Air Force

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea — Senior Airman Ryan Foley, 8th Security Forces Squadron reports and analysis clerk, was selected as the 8th Fighter Wing’s Pride of the Pack for the week of October 2-6.

Foley was recognized for his exceptional professionalism while shouldering the role of the non-commissioned officer in charge of reports and analysis for the 8th SFS. While in this role, he was the single point of contact for over 200 U.S. Air Force Justice Information System accounts.

Additionally, he managed the 8th SFS case files during this time and coordinated with the squadron’s operations flight leadership, base investigations and Kunsan AB first sergeants.

His squadron leadership also commended his dedication while he led the training for 30 new SFS Airmen after their arrival to Kunsan AB.

Congratulations to Senior Airman Ryan Foley and thank you for your commitment to your fellow defenders and the 8th SFS mission.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – My DCMA showcases the Defense Contract Management Agency’s experienced and diverse workforce and highlights what being part of the national defense team means to them. Today, Ryan Baylon shares his story.

My name is Ryan Baylon, and I am an aerospace engineer at DCMA Lexington in Kentucky. My job duties include performing engineering surveillance, non-conforming material review, and participating in customer engagement activities on an $8 billion Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity, or IDIQ, contract. My primary focus areas are the rotary wing assets such as the MH-6M Little Bird, MH-60 Black Hawks and MH-47G Chinooks. In addition, I support the buying offices with their engineering and technical needs and assist our customers with new equipment purchases that flow through the unfunded requirements process.

Some of the great things about working at my location include living in Kentucky, which has beautiful scenery and numerous horse farms. The scenic back roads surrounding Lexington can be intoxicating while on my road bike. In addition, my job is near a variety of coffee shops and restaurants. Lexington is also near other big cities such as Louisville, Cincinnati and Indianapolis.

I have been a part of the DCMA team for four years. I like working here because I get the privilege of serving my country as a civilian. I was medically disqualified from completing my Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in 2009 due to a perforated ear drum, so public service has always been a goal.

I joined the Department of Defense workforce after several private sector jobs. It took me a couple years working to understand civilians play a vital and critical role in DOD’s mission.

Work-life balance is a great aspect of working at DCMA. My wife is an obstetrician and gynecologist in Lexington and having the flexibility of working for DCMA helps with our day-to-day lives. I believe teleworking, a focus on training, and a plethora of future opportunities, are all reasons that make working at DCMA great.

DCMA is important to America’s warfighters because without this agency, our warfighters would not have the equipment they need. We are the best at ensuring delivery of what was agreed upon, and we are experts at providing excellent customer service. We ensure equipment works as intended while providing great value to the taxpayer. The agency’s customer-focused mindset has created a strong and binding relationship with our partners within DOD.

DCMA has changed tremendously since the COVID pandemic — a pivotal change for our agency since I started working here in 2019. Through it all, we persisted and continued with the mission despite the challenges we faced. DCMA’s senior leaders have provided excellent leadership and guidance throughout all the changes we have encountered. As for the future of our agency, I am excited to see what will come because of the Vision 2026 agenda.

As far as goals for myself and my team, I would like for us to grow closer as a group in person. Teleworking has many benefits, but the comradery of our fellow co-workers must exist despite our personal differences. I think this is crucial to having a fulfilling work life. So far, I have planned several team gatherings and led the Walk to Wellness here this past May.

My future career goals include acquiring a position within DCMA that will allow me to attend the Naval War College or Air War College. I enjoy learning about strategy, politics and history. I believe employees with the knowledge and historical perspective can guide our agency and country on the right path.

My favorite hobbies include road cycling, mountain biking, running, automotive detailing and organizing my garage. The last one proves to be difficult because I have two young sons who are 6 1/2 and 2 1/2 years old. They are both experts in creating a state of disorder in my garage. Nonetheless, I enjoy spending time with them and my wife, especially when we go on vacation or in-town escapades.

Something unique about me is I grew up in the Philippines and immigrated to the United States in 2002. I became a U.S. citizen in 2009, and I am grateful for this country that has welcomed me. My service at DCMA is my way of saying thanks to this great nation. Overall, I am happy and proud to be part of the DCMA family!

Holloman’s Mayo Airman Leadership School is a five-week-long course that helps young Airmen prepare to step into supervisory roles in their respective career fields.

While ALS is an Air Force-wide standard for Airmen preparing to take on a noncommissioned officer position, members of Holloman have made an effort to expand the reach of the course by extending it to a civilian employee here.

Sandra Maar, a unit program coordinator with the 635th Material Maintenance Support Squadron, is responsible for providing administrative support, personnel management assistance and coordination of various unit programs. To increase her effectiveness in the unit, Maar’s leadership suggested she attend the ALS course.

“When my supervisor and my chief brought the idea to my desk, I told them I am always up to try new experiences and thought ALS could provide me with my next challenge,” said Maar.

Her participation in the course allowed Maar to gain valuable leadership qualities that she can take into her workplace.

“Not only did this opportunity help me grow as a public speaker and enhance my leadership capabilities, but it also allowed me to network with Airmen here and understand how each AFSC ties into Holloman’s mission,” said Maar.

Beyond Maar’s personal development, the other ALS students also benefited from her participation in the course by hearing a civilian perspective on how they can effectively lead members under their supervision.

“Understanding civilian viewpoints can be invaluable, particularly when military personnel interact with civilian communities or collaborate on joint projects,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Serena Schindler, 49th Force Support Squadron Mayo ALS instructor. “This exposure can help Airmen build effective working relationships and communication skills beyond the military environment.”

Maar’s success in participating in ALS opens the door for more civilian members of Holloman to go through the leadership course in the future.

“My experience with having Mrs. Maar in my flight was both enlightening and enjoyable, and I can attest to the positive impact it had on our entire flight and ALS as a whole,” said Schindler. “Moreover, the inclusion of civilians can contribute to the ongoing improvement of military practices and policies, bringing fresh insights and innovative ideas that benefit the entire organization and ensure mission success.”

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea – Soldiers and their families had an opportunity to visit Gyeryong City, Oct. 7, as part of a Korean-Culture experience tour. The Korea Tourism Organization and Gyeryong City organized the tour in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the ROK-US alliance.

The group, which totaled 56 individuals, visited the Gyeryong Military Festival, which took place at an airfield. There, the group watched military exhibitions, engaged in experience booths and had the opportunity to try food vendors. Ung U Yi, the mayor of Gyeryong City welcomed the Humphreys group at their arrival.

“This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Republic of Korea and United States alliance, and I sincerely appreciate U.S. Soldiers’ sacrifice and service for our country,” said Yi. “I hope you have a great time with your family and create wonderful memories in Gyeryong City.”

Gyeryong City is renowned in Korea as a military city because it houses the Republic of Korea military headquarters, to include the Korean army, navy, and air force headquarters. While visiting, the Humphreys group was able to learn more about the Korean military, witness their barracks, gain insight into their daily military life, and even was able to try Korean cuisine.

After the exhibition, the group visited the Hyangjeok Mountain Healing Forest, where they had access to various stress-relief programs in a natural setting. The programs included dry foot baths, flower-tea tasting, and singing bowl meditation.

“I loved the tour today and my favorite part was the Zen singing bowls,” said Sgt. 1st Class Chloe Allen, who works for 8th Army. “I’ve never experienced anything like that before. It was very relaxing and enjoyable, especially with my husband. Our tour guide was also amazing, very engaging and knowledgeable, keeping us all entertained. Overall, it was a wonderful experience to immerse ourselves in Korean culture.”

The U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys Public Affairs Office coordinates culture trips in order to enhance the stay of service members and their families while in Korea.

More than 500 health professionals from 24 nations, including the U.S., converged at the Indo-Pacific Military Health Exchange, September 26 to September 29, to share experiences and increase interoperability among military health teams.

The Indo-Pacific Military Health Exchange, or IPMHE, is a multilateral military event focused on partnership and interoperability and co-hosted by the armed forces of a country in the Indo-Pacific region together with the United States Indo-Pacific Command, or USINDOPACOM, Command Surgeon. The co-host for this IPMHE was the Malaysian Armed Forces Health Services.

Participants, from non-commissioned officers to senior leaders, came together for a four-day exchange, including symposium and poster presentations, hands-on clinical training workshops, bilateral meetings, and a visit to the Malaysian field hospital, focusing on this year’s theme, ‘Achieving Health Solutions Through Diversity and Inclusivity’.

Several senior leaders from around the world attended the exchange, including Lt. Gen. Robert I. Miller, Surgeon General, Department of the U.S. Air Force; and Chief Master Sergeant Dawn M. Kolczynski, Chief, Medical Enlisted Force.

“The IPMHE highlighted successful military health partnerships in the region and was a call to action to accelerate our efforts to enhance interoperability as we face future contingencies,” said Lt. Gen. Miller. “Our collective readiness is critical for sustaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”

During the exchange, U.S. Air Force personnel shared presentations on clinical and operational medicine, global health security, and partnerships that enhance readiness of U.S. and partner nations.

“We can improve care by establishing communication and agreements before they are necessary,” said Capt. Audrey “Frankie” Belmonte, Critical Care Air Transport Nurse from the Washington Air National Guard, during her presentation entitled ‘Early Inclusion and Collaboration Among Partners to Enhance Enroute Patient Care’.

Airmen also participated in hands-on clinical training workshops to strengthen interoperability with partner nation counterparts. The workshops focused on tactical combat casualty care, surgery and critical care management.

“Our Airmen, representing the total force and including enlisted and officer health professionals, demonstrated the strength and readiness we achieve in the Air Force Medical Service by embracing diversity and inclusivity,” said Chief Master Sgt. Kolczynski.

One component of the IPMHE was bilateral meetings between senior leaders from the U.S. and partner nations, allowing for discussion of priorities for cooperation, such as aerospace medicine and patient movement.

“The IPMHE creates an opportunity for relationship building for our senior leaders around the world. The bilateral meetings enable the U.S. to meet with partner nations one-on-one to talk about opportunities to collaborate further,” said Lt. Col. Richard Caballero, USINDOPACOM co-chair for the IPMHE.

The exchange also included an observation of the Malaysian Armed Forces field hospital. Over many years of cooperation, Malaysia has routinely exercised their field hospital along with the U.S. and other regional partners. In recent years, Malaysia has deployed the field hospital to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in Bangladesh and Türkiye.

Concurrent with the IPMHE, the Washington National Guard and Malaysian Armed Forces Health Service conducted a mass casualty exercise utilizing the field hospital. Washington and Malaysia have been partnered since 2017 as part of the National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program.

“The state partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region are on display here at IPMHE,” said Col. Charla Geist, Global Health Engagement Liaison to the National Guard Bureau Joint Surgeon’s Office. “The enduring relationships, such as Oregon with both Vietnam and Bangladesh, and Washington with both Malaysia and Thailand, have enhanced readiness of all partners.”

Lt. Col. Chris Webb from the Oregon Air National Guard presented on an ongoing initiative to support Vietnam’s development of a chapter of the International Trauma Life Support program, which provides training on pre-hospital care to Vietnamese military personnel prior to deployment on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations.

The relationships bolstered during IPMHE are invaluable. The exchange opens cooperation opportunities for partners who may not have worked together before. Relationship building is one of the most important impacts of this exchange.

“It is easier to reach out to our partners in contingencies when we already have established relationships,” said Caballero.

The IPMHE is one component of a broad portfolio of global health engagement between the U.S. and Ally and partner nation counterparts in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Our partnerships are deep and enduring,” said Col. Susan Moran, Pacific Air Forces Command Surgeon. “IPMHE fostered continuous improvement in military medicine as we shared knowledge, lessons learned and best practices. With the diversity of attendees, this conference allowed us to think strategically and tackle complex issues. IPMHE, along with our regular exercises, make us stronger together.”