March 2012 - 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard

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MARCH 2012AIRSCOOPAirman in Focus — Mr. John RichardsonBy Senior Airman Bonnie Harper, 104th FW Public AffairsPAGE 10Mr. John W. Richardson joinedBarnes Air National Guard Base approximately20 years ago, after working inboth municipal and private sectors.While working as a field artillery surveyorfor the Army, Richardson was deployedto Germany, with the 3rd InfantryDivision. The leadership of the Armytaught him the importance of maintaininghigh standards, Richardson said.He used the GI Bill to complete hisdegrees in geology and geography, spendingtwo years each at Holyoke CommunityCollege and UMass Amherst.In 1986, after graduating from Universityof Massachusetts, Richardsonworked for an engineering company as aenvironmental analyst. He also workedfor the City of Leominster, MA in thesame capacity.He began working here in NovemberFox, Fox … the calls on the radiowere made as pilots from the 104thFighter Wing engaged the aggressorsquadron from RED FLAG, simulatingan air-campaign over the desserts of Nevadain late January.Approximately 150 members participatedin the most realistic training theworld offers, exercise RED FLAG. Thisintense two week combat training eventoccurs over the ranges at Nellis Air ForceBase Nev., allowing the pilots to fly atthe same speeds and altitudes theywould if they were in combat.This joint and international exercise,allows allied countries and all branchesof the DoD a chance to collaborate withthe U.S. Air Force.―The purpose of this is to give the1991 as the base environmental coordinator.Richardson always wanted to have acivilian job in the military because heknew it would be a rewarding career.In his current job, his duty is to focuson maintaining compliance with severalenvironmental laws can impact the 104thmission. Barnes ANG base is situatedover the Barnes aquifer a drinking waterresource for sever communities in thePioneer Valley. Daily operations canhave a direct impact in the City of WestfieldWater supply. Under the FederalFacilities Compliance Act, all militaryinstallations must comply with the environmentallaws for Local, US EPA, andMassachusetts Department of EnvironmentalProtection; otherwise face finesand or penalties.We try to mitigate the influence ourmission has on the environment, so thatRed Flag SuccessBy Maj. Matthew T. Mutti, 104th Fighter Wing Executive OfficerMaster Sgt. Jeff Almeidaworks the flight-line at NellisAFB, Nev., serving as thedeployed First Sergeant.(Photo by Maj. Matthew Mutti)the conditionsof theenvironmentdo notaffect themission inreturn,Richardsonsaid.―This isa goodplace towork for,with goodpeople,‖Richardsonsaid. ―Col.Brooks andCol. Gunning are committed to keepingthe environment safe and well maintained.‖pilots experiencein the most realisticcombattraining environment,‖saidLt. Col. DanNash, the OperationsGroupproject officer forthe deployment.A typical exerciseconsists ofabout 60 aircraftmade up of U.S.and coalitionfighters, bombers,and supportaircraft on the―Blue‖ side,against 15 or more ―Red‖ aircraft simulatingthe weapons and tactics of possibleadversaries. About eight to 12 ―Blue‖ airto-airplayers will face the 13-15 ―Red‖fighters and protect the other ―Blue‖ aircraft,which are air-to-ground strikersbombing various targets. There are alsodozens of sites simulating Surface to AirMissiles (SAMs), said Nash.The exercise scenarios builds fromone day to the next, increasing in difficultyand complexity. Night missions areintegrated into the campaign, utilizingtechnology like night vision goggles andthe joint helmet mounted cuing system.The maintenance teams and pilotsworked around the clock. Pilots wouldstart early, briefing and working to deconflictthe airspace for the morning mission,then a second crew would rotate into prepare for the evening missions, allwhile the maintainers meticulouslymaintained each of the jets slated for thenext mission.This RED FLAG exercise had addedvalue in that it was accomplished alongside the team from New Orleans, La.The Louisiana Air Guard is preparing towork along side our unit during an upcomingAir Expeditionary Force (AEF)deployment.We will be working closely withthe 122nd Fighter Squadron from NewOrleans, La. We deployed with the 122ndto Alaska this past summer, and will beco-located with them at RED FLAG. In afew months, they will be working with usduring our AEF deployment, said Maj.Peter Carr, the 104 FW Aircraft MaintenanceSquadron Commander and REDFLAG maintenance project officer.
MARCH 2012AIRSCOOPNew fitness facilityBy Master Sgt. Dominique Chapman, 104th FW Mission Support GroupPAGE 11As all of you know, physical trainingis now at the forefront of AirForce leadership. With Ops tempospinning up more and more eachyear and seeing more Airmen withboots on the ground than ever beforethere has become a huge need for usto stay more physically fit, not onlyfor our physical health, but to helpus handle the stress of our jobs aswell. Our leadership has recognizedthe importance of maintaining ahealthy and physical lifestyle andhas ―put their money where theirmouth is‖ sort of speak. Over a yearago when the standards for the physicalfitness test changed and moreBarnes Airmen saw themselves comingup short with non-passing fitscores our leadership took notice andsaw that if we are going to ask ourAirmen to put forth 100% than weneed to provide the means for themto do so … and they did.For those of you who have not hadthe chance to take a look at the gymfacilities here at the 104th FighterWing, well there have been some majorrenovations and changes. In thebeginning of November 2011 an$89,000 renovation was approved toinclude knocking down walls to giveus more space a new $10,000 gymfloor along with new lighting andfans. Over $10,000 was put into anew sound system which includes anew CD player, IPod docking station,speakers and four, 46‘ inch flatscreen TV‘s with wireless capabilities.Over the past two fiscal yearsmore than $51,000 was spent on newgym equipment to include new treadmills,a smith machine, assisted pullup/dipmachine and rowing machine,among others. We have also createda space in the corner where a sit upbar will be mounted against the wallso Airmen can practice their sit-up‘s,push-up‘s and now there is room forstretching. Over the next few yearswe will be working hard to replaceany of the older equipment still leftand hopefully add a few new pieces.Other tools are also being put intoplace. The fitness committee is lookingfor any Barnes personnel who arecertified trainers or fitness instructorsthat might want to provide classeson our UTAs. We would like tooffer such classes as how to use thegym equipment or proper form. Weare looking to create a list of certifiedtrainers or fitness instructors whocan help Airmen who are seekingadvice on physical fitness whether itbe someone who is new to workingout or someone looking to add totheir skills.If you have any questions or suggestionson the new gym facility oryou are a certified trainer/fitness instructorwho would like to volunteersome of your time (with supervisorapproval) then please contact one ofthe Gym Committee members listedbelow:Maj. Mendoza, Capt. Benedict,Senior Master Sgt. Butman, SeniorMaster Sgt. Huxtable, Senior MasterSgt. Dumais, Master Sgt. Chapman,Master Sgt. Huard, Staff Sgt. Chapman,or Staff Sgt. Crossman.THIS UTA’S FEATUREDCLASS: NON-TRADITIONALCORE TRAININGWHERE: BASE GYMWHEN: 0900 AND 1300INSTRUCTOR: Staff Sgt. RyanCrossman. Staff Sgt. Crossman hasa Master‘s in Exercise Science fromSpringfield College. He is a certifiedstrength and conditioning specialistthru NSCA. He has worked withnumerous NCAA athletic programsto include Auburn University, Harvard,University, Georgia SouthernUniversity, and Springfield College.An F-15 Eagle sitson the rampsurrounding byfog at the 104thFighter Wing,MassachusettsAir NationalGuard.(Photo by SeniorMaster Sgt.Robert Sabonis)
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March 2012 - 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard

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