United We Roll at Stardust Radio

We have learned over the years of visiting with deployed military members that many do not have the same job on deployment as they do at home. Take our interview with A1C Jordan Lelonis, who you can hear on our show broadcast Tuesday 8/10. At home, A1C Lelonis is an Air Traffic Controller. But on deployment - for which he volunteered - he is on escort security duty and is enjoying the opportunity to learn about the Kyrgyzstan people and their country. Tune in for his interview and check out the following article. Be sure to click on the link for some great photos.

http://www.manas.afcent.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123213073

First-time deployers serve outside their Air Force specialties
by Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Buzanowski
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

7/12/2010 - TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan -- For many Airmen deploying for the first time, they are serving outside of the comfort zone of their Air Force specialty. Right now, Airmen from more than 40 different career paths make up the 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's Security Escort Flight.

The squadron's outgoing commander, Lt.Col. Craig Cole, says they are the sentries who monitor the Kyrgyz-partner contractors no matter the weather or time of day. "They're dealing with the uneasiness with dealing with a diverse team of Airmen across the Air Force and the unique challenges of watching contractors perform their daily duties.

"I have often reminded them that a deployment to Manas is not the same as the more hazardous locations in Afghanistan or Iraq, but it will prepare them for future deployments because it causes them to deal with issues like preparing for a deployment, the travel to and from the AOR [area of responsibility] and settling in at a completely foreign location," said Colonel Cole.

The flight has Airmen serving in grades of airman through technical sergeant. Two master sergeants, Nathan Burleson and Mike Rogers, run the flight but everyone serves on four-month rotations.

"We trust, but verify the jobs the escorts are doing at random sites," said Sergeant Burleson as he drives on the flight line to make the three-times-weekly rounds. "We want to make sure everyone is where they are supposed to be and that they're paying full attention to the people they are escorting. We also want to be sure the escorts are taken care of - if it's sunny that they have shade and that they're drinking water to stay hydrated."

"We don't get out as much as we'd like to so we rely quite a bit on the NCOs in dispatch," said Sergeant Burleson.

One of those NCOs is Staff Sgt. Loree Flores. Originally an air traffic controller, she's currently filling a special duty at McConnell AFB, Kan., as a dorm manager. "They normally don't deploy dorm managers, but I asked to deploy since I haven't in four years."

Part of her time at the flight is spent on dispatch - the hub of security escort operations. She explained that the Airmen escort the workers' vehicles from the visitor control center to the work site and must account for every vehicle and person in their group.

"At dispatch, we track where all the security escorts are and if they need anything. The NCO warriors or points bring water, Gatorade and snacks out to the escorts, stopping to actual help work the escort sites when needed or to escort a vehicle from the group that needs to get off base," said Sergeant Flores.

At formations she reminds everyone not to be complacent. Escorts contribute directly to force protection and operational security programs here by having keen situational awareness.

"Watching contractors take out the trash is one of the less glamorous jobs that the escorts do," said Sergeant Burleson.

It's Transit Center at Manas' policy to shred all papers to help protect against privacy act violations, for example social security numbers on orders. If an escort sees papers that haven't been shredded they'll take the initiative and pull these papers before they leave the center, explained Sergeant Rogers.

Also, with such a high volume of transients coming home from down range they often discard weathered uniforms in the trash. The Security Escort Flight recognized this and now all service members are briefed to discard their uniforms at a particular collection point.

Like Sergeant Flores, Airman 1st Class Jordan Lelonis, also an air traffic controller, volunteered for the deployment. "If I had waited to deploy in my job I'd have been waiting about four years," said the first-time deployer from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. "It's a different change of pace and I was really excited to get the tasking. Within my first week here I felt really comfortable with the job."

Pointing at the two master sergeants at his construction site, "they really take care of everyone."

Airman 1st Class William Ybarra, F-16 crew chief, deployed from Aviano Air Base, Italy, said he wasn't sure what to expect. "But the food is definitely better than what I expected. I can eat a lot more here than I can back home."

For other Airmen, the deployment is a chance to volunteer and be involved in the community. Airman 1st Class Joshua Weathers, a fuels Airman, is deployed here from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, United Kingdom. "I like the freedoms here of being able to volunteer," said the Airman who is on the base honor guard and is contemporary choir singer. "Morale is definitely good. The positives about this deployment outweigh the negatives."

The master sergeants explained that they coordinate a lot with the contracting office to anticipate the escort requirements for any given day which could be as many as 30-40 locations or jobs. About 75 percent of the escorts work a day shift, and in the winter when most outside projects cease for the season the number of escorts assigned to the flight will scale down.

"Over the past 6 months, I have had over 175 escorts rotate through here under my command. They provide a capability that is not glamorous, often tedious and definitely underappreciated. Without them, operations at the Transit Center would grind to a halt," said Colonel Cole. "The escorts have greatly enhanced our relations with our local partners by treating them with respect and professionalism."

United We Roll World Tour Show
Stardust Radio www.stardustradio.com
Tuesday 8/10/10 2:00pm – 4:30pm Central (Live)
Wednesday 8/11/10 6:30pm – 9:00pm Central (Repeat)

Welcome Stardust Listeners and thank you for joining us on United We Roll this Tuesday, the 10th day of August, as we once again take time to honor those who serve our country and who protect our freedom! I have talked with so many neighbors here at home who are struggling with the heat we have had this summer - thank goodness we are not also wearing 45 to 75 pounds of gear like our guys and gals on deployment who are working in 120+ degrees and many who are in harm's way. That realization can help to put things in perspective!

Now on to our show for this week. We have five new visits with five of our deployed Heroes of Freedom. The show Tuesday will actually end at 4:45pm CDT, approximately 45 minutes beyond our normal two hour period. Remember, if you are not able to stay with us through the show this afternoon, it will repeat again tomorrow evening, Wednesday, August 11th at 6:30pm Central.

(2:08) During our first visit, we will be talking with Air Force member A1C Jordan Lelonis, who is currently deployed with the 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Security Escort Flight. As an unarmed escort to the Kyrgyzstan people who come on base to fill a variety of job positions, A1C Lelonis not only works long hours, but has also had an opportunity to get to learn from and about the local community. He also brings us many other insights that many Americans will never have the opportunity to learn unless they do travel outside of the USA and have the opportunity to look at our country from a different viewpoint. This is truly an enlightening visit that is sure to leave you smiling and also very proud of those who serve. We have an article and a link to some photos that we will be posting in the UWR Blog.

(2:42) Our next visit is with Air Force TSgt Scott Forbes, who is currently deployed with the 332nd ELRS (Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron). I am sure we all figure that supplies get from one place to another either by air or ground for our deployed troops. But, sometimes it still catches me off guard when you think about the many kinds of supplies and the special handling that may be required. As a Special Handling Craftsman, TSgt Forbes makes sure that medical supplies, including blood and Hazmat items are properly packed, loaded and shipped. With 15 years service in the Reserves and two deployments, TSgt Forbes has a lot to offer during our visit and you will enjoy every minute.

(3:13pm) During our third visit, we will be speaking with SrA Bradley Kasch of the 380th AEW (Air Expeditionary Wing) where he is deployed as a Public Affairs Broadcaster. For any of you video production or camera bugs out there, I am sure you will enjoy this visit as we will hear about typical story coverage where SrA Kasch will cover a story with his video and then how he follows up to produce a finished story. Not only is it interesting to hear about this process, but it is great to talk with SrA Kasch as he and his PA counterparts do see and do so much with virtually every type of unit that is on duty and on deployment. They are the eyes and ears for most all of our men and women in uniform at home and away. This is a very interesting visit and we hope you all will enjoy it as much as we did.

(3:43pm) For our fourth visit, we will be hearing from Army 1LT Angelo Valdebenito, who is currently deployed with the 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery, 3rd Infantry Division (1-41FA, 3ID). In civilian terms, the job that 1LT Valdebenito is covering on deployment would be Human Resources Officer, but his actual duties go far beyond the civilian job description as you will hear from this dedicated soldier. Having served 17 years as an enlisted Army soldier before being commissioned to an officer rank certainly adds to the volume of information that 1LT Valdebenito draws on to serve those with whom he serves and to visit with us.

(4:14pm) Our fifth and final visit for today will take us to Transit Center Manas where we be speaking with SrA Byron Theriot of the 376th ELRS/POL Unit. What is POL - It is Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants. This is the unit that keeps all and any engines running, including those that keep airplanes flying. SrA Theriot teaches us some new points about this area and he also reiterates the slogan that "Without fuel, pilots are pedestrians". This young airman shares much more with us and, again, you will be left with a feeling of pride and appreciation for these very special people who dedicate their lives to protecting our freedom.

We would also like to thank some folks without whom these visits today would not be possible. Our deepest appreciation goes to TSG Jennifer Buzanowski, Mr Tom Conning, Capt Curt Schultheis and Capt Jessica Martin.

Before we wrap up, we want to acknowledge and thank Talking Communities, the Veteran owned service that brings us our Chat Star Teleconference Facility with state of the art private rooms and audio visual supports. If you need a place to host business seminars, display products or have a craft demo, or maybe you need to have a family celebration with members who are scattered around the US or the world. This is the place to see, hear, speak, show and text each other. For more information, contact the Stardust Radio business office at 319-648-3201.

Ladies & Gentlemen, we wish to thank all of you for joining us and we hope that you will be with us again next week when we will have more great visits from our Heroes of Freedom.

To all of our Veterans and all military family members who are listening, thank you for your service and for our freedom. To all of our First Responders and your family members, thank you for watching over our families, homes and communities.

Once again, we would like to remind any of our listeners who are interested in health and legislative issues that affect those who protect our freedom to tune in to our other broadcasts – OFFE with Gene Simes and Jere Berry at 8pm Central on Tuesday nights ...... and also with Rick Townsend and Firebase Network Sundays at 6:00pm Central.

Please remember, it is up to us at home to help our troops, not only with letters and care packages, but also by being aware of legislation in our states and in DC that will impact them and their families. We must do our part to insure that our Heroes of Freedom receive the benefits and health care that they deserve for keeping our country safe and free. It is the least that we can do for them and it is part of what we must do to help insure freedom for our children.

We wish you all a good, safe and healthy week.

May God Bless You All And May God Bless America!