Courtesy photo

Commentary by Tech. Sgt. Sarah Law

50th Space Wing safety office

As the summer season officially comes to a close, so does the Air Force’s Critical Days of Summer campaign. Although the last week of the campaign is still under way, so far, the mishap fatality rate has dropped from last year by eight people.

Unfortunately, the Air Force still lost 14 vitally important Airmen in on-duty and off-duty summer mishaps, one of which was from Air Force Space Command. Seven of these fatalities were private-auto related, four were motorcycle related, one was privately-owned weapon related, one was during unit PT, and one was from drowning…nearly all of these mishaps were preventable. As we have all heard before, one fatality is too many, but just in the last three weeks the Air Force has lost five Airmen. Some of these Airmen left behind spouses and children…all of them left their fellow Airmen, their friends, and their extended families.

Even in these last days of summer, it is important to remember the importance of remaining vigilant for safety hazards and remaining aware of our surroundings. While the Critical Days of Summer campaign is nearly over, the historical trends show that the seasonal rise in accidents and fatalities continues all the way through the weekend, so we need to stay focused and use personal risk management regardless of where we work or play.

Before participating in any recreational activity, the best idea is to plan ahead. Consider the following tips for some popular Labor Day weekend activities:

Driving Safety

n Wear your seat belt!

n Do not drive drowsy or distracted

n Map your route and take frequent breaks

n Absolute resolution - do not drink & drive

n Speed and recklessness kill!

Motorcycles

n Wear the PPE as mandated by AFI 91-207

nRide within your limits

nObey the rules of the road

nToo much speed going into corners may cause loss of control

Boating

nCheck your boat and equipment be fore leaving shore

nWear a life vest appropriate for your water  activities

nTake a boating safety class

n Do not go swimming or drive a boat after drinking alcohol

Cooking Outdoors

nUse lighter fluid, not gasoline

nMove the grill away from your house

and overhangs

n Always monitor the grill - keep chil dren and pets away

n Let coals cool before disposal

Camping

n Check your equipment before leaving

nCamp only in approved areas

nMake sure someone not with you knows where you are

nUse caution when starting fires

If you are planning to have some drinks on your break, remember that driving while under the influence can cost more than just money. It is dangerous and often results in the loss of life or physical and emotional injury. To prevent people from drinking and driving:

n Use a designated driver

n Take the keys from a friend who has

had “one too many” ANY

n Have a plan prior to going out

When having fun this holiday weekend, use common sense, because the life you save may be your own!

Remember, always keep your guard up and watch out for your Wingman! We have made it through the summer with very few safety mishaps, and now is also a great time to start thinking about fall and winter season hazards - hunting, Halloween safety, winter driving, etc. In the coming months you will see a lot more information, but it is never too early to start planning!

(U.SAir Force photo/Scott Prater) SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- 11th Space Warning Squadron defenderspressure Misslie Defense Integration and Operations Center quarterback Kyle Buck during a 2009 semifinal playoff game. 11th Space Warning Squadron enters this season as the two-time defending flag football champion.

by Staff Sgt. Patrice Clarke

50th Space Wing Public Affairs

Look up in the sky! … It’s a bird! …It’s a plane! … No, it’s the pigskin! That’s right Schriever sports fanatics. The pigskin is flying high in the sky signaling the return of Intramural Flag Football.

Any base fitness center visitor can see the different squadrons working on their offense and perfecting their defense on the field throughout the day. With the season opener less than a week away every last practice helps.

It’s the strengths and talents on the field that have many of the coaches excited about the upcoming season.

“The majority of our players have many years of experience in flag football,” said Bob Black, 50th Force Support Squadron coach. “Flag football is a different game then tackle. That experience is key.”

The main strength most Schriever teams boast about is speed.

“Our strength is speed,” said Michael Hoggard, 2nd Space Operations Squadron coach. “It showed in softball and it’s going to show on the football field.”

The 50th Space Communications Squadron coach only had three words when it came to talking about his team’s strength.

“Speed, speed, speed,” said John “Jason” Austin, a 50 SCS coach.

“In all honesty, I have yet to see who the other teams have as far as past players and newcomers,” added Bernard Baum, a 50 SCS coach. “We have the athletes to compete and the knowledge to dissect what our opponents are doing. That will be a lethal combination for the upcoming season.”

With strengths abound, most of the teams feel that they have the fast track to the championship.

“It’s going to be the 3rd Space Experimentation Squadron [in the championship game],” said Fernando Santos, 3 SES coach. “Why you ask? I’ve seen stranger things happen. The Saints won the Super Bowl.”

“I haven’t really been able to see other squadron’s practice, but I’m willing to bet if all of the pieces come together for our team we can snag the championship game with ease,” said Christopher Taylor, 1st Space Operations Squadron.

There are teams who feel that there are definite teams to beat out there.

“The 11th Space Warning Squadron is the two-time defending champions, so they are always the team to beat,” said Black. “I would also watch out for the Missile Defense Integration Operations Center team because they play in a league downtown.”

Many people can predict what might happen in the championship game but all have to wait for the season to progress. Either way the Schriever Flag Football season is sure to be exciting.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (AFNS) — Fraudsters continue to hijack accounts on social networking sites and spread malicious software, FBI officials said. One technique entices users to download an application or view a video that appears to be sent from users’ “friends,” giving the perception of being legitimate. Once the user responds to the phishing site, downloads the application, or clicks on the video link, their computer becomes infected.

With the influx of social media, Web 2.0 platforms and subsequent ease in sharing of sensitive and personally identifying information, Airmen should consider the risks and vulnerabilities in both personal and official activities, Air Force officials said.

Airmen using non-classified systems must ensure they are not posting classified, restricted distribution, proprietary or For Official Use Only information on public websites to include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blog sites, etc.

“We’re starting to see a loss of sensitive information occurring at an alarming rate,” said Ryan McCausland, from the information protection directorate. “This information not only affects the user, but can impact millions of Americans through medical, payroll and military service records.”

Mr. McCausland explained that release of personally identifiable information is also a concern. This includes any information about an individual maintained by an agency, including, but not limited to, education, financial transactions, medical history, and criminal or employment history. It also includes information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity, such as their name, social security number, date and place of birth, mother’s maiden name, biometric records, etc., and any other personal information which can be linked or linkable to an individual.

The release of personally identifiable information also applies to information about active-duty military, Department of Defense civilians, military family members, contractors, National Guard and the Reserve members. Among the restricted items are biographies, rosters, telephone directories, detailed organizational lists or charts that reflect personnel and multiple names of individuals from different organizations or locations on the same document or web page.

Unclassified but sensitive information such as detailed mission statements, operations schedules, unit recall rosters, standing operating procedures and policy memorandums require special handling and should also not be posted on public websites, Mr. McCausland said.

“The care and discretion of every Airman is critical to ensuring operational security in today’s information age,” Mr. McCausland said. “We must all continually safeguard our personal information as well as the information we handle in the workplace.”

Air Force Photo/Scott Prater Senior Airman Jared Hay, 50th Security Forces Squadron, performs sit ups along with fellow Security Forces members following their fitness assessment Aug. 30.

by Scott Prater

Schriever Sentinel

Sit ups, those pesky abdominal exercises.

A one-movement full crunch from the flat position to the sitting position is all it takes. But, perform the movement more than a few times and those abdominal muscles begin pleading for forgiveness.

Everyone who takes the Air Force Fitness Assessment has become all too familiar with the exercise, but some haven’t familiarized the movement well enough. According to Fitness Cell Monitors Krys Bankard and Stephen Steinke, sit-up failures have accounted for 34 percent of Fitness Assessment failures year to date (starting July 1).

Have sit ups suddenly become harder to perform recently? No, says Ms. Bankard.

“But, the Air Force instruction for the sit-up component of the test changed starting in July,” she said. “Some people may not be aware of the change. I don’t know if we can point to the AFI conclusively, but we’ve seen a big change in the number of sit-up failures.”

So what about the AFI changed?

The former AFI indicated test takers could only rest in the up position. The new AFI, however, explicitly explains that if test takers rest in the down position, with their shoulder blades touching the floor, or if they hold their knees/legs in the up position, then this component of the test will be terminated.

“That’s an important distinction,” Mr. Steinke said. “The former AFI simply stated that people could not rest in the down position.”

That’s not all. Mr. Steinke and Ms. Bankard also explained that some test takers often perform their sit ups improperly once they begin to fatigue.

“The AFI clearly states that people need to keep their arms crossed, and their hands need to be touching their shoulders or chest during the entire movement,” Mr. Steinke said. “When a person lifts their hands away from their body during the movement, that nullifies the sit up. We had a guy last week who did six in a row, which didn’t count because his hands shook and he lifted them off his body.”

Ms. Bankard indicated that if a tester rests for any length of time with their shoulder blades touching the floor, that tester is given a warning. If the person rests again in the same fashion, the component test is terminated.

Airmen also need to be aware that each component, (run, push ups, sit ups and waist measurement) have minimum requirements. So if minimum requirements are not met in each component, the tester fails, even if they post high scores during their other component tests.

“Frankly, I don’t see a lot of people performing abdominal work,” Mr. Steinke said. “I see a lot of folks lifting weights and running, but they seem to skimp on the core work.”

So how can Airmen alleviate this sit-up problem?

“It’s pretty straight forward,” Ms. Bankard said. “People need to practice their sit ups. We have a ton of resources here at the fitness center to help people improve their core strength, including personal trainers. Airmen are allotted 12 free sessions with a personal trainer.”

Classes designed to strengthen a person’s core area are also offered at the fitness center, such as Yoga, Pilates and Fitness Improvement Progam.

The old adage, “knowledge is power” also applies. The FAC monitors advise Airmen to make sure they are knowledgeable with the new AFI and help is available at the fitness center. Ms. Bankard and Mr. Steinke will demonstrate proper sit-up technique to both individuals and squadrons when asked. They’ll demonstrate the proper form of each component, but it’s important to note: they cannot provide practice-waist measurements.

“We don’t provide courtesy tapings because the Fitness Assessment Cell does all official

testing and because of time constraints,” Ms. Bankard said. “Physical Training Leaders conduct unofficial practice tests to include taping, and a member should go through their PTL to have an idea of where he/she is at.”

Contrary to misconceptions, the FAC monitors say they are not out to get people. Instead their function is to standardize testing and record scores.

“Some may think otherwise, but we don’t want people to fail,” Mr. Steinke said. “Besides wanting everyone to succeed, there is a lot of extra paperwork, not only for us, but for everyone involved if someone fails. “Testers who fail must attend classes, do extra training, and their commanders are never happy about the news.”

Tech. Sgt. Monique Killian, 21st Space Wing plans and programs, (left) and Tech. Sgt. Alyse Partridge, 21st Medical Group Life Support Program director, (right) sing back up for Senior Airman Charis Ford, Joint Personal Property Shipping Office traffic management journeyman, (center) a contestant in last year’s Front Range Stars show. Airman Ford will compete again this year signing, “Bring it on Home to Me,” originally by Sam Cooke and redone by The Supremes, in the singing contest modeled after the popular TV show “American Idol.” Twelve contestants from Peterson AFB, Schriever AFB and the U.S. Air Force Academy will compete for the title of Front Range Star at 7 p.m. Sept. 10 in the Peterson Air Force Base auditorium. Tickets are $7 in advance or $10 at the door. Proceeds are split between the Team Pete Junior Enlisted Association and a local charity. (Courtesy photo

by Monica Mendoza

21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo.  – Twelve contestants from Peterson AFB, Schriever AFB and the U.S. Air Force Academy will battle it out vocally in the annual Front Range Stars show Sept. 10, which is modeled after the popular TV show “American Idol.”

Competition is expected to be tough as past contestants, former Tops in Blue vocalists and award-winning song writers, step on to the stage to try to earn the title “Front Range Star” of the three area Air Force bases. The theme is “Motown Magic” and the contestants had to choose a song from a Motown artist, said Tech. Sgt. Alyse Partridge, 21st Medical Group Life Support Program director and Front Range Stars event organizer.

Michael Wardingley, 21st Aerospace Medicine Squadron information manager, was in the competition last year and this year he’s hoping for a win with “Isn’t She Lovely,” by Stevie Wonder.

“I’ve been singing for 18 years, both in church and the civilian community,” he said. “I’ve had the opportunity to sing the national anthem at professional and collegiate sporting events and at military ceremonies over the last eight years.”

The winner walks away with a $250 cash prize, a trophy, and his or her base commander gets a trophy and bragging rights for the year, Sergeant Partridge said. Each year, proceeds from ticket sales are split between the Team Pete Junior Enlisted Association and one charitable organization. This year, the organization is Autism Society of Colorado Springs. According to Pentagon data, there are 13,243 autistic children among the 1.2 million dependents of active duty personnel.

Front Range Stars, in its fourth year, is no karaoke contest, Sergeant Partridge said. The performers are fully backed up by three singers and The Springs Band, whose members are former Air Force band musicians. Three judges - KKMG 98.9 radio host Romi, music director and musician Matt Lucci and Diane Myers, vocalist in the Velvet Hills Show Chorus, the Sweet Adeline’s (International) and performance music educator - will pick one winner after each contestant performs one song.

Four-time contestant Megan Becker, the daughter of Maj. Debra Arabia, 21st Medical Operations Squadron Women’s Health, has been “singing longer than I’ve been talking, according to my mom,” she said jokingly. She will perform her rendition of Marvin Gaye’s “You’re All I Need To Get By.”

“I love singing and I love getting to connect with the other contestants and coaches,” Miss Becker said. “The competition aspect is the least important to me; I just love getting up there.”

Sergeant Partridge proposed the idea of the singing contest four years ago. As the daughter of military parents, she grew up overseas where the bases hosted talent shows and singing contests regularly, she said.

“I’m a music lover and I’m a singer. There was nothing on base that showcased a person’s singing ability other than performing The National Anthem at ceremonies,” she said. “There are so many people on the three bases who are outstanding singers just waiting to have an opportunity to perform on stage.”

Auditions for this year’s show were held in July and more than 20 people tried out. From U.S. Air Force Academy, Maj. Stacey Blottiaux, 10th Medical Surgical Operations Squadron, auditioned because she loved the idea of performing with a live band and backup singers, she said.

“At the time, I did not know the theme was Motown, which was a bonus that I did not expect,” she said.

She’ll be singing “It’s My Turn,” by Diana Ross.

Schriever AFB will be represented by three strong competitors: Staff Sgt. Richard Justice, non-commissioned officer in charge of procedures in the 3rd Space Operations Squadron, who just won the “My Air Force Life” Original Song Contest in July; Robyn Weiss, a family member who came in second in last year’s Front Range Stars competition; and contractor Cassandra Collins, who is a former Tops in Blue vocalist.

“It is going to be such a great year,” Sergeant Partridge said. “This is a show you will not want to miss.”

If you go:

n Front Range Stars Singing Contest Finale; doors open 6 p.m. Showtime is 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Peterson AFB auditorium. Tickets are $7 in advance. E-mail Alyse.Partridge@peterson.af.mil for ticket information. Tickets are $10 at the door. Children under three years old are free.

(U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Airman 1st Class Corey Hook)

by Staff Sgt. Paul Croxon

Defense Media Activity-San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO  – More than a decade in the making, the culture of the “wingman” approach to suicide prevention is still evolving as risk factors and causes of suicide are becoming more widely understood.

The wingman concept should be very familiar to most Airmen. Suicide prevention training has been incorporated into Airman culture from basic training though every level of professional military education and yearly refresher training.

For Lt. Col. Michael Kindt, the Air Force Suicide Prevention Program manager, when it comes to suicide prevention, the numbers are the key to understanding what approach to take.

“In the late 90s the numbers indicated that suicide was becoming a problem in the Air Force,” he said. “There were about 20 suicides per 100,000 Airmen. The suicide rate across the civilian sector was about 11 per 100,000.”

This high suicide rate prompted senior Air Force leaders to take a look at suicide and develop a program to combat the trend, said Colonel Kindt. More than a decade later, the AFSPP has successfully cut the suicide rate in half by implementing 11 initiatives that address suicide prevention from the individual level up to the command level.

“The Community Action Information Board was developed and the wing or vice commander appointed to chair it on every base,” Colonel Kindt said. “The Integrated Delivery System was also created. It made sure the chaplain, Airman and Family Readiness Centers and other agencies were on the same page and working together.”

In addition to the agency and senior leader involvement, the AFSPP also brought supervisors and coworkers into the equation.

“When the program was developed they realized that a session with a psychiatrist wasn’t enough to identify a suicide risk,” Colonel Kindt said. “It was the people close to the individual who would notice behavioral changes and be able to address it in the most effective way.”

Colonel Kindt said recognizing the behavioral change is only the first step. The most difficult step is to ask the question.

“It’s a hard thing to do — ask a coworker or friend if they are thinking of hurting themselves,” he said. “But imagine how much more difficult it would be for a person to approach you and tell you they are contemplating suicide. It’s important to meet them halfway. If you ask the question 20 times in your career you may have just one where the person is contemplating suicide and you asking the question could be the key to that person opening up and result in saving a life.”

The colonel also advocates taking the ACE approach to suicide intervention; asking directly if someone is thinking of hurting themselves, caring for the individual by removing them from a dangerous environment, and escorting them to a professional who can give them further help.

ACE is a simple concept but has powerful implications. Data collected on every Air Force suicide during the past 12 years has shown intervention by peers is extremely effective. That same data has also identified which Airmen are at the highest risk and points out misconceptions regarding who is most likely to hurt themselves.

Many of the identified risks for suicide are the same as those in the civilian sector; relationship trouble, financial instability, legal action. However, there are some risk factors within the Air Force that the collected data has highlighted, such as higher-risk career fields.

“The data has shown that security forces, intelligence and manned maintenance career fields have about twice the suicide rate of other career fields,” Colonel Kindt said.

According to some of the studies, security forces Airmen have a comfort with weapons and access to weapons that puts them at a higher risk than an Airman unfamiliar or uncomfortable with weapons.

Airmen who work in the intelligence career category may have unfounded cultural misconceptions that seeking help for personal problems jeopardizes security clearance. Airmen who work in manned maintenance are charged with a high-level of responsibility believed to contribute to an increased risk of suicide.

This information has changed the way the AFSPP interacts with these career fields, Colonel Kindt said. Instead of the yearly computer-based training most Airmen complete, Air Force officials are beginning to implement face-to-face training with every Airman in those career fields.

The AFSPP is a priority for senior leaders. In fact, Colonel Kindt conducts conference calls and reports to the chief of staff of the Air Force weekly.

“Senior leaders take this program seriously,” he said. “One preventable death is one too many.”

For more information on the Air Force Suicide Prevention Program, and to see all 11 initiatives, visit http://afspp.afms.mil.

Members of the 821st Support Squadron at Thule Air Base, Greenland, hiked up the 724-foot high Thule landmark, Mount Dundas, Aug. 23 following a commander’s call. The Ravens rallied at the foot of the mountain to make the climb, which took about one hour because in the final 50-feet of the climb Airmen had to use a fixed rope and go up single file, one at a time. The climb was the first of many planned team-building events for the squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Petra Wright)

by 821st Support Squadron

821st Air Base Group

THULE AIR BASE, Greenland — It was a lovely 47 degrees and sunny Aug. 23 at Thule Air Base in Greenland, where during the winter months experience complete darkness.
Following a commander’s call, 33 Airmen from the 821st Support Squadron rallied at the base of Thule landmark, Mount Dundas, to make the climb to the top. It was the first of monthly squadron team-building events.
“I’m extremely proud of the squadron,” said Maj. Travis Leighton, 821st Support Squadron commander. “I know a lot of folks were pushing their physical and mental limits in order to make it to the top and it was awesome to see fellow Airmen encouraging each other to make it all the way. I can’t wait for next month’s event.”
Master Sgt. Petra Wright, 821st Military Personnel Support superintendent, planned the event. She had made the trek once before, she said. Climbing the 724-foot mountain is a typical recreational event for the squadron during the summer months. Greenland covers nearly 840,000 square miles; more than 80 percent is covered either by the ice cap or smaller glaciers.
Thule Air Base is home to one part of the 21st Space Wing’s global network of sensors providing critical, real-time warning of ICBM and SLBM attacks against North America, and detects, tracks and identifies earth-orbiting objects in support of USSTRATCOM’s space control mission. It is located about 700 miles north of the Arctic Circle and is referred to as “the cold desert.”
It took Airmen about an hour to make it to the summit of Mount Dundas. In the final 50 feet of the climb, Airmen had to use a fixed rope and go up single file. At the top, the squadron soaked in the scenery overlooking the bay and explored the area. There is only a brief period each year in the summer when the sea ice thins enough for supply ships to get to the base. The bay will be frozen again by mid-October.
“This was a way to build camaraderie, see Thule and get some exercise,” Sergeant Wright said. “I’m glad the squadron enjoyed it.”
In keeping with tradition, Sergeant Wright wrote her name on a rock that she carried from the bottom and placed it in a pile that marks all of those who have braved the Mount Dundas climb.

Sergeant Bob

by Anneliesa Barta

Fort Carson Sustainability planner

His name is Robert Tallerdy but everyone calls him “Sergeant Bob.”

He was stationed at Fort Carson from 1970-1971 and now volunteers at the United Service Organization three days a week.

But that’s not all he does. In addition to being a passionate Patriot Guard rider, Tallerdy loves to volunteer his time giving Soldiers he meets a ride. Sometimes he picks up a Soldier who needs to get from the post exchange to the barracks. Other times he drives by the bus station or airport looking for those who would otherwise have to wait hours to complete the final leg of their journey home.

“I’m all for the Soldiers, and I want them to know it,” he said. “I feel good when I give a Soldier a ride. I don’t want money, not even for gas. I give my cell phone (number) to Soldiers who I meet so they can call me anytime. They know that they can count on me to help with their transportation needs and whatever else I can do to make their lives easier.”

Tallerdy has been continuing a long tradition whereby Soldiers, private citizens and military retirees help Soldiers in need of a ride to get to their destinations. Spc. Anthony Neil, Company A, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, remembers when he was a private first class with no car.

“It was a cold snowy day, and I had a long walk to the PX to get my taxes done. A fellow Soldier pulled up next to me and offered to take me where

I needed to go. It turned out that we were in the same company,” he said.

Neil now returns the favor whenever he sees a Soldier walking in inclement weather or far from main post areas.

“People are very grateful for the ride. I feel good to help someone out, save them time and money. There’s a feeling of camaraderie, and that is what the Army is all about.”

By introducing the “Give a Buddy a Ride” program, sustainable Fort Carson continues this Army tradition, but with a more formal and modern twist. Soldiers, civilians, Family members or whomever needs a ride indicate so by standing at one of the designated stops marked by signage provided by the Directorate

of Public Works. In this way, drivers in the area who are willing and able to give a buddy a ride to their desired destination can make arrangements on the spot.

Neil said “I was excited to see the

Give a Buddy a Ride program unveiled - it makes ride share easier which means more people will benefit.”

People in need of a ride can look for Give a Buddy a Ride stops at the following locations:

Near Gate 4:

• O’Connell Boulevard eastbound between Specker Avenue and Magrath Avenue (near building 1042)
• O’Connell Boulevard westbound, east of Magrath Avenue (near building 8037)
• Barkeley Avenue southbound, just inside Gate 4

Central cantonment:

• Specker Avenue northbound, north of Nelson Boulevard
• Flint Street eastbound, east of Chiles Avenue (near building 1510)
• Flint Street eastbound, east of Wetzel Avenue (near building 1526)
• Main PX (former bus stop near building 6110)

“Banana Belt:”

• Magrath Avenue northbound, north of Titus Boulevard (near building 2692)

Barkeley Avenue southbound, south of Titus Boulevard (near building 2350)

Elsewhere:

• Woodfill Road west of Sheridan Avenue, in the parking lot of housing office (building 7301)
• Cochrane Circle eastbound, west of Sutherland Drive
• Airfield Road westbound (near dining facility, building 9612)

The Give a Buddy a Ride program is entirely voluntary. When stopping to give an individual a ride at one of the pickup sites, use caution to avoid impeding traffic.

Like Tallerdy and Neil, individuals can continue this tradition of giving a Soldier a ride.

Soldiers prepare for deployment convoy patrol training on how to handle issues in realistic scenarios at the Battle Command Training Branch.

Story and photo by Bruce Hinson

Mountaineer staff

Fort Carson has a unique battle training asset that saves time, bullets, fuel and a whole lot more. The Battle Command Training Branch is where unit leaders can take their people to train in almost any imaginable scenario.

“When (leaders’) units are getting ready to deploy, whether to the (Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La.), the (National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif.), a relief effort or a natural disaster, they’ll come here and simulate that area of operations,” said Marvin Weeks, manager of the BCTB’s Smith Simulation Center. “That way they’ll have some sense of situational awareness, have rehearsed in their minds, been able to do the right thing or fixed the wrong thing before they leave. Situational awareness, in this time, gives you some kind of muscle memory to fall back on, who you need to contact, what you need to do.”

The professionals at the BCTB take all the ingredients the leader wants to integrate: satellite imagery of the terrain, weapons choices, units, indigenous peoples, vehicles and situations. Then they mix it all together, according to the events the leader wants for his troops. They emphasize their versatility and adaptability to whatever the unit leader has in mind.

According to James Woods, a lead instructor in the BCTB Gaming Section, “We have a mobile package that we can take anywhere. The 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division told us,

‘We want you to set up at Range 143 for a week,’ so we packed up the computers, went down and trained the unit. They actually practiced going downrange in the virtual world before they executed the range with real bullets. They had the same procedures, the same steps, the same scenarios. If you can think of how you want it done and have a place for us to set up, we can do it.”

The key idea is to prepare the warrior to be tactically and technically proficient. This can be done from the individual or squad level all the way up to battalion or brigade levels. The BCTB has done two division exercises, but those generally require a larger facility because they have a broader focus. Another major point for all unit leaders is to realize that the BCTB is not going to turn anyone away.

To explain about their turnaround time from request to delivery, Woods gave an example of a military police unit that was unexpectedly prevented from going downrange. A sergeant called up, explained the situation and within an hour and a half they were in training. Woods added, “The more lead time we get on more intensive missions, the better for everyone. The more intense, the more specific the mission, the more time it will take to put the training together but the better it will be for the war fighter.”

Like anything else, the more detailed the leader’s plan that is brought to BCTB, the better the training scenarios they can create. For example, in the simulations, the war fighter will be able to hear a helicopter arrive. The realism is so vivid that the helicopter will be heard approaching from the direction specified, in real time, louder and louder. To the Soldier, the only thing missing would be the feel and smell of the dust as it lands. The scenarios can be so thorough that even the issues of fratricide are possible.

Fort Carson’s BCTB is so unique that other posts, like Fort Bliss, Texas, Joint Base Lewis/McChord, Washington, and even the Navy and Air Force have taken advantage of their state-of-the-art facilities.

To schedule training or a tour, contact Deborah Martin at 526-9898.

The Smith Simulation Center of the BCTB is located at 2426 Wetzel Ave. It faces Wetzel Avenue and is between Polio and Khe Sahn streets, just north of the Autocraft Center.

Photos by Devin Fisher. A 200-pound black bear keeps an eye on Fort Carson wildlife conservation and Provost Marshal police officers from his perch in a Cheyenne Village housing area tree Aug. 25.

by Christopher Zimmerman

Conservation officer, Fort Carson Conservation Law Enforcement Program

Fort Carson wildlife conservation and Provost Marshal police officers were dispatched to Cheyenne Village housing area Aug. 25 to respond to a 200-pound black bear nestled in a tree enjoying some apples.

Officials kept the bear in the tree to ensure the safety of the Mountain Post community until Colorado Division of Wildlife officers arrived on scene. Fort Carson conservation officers tranquilized the bear and, after post veterinarians examined the sleeping giant, transported the bear to Piñon Canyon per request of Colorado Division of Wildlife officials.

The bear was released back into the wild.

Black bears are the largest carnivores in Colorado. There are no known grizzly bears living in the state; the last confirmed sighting of a grizzly in Colorado was in 1979. Although called black bears, they can be blond, brown, cinnamon or black. On average, an adult weighs between 175 and 275 pounds, but depending upon the time of the year, food supply and gender, they may weigh 100-450 pounds. They are naturally shy, very wary of people and their normal response to any perceived danger is to run away.

Bears are actively foraging for food this time of year to fatten up before winter starts.

It takes a lot of food to pack on the pounds needed to survive the winter. In late summer and throughout the fall, black bears are putting on fat at the rate of 1.5 pounds per day. They aren’t really fussy about where those calories come from, but they primarily eat plants, berries, nuts and insects. Unfortunately, they will also eat garbage, pet food and bird seed.

This late summer gorging is usually what brings these wide-ranging animals into the housing areas of Fort Carson. Conflicts develop between people and bears when their drive to eat overcomes the animal’s natural wariness of humans. Much of what people throw away smells like food to a hungry bear.

Never leave trash out overnight. A study confirmed that simply putting out trash on the morning of pickup significantly reduces the chances of a bear visit. To avoid attracting bears, trash containers should regularly be cleaned with ammonia or bleach.

Don’t feed birds during the months when bears are active. Seeds are a natural food for bears. Pet food is another high-calorie treat that will attract a bear. A bear’s nose is nearly 100 times more sensitive than a human’s, and pet food regularly left outside will condition a bear to associate the home with food.

And please remember, don’t feed bears - it’s illegal in Colorado. Even though black bears are not naturally aggressive and seldom injure people, they are still strong, powerful animals. A bear intent on getting a meal could injure someone in its way. Bears that get too comfortable around people may become a threat to human safety. Habituated bears must often be relocated, and in extreme cases, may have to be destroyed.

Do your part to bear-proof your home and yard and help keep the bears alive and wild.

If a bear is spotted on post, contact the military police immediately at 526-2333. For more information on bears or encounters with other wildlife, call the Fort Carson Conservation Law Enforcement Program at 524-5394.