "These short videos will help employees better understand voluntary separation options as well as how the reduction in force process works."

Go to the Air Force Personnel Services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil/app/answers/detail/a_id/14061 to view the podcasts. In addition to the podcasts, VERA and VSIP articles and other personnel information are available on the Air Force Personnel Services site.

Senior Airman James Santos left McChord Field in January as talented trumpet player prepared to tackle one of the most difficult challenges in his life.

He will return to the base next week as a polished musician with more than 10 months of hard work underneath his belt.

The 25-year-old Airman from the 62nd Maintenance Squadron was selected to become a member of the 2011 Tops in Blue tour after wowing judges at the annual Air Force Worldwide Talent Search at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in December 2010.

Tops in Blue continues its 2011 tour with a performance at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Hangar 9 at McChord Field.

The 2011 edition of Tops In Blue is entitled "Rhythm Nation."  The performances will feature music from Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis and many more. The show will also pay tribute to the heroes of Sept. 11, 2001 as the performers recognize their sacrifices 10 years later.

"I expected it to be one of the most difficult things I've ever done in my life, and it has been," Santos said via phone last week from Portugal.

In addition to performing, Tops in Blue members work to break down and build up the stage at every stop on tour. They must also fit into their schedule time to rehearse, meet with other Airmen and base leadership and still find time for themselves to relax.

"It's not your average day of work in the U.S. Air Force," said the Vacaville, Calif. native.

But despite the many demands, Santos had cherished the experience. He has visited Belgium, Turkey, Italy, Germany, Spain, England and Uruguay.

"You either sleep or you get to experience the world," Santos said with a laugh.

While Santos admits it has been hard to sacrifice so much of his personal time for the sake of the tour ("I'm a guy that likes my personal time ... it gets difficult.") he said his musical skills have increased tenfold.

"I'm better at the trumpet than I expected to be," he said. "They have professional musicians coming in to teach you. They are there for you to pick their brain."

And although Santos has always been his own toughest critic, he said the tour has helped him build patience when it comes to his own learning curve.

"It pushes you to get better and makes me not focus so much on where I'm lacking," he said.

Santos will likely get a big emotional lift from the stop at McChord Field. His mother will be in attendance to see him play, and some of his coworkers from the squadron's

precision measurement equipment laboratory are also expected to come to the show.

"Those of us who have worked with him are eager to have him back in the area,"

said Master Sgt. Aaron Weslow, Santos' former supervisor. "I'm looking forward

to the show and his return."

"It's hard being away, but it's the mission we signed up for," Santos said.

After the McChord Field performance, the group will travel to Hawaii and then hit the Pacific Rim before heading to several deployed locations for the holidays.

"It will be neat to bring our guys a piece of home," the Airman said. "I'm looking forward to providing something special for them during the holidays."

There are two things you should not see Nov. 1 -- Halloween costumes and the Air Force Battle Dress Uniform.

In 2006, the Airman Battle Uniform became authorized for wear and a date was set for final phase-out of the woodland camouflage-patterned BDU's.

Previously announced to be effective Oct. 1 of 2011, a more recent Air Force Instruction 36-2903, "Dress and Appearance of Air Force Personnel" pushed the date back to Nov. 1. This applies to all Air Force components.

Other items will simultaneously enter retirement with the BDU's effective Nov. 1 including the
desert camouflage uniform, black T-shirt, black combat boots and tan boots with the ABU outside theater of operations.

The almost 30 year-old duty uniform, originally designed for wear throughout Europe and the Cold War, was worn by all branches of the service until 2005. Starting Nov. 1 only the Navy will be authorized to wear the BDU until its set phase-out date. 

Aside from its appearances, one of the major differences between the ABU and BDU is the maintenance. The new uniform requires very little care, needing only to be washed and hung for drying. 

Furthermore, the boots, now a sage green, full-grain leather boot with rubber heel and toe reinforcements, do not require polishing.

Not all Airmen embraced the changes immediately.

"The (BDU's) featured solid, good-looking creases that looked great with well-shined boots," said Master Sgt. Sam Macaluso, a member of the Nevada Air National Guard 152nd Airlift Wing.

But, even for those who like the creases and the spit-shined boot look, the appeal of less maintenance grew on them.

"We'd often spend our entire guard duty at night getting the perfect shine on those boots," Macaluso said. "It's nice to have boots you don't need to shine and a uniform you don't need to press constantly."

With less time spent on up keeping their uniforms, Airmen are afforded more time to focus on other aspects of their military lives.

"A big benefit is the ABU gives Airmen at schools more time to study, "Macaluso said. "Discipline and standards are important, but I believe Airmen have a lot more than their uniforms to focus on these days."

(Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Eric Ritter of the Nevada Air National Guard contributed to this article.)

Air Force officials announced Oct. 28 plans to continue an enlisted date of separation rollback as part of its ongoing measures to manage the force and maintain a quality enlisted corps.

The DOS rollback will accelerate the date of separation for selected Airmen in the grades of senior master sergeant and below with fewer than 14 or more than 20 years of service as of March 31, 2012.

Under the DOS rollback, identified Airmen must separate no later than March 31, 2012 or retire no later than April 1, 2012, if they possess specific reporting identifiers, reenlistment eligibility, assignment availability and grade status reason codes. Commanders will notify Airmen meeting eligibility and in most instances determine which Airman will remain eligible or ineligible for this DOS rollback.

Airmen identified for the rollback and eligible for retirement must submit their retirement request via the Virtual Military Personnel Flight by Dec. 1, 2011.

Airmen with at least 180 days of active-duty service who are separated under the DOS Rollback are authorized transition assistance benefits. Those include 180 days of extended medical care for themselves and their families and an ID card allowing base commissary and exchange privileges for two years.

Those separated with more than six years, but less than 20 years total active service are eligible for one-half separation pay, but must sign an Individual Ready Reserve agreement to serve for a minimum three years following their military service obligation. Those declining to serve in the IRR will be ineligible for separation pay.

The Air Force will not recoup unearned portions of education assistance funds, special pay, unearned portions of bonuses or other monetary incentives under the DOS Rollback Program, officials said. Additionally, most Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits will not be impacted; however, the transferability of benefits to dependents may be affected. Airmen should consult their local education centers or the VA concerning transferability.

For information about this, and other personnel issues, visit the Air Force Personnel Services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil.

(Courtesy of the Air Force Personnel, Service and Manpower Public Affairs)

The mission of the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, is to provide global strategic airlift, airdrop, aeromedical evacuation and humanitarian relief, to create an air bridge for personnel, equipment and supplies throughout U.S. Central Command.

One might imagine the many leadership and organizational qualities it would take to lead a unit with such an essential mission.

One might also imagine those qualities are of great concern to Lt. Col. Tony Angello, 313th Airlift Squadron commander, who is preparing to take on command of the squadron at the end of October.

"With Angello, we expect nothing but excellence," said Lt. Col. James Dignan, 446th Operations Group commander. "He's proved he's one of the best with his active-duty experience, search and rescue missions, his familiarity of the C-17, and his combat experience. It's his skills, experience, and volunteerism that landed him as the (313th AS) commander."

As the 817th EAS commander, Angello will be responsible for commanding C-17 Globemaster III flight operations in U.S. CENTCOM, overseeing about 100 Reserve and active-duty Airmen, deployed to Incirlik AB and the squadron detachment in Manas, Kyrgyzstan for the next two months.

This mission is unique, said Dignan. It is tasked directly to Team McChord.

Angello says this is the perfect opportunity to strengthen the bond for Team McChord overseas.

"We'll be providing C-17 operational excellence in Afghanistan," said the Seattle resident. "We'll also enhance and expand the great associate relationship between the 446th and 62nd AW here at McChord Field."

According to Angello, being deployed as commander is the best way to help foster that bond.

"I am the first 446th AW squadron commander from McChord to command an active-duty C-17, deployed squadron," said the veteran with a combined 21 years of active-duty and Reserve experience.

Dignan says with the 446th supporting 10 percent of the steady-state requirement for the 817th EAS mission, Angello getting deployed as the commander makes a big impact for the 446th AW.

"The (446th AW) crews make up only 10 percent of the mission in Turkey," said Dignan. "But that 10 percent makes a big difference in the contribution to the mission over there and the active duty truly appreciates it."

Of course, when any Reserve Airmen deploys overseas for a significant amount of time, their civilian employer makes a sacrifice. Fortunately for Angello, his employer doesn't make it harder for him to leave.

"Alaska Airlines is very supportive of its Reserve military employees and wishes me luck on my deployment," said the Boeing 737 first officer.

Dignan also acknowledges Angello's willingness to deploy.

"He put his name in the hat, not knowing whether he'd get selected for the mission or how long he would be away from home," said Dignan. "He knew he would have to make those sacrifices. His volunteerism and will to get the job done make him perfect for this assignment."

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Airmen and a C-17 Globemaster III from Joint Base Lewis-McChord participated in a routine mission, which included patient movement, from McMurdo Station, Antarctica to Christchurch, New Zealand October 17.

Active-duty and Reserve Airmen from the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings are currently deployed to Christchurch in support of Operation Deep Freeze. Operation Deep Freeze, which runs from mid-October to mid-February, supports the National Science Foundation in Antarctica.

The support Operation Deep Freeze provides to the United States Antarctic Program is unlike any other U.S. military operation. It is possibly the military's most difficult peacetime mission due to the harsh Antarctic environment.

SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) -- Air Force libraries continue to adapt to emerging technologies and changes in the way Airmen and families want information.

Whether a customer wants to check out a printed publication, download the latest bestseller novel for their e-reader or find a quiet place to study, Air Force libraries continue to meet the literary needs of customers in an evolving digital world.

"All of us, including our customers, are on the move these days," said Melinda Mosley, the Air Force Services Agency administrative librarian. "We're using mobile devices like tablets, netbooks and smart phones more than ever; we're interested in providing service to our customers anywhere, anytime, in addition to providing face-to-face services at our libraries."

The explosion of the Internet as an information medium serves librarians as both a flexible resource and a useful tool, said Rodolfo Rodela, the supervising librarian at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.

"Through the Web, we make the library available at the point-of-need and nearly free of the restrictions of time and space," Rodela said. "It's a common event nowadays: an Airman lives and works in Cairo, yet can still 'visit' and do research at an Air Force library in Texas through our Web-based journals and books."

While Airmen and families can "visit" online libraries at their convenience, the value of installation librarians has not diminished, Rodela said.

"Librarians build bridges and remove barriers to information," Rodela said. "Nothing improves your searching prowess like expert guidance from an experienced librarian. Search engines return too many questionable sources for efficient research. We'll show you how to use the library's e-journals to find only relevant and vetted sources."

Air Force librarians have also embraced social media as a way to reach out to Airmen and families. Social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, are used to inform customers about new Department of Defense programs, events and local happenings, said Dorothee Bennett, a library technician in charge of outreach, programs and marketing for the library at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

"We see more and more Air Force libraries using social media," she said. "Many of them have Facebook pages, YouTube accounts and some write their own blogs. With more acceptances of these mediums by the Air Force, base libraries have been able to capitalize on what we do best -- connect our customers and the information they want with the information we have."

Connecting customers to what they want doesn't stop at social media posts. Air Force libraries also use an online library called OverDrive  that allows Airmen and families to 'check out' e-books, audio books, music and movies. Customers keep the items from three to 14 days and may have five items checked out at any one time, Mosley said.

"Since we started the program in 2007, there have been more than 56,000 checkouts," she said. "We've been adding titles each year. In the last 12 months, there have been more than 25,300 checkouts, so our use has increased greatly in the last year due to additional titles, more publicity and the popularity of digital devices."

To keep pace with the latest digital devices, some Air Force libraries also host technology fairs to teach Airmen and families about the latest mobile applications, devices and resources they can use to meet their reading needs. The Eglin AFB library hosts a semiannual "Technology Petting Zoo."

"We highlight e-book readers, tablets and smart phones and answer questions about the devices as well as e-books available for check out on OverDrive," Bennett said. "We also post new developments on e-book technology on our Facebook page. For example, we post updates on new e-readers that are now compatible with OverDrive."

While Air Force libraries continue to reshape their programs around evolving technology, the main mission of a librarian will continue to be the same, Rodela said.

"We collect and organize information; we advocate free speech and open access to information; we foster literacy in young and old, and we support every individual's desire for self-development and education," Rodela said.

Visit a local Air Force library to sign up for an OverDrive account. For more information about Air Force quality of life programs visit www.MyAirForceLife.com.

According to a July report, Joint Base Lewis-McChord Airmen are exceeding Air Mobility Command and Air Force averages on the year-old Air Force Fitness Test. Coming in just higher than AMC and as much as 3 percent higher than the Air Force overall in the "excellent" category, Airmen from the 62nd Airlift Wing lead the way with a 91 percent pass rate (9 percent higher than Air Force average) and more than half of all Airmen scored "excellent," which is more than 10 percent higher than the Air Force overall.

JBLM's 627th Air Base Group closely followed the 62nd AW with an approximately 90 percent pass rate. Patrick Conway, the exercise physiologist and fitness program manager for the 62nd AW's Health and Wellness Center, said success on the PT track has been due to three universal factors.

"First key is ‘top down' leadership offering support and availability to participate in fitness," Conway said. "When leadership provides the means and policy stating ‘all members will participate in PT' the message is clear and taken seriously. Second is unit support and direction because a unit is only as strong as its weakest member.

Taking on fitness as a unit involves everyone and ensures no one falls behind or is overlooked. Third is individual commitment and excellence. Each individual has to take responsibility for their actions and step up to the challenge of exceeding the minimums established by the Air Force, just as they do for any other Air Force duty."

The 62nd AW's HAWC has certified hundreds of Physical Training Leaders across the installation, a process that starts with a squadron commander's selection of an individual who exceeds Air Force PT standards. He then requires CPR and AED response certification and must be inititally and annually trained by HAWC's health education program manager to maintain his PTL standing.

Conway said McChord is also reaching new fitness heights thanks to programs such as what's offered at the HAWC or under HAWC personnel's professional guidance.

"When the number of people not passing the fitness test began to increase, McChord took action and developed a ‘fitness boot camp,'" he said and added that McChord Field was recognized as the only Air Force locale in the region that started the program with HAWC-level education and training support. "Boot Camp" continues for either those who have fallen short of Air Force PT standards, or anyone who wants to increase their performance in the new, semiannual service evaluation. Those scoring above 90 only take the test annually.

Danielle Knutson, HAWC's health education program manager, credits McChord Field leadership for allowing PT to be fun for the Airmen as they work to maintain physical readiness. It's that "outside the box" approach that they continually promote through HAWC programs, which not only focus on exercise-based fitness, but also proper nutrition and relaxation for a more "whole person" approach to continuing health.

"When it's fun and stimulating, it keeps people's attention at a high level," she said, "and when you have that high level, the things people can accomplish are so great."

Conway said he wasn't surprised that local Airmen exceed Air Force fitness standards because there may be only one thing that may get them out to PT in greater Seattle's less-than-ideal weather most of the year - dedication.

"Does McChord take fitness seriously?" he rhetorically asked. "I would have to say yes for it sure is not the nine months of rain which drives people out to do PT."

To learn more

For more on the HAWC programs and services offered to essentially all DOD ID card holders, call 982-6948. You can also connect with them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ mcchord.hawc.

Out with the old, in with the new; new dress and appearance rules, new uniform items, and new clarity on some old rules.

Nov. 1 brings with it the end of the tan boot, the woodland battle dress uniform, and the Desert Camouflage Uniform. As of that date, all Airmen should be wearing the Airman Battle Uniform.

Reservists in the 446th Airlift Wing should all have the ABU. If you don't, according to Chief Master Sgt. Janice Kallinen, you need to stop by and visit your clothing monitor to get the paperwork to get the uniforms.

"This (the requirement to wear the ABU) has been advertised for two years now," said Kallinen, 446th Force Support Squadron superintendent.

Guidance on wear of the ABU, green fleece, and physical fitness uniforms is included in the latest edition of Air Force Instruction 36-2903, which was released July 18. All updates to the instruction were incorporated into the new AFI and many guidelines were refined to eliminate questions or confusion as much as possible.

"The changes are a result of Airmen in the field requesting clarification, leadership approving more specific policy, and the need to integrate information from the 98th virtual uniform board and other wear policy approved since

2006," said Ruth Ewalt, Air Force Uniform Programs and Policies chief at the Air Staff, Washington D.C. In case you're wondering, if it's not listed in the AFI as authorized, then it is deemed unauthorized, as stated on page one of the AFI.

Some of the more common items that Airmen tend to misunderstand standards on are backpacks, gym bags, watches, bracelets, and sunglasses.

Backpacks, when carried while in your blue or physical training uniforms, must be black. Gym bags may be black or dark blue. When carried while wearing the ABU, gym bags and backpacks may also be ABU-patterned, olive drab, or Air Force sage green.

Watches must be conservative, so if you're wearing a Mickey Mouse watch you're violating standards. Watches may not be diamond-covered, neon or bright in color, a novelty watch, and the bands cannot exceed one inch in width.

Bracelets must also be conservative, but the width may not exceed one-half inch. They must be gold or silver in color, and cannot support a cause, person, philosophy or group, with some exception. Exceptions include medical alert bracelets and the traditional metal POW/MIA/KIA bracelets.

You know how convenient it is to hang your glasses (sun or otherwise) on your collar? Well, that's the wrong place for your glasses, as is the top or back of your head, around your neck, or hanging from your uniform pocket. Sunglasses need to be black or brown if they're plastic, or gold or silver if they're wire frames. Leave the mirrored lenses and brightly embellished sunglasses at home. However, sunglasses with a logo are fine as long as the logo is small and the same color as the frame.

For more dress and appearance information, go to the dress and appearance Web page on the Air Force Personnel Center's website at http://www.afpc.af.mil/dress/index.asp