July UTA News & Notes Published July 8, 2010 MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, Calif. -- This is a compilation of news bits Airmen and families can use to prepare for the upcoming UTA weekend. Welcome New 129th Members! Capt. Eric Davis, 131st RQS Tech. Sgt. Gerald Messier, 129th RQS Staff Sgt, Keandra Abdul-Rahim, 129th RQW Staff Sgt Fernando Borrego, 129th FSS Staff Sgt. Carl Cheek, 129th MXS Staff Sgt. Christopher Dominguez, 129th MXS Senior Airman Bruce Griffith, 129th MXS Senior Airman Benjamin Hawks, 129th MXS Senior Airman Charles Howell, 129th MXS Senior Airman Dustin Miller, 129th MXS Senior Airman Todd Novello, 129th RQS Senior Airman Ashley Ramirez, 129th RQW Airman 1st Class Daniel Fasholz, 129th MXS Airman 1st Class Alphonso Myers, 129th MXS Airman 1st Class Danyel Newsome-Schulke, 129th MXS Airman 1st Class Hector Palomares, 129th MXS Airman 1st Class Sophie Powers, 561st Band Airman 1st Class Lara Rolando, 129th MXS Airman 1st Class Anthony Spano, 129th MXS Airman 1st Class Amanda Stallcup, 129th AMXS Airman 1st Class Andre Wells, 129th MXS Airman 1st Class William Woodsmall, 129th MXS Congratulations! The Following Members Have Recently Been Promoted To Their Current Rank. Staff Sgt. Isaac Corniel, 131st RQS Staff Sgt. Christina Bueno, 131st RQS We Wish the Following Retired, Separated and Transferred Members Well and Thank Them for Their Service at the 129th. Chief Master Sgt. Warner Ratcliff, 149th CBCS Master Sgt. Jayme Duree, JFHQ Tech. Sgt. Michael Maturo, 131st RQS Staff Sgt. Donald Ohlson, 129th LRS Staff Sgt. Yee Vang, 129th MXS Senior Airman Jonathan Bidwell, 129th RQW Senior Airman Anna Esclamado, 129h MXS 2010 UTA Schedule July 10-12 August 7-8 September 11-12 October 2-3 November 6-7 December 4-5 Religious Services Schedule Services take place every Sunday morning of UTA drill weekend in Building 650 - Catholic Mass: 10:15-10:45 - Non-denominational services: 11:00 - 11:30 928 Lives Saved Col. Amos Bagdasarian, commander for the 129th Rescue Wing, announced June 14 that the 129th RQW has been credited with 913 lives saved. The 131 Rescue Squadron, currently deployed to Afghanistan, has earned two combat saves. The 131st RQS earned an additional three combat saves, reported June 24, 2010. As of July 8, 2010, the 131st RQS has earned an additional 12 combat saves since the last reporting period. These saves involved non-coalition soldiers as well as U.S. military members. The 131st RQS last updated deployment statistics include 19 saves, 77 assists, 79 total missions. 2010-2011 UTA ORE and ORI Schedule In accordance with the memorandum for all 129th Rescue Wing members sent out by Col. Amos Bagdasarian, the 129th RQW Wing Commander, the following dates are scheduled for 2010 and 2011 Unit Training Assembly's and Super Drills for the Operational Readiness Exercises in preparation for the upcoming Operational Readiness Inspection. These dates are to be used for drill attendance as opposed to the special orders M-2 dated Dec. 1, 2008 and M-1 dated Oct. 1, 2009 that were sent out by the Adjunct General. Note: All 129th RQW members will be on military status when performing ORE or ORI events. 2010 July 10-12 - Phase I ORE (July 12 required if identified by unit commander) August 7-8 September 11-12 October 2-3 November 6-7 December 4-5 2011 January 8-9 February 5-6 March 5-6 April 9-11 - CRTC Training (April 11 required if identified by unit commander) May 10-15 - Phase I/II ORE (6 days) June 4-5 July 9-10 August 6-7 September 10-11 October 1-6 - Phase I/II ORE (6 days) November 5-6 December 3-9 - Phase I/II ORI (7 days) Feb 2012 UTA moved to Dec. 5-6 2011 Developmental Education Programs for Officers Officers have until Aug. 31 to apply for special developmental education programs available for the 2010-2011 academic year. The four programs include the Olmsted Scholarship Program, White House Fellowship Program, Mansfield Fellowship Program and Information Assurance Scholarship Program. More information about these programs is available the Air Force Personnel Center personnel services website under Officer Developmental Education Programs at http://gum.afpc.randolph.af.mil. Air Force Officials Ban Use and Possession of Mood-Altering Substances Air Force Instruction 44-121, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program has been revised to enforce the prohibition the ingestion of any substance, other than alcohol or tobacco, for the purpose of altering mood or function. Lt. Col. Elizabeth L. Schuchs-Gopaul, a judge advocate with the Air Force Judge Advocate General Action Group says the possession of any intoxicating substance, if done with the intent to use in a manner that would alter mood or function, is also prohibited. The guidance cited the designer drug "spice," salvia, inhalants, propellants, household chemicals, solvents and other substances used for "huffing," along with prescription drug abuse. Violators will be punishable as violations of a lawful general regulation under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Violating this new punitive memorandum is punishable by a dishonorable discharge, confinement for two years, total forfeiture of all pay and allowances, Colonel Schuchs-Gopaul said. Enlisted members also face reduction to the lowest enlisted grade. CNG Education Assistance Award Program Update The California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program issues financial awards to qualifying members of the California Army or Air National Guard and State Military Reserve. This financial education benefit can pay for up to 100% of fees at most Universities of California, California State Universities and California Community Colleges. For those who missed the June 15, 2010 priority deadline can still apply! New and renewal applications are still being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for the 2010 -2011 Academic Year. All completed statements of understanding are to be sent to Ms Katrina Beck via FAX to (916) 854-3439 or email at Katrina.beck2@us.army.mil. New Applicant Procedures New applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CNG EAAP application online. New applicants must also download, print, and complete the statement of understanding, and have it signed by their commander. These documents are available at www.calguard.ca.gov/education under the heading "It Takes Three." Renewal Applicant Procedures Those who were selected to receive educational assistance under the CNG EAAP for the 2009 - 2010 academic year need to also download, print, and complete the Renewal Statement of Understanding, and have it signed by their commander to apply for educational assistance for the 2010-2011 academic year. These documents are available at www.calguard.ca.gov/education under the heading "For Renewal of Current Program Awardees." Review of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy California National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are encouraged to provide their input to the Department of Defense's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. The Secretary of Defense has established a Comprehensive Review Working Group to study the DoD policy and make recommendations for changes to the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" issue. The CRWG is interested in soliciting Servicemembers input from all branches and components of the military. In an effort to efficiently solicit that input, the working group has set up a website for Servicemembers and their families to access. Soldiers and Airmen may log on to the U.S. Government information system located at www.defense.gov/dadt to provide their input. Improved Physical Fitness Uniform Coming To A Store Near You An improved physical training uniform will be available in select military clothing sales stores later this month. The IPTU, which consists of a running jacket, pants, trunks and a T-shirt, is an optional uniform. The IPTU running suit consists of a different material with enough of a color shade difference to be identifiable from the current suit. However, the current PTU and IPTU shorts and shirts may be mixed and also worn with the IPTU running suit. By utilizing the latest advances in textile technology, the IPTU offers significant improvements in both comfort and functionality over the current PTU. Improvements include the elimination of the "swish-swish" in-motion noise, better reflectivity, lighter weight and state-of-the-art moisture wicking material with a quick-drying, anti-microbial liner. The IPTU will be in short supply starting out. Once all military clothing stores have received shipment, the IPTU will be available via Internet purchase worldwide around October.