Air Force

Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group delivered logistical support and information capabilities during I MEF Command Post Exercise III, Oct. 21-25, 2024.

CPX III is a scenario-based exercise designed to test I MEF’s ability to operate command and control and respond to various scenarios. Throughout the exercise, I MIG served as a hub for integrating information into the Marine Air-Ground Task Force framework as well as providing logistic and life-services support.

“Our role for CPX is really two-fold,” said Lt. Col. Joshua Montero, I MIG operations officer. “We have I MEF Support Battalion from I MIG providing the physical structure such as such as the tents and generators as well as the MIG operations center providing command and control to forces.”

The exercise provided an opportunity for I MIG to ensure Marines are fully prepared to integrate these critical elements into future operations.

“One way to look at this is perhaps a crawl, walk, run model,” said Montero. “This is essentially the crawling stage. What this will lead to are more advanced scenarios and having more individuals involved.”

I MIG will ultimately support I MEF during the annual exercises Steel Knight and Balikatan, with Balikatan providing an opportunity for integration and partnership between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military.

“At that point, it’s the running phase and we’re completely operational: ready to react to any adversary actions or continue to build our relationship with the partner force,” said Montero.

I MIG coordinates, integrates and employs capabilities for information environment operations in order to ensure the Marine Air Ground Task Force Commander’s ability to facilitate friendly forces maneuver and deny the enemy freedom of action in the information environment. I MIG provides communications, intelligence, and supporting arms liaison in support of MAGTF operations.

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – When you visit Waikiki, Hawaii, it is easy to understand the popularity. With spectacular views, beautiful turquoise water, rolling waves perfect for surfing, soft sandy beaches, and within a few short minutes’ walk from major hotels, it’s an amazing location for a perfect vacation or wonderful day trip. With all of this popularity comes a high level of visibility.

For a father whose child is having a traumatic medical event, this kind of visibility provides help from every direction in the way of good Samaritans.

Luckily for the father and young child, they were spotted by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kyle McNamara, 62d Operations Support Squadron Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape operations noncommissioned officer in charge.

While taking a stroll on the beach McNamara noticed a frantic man hovering over a young boy. Instantly McNamara rushed over to provide help and see what was going on. The man said that his son was having a seizure, and that it had started in the water, McNamara said.

Suddenly McNamara’s training kicked in and he determined the best course of actions quickly and efficiently. He immediately called for assistance which came quickly from Staff Sgt. Cori Andrews, 62d Medical Squadron independent duty medical technician. They both knew the situation was dire and needed to be handled properly and timely, they said.

“The boy was quivering, breathing very rapidly, and breathing fairly shallow but it wasn’t to the point that his lips were turning blue,” said Andrews. “Nothing was indicative of a lack of sufficient oxygen.”

Andrews asked several quick questions and determined that the child had a history of seizures but never had one in the water. The danger of this child having water in their lungs was obvious, said Andrews.

She communicated that when someone is actively having a seizure there isn’t very much that you can do medically without specialized equipment. In that moment a medical professional’s job is ensuring the person does not harm themselves or anyone else, and verifying their airways are clear and unobstructed, she said.

In the same moment that Andrews was providing lifesaving medical care and attempting to ease the father and child during this traumatic event, McNamara was simultaneously calling 911, attempting to control the increasing crowd of people around the situation, and procuring an umbrella to provide shade and privacy.

“In my mind, I was just doing what anybody else would have done in that situation,” said McNamara.

Quickly after McNamara called 911, he could hear the sirens close to the road. After meeting them at their vehicle and giving them as much information about the situation as he could, he was reassured by the Honolulu Emergency Medical Services technician that McNamara and Andrews had done everything right.

After the medical team transported the father and son to a nearby hospital, and after the adrenaline of the situation wore off, both McNamara and Andrews had adequate time to reflect.

“Tech. Sgt. McNamara and I are both military trained, and we run through these scenarios all the time,” said Andrews. “It was surprising to me how nobody was taking action, but as soon as we got on the scene it was just down to business. We did exactly what we needed to do, and we knew our roles.”

While describing the situation’s events, McNamara and Andrews were both quick to give the other the majority of the credit for helping the child in the situation. In the end, they both agreed the situation went as smoothly as it possibly could have given what happened. They also communicated their hope for the father and son’s future.

“That could have been my kid, right?” said McNamara. “That’s something that you hope never happens, but I believe he’s good now and I hope that he went and got ice cream and that they enjoyed the rest of their vacation safely.”

Andrews’ supervisor, Maj. Christine Hargrave, 62d Medical Squadron aerospace medicine flight commander, like many other Airmen from Team McChord, was in Hawaii for Rainier War 25A and Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 25-01, and quickly heard about the medical situation.

“Tech. Sgt. McNamara and Staff Sgt. Andrews’ ability to stay composed and apply their training under pressure helped ensure the child received timely medical attention,” said Hargrave. “Their actions exemplified professionalism and preparedness in a critical moment.”

JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING, Washington, D.C. –The 11th Contracting Squadron at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling has achieved recognition for its outstanding work, winning 11 awards at the Air Force District of Washington awards ceremony including an award for the Outstanding Operational Contracting Unit. This achievement reflects the squadron’s dedication and commitment to excellence in support of the 11th Wing and its 74 mission partners.

The primary objective of the 11th CONS is to manage purchasing and acquisition processes. They handle logistics of the government purchase card program and oversee contract execution, while also maintaining a focus on operational readiness. This commitment allows the squadron to provide vital support and enhance mission capabilities across the base.

Master Sgt. Michael Reyes, the squadron’s senior enlisted leader, said the unit has navigated numerous challenges while maintaining a high standard of performance. He emphasized the importance of teamwork and resilience in their success.

Reyes was awarded the Senior Enlisted Leader Award for his leadership and mentorship contributions to the unit.

“Master Sgt. Reyes has been highly influential in my time here and I am extremely appreciative for his role in my career,” said Senior Airman Gregory Bishop, a contracting officer with the unit. Bishop was also awarded the Outstanding Contracting Enlisted Member Award.

At the noncommissioned officer level, squadron members are responsible for executing contracts and maintaining ground infrastructure. Airmen serve as contract specialists, conducting market research to establish relationships with small businesses and larger contractors.

“Our team currently does not have any first-term airmen,” Reyes shared. “Our airmen are more seasoned and that sets us apart.”

The unit faced the challenge of balancing multiple roles while striving to be subject matter experts. Last-minute tasks with tight deadlines added pressure, especially as the end of the fiscal year approached. During this time, the team navigated uncertainties around the Continuing Resolution and the National Defense Authorization Act, which affect the military budget.

“Our unit’s cohesiveness and ability to work together as a team is what also sets us apart,” Reyes said. “We are able to execute at a moment’s notice and we like a challenge, and we take it willingly to be able to support not only JBAB, but the National Capital Region.”

Despite the pressures of tight deadlines and budget constraints at the end of the fiscal year, the squadron has excelled in contract execution and building relationships with small and large contractors. With a record-breaking $75 million in contracts and funding in 2024, the squadron continues to grow and evolve.

“I am extremely appreciative of everyone’s hard work and dedication to the mission,” Reyes said.

The 11th Contracting Squadron’s recognition at the AFDW Contracting Awards is a clear indication of their performance and commitment to excellence. As they move forward, the squadron remains dedicated to supporting the 11th Wing and enhancing its mission capabilities.

The 11th CCONS won the following awards:

11th CONS – Outstanding Operational Contracting Unit Award (Large)

11th CONS Source Selection Team – Outstanding Performance in an Operational Source Selection Award (Individual or Team)

11th CONS Innovation Team – Innovation in Department of the Air Force Contracting Award – Team

Lt. Col. Rebecca ‘Jedi’ Ban – Outstanding Contracting Officer (Field Grade) Award

Capt. Ryan M. Lambert – Outstanding Contracting Officer (Company Grade) Award

Master Sgt. Michael H. Reyes – Senior Enlisted Leader Award

Senior Airman Gregory Bishop – Outstanding Contracting Enlisted Member (Airman) Award

Terry L. Agena – Outstanding Director of Business Operations Award

Welth E. Cooper – Outstanding Civilian in Operational Contracting (Supervisory) Award

Matthew S. Carman – Outstanding Quality Assurance Program (Individual or Team)

Cory W. West – Outstanding Contract Data Specialist

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – September 24, 2022. This date might not mean much to the average person, but when that Saturday marks arriving to your first duty station, it’s the day your new life begins.

For Airman 1st Class Ryan Wert, 62d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron heavy aircraft integrated avionics specialist, Washington state was a new and unfamiliar climate, but he quickly grew to appreciate the state and all of the changes.

“I did like the base, even though the weather was already starting to get a little worse for wear, clouds and rain and all of that, but I enjoyed it.” stated Wert. “I liked the base, and I liked the people I was working with at the avionics shop.”

Although Wert had enjoyed a year and half of experience with this new life, when the opportunity for an alternate assignment as the Air Force Better Opportunities for Single Service Members representative was announced at a unit roll call, he seized the chance and quickly submitted his application.

Wert didn’t know at the time, but this role would allow him to assist the BOSS organization with event planning and advocacy for single service members on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, leading Wert further toward his personal goals.

“A big part of why I joined the Air Force was to help people, to make people’s lives better,” said Wert.

The Airman 1st Class explained that within two days of his application, he was interviewing for the BOSS position with Chief Master Sgt. John Marquez Jr., 627th Air Base Group superintendent and senior enlisted advisor to JBLM’s deputy commander. Soon after, he walked into the BOSS office and began meeting his new coworkers.

Wert began to work with his fellow team members on developing events for Airmen and Soldiers, briefing new service members on the value of BOSS and advocating for quality-of-life improvements at McChord dormitories, he said.

After committing to his work and being set up for success by the previous Air Force BOSS representative, Wert started to take on more and more leadership roles in specific events and was able to help increase Airmen awareness of BOSS’s activities and bring more Airmen to their events.

However, the success that Wert felt didn’t come without challenge.

“The hardest part is just staying motivated to do it, because you’re partially your own boss in that position,” said Wert. “There are other people who are over you, but no one is really going to push you every day and tell you, ‘Hey, you need to do this.’ You pretty much go in and have to know what you need to get done and do it.”

Wert worked hard to improve the base day by day and to grow his leadership and critical thinking abilities, a perfect example of this was his participation in the 2024 Easter Dash, only weeks after he joined the team.

The annual event put on by JBLM is a free egg hunt at the Lewis North Athletic Complex. The egg hunts are scheduled and divided by last name and by age group. This makes the logistics of the event with hundreds of children and family members difficult.

“I think the hardest part of that was probably figuring out the actual setup for what we were doing, because the whole team had different ideas of how it was going to be run, and we had to narrow it down, kind of on the spot,” said Wert.

During the whirlwind event, Wert was able to take charge and make decisions on the fly that helped the team pull together and keep the event running smoothly, with minimal hiccups. Wert and the BOSS team rallied together, pulled off the event and were even able to host Exceptional Family Member Program families as a finale.

“Getting to see all of the kids having fun, that’s amazing,” said Wert. “Running around the whole day like that, that’s extremely satisfying work, there’s hardly any better feeling I’ve experience than a day of seeing people happy because of what you’re doing.”

Wert had not only grown as an Airmen, but as a person too, he said.

“It helped me realize how independent I can be when working big things,” Wert said. “It helped me realize how confident I actually am in my own abilities.”

After the thrill, connections, and personal growth that Wert experienced over the six months of acting as the Air Force BOSS representative, it was a bittersweet goodbye when he was set to resume his role at the 62d AMXS. Wert grew in his position and gave back to JBLM, but he also learned about himself and took inspiration from the people he worked with, he said.

“It was awesome to be able to work with senior leaders as well in the BOSS team, getting to see Chief Marquez and Colonel Sokora all the time, it was a great time,” said Wert. “They’re really cool people and I look up to them both a lot because they’ve made it as far as they have for a reason, they really care about what they’re doing, and I like to think I care about as much as they do.”

Although transitioning back to the 62d AMXS took readjustment, Wert is adamant that he is happy to be back and will not forget the people he met, the memories he made, and the lessons he learned.

“Taking advantage of extra opportunities provided to me really helped me improve as an Airman and let me see a new side of the military that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise,” said Wert. “Opportunities like this are a great way to further yourself and your career and often give you a chance to pursue school more actively while in the military.”