US Air Force Airman on Ellen Degeneres show
November 27th, 2008
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Welcome back. Nice thanksgiving surprise.
Posted by Captain David Faggard
Archive
Archive for November, 2008
Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic at Elmendorf AFB gives hope to wounded troops
November 25th, 2008
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As Warrior Care Month continues, we’re pleased to include another first-hand account from Airmen helping care for those who were wounded in action. Below is a story from Maj. Peter Osterbauer (photo below), Chief, Neurology Services, Elmendorf AFB. Maj Osterbauer worked to establish the Air Force’s only Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Center, where he currently serves as Medical Director.
It’s been nine months since we opened the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Clinic here at Elmendorf Air Force Base. For those of you not familiar with traumatic brain injury—rather than being an entity with a clearly defined course of progression—it is a spectrum encompassing multiple different injury types, symptoms, and long-term consequences.
We classify a traumatic brain injury as mild, moderate, or severe, based on different aspects of the injury itself. Unfortunately, severe injuries most often result in a poor long-term outcome. From what we know about these types of injuries, the outcome of a moderate injury is more difficult to predict, while patients with mild injuries normally have a good outcome.
The focus of our clinic is mild traumatic brain injury. A mild TBI is characterized by no
loss of consciousness or loss of consciousness for less than 30 minutes, alteration of consciousness for less than 24 hours, and/or amnesia for less than 24 hours. Although classified as mild, the resulting symptoms can often significantly affect quality of life.
(At right: Tech. Sgt. Valarie Platt preps a patient for an electroencephalography scan in the Traumatic Brain Injury clinic Nov. 18. The electroencephalogram records brain activity to rule out different things like seizures that are accompanied by TBI.)
During these initial nine months, we have seen more than 1,500 patients. Almost all of these are troops who are returning here following duty in Iraq or Afghanistan. TBI has become one of the most common injuries suffered by our troops during the Global War on Terrorism, with estimates at around 320,000 men and women returning from deployment with some form of TBI.
The patients I see commonly experience headaches, dizziness, cognitive decline, irritability and mood swings, difficulty with concentration, and other symptoms. These are often intertwined with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, which further complicates the picture.
Fortunately, most patients make a full recovery within 3-to-6 months of the injury. I have seen some patients take up to a year to recover, with approximately 15% never fully returning to their pre-injury baseline. The good news is that even in the most severe cases some degree of recovery almost always occurs.
I would like to emphasize to the family members, friends, and coworkers of TBI patients to remember that the effects of a traumatic brain injury are real, even though there may be no visible sign of the injury. Everything might appear to be normal, but in fact it’s not. By the same token, I think it’s important to understand that not everyone who hits their head carries a diagnosis of TBI, nor does a diagnosis of mild TBI imply permanent brain damage. (At left: Nurse Case Manager Kim Krick plays a memory game in the Traumatic Brain Injury clinic Nov. 18. Ms. Krick helps TBI patients set up their appointments and any other career transitioning processes that the patient may deal with.)
I’m happy to conclude by saying that mild TBI patients should be reassured they will return to their previous level of function within three months to one year. The most important thing is to never give up. Patients shouldn’t give up on their chance for recovery, and friends and family members should continue to support the patient during the treatment process. We’re doing everything we can to ensure our patients get the treatment they need and have the best chance at recovery.
It’s been nine months since we opened the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Clinic here at Elmendorf Air Force Base. For those of you not familiar with traumatic brain injury—rather than being an entity with a clearly defined course of progression—it is a spectrum encompassing multiple different injury types, symptoms, and long-term consequences.
We classify a traumatic brain injury as mild, moderate, or severe, based on different aspects of the injury itself. Unfortunately, severe injuries most often result in a poor long-term outcome. From what we know about these types of injuries, the outcome of a moderate injury is more difficult to predict, while patients with mild injuries normally have a good outcome.
The focus of our clinic is mild traumatic brain injury. A mild TBI is characterized by no
loss of consciousness or loss of consciousness for less than 30 minutes, alteration of consciousness for less than 24 hours, and/or amnesia for less than 24 hours. Although classified as mild, the resulting symptoms can often significantly affect quality of life. (At right: Tech. Sgt. Valarie Platt preps a patient for an electroencephalography scan in the Traumatic Brain Injury clinic Nov. 18. The electroencephalogram records brain activity to rule out different things like seizures that are accompanied by TBI.)
During these initial nine months, we have seen more than 1,500 patients. Almost all of these are troops who are returning here following duty in Iraq or Afghanistan. TBI has become one of the most common injuries suffered by our troops during the Global War on Terrorism, with estimates at around 320,000 men and women returning from deployment with some form of TBI.
The patients I see commonly experience headaches, dizziness, cognitive decline, irritability and mood swings, difficulty with concentration, and other symptoms. These are often intertwined with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, which further complicates the picture.
Fortunately, most patients make a full recovery within 3-to-6 months of the injury. I have seen some patients take up to a year to recover, with approximately 15% never fully returning to their pre-injury baseline. The good news is that even in the most severe cases some degree of recovery almost always occurs.
(Above: Maj. Peter Osterbauer, 3rd Medical Group chief of Neurology Services, uses a simple flash light tool to examine a patient’s eyes in the Traumatic Brain Injury clinic.)
One thing we all understand about TBI is that at this time, there is no specific "TBI pill" to treat all of the symptoms. Most of the symptoms I see can be treated, but this involves a team approach with professionals from multiple specialties. We have found that education, medication, talk therapy, and alternative therapies are used in combination to achieve the best possible outcome. One other thing worth mentioning is that research for novel treatments is also ongoing.
I would like to emphasize to the family members, friends, and coworkers of TBI patients to remember that the effects of a traumatic brain injury are real, even though there may be no visible sign of the injury. Everything might appear to be normal, but in fact it’s not. By the same token, I think it’s important to understand that not everyone who hits their head carries a diagnosis of TBI, nor does a diagnosis of mild TBI imply permanent brain damage. (At left: Nurse Case Manager Kim Krick plays a memory game in the Traumatic Brain Injury clinic Nov. 18. Ms. Krick helps TBI patients set up their appointments and any other career transitioning processes that the patient may deal with.)I’m happy to conclude by saying that mild TBI patients should be reassured they will return to their previous level of function within three months to one year. The most important thing is to never give up. Patients shouldn’t give up on their chance for recovery, and friends and family members should continue to support the patient during the treatment process. We’re doing everything we can to ensure our patients get the treatment they need and have the best chance at recovery.
Posted by Paul F. Bove, Air Force Public Affairs.
US Air Force Combat Camera Airmen show off products
November 25th, 2008
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Airmen in the fight as told by Combat Camera.....
Posted by Captain David Faggard, Air Force Public Affairs
US Air Force Airman saves life of South Korean girl
November 25th, 2008
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Thanks to the PACAF pixels blog for sharing this story. This young lady was in a South Korean hospital in critical condition, and without a blood transfusion, she would die. Her doctors turned to the medics at Kunsan Air Base (United States Air Force) who tracked down Airman Pope -- the only Airman they could find with the rare AB negative blood type. Without hesitation, he agreed to donate his blood.
Director of Air Force Cyber Operations corrects erroneous blog article
November 21st, 2008
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An article, entitled "U.S. Air Force Generals Lose One," posted November 18 on StrategyPage.com asserted erroneous information about changes to the Air Force's Cyber Command. Brigadier General Mark O. Schissler, Director of Air Force Cyber Operations wrote a rebuttal correcting the record. Below is his counter piece.
On 19 November 2008, Strategy Page posted an article describing a change of course the USAF has recently made. I wish to address the main assertion in this piece. The unnamed author suggested the Air Force intended to “be in charge” of all cyber operations for the Department of Defense. This is not true.
The United States Air Force mission is to Fly, Fight, and Win in Air, Space and Cyberspace. Our nation’s Air Force has undergone many changes in the past year, but our commitment remains the same: to execute our mission in support of Combatant Commanders worldwide and always in concert with our service, wider DoD, US government departments and agency partners.
The Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff, in a desire to reinvigorate our nuclear enterprise, made the decision to stand-up the Air Force Global Strike Command to focus on nuclear operations that had waned in previous years. This development presented the opportunity to place cyber operations in Air Force Space Command. Cyber operations will find a strong advocate there and fit well with AFSPC component relationships with US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM).
The Air Force has led many efforts to develop a variety of cyber capabilities, but the service is not trying to take charge of cyber security for the DoD. That responsibility falls to the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). DISA leads the day-to-day defense of the US Global Information Grid through Joint Task Force-Global Network Operations, a subordinate command of US Strategic Command. The Air Force provides forces to both USSTRATCOM and DISA to perform their missions. The article refers to an “Air Force Cyber Control System” which is just not true—there is no such system. Command and Control (C2) is an inherent military function, regardless of which domain the forces are operating in. Not surprisingly, the Air Force is developing C2 capabilities to adequately employ forces in cyberspace. The Air Force is a full and willing joint partner in the effort to build a C2 arrangement that leverages the best of what each service and agency offers to national cyber operations.
The United States Air Force can contribute greatly to the future of Cyber Operations. As we partner with government, industry, and allies, our one goal is to help provide the security the American people trust us to provide, whether the domain is Air, Space or Cyberspace.
Mark O. Schissler, Brig Gen, USAF
Director of Air Force Cyber Operations
Director of Air Force Cyber Operations
Posted by Paul F. Bove, Air Force Public Affairs.
Oldest operating aircraft in the Air Force inventory retires to museum
November 18th, 2008
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The Convair NC-131H Total In-Flight Simulator (TIFS) landed on the back field of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force after its final flight on Nov. 7, 2008.
This very unique aircraft was created to perform research for the U.S. Air Force and was the oldest operating aircraft in the Air Force inventory. In the coming months, the TIFS will be prepared for preservation at the museum's restoration hangar and a ceremony is planned to be held at the museum when the vehicle is placed on display.
More information on the NC-131H can be found at http://www.wpafb.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123124379 or http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=13367.
Posted by Paul F. Bove, Air Force Public Affairs.
This very unique aircraft was created to perform research for the U.S. Air Force and was the oldest operating aircraft in the Air Force inventory. In the coming months, the TIFS will be prepared for preservation at the museum's restoration hangar and a ceremony is planned to be held at the museum when the vehicle is placed on display.
More information on the NC-131H can be found at http://www.wpafb.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123124379 or http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=13367.
Posted by Paul F. Bove, Air Force Public Affairs.
Speaker to make presentation on UAVs at Air Force museum
November 17th, 2008
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The future of unmanned aircraft is a widely discussed topic around today's Air Force. Sean "Skipper" Moulton will delve into unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from a warfighter's perspective during his presentation "Challenges of the Next Generation Unmanned Aircraft System" on Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.During his lecture, Moulton will explore some of the major challenges to development of the next generation of Unmanned Aircraft System and will talk about these challenges from an operator's and warfighter's perspective based on both the successes and failures of current weapons systems.
Admission and parking are free. More information is available at http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123122484.
Posted by Sarah Parke, National Museum of the United States Air Force
Elmendorf Air Force Base TBI Clinic
November 14th, 2008
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Thanks to the Airmen of Elmendorf Air Force Base for the folloing Air Force blog post:
"The year is flying by and it's hard to believe it's already November! Pretty soon we'll all be eating Turkey and preparing to start December! But this month we want to take some time to honor the wounded warriors and those who provide care to them! At Elmendorf, we're priviliged to have one of the best hospitals in in the Air Force! We're also located right next to Ft. Richardson, which gives us a lot of opportunities to treat wounded warriors. Here's a video story about some of the ways these Airmen are healing these soldiers... "
Posted by Captain David Faggard, Air Force Public Affairs
"The year is flying by and it's hard to believe it's already November! Pretty soon we'll all be eating Turkey and preparing to start December! But this month we want to take some time to honor the wounded warriors and those who provide care to them! At Elmendorf, we're priviliged to have one of the best hospitals in in the Air Force! We're also located right next to Ft. Richardson, which gives us a lot of opportunities to treat wounded warriors. Here's a video story about some of the ways these Airmen are healing these soldiers... "
Posted by Captain David Faggard, Air Force Public Affairs
Lights, camera, Air Force Week
November 14th, 2008
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As part of our continuing coverage of Air Force Week Los Angeles, below is a guest post by Lt. Col. Francisco G. Hamm, Air Force Office of Public Affairs, Entertainment Liaison. We provided details that some Hollywood stars from Desperate Housewives and Entourage, as well as other media, were on an Air Force Aircraft. Now, here's the full story of the day 25,000 feet up in the clouds. Lights, camera, Air Force Week
Lt. Col. Francisco G. Hamm
Imagine this. You are in a jet 25,000 feet in the air, going 450 miles per hour. You approach another aircraft from behind so closely that you are bounced around by the turbulence from its jet wash. Suddenly, coming toward you is a long piece of metal attached to the plane in front of you. Its target – the refueling port on top of your jet.
Your mission: to successfully maintain your position while you receive fuel from your supplier, in flight. The locals call it ‘passing gas.’
A new TV hit? A Hollywood blockbuster? The latest gaming sensation?
No, it’s your United States Air Force at work.
The Air Force got ready for its “Hollywood close up” 25,000 feet in the clouds. An air refueling mission near the Grand Canyon became the scene November 12th for media and entertainment professionals. This was a rare extreme close-up look at the airlift and tanker missions and the citizen Airmen.
For most of these entertainment professionals, there is a lot of time spent in a virtual, fictional world. This was an opportunity to see the real thing.
“The Air Force has a huge role in the joint fight through air, space and cyberspace,” said Brig. Gen. James Melin, 452 Air Mobility Wing Commander, March Air Reserve Base, Calif., to about 25 members of the entertainment industry who were in awe in their new surroundings: Historic March Field, not only known for its dazzling aircraft, courageous pilots and thousands of incredible Airmen passing through its gates, but also for its connection to Hollywood as the location for many spectacular movies, and the home of Bob Hope’s first USO performance. “This is an opportunity for us to showcase this role and give you a better appreciation of your Air Force,” Melin continued.
“To have the opportunity to meet the people who have a profession that helps people and who dedicate their lives to their country is exciting,” said Christine Cavalieri, a television producer. “I’ve learned so much…you can’t get this from the movies…this is the real thing.”
From November 14-21, Air Force Week in Los Angeles will provide Southern Californians a chance to meet members of their remarkable Air Force.
“The Air Force was something I just kind of thought about, but when I saw the planes, met some of the Air Force people and saw just a slice of what they do, I realized how amazing it is, said Tim Gibbons, an executive producer for the HBO hit, Curb Your Enthusiasm. “It has changed my perspective,” said Gibbons.
Media and entertainment professionals took advantage of an opportunity to get a closer look at the Air Force. The day included briefings, opportunities to talk to Airmen and look inside aircraft like the KC-135 Stratotanker and C-17 Globemaster III, and also see an MQ-1 Predator up close. The United States Air Force Honor Guard performed a precision rifle drill for the guests with the C-17 as their backdrop.
Lt. Col. Francisco G. Hamm
Imagine this. You are in a jet 25,000 feet in the air, going 450 miles per hour. You approach another aircraft from behind so closely that you are bounced around by the turbulence from its jet wash. Suddenly, coming toward you is a long piece of metal attached to the plane in front of you. Its target – the refueling port on top of your jet.
Your mission: to successfully maintain your position while you receive fuel from your supplier, in flight. The locals call it ‘passing gas.’
A new TV hit? A Hollywood blockbuster? The latest gaming sensation?
No, it’s your United States Air Force at work.
The Air Force got ready for its “Hollywood close up” 25,000 feet in the clouds. An air refueling mission near the Grand Canyon became the scene November 12th for media and entertainment professionals. This was a rare extreme close-up look at the airlift and tanker missions and the citizen Airmen.
For most of these entertainment professionals, there is a lot of time spent in a virtual, fictional world. This was an opportunity to see the real thing.
“The Air Force has a huge role in the joint fight through air, space and cyberspace,” said Brig. Gen. James Melin, 452 Air Mobility Wing Commander, March Air Reserve Base, Calif., to about 25 members of the entertainment industry who were in awe in their new surroundings: Historic March Field, not only known for its dazzling aircraft, courageous pilots and thousands of incredible Airmen passing through its gates, but also for its connection to Hollywood as the location for many spectacular movies, and the home of Bob Hope’s first USO performance. “This is an opportunity for us to showcase this role and give you a better appreciation of your Air Force,” Melin continued.
“To have the opportunity to meet the people who have a profession that helps people and who dedicate their lives to their country is exciting,” said Christine Cavalieri, a television producer. “I’ve learned so much…you can’t get this from the movies…this is the real thing.”
From November 14-21, Air Force Week in Los Angeles will provide Southern Californians a chance to meet members of their remarkable Air Force.
“The Air Force was something I just kind of thought about, but when I saw the planes, met some of the Air Force people and saw just a slice of what they do, I realized how amazing it is, said Tim Gibbons, an executive producer for the HBO hit, Curb Your Enthusiasm. “It has changed my perspective,” said Gibbons.
Media and entertainment professionals took advantage of an opportunity to get a closer look at the Air Force. The day included briefings, opportunities to talk to Airmen and look inside aircraft like the KC-135 Stratotanker and C-17 Globemaster III, and also see an MQ-1 Predator up close. The United States Air Force Honor Guard performed a precision rifle drill for the guests with the C-17 as their backdrop.
“I thought they were amazing, very talented Airmen,” said Rex Lee (left, pictured at right with the AF Honor Guard Drill Team), the actor playing “Lloyd” in the HBO hit Entourage, who enjoyed the Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team performance. After the performance he joined the group who spent time mingling and taking photographs with drill team members.Guests also got to speak with former Secretary of the Air Force Vern Orr, who was there to see the static displays on his 92nd birthday. Secretary Orr was responsible for the Air Force’s acquisition of the B-1 Bomber.
The main event of the day was an actual air-refueling mission.
Members of the media and entertainment industry were split up into two group as the former boarded the KC-135 and the latter boarded a C-17…both soon to be reunited at a high-altitude rendezvous. (Below: The C-17 group gets ready for takeoff.)
“Once in a lifetime experience,” said Craig Hayden Owens, a director of marketing with Electronic Arts gaming company.Owens was upfront on the flightdeck for take off and was overwhelmed by the experience. “It was cool to have the headsets on and be able to listen to all the communication. It was something you expect to experience in a video game but this was so much more.”
For actor Jeff Pride, the experience was exciting. “Being in the cockpit with the aircrew…it was amazing to see the confidence in the aircrew with the tanker aircraft so close to the plane taking fuel, and they still took the time to share with us what they were doing.”
“I am all about authenticity, so seeing this first hand is great,” said Electronic Arts gaming artist Waylon Brinck. “Immersion is a big deal in gaming so you want to give the players a feel for the real thing, so it’s great to experience this today first hand.”
For some, it was clear there was a lot to learn about the Air Force.
“When my publicist told me about the event I thought I was going to fly in a small (fighter) jet,” said Lee. He was pleasantly surprised though when he saw the C-17.
For Gibbons, his amazement was well documented as he spent a lot of time taking notes for his blog.
“The Air Force is amazingly organized and efficient, he said. “I had no idea of the scope of things that actually go on.”
His biggest surprise of the day was the massive size of the C-17. “Getting us in a C-17 was great, it’s bigger than my house!”
“Before coming to the event, I didn’t know what to expect. I envisioned the military being hard on the battlefield and by the book, yet I felt in full comfort the whole time,” said Pride, walking around inside the C-17.
The day started with a welcome briefing by Maj. Gen. Robert E. Duignan, 4th Air Force Commander, March ARB, Calif., who shared his excitement about the Air Force’s role as a key player in the joint team.
“We have so many great Airmen in our Air Force with fantastic stories,” he said. “This week is an opportunity to tell those stories.”
The Air Force Week program is a program helping communicate to America's communities nationwide the critical role the Air Force plays in global humanitarian missions, our dominance of air, space and cyberspace, and defending America's future.
Community visits, flyovers, film festivals, sporting events, weekend expositions, concerts and more, during each Air Force Week, provide an up close and personal look at the Air Force men and women serving on the frontline.
Although they said flight was cool and amazing, most guests walked away with a better
understanding and appreciation of the airmen carrying out the mission.“I am very happy that these are the people in the Air Force who take care of us everyday,” said Gibbons. “I was amazed at how polite people were today. Normally you see the military in the movies as more buttoned-up or wild and crazy. But what I saw today were real people.”
“I learned a lot about what the Air Force does,” said Lee, during flight. “I never understood what it meant when members of the Armed Forces would say they are proud to serve until today.”
Photos courtesy of Lt Col Paco Hamm, Air Force Public Affairs.
Posted by Paul F. Bove, Air Force Public Affairs.
Combat Camera Squadron–Global Reach, Global Images
November 13th, 2008
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An Airman shares his experiences as a member of Combat Camera
Ever wonder where all those images of action in combat zones come from? Or perhaps what it's like to be the one taking the photos or video? In the news clip below, MSGt Andy Dunaway tells what it's like to document military missions in Afghanistan and Iraq as a photographer with the 1st Combat Camera Squadron .
Below are photos of the Air Force in action taken by aerial photographer SSgt Aaron Allmon, who is currently deployed in the Central Command Area of Operations.
Two U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft conduct a flight over Afghanistan Nov. 7, 2008. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon, U.S. Air Force/Released)
A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft conducts a flight over Afghanistan Nov. 7, 2008. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon, U.S. Air Force/Released)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Martz, a KC-10 Extender aircraft flight engineer with the 908th Expeditionary Aerial Refueling Squadron, conducts a preflight check inside an aircraft on an air base in Southwest Asia Nov. 7, 2008, prior to a flight over Afghanistan. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon, U.S. Air Force/Released)
Want to hear more about Combat Camera? Get ready for Part 1 of a first-hand account of TSgt Cohen Young's unforgettable experience in Sadr City, Iraq. TSgt Young recently returned from a deployment with Combat Camera in Iraq. This Airman's story shows that no matter what role you have in the fight, you better be ready for anything Airmen. Continue to join us as we recognize the many facets of Warrior Care Month.
Posted by Paul F. Bove, Air Force Public Affairs.
Ever wonder where all those images of action in combat zones come from? Or perhaps what it's like to be the one taking the photos or video? In the news clip below, MSGt Andy Dunaway tells what it's like to document military missions in Afghanistan and Iraq as a photographer with the 1st Combat Camera Squadron .
Below are photos of the Air Force in action taken by aerial photographer SSgt Aaron Allmon, who is currently deployed in the Central Command Area of Operations.
Two U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft conduct a flight over Afghanistan Nov. 7, 2008. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon, U.S. Air Force/Released)
A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft conducts a flight over Afghanistan Nov. 7, 2008. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon, U.S. Air Force/Released) U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Martz, a KC-10 Extender aircraft flight engineer with the 908th Expeditionary Aerial Refueling Squadron, conducts a preflight check inside an aircraft on an air base in Southwest Asia Nov. 7, 2008, prior to a flight over Afghanistan. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon, U.S. Air Force/Released)Want to hear more about Combat Camera? Get ready for Part 1 of a first-hand account of TSgt Cohen Young's unforgettable experience in Sadr City, Iraq. TSgt Young recently returned from a deployment with Combat Camera in Iraq. This Airman's story shows that no matter what role you have in the fight, you better be ready for anything Airmen. Continue to join us as we recognize the many facets of Warrior Care Month.
Posted by Paul F. Bove, Air Force Public Affairs.