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FORT SAM HOUSTON

DECEMBER 23, 2016VOL. 58, NO. 51

A PUBLICATION OF THE 502nd AIR BASE WING – JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON

DOD Safe Helpline877-995-5247

JBSA Sexual Assault Hotline 808-SARC (7272)

JBSA Domestic Abuse Hotline 367-1213

JBSA Duty Chaplain 221-9363

JBSAHOTLINES

TOY DRIVE HONORS FALLEN CORPSMAN PAGE 3

A FAMILY'S ROAD TO RECOVERY PAGES 16-17

RULES FOR DRONES PAGE 8

Guardian Challenge builds cohesion, tests skills of ARNORTH SoldiersBy Sgt. 1st Class Shelman SpencerU.S. Army North Public Affairs

Two dozen Soldiers assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Battalion, or HHBN, U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston competed in the first Guardian Challenge at JBSA-Camp Bullis Dec. 9.

Twelve two-person teams put their skills to the test as they moved to each event on foot carrying a 30-pound rucksack. The teams competed in a modi-fied Army Physical Fitness Test, or APFT, confidence course, weapons qualification range – firing both, M9 pistol and, M16 rifle – and two medical tasks.

The morning started with a modified APFT. Pushup and sit-up events were extended to four minutes while allowing team members to alternate back and forth until time concluded. Dur-ing the two-mile run, each team faced disqualification if they were more than five meters from their partner.

“It’s a pretty fun competition. We set the pace for the PT run,” said Pfc. Jasun D. Nava, Military Funeral Honors Platoon, Headquarters Support Company, or HSC, HHBN, Army North.

“We knew the competition would be tough and challeng-ing, but it’s worth the little bit of pain,” said Pvt. 2 Michael A. German, Military Funeral Honors Platoon.

Once done with the fitness test, teams were free to choose

(Right) Spc. Victoria Lowery stands on her husband’s – Spc. Chad Lowery – shoulder to climb over a wall obsticle during the confi-dence course at the first Guardian Challenge at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis Dec. 9. Both are assigned to Headquarters Support Company, Headquarters, Headquar-ters Battalion, U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston.

Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Shelman Spencer (Above) Staff. Sgt. Jody T. McIlroy, G2 sec-tion, Headquarters Support Company, Head-quarters, Headquarters Battalion, U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) from Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston navigates one of the obstacles of the confidence course dur-ing the first Guardian Challenge at JBSA-Camp Bullis Dec. 9.

See GUARDIAN, P15

NEWS LEADER DECEMBER 23, 2016

The North American Aerospace Defense Com-

mand, or NORAD, at Peterson Air Force Base,

Colo., is celebrating the 61st Anniversary of track-ing Santa’s yuletide journey.

The NORAD Tracks Santa website at http://www.noradsanta.org launched Dec. 1 and features Santa’s North Pole Village, which in-cludes a holiday count-down, games, activities,

and more. The website is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Portu-guese and Chinese.

Official NORAD Tracks Santa apps are also avail-able in the Windows, Apple and Google Play stores, so parents and children can countdown

the days until Santa’s launch on their smart phones and tablets! Tracking opportunities are also offered on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Google+. Santa followers just need to type “@noradsanta”

FORT SAM HOUSTON

A PUBLICATION OF THE 502nd AIR BASE WING – JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO – FORT SAM HOUSTON

Editorial Staff

502nd Air Base Wing/JBSA Commander

Brig. Gen. Heather L. Pringle

502nd ABW/JBSA Public Affairs Director

Todd G. White

502nd ABW/JBSAPublic Affairs Chief

Bill Gaines

Writer/EditorSteve Elliott

Layout ArtistJoe Funtanilla

News Leader office:3170 Stanley Road

Building 2750JBSA-Fort Sam Houston

TX 78234-2687210-221-1031 DSN 471-1031

News Leader Advertisements:EN CommunitiesP.O. Box 2171

San Antonio, TX 78297210-250-2052

News Leader email:usaf.jbsa.502-abw.mbx.

[email protected]

This Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of the News Leader are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government or Department of Defense. It is published weekly by the 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Public Affairs Office, 3170 Stanley Road, building 2750, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234-2687; 210-221-2030, DSN 471-2030. Printed circulation is 10,000. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patron-age without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or pa-tron. If a violation or rejection of this equal op-portunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the printer shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is cor-rected. The editorial content of this publica-tion is the responsibility of the 502nd ABW/JBSA Public Affairs Chief. The News Leader is published by EN Communities, 301 Ave. E, San Antonio, TX 78205, 210-250-2052, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. government, under exclusive written contract with the 502nd Air Base Wing and JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Public Affairs Office. The civilian printer is responsible for commercial adver-tising. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Air Force. Stories and photos for publica-tion consideration may be e-mailed to [email protected] by close of business Thursday.

Courts-martial, crime and punishment at Joint Base San AntonioThe Joint Base San

Antonio Judge Advocate General completed three Air Force courts-martial during the month of October. The results of a court-martial are not final until the clem-ency and/or appeals process is completed.

All courts-martial are open to the public and a list of upcoming courts-martial can be found at the United States Air Force Judge Advocate Generals website at http://www.afjag.af.mil/About-Us/Docket.

U.S. vs. Staff Sgt. KP, 35th Intelligence Squadron, JBSA-Lackland: KP was tried by a special court-martial consisting of a mili-tary judge sitting alone from Oct. 4-7 at JBSA-Lackland. The military judge found KP guilty of two specifications of assault in violation of Article 128 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and one specification of child endangerment in violation of Article 134, UCMJ. The military judge sentenced KP to 45 days hard labor without confinement and a reduction to senior airman.

U.S. vs. Senior Airman GS, 59th Medical Support Squadron, JBSA-Lackland: Senior Airman GS was tried by special court-martial consisting of a military judge sitting alone Oct. 18 at JBSA-Lackland. Pursu-ant to his own pleas, GS was found guilty of two specifications of disobeying a lawful order in violation of

Article 92, UCMJ, as well as one specification of wrong-ful use of marijuana and one specification of wrong-ful use of cocaine, both in violation of Article 112a, UCMJ. The military judge sentenced GS to 14 days confinement, a reduction to E-1 and a bad conduct discharge.

U.S. v Staff Sgt. TPE, Headquarters Air Education and Training Command, JBSA-Randolph: TPE was tried by a special court-martial consisting of a military judge sitting alone Oct. 25 at JBSA-Randolph. Pursuant to his own pleas, TPE was found guilty of one specification of wrongful appropriation in violation of Article 121, UCMJ, and three specifications of as-sault, in violation of Article 128, UCMJ. The military judge sentenced TPE to 4 months confinement, a reduction to E-1 and a bad conduct discharge.

During the month of October and November, JBSA Air Force com-manders administered 41 non-judicial punishment actions under Article 15 of the UCMJ.

The punishments imposed reflect the com-mander’s determination of an appropriate punish-ment after considering the circumstances of the offense and the offender’s record. Officers may not be reduced in rank as a punishment. A suspended punishment

does not take effect unless the offender engages in ad-ditional misconduct or fails to satisfy the conditions of the suspension. The suspen-sion period usually lasts for six months unless a lesser amount is specified.

Administrative discharge may also be an option for commanders after the conclusion of an Article 15, depending on the circum-stances. The following are some of the non-judicial pun-ishment actions that closed out in October and Novem-ber. Decisions regarding discharge are not included.

Assault consummated by battery, simple assault: A second lieutenant struck another person with his hands and then followed that person around with an unloaded firearm. The member’s punishment con-sisted of forfeiture of $1,200 pay for two months and a reprimand. On appeal, the member’s forfeiture of $1,200 per month for one month was suspended until Jan. 25, 2017.

Failure to go, violate other general order: A technical sergeant, without authority, failed to go at the time prescribed to her appointed place of duty. Additionally, she failed to use LeaveWeb as required to absent herself from her place of duty. The member received a suspended re-duction to the grade of staff sergeant and a reprimand.

Dereliction of duty,

willful: An airman first class in technical training consumed alcohol while on charge of quarters duty and attempted to give an alcoholic beverage to another Airman under the age of 21. The mem-ber received a suspended reduction to the grade of airman, restriction to base for 30 days, 30 days extra duty and a reprimand.

Conspiracy to commit larceny: An airman first class in technical train-ing was apprehended by Security Forces at the Base Exchange for conspiracy to commit larceny after being observed in the BX work-ing with another person to place a pair of headphones in a backpack. The mem-ber received a reduction in grade to Airman Basic (suspended below airman) and a reprimand.

Dereliction of duty, willful: An airman basic in technical training was caught with testing material written on his hand while taking a block test. The member received 20 days restriction to base, suspend-ed forfeiture of $724 pay per month for one month and a reprimand.

Adultery, violate other general order: A senior airman, while still mar-ried, was involved in an unprofessional, adulterous relationship with an officer in her unit. The member also violated a no-contact order by continuing to

communicate with the offi-cer after being ordered not to. The member received a reduction in grade to airman first class and a reprimand.

Larceny, suffering mili-tary property: An airman first class stole medical supplies from a military treatment facility and conducted a minor surgical procedure on himself. After the member performed the procedure, he dis-carded the medical waste in an unauthorized trash receptacle. The member received a suspended re-duction in grade to airman and a reprimand.

False official statement: A staff sergeant altered a previous official physi-cal training score sheet to make it look like a current status. The member then presented the altered score sheet to the unit fitness program man-ager as a current fitness score sheet. The member received a reduction in grade to senior airman and a reprimand.

Going From Place of Duty: An airman basic in basic training failed to report to a manda-tory detail as required, then departed from the installation by jumping a perimeter fence. He was later apprehended at a local motel. The member received forfeiture of $724 pay per month for one month and a reprimand.

NORAD celebrates 61 years of tracking Santa’s flight

See NORAD, P13

DECEMBER 23, 2016 NEWS LEADER PAGE 3

News BriefsFoulois House Renovation

Privatized Army Lodging has received approval for their renovation plan on the Foulois House at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. Actual renovation work will begin in January 2017 and last for approximately eight months. The renovation includes remov-al and replacement of the porch, repair work to the structure, new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, new landscape, replacement of the front canopy, new furniture and other interior refinishing and updating. The construction team has begun placing construction fences around the building and preparation work will begin once the fencing is installed, which will include the removal of furniture, instal-lation of scaffolding and establishing the laydown area for equipment and material. This will begin Monday. For more information, call 221-2250.

DLA Disposition Services Training Training on how to turn-in or

withdraw excess property is held from 9-1:30 a.m. the first Monday of each month at the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services San Antonio Field Activity Site, building 4195, 2999 Parker Hill Rd., Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. Training is open to all units and departments that generate excess property for disposition/turn-in to DLA. For more information, call 221-4627 or e-mail [email protected].

Army Substance Abuse Program New Locations

The clinical side of the Army Substance Abuse Program has two new locations. The first is at the Capt. Jennifer Moreno Clinic, building 1179, for service members attending classes at the Medical Education and Training Campus and in advance individual training. Call 808-2534 or 2584 for information. The other location is at the Multi-Disciplinary Behavioral Health Clinic, building 3528R, for permanent party service members. Call 539-9589 or 9567 for information.

Yield Right Of Way To Pedestrians In Crosswalks

Across Joint Base San Antonio locations during newcomer’s local conditions briefs, newly arrived military and civilian members are instructed

Fallen sailor’s memory lives on through annual toy driveBy Petty Officer 1st Class Jacquelyn D. ChildsNavy Medicine Education, Training and Logistics Command Public Affairs

Sailors from the Navy Medicine Training Support Center, or NMTSC, wrapped up their fifth annual toy drive Dec. 9 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston in honor of a hospital corpsman killed in action in 2006.

In coordination with the Medical Education and Training Campus, or METC, and Navy Medicine Education, Training and Logistics Command, or NMETLC, the Sailors held the drive in honor of Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher “Doc” Anderson at the building bearing his name on board METC where all Navy and Air Force enlisted medical techni-cians receive their initial training or “A” School.

“The ‘Doc’ Anderson toy drive was started five years ago in San Antonio by staff members who were inspired by the Anderson family toy drive and desired to

make a difference in the lives of local youth,” said one of this year’s coordi-nators, Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffrey Fitzwater, a Basic Medical Technician Corpsman Program, or BMTCP, instructor who knew Anderson.

Anderson died Dec. 4, 2006, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, in Ramadi, Iraq. According to Fitzwater, Anderson’s family started a local toy drive in their son’s honor around the second anniversary of his death in his hometown of Longmont, Colo.

“His family decided that ‘his day’ shouldn’t just be about sadness, and they wanted to be able to spread some joy into people’s lives,” Fitzwater said. “Each year since then, his fam-ily has continued to hold their annual toy drive in coordination with the local police department to help distribute toys to the less fortunate fami-lies in Longmont, Colo.”

When Anderson Hall at METC was dedicated July 8, 2011, Sailors who worked with An-derson found the perfect

opportunity to continue his legacy locally.

“Participating in this particular toy drive means a lot to me be-cause I am from San Antonio,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Lori McIntyre, another co-ordinator and BMTCP instructor. “Having worked for two of the school districts here in San Antonio, I have seen families who have been the recipients of the Toys for Tots. It’s a great program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, and having worked alongside the Marines, this has given me a great opportunity to both help this organization as well as give back to my own community.”

Several hundred toys were collected at METC including bikes, stuffed animals, dolls, and more to be delivered to local children this holiday season.

The Sailors at NMTSC enyoyed being able to give back while honor-ing their shipmate.

“Several staff members including myself had the distinct honor and

privilege to have served with ‘Doc’ Anderson,” Fitzwater said. “They, in coordination with their fellow staff members and the METC leader-

ship, have helped to grow the toy drive each year, helping out the local community in the process of honoring their fallen brother.”

Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Jacquelyn D. Childs Students pick up toys in Anderson Hall at the Medical Education and Training Campus, or METC, on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston following a ceremony to wrap up METC’s fifth annual toy drive. Anderson Hall was named after Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Anderson who was killed in action Dec. 4, 2006, in Ramadi, Iraq, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines. Every year, Sailors at METC organize a toy drive in Anderson’s honor to collect donations for Toys for Tots.

Command Sgt. Maj. Melissa A. Judkins (receiving colors) assumed duties as command sergeant major for the U.S. Army Installation Management Command, or IMCOM, during a change of responsibility ceremony at the MacArthur Parade Field at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Nov. 29. Judkins previ-ously served as the IMCOM Central Region command sergeant major and succeeds Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Hartless, who passed the unit’s colors to Lt. Gen. Kenneth Dahl (right), IMCOM commanding general, who then passed the colors to Judkins, giving her the authority of command and formal recognition as IMCOM’s command sergeant major.

Photo by Jessica Ryan

IMCOM WELCOMES NEW COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR

See NEWS BRIEFS, P6


USAISR deputy director honored with Distinguished Civilian Service AwardBy Steven GalvanUSAISR Public Affairs

The deputy direc-tor of the Joint Trauma System, or JTS, at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, or USAISR, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston received the highest honor given by the Secretary of Defense during a ceremony at the Pentagon Nov. 3.

Mary Ann Spott, Ph.D., was among eight Department of Defense civilian employees who were awarded the Distinguished Civilian Service Award by Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work at the 61st annual ceremony.

Spott joined USAISR in 2006 as the first direc-tor of the JTS to estab-lish the DoD’s first and only trauma system and trauma patient registry.

“Spott developed the strategic vision for trauma operations across DOD and was instrumental in building the trauma system from the ground up,” said JTS Director Navy Capt. (Dr.) Zsolt Stockinger in the award nomination write-up.

With the creation of the JTS, the DOD Trau-ma Registry, or DODTR, was also established to

capture trauma infor-mation from the point of injury to stateside recovery and rehabilita-tion. To date, the regis-try contains more than 130,000 trauma records from overseas contingen-cy operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The data from the records have led to more than 500 research publications and 44 clinical prac-tice guidelines created specifically for deployed healthcare providers.

“The JTS, under Spott’s leadership, statistically verified that the implementa-tion of the JTS clinical practice guidelines and educational opportuni-ties resulted in decreas-ing fatality rates to less than nine percent despite the increased acuity of the Iraq and Afghanistan com-bat injured patient,” Stockinger noted in the award nomination.

“My work has always been centered around the patient,” Spott said.

In 2013, the JTS was designated as a Depart-ment of Defense Center of Excellence for Trauma by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense. The JTS was also recognized in 2014 with the U.S. Army Medical Command Wolf Pack Award and the

Force Health Protection Award.

The awards contin-ued in 2015 with the Major Jonathan Letter-man Medical Excellence Award as well as being the first recipient of the Military Health System’s Battlefield Innovation Award.

Spott joined the USAISR after having served as associate direc-tor of the Management

Information Systems and Trauma Registry at the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation for 10 years.

“I am humbled to have received the award and appreciate that patients have had bet-ter outcomes based on some of the work I have contributed,” Spott said. “It’s been a hard sell, but knowing people have survived and have been

able to go home to their families makes all the tough times worth it.”

“The award to Dr. Spott is the long-overdue recognition of a decade’s dedication, personal and professional sacrifice in the service of the nation’s wounded warriors,” Stockinger said. “That it comes from the Secretary of Defense underscores the impact what she has accom-

plished on their behalf.”The DCS Award is the

highest recognition DOD can award an employee, and it is presented to a small number of civilian employees whose ca-reers reflect exceptional devotion to duty and significant contributions of broad scope of policy, scientific, technical or administrative fields that increase effectiveness and efficiency.

Photo by Steven Galvan Mary Ann Spott (second from left), Ph.D., deputy director of the Joint Trauma System, or JTS, at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, or USAISR, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, is presented the Distinguished Civilian Service Award during an award ceremony at the Pentagon Nov. 6. Pictured from left to right with Spott are Bob Work, Deputy Secretary of Defense; Capt. (Dr.) Zsolt Stockinger, JTS director; and Michael Rhodes, director of administration and management, Office of the Secretary of Defense.


The JBSA Legacy is coming in 2017

The Joint Base San Antonio newspapers will have a new look in 2017!

Starting with the first edition of the new year Jan. 13, the “JBSA Legacy” will be the sole weekly newspa-per for JBSA, consolidating the Fort Sam Houston News Leader, the Lackland Talespinner and the Randolph Wingspread into one joint base publication.

The new look newspa-per will cover news across all of our JBSA operating locations, serving the entire joint base population and bringing JBSA in compliance with Department of Defense regulations.

The paper will continue

to be published on Fridays and will be delivered to the same distribution loca-tions on each installation as before.

This change will allow us to shift more attention in our command information arena from paper deadlines to our digital platforms, resulting in more timely news on the JBSA website (http://www.jbsa.mil) and our JBSA social media platforms on Facebook at JointBaseSanAntonio and Twitter at @JBSA_Official.

Feel free to contact us with any questions at 808-1087 (Fort Sam Houston), 671-2908 (Lackland) or 652-4410 (Randolph).


News Briefsthat the right of way for pedestrians must be yielded by motorists before entering crosswalks. In accordance with the Texas Transportation Code Section 552.003, “Pedestrian Right-Of-Way At Crosswalk” (http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/TN/htm/TN.552.htm), pedestrians don’t have the right of way until they are in the intersection or a crosswalk of a roadway. By following the safety tips listed below, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of a motor vehicle/pedestrian accident:

• It is critical to look left, then right and then left again before enter-ing a crosswalk

• Cross only at designated cross-ings. Entering traffic at a mid-block area or from between parked cars is dangerous.

• Never dart out into a crosswalk.• Always make eye contact with

the vehicle operator before stepping into a crosswalk even if it is well lit. A distracted driver will not see you.

Joint Outpatient Experience Survey

The Joint Outpatient Experience Survey, or JOES, gives people a chance to comment on their military health care experiences. For more information, visit http://www.health.mil.

Winans Entry Control Point Operations

Entry into Watkins Terrace Housing, Youth Services, Fort Sam Houston Independent School District, Dodd Field Chapel and the Army Reserve Center through the Winans Entry Control Point, will require an approved Department of Defense-issued access credential. All visitors, contractors, and vendors with non-DOD issued credentials such as a driver’s license, passport, etc., will stop at a visitor center located on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, to be identity proofed, background vetted and issued a credential prior to entering the Winans Entry Control Point. Visit the JBSA webpage at http://www.jbsa.mil/Home/VisitorInformation.aspx for visitor center hours, locations, con-tact information and more detailed instructions. To speak to a security assistant call 221-1902/221-1903.

Continued from P3New research center created to improve outcomes of combat casualtiesBy Steven GalvanUSAISR Public Affairs

The U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, or USAISR, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston has a new research center focused on improving outcomes from the lead-ing cause of death on the battlefield.

The Battlefield Health and Trauma Center for Human Integrative Physiology, or BHTCHIP, was formed by the USAISR Senior Scientist to study inadequate tis-sue oxygenation as-sociated with military trauma and battlefield health that will result in new knowledge and materiel solutions for accurate and timely as-sessment of warfighters suffering from hemor-rhagic shock or compro-mised performance.

“The focus will be on developing advanced clinical assessment and intervention for improved outcomes of combat casualties suf-fering from hemorrhage and healthy Soldiers whose performance may be compromised by battlefield condi-tions,” said Victor “Vic” Convertino, Ph.D., U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command Combat Casualty Care Research Program senior scientist.

“The BHTCHIP includes the only re-search laboratory in the Department of Defense with the unique capabil-ity that allows for the study of the physiology of human hemorrhage and onset of hemorrhag-ic shock using the model

of lower body negative pressure.”

The lower body nega-tive pressure chamber, or LBNP, consists of an airtight chamber that creates a vacuum below the waist of test subjects to simulate the reduc-tion in blood volume in the upper body similar to that experienced with hemorrhage.

“LBNP simulates a person progressively ‘bleeding out’ without removing a single drop of blood from them,” Convertino said.

The LBNP model used by the BHTCHIP is unique in that it has been used to collect physiological data from more than 270 volun-teers exposed to simu-lated hemorrhage that leads to hemodynamic

decompensation, an early stage of shock.

The database has proven uniquely critical in the development of the only state-of-the-art capability in the world that will allow emergency medical caregivers the ability to assess the status of bleeding patients such as combat wounded warriors or assist unit commanders to rec-ognize compromised Soldier performance, Convertino said.

That state-of-the-art technology is designed to measure the body’s compensatory reserve, the body’s ability to compensate for low-volume blood loss with minimal change in tra-ditional vital signs, using an algorithm called the

Compensatory Reserve Index, or CRI, that utilizes the information from the arterial wave of a standard pulse oximeter.

The CRI monitor gauges whether a pa-tient or military mem-ber engaged in combat requires resuscitation or immediate medi-cal attention due to a compromise in tissue oxygenation during low circulating blood volume states.

“The CRI is a non-invasive medical de-vice that can evalu-ate information from waveforms,” Convertino said. “The algorithm provides a decision sup-port system that could help battlefield care providers make earlier life-saving decisions or

to assist unit command-ers in recognizing when a Soldier’s performance is compromised which could potentially affect the unit’s mission.”

Convertino’s vision of the BHTCHIP is to continue to develop new clinical research proto-cols designed to pro-vide experimental and clinical validation of the compensatory reserve as a measurement of tissue oxygenation.

“We have already developed new studies and the experiments are ongoing,” he said. “The preliminary results indi-cate that measurement of the compensatory re-serve provides superior sensitivity and specificity for low circulating blood volume states than standard vital signs.”

Photo by Steven Galvan (From left) Gary Muniz, Carmen Hinojosa-Laborde and Victor “Vic” Convertino from the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston place monitors on a volunteer in the lower body negative pressure chamber to collect physiological data as part of a research protocol as Lt. Col. Robert Carter (right) from USAISR looks on.


Exchange brings holiday cheer to Advanced Individual Training students at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam HoustonBy Conner HammettAAFES Public Affairs

While the rest of Pvt. Leotis Jones’ family was sitting down for a Thanks-giving meal at home, the 18-year-old Army recruit was just one day away from graduating Basic Combat Training.

Jones is now in Ad-vanced Individual Train-ing, or AIT, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. In a matter of days, he’ll be in his hometown of Little Rock, Ark. – just in time for the holidays. It will be the first time he’s been home in more than six months.

“I know I’m going to get home and just start crying,” Jones said.

Jones was one of

several AIT students who came to the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Exchange Dec. 10 to make the trip back home extra special by shopping for holiday gifts for family members, which Exchange associ-ates happily assisted in wrapping and shipping home ahead of their ar-rival.

The Exchange opened at 6 a.m. – 2 1/2 hours early – to allow students from the Medical Education and Training Campus to take advantage of discounts up to 50 percent on mer-chandise such as apparel, luggage, fragrance gift sets, handbags, holiday décor and candy.

Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors were also able

to cut loose on a DJ-powered dance floor; take photos with Santa Claus; participate in product demonstrations; enjoy free snacks; and win prizes including video games, headphones and a Hewlett-Packard laptop.

“It feels pretty good to get out,” Leotis said. “The vibe and energy is great. I’m having a good time out here. It really means a lot that the Exchange would put on this event just for us.”

Pvt. Abigail Blass, 19, took the opportunity to buy clothes for her new-born niece back home in Houston, Texas.

“It’s tough being away from family, but events like this help,” she said. “I feel like a civilian again.

It’s nice to just relax, shop and feel normal just for a little while.”

John Burk, general manager of the Fort Sam Houston Exchange, said the event was a great example of family serving family.

“A lot of happy troops got one of their first expe-riences with the Exchange on Saturday,” Burk said. “I overheard one of the students talking to her mom on the phone about all the prizes and the dance-offs, and I know I would be one happy par-ent knowing that my kid was taken care of while they’re in AIT. It’s always an honor to serve these young service members as they launch their careers in the armed forces.”

Photo by Conner Hammett The Exchange at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston opened early Dec. 10 to give Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors studying at the Medical Education and Training Campus the chance to buy, wrap and ship holiday gifts to friends and family during the AIT Holiday Shopping Event. Service members also cut loose on the dance floor, won prizes and took photos with Santa.

Photo by Robert Shields Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Johnson (left), Brooke Army Medical Center commanding general, presents McWethy Troop Medical Clinic staff members a certificate of achievement Dec. 9 for meeting or ex-ceeding the Military Health System’s target response rate of 65 percent in the 2016 Department of Defense Patient Safety Culture Survey. Their efforts promote a strong culture of safety and support our journey to delivering reliable care. Maj. Christopher McKenzie (center right), acting officer in charge, ac-cepted the award on behalf of Curtis Aberle, chief of McWethy TMC. From left are Sgt. 1st Class Isaac Gutierrez, noncommissioned officer in charge of Optometry; Staff Sgt. Tasha Prescott, BAMC Executive Medical NCOIC; Mckenzie, acting officer in charge; and Sandra Jacobson, patient safety manager.

MCWETHY TROOP MEDICAL CLINICEXCEEDS RESPONSE RATE


By Robert Pittman502nd Air Base Wing Operations

Drone technologies have advanced to the point where they are safe and affordable to own and will likely find their way into many homes over the holidays.

These systems can be a lot of fun for people of all ages and appear to be here to stay. But before you fly, there are some important things to know about operating drones, also known as small unmanned aircraft systems, or SUAS, at 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio locations.

Regardless of the purpose for domestic use, protecting privacy, civil rights and civil liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and the laws of the United States will not be compromised. So before you make that purchase, here are some important things you need to know about operating drones/SUAS on JBSA.

Small unmanned aircraft systems are defined by the Federal Aviation Administra-tion, or FAA, as small un-manned aircraft weighing from .55 pounds to no more than 55 pounds, including everything that is onboard or otherwise attached to the aircraft and can be flown without the possibility of di-rect human intervention from within or on the aircraft.

Below are some general and specific requirements that drone owner/operators need to know in order to stay on the right side of the law.

Drone operators should be aware the FAA and federal law requires them to register SUAS registry.

Users are subject to civil and criminal penalties if they do not register at http://www.faa.gov/uas.

Registration will signifi-cantly reduce the likelihood of injury to humans, prevent human suffering, and mitigate property damage. In addition,

drones may endanger equip-ment on the ground and can lead to a security infractions and/or other mishaps.

Drone owners also need to provide a copy of registra-tion paperwork to the 502nd Air Base Wing Operations Office by calling 808-0698 or 221-9561 for tracking purposes.

Information for the 502nd ABW/JBSA SUAS program, including guidance and registration, is located at the 502nd ABW SharePoint site at https://jbsa.eis.aetc.af.mil/502abw/xp/jb35/default.aspx.

Other specific SUAS re-quirements include:

• Drones must not be oper-ated during hours of dark-ness.

• SUAS equipped with a camera or sensor require the operator comply with FAA guidelines, installation pho-tography guidelines (hobby/recreational) or intelligence oversight requirements (official), as applicable.

• No unofficial SUAS will be operated when the JBSA property is in Force Protection

Condition Charlie or Delta.• All hobby/recreational

drone operators shall comply with Section 336 of Pub-lic Law 112-95. As of the date of this article, the FAA requirements include the following:

1. Take offs, landings, and operation of hobby/recre-ational SUAS from 502 ABW/JBSA lands or waters are not permitted unless the operator (with associated SUAS) has notified, and has been granted specific flight operation from the instal-lation’s airfield operations flight chief/commander, or AO chief, where the opera-tion is to take place. Base operations will be used to contact a particular instal-lation AO chief. If permit-ted, operations are limited to Department of Defense identification card holders and will only take place at the AO chief’s granted loca-tions. Only by exception will an AO chief authorize SUAS flight operations take place outside of Sunday daylight hours, when the installa-tion’s airfield is not active.

Public affairs will be lever-aged to ensure community awareness of local policies and changes thereto.

2. Fly below 400 feet above ground level and remain clear of surrounding obstacles

3. Keep the aircraft within visual line of sight at all times

4. Remain well clear of and do not interfere with manned aircraft

5. When flown within five miles of any airfield/airport, the operator of model aircraft provides the airport operator and the airport air traffic con-trol tower with prior notice of the operation, and will give way to any manned aircraft operations. Model operations are highly recommended by the FAA to remain below 400 feet.

6. Do not fly near people or stadiums

7. Applies to drones weigh-ing from .55 to 55 pounds

People living in the local JBSA community are subject to the local rules regarding the use of these systems. It is recommended to contact local community leaders to learn about local restrictions in a particular area.

For those residing in a JBSA housing area, the use of these systems will be governed by the guidelines outlined by the JBSA installa-tion commander.

What you need to know about drones and small unmanned aircraft systems

Courtesy photoDrones, otherwise known as small unmanned aircraft systems, or SUAS, can weigh anywhere from eight ounces to 55 pounds, according to the Federal Aviation Ad-ministration. Federal law and FAA regulation specify these items must be registered before use.

Courtesy illustrationOperators of drones, or SUAS, must abide by a variety of regulations as set by the Federal Aviation Administration to maintain safety.


By Gary SheftickArmy News Service

Lt. Gen. Nadja West, U.S. Army Surgeon General and commanding general of the U.S. Army Medical Command, was interviewed on Facebook’s “Lean In Live” show Nov. 3 by Sheryl Sandberg, the social media organization’s chief operating officer.

It was an honor to have the Army’s first African-American female three-star general on the show, Sandberg said. West is also the highest-ranking woman to graduate from West Point and the Army’s first African-American surgeon general.

West grew up in the Washington, D.C. area, as the youngest of 12 chil-dren. She said her parents and siblings taught her a lot about leadership and humility.

“My dad joined the Army in 1939, when it was segregated,” she said. “He saw in the Army – and he saw in the military – kind of a potential that our nation could get bet-ter, because the Army was the first at desegre-gating.”

Her father taught that service, humility and be-ing a part of something bigger than self was important, she said.

Her mother was “an

activist,” as well as a reporter for the news-paper “Afro-American,” which now publishes out of nearby Baltimore, West said. Her mother was instrumental in getting Arlington National Cemetery desegregated.

Three of West’s sisters are in the Army, and one sister is in the Air Force. Additionally, several of her brothers have also served in the military she said.

West went off to the U.S. Military Academy when she was 17 years old. “I was a scaredy-cat” then, she said, adding other female students there told her to get tough.

Sometimes “a little bit of a jolt” can be mentor-ing, she said. So could a little nod of the head. “That’s all it would take sometimes to say I’m not alone ... hang in there, hang tough.”

The shared experi-ence of the Army makes people stronger, she said. She learned from a diverse group of students at West Point. One of her roommates was from Johnson, Neb. – a town of 150 at that time. Another roommate was from Toms River, N.J., and a third was from Marshall, Wis.

“I never would have gone to those places,” she said, adding that

learning from a cross-section of different people helps develop better leadership.

West earned a bache-lor of science in engineer-ing from West Point and a doctorate of medicine degree from George Washington University.

West didn’t think that she was good enough to go medical school, but a mentor convinced her. She was visiting her dad in the hospital and she confided with a Walter Reed surgeon that she wasn’t going to apply to medical school.

“What?” he said. “What’s the worst that could happen?” He en-couraged her to apply and of course, now she is the Army’s surgeon general.

“Do not ever let anyone sway you from your dreams,” West said as ad-vice to young women. “If you can think it and you can dream it and you’re prepared – go for it. Don’t hold back.”

West’s message to all Americans for Veteran’s Day: don’t pity or stereo-type veterans. On average, veterans earn $10,000 more than those who nev-er served, she said. Veter-ans are also more likely to be active in civic life, have a higher propensity to vote and volunteer more often in their communities.

“They’re strong mem-

bers of the fabric of our society,” she said. “They took the skills they learned in the military and now are being great citizens of our nation.”

At the beginning of Sandberg’s show, she asked “How do you lean in?”

“So the first thing that comes to mind is just always being prepared and just being myself,” West said. “Believe it or not, sometimes you feel that you have to play a role because you never think that being yourself is enough. And so, you fi-nally get to a point where you know that ‘I just have to be who I am.’ Be authentic.”

The following excerpts are from a “lightning

round” of questions at the end of the interview: Q: Favorite class at West Point? A: Math Q: Person from history that you’d most like to have dinner with? A: Colin Powell. That’s recent history. From past history: St. Theresa of Avalon. I’ve read a few books on her. She was this amazing person from history – a woman back in the Middle Ages who had the power and did the things that she did. Q: Last book you read? A: The last book I read was quite a tear-jerker. It was “The Higher Call.” It

was about the Germanand American pilots who actually helped each other. It showed we’re all humans. Q: One biggest piece of health advice? A: Sleep is very important. My predecessor, retired Lt. Gen. Patty Horoho, was the surgeon general and she implemented the Performance Triad of sleep, nutrition and activ-ity. People, I don’t think realize the importance of sleep for overall health. Q: One more thing you’d do if you weren’t afraid? A: Go out into space. I’m not afraid, I just don’t know if I’ll have time to do it.

Meet Your Army: Surgeon general talks on Facebook’s ‘Lean In Live’

Facebook still video Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Nadja West (right) answers a question from Sheryl Sandberg during Facebook’s “Lean In Live” broadcast from Menlo Park, Calif., Nov. 3. Sandberg is the social media organization’s chief operating officer.

into each search engine to get started.

Starting at 2:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time Saturday, website visi-tors can watch Santa make preparations for his flight.

NORAD’s “Santa Cams” will stream videos on the website as Santa makes his way over various locations. Then, at 6 a.m.

EST, trackers worldwide can speak with a live phone operator to inquire as to Santa’s whereabouts by dialing the toll-free number 1-877-HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723) or by sending an email to noradtrackssanta@ outlook.com.

Any time on Saturday, Windows Phone users can ask Cortana for Santa’s location, and OnStar subscribers can press the

OnStar button in their vehicles to locate Santa.

NORAD Tracks Santa is truly a global experience, delighting generations of families everywhere. This is due, in large part, to the efforts and services of numerous program contributors.

It all started in 1955 when a local media advertisement directed children to call Santa direct – only the number

was misprinted. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone rang through to the crew commander on duty at the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center. Thus began the tradition, which NORAD carried on since it was created in 1958.

(Source: North American Aerospace Defense Command)

Courtesy illustration The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., tracks Santa’s 2015 yuletide journey.

NORAD from P2


which events they wanted to move to next. Some teams felt it was better to move out to the firing range before returning to the con-fidence course, while other teams did the opposite.

Spc. Chad Lowery and Spc. Victoria Lowery, assigned to HSC, HHBN, Army North, competed in the event as a husband-and-wife team.

“It tested our patience with each other, the events weren’t bad. They were fun,” Chad said.

“I found the confi-dence course the most challenging,” Victoria added.

“I think it was pretty cool that she was the only female out here,” Chad said. “She just had

our baby back in April.”“It’s hard emotionally,

because you want to be as good as the men,” Victoria said. “But obviously they are a bit more physically fit than me.”

“We were happy again after we finished rucking,” Chad added. “I think the rucking and just being with each other made everything better.”

The overall objective of the challenge was to build unit cohesion and esprit de corps. The top three teams received trophies, the first place team was also pre-sented with The Army Achievement Medal and a four-day pass

“For this to be our first Guardian Challenge and pulling it together it was pretty good. I had a good time doing it,”

said Staff Sgt. Jody T. McIlroy, G2 section, HSC, HHBN, Army North.

“I think it’s a great way to build team comradery and get

people out, get them active, get them doing things together – it’s not often we do things like this,” said Staff Sgt. Christian T. Hubbell, G2 section, HSC, HHBN,

Army North.McIlroy and Hubbell

were the first place vic-tors of the competition and look to defend their title in the next Guardian Challenge.

GUARDIAN from P1

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Shelman Spencer

Pvt. 2 Michael A. German, Military Funeral Honors Platoon, U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, swings over an obstacles on the confidence course during the annual Guardian Challenge at JBSA-Camp Bullis Dec. 9.

Conference of the American Armies participants support human rights in the age of partnershipBy Sgt. 1st Class Matt GrahamU.S. Army South Public Affairs

The Conference of the American Armies met from Nov. 28 to Dec. 3 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, to discuss and agree on combined goals regarding human rights, specifically the rights of those who have been affected by a natural disaster.

The Dominican Republic army hosted the confer-ence, which included more than 20 armies from countries as far north as Canada and as far south as Chile. Each nation sent delegates to repre-sent both their armies and their people at the week-long human rights conference.

“The main goal is to

produce a Conference of the American Armies-sponsored, detailed, hu-man rights guide that will become an annex to the interagency operations guide,” said Robert Pike, Conference of American Armies program special-ist at U.S. Army South at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

The conference served as a beginning point for the guide, helping to establish which armies are committing to certain tasks, Pike said. The U.S. Army delegates mainly serve as a support element to help guide and make suggestions during the planning sessions, he said.

One of the key goals is to ensure affected persons will receive the same base level of care,

especially when partner nations come in to help each other.

An example of this is when the Dominican Republic sent aid to Haiti after their 2010 earth-quake and more recently after Hurricane Matthew. It was important to those in attendance that all partner nations have a baseline for how human rights will be respected.

“It’s important that we have a common understanding of how to operate jointly and with a common mission,” said Javier Rivera Rosario, U.S Army South staff judge advocate. “We want to make sure that the pro-tection and principles of human rights are consid-ered when planning and executing these kinds of

humanitarian assistance missions.”

The Dominican Republic was a fitting location for the confer-ence, as the Human Rights Center of Excellence is

located there and they will soon have a bigger role to play within the Conference of the American Armies.

“The overall confer-ence has been great,” Pike said. “It’s a good

chance for the Dominican army to get first-hand experience running a conference, since they will take over the leader-ship of the CAA during the 2018-2019 cycle.”

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Matt Graham(From left) Dr. Bridget Gersten, the State Department’s foreign policy/political advisor assigned to U.S. Army South; Lt. Col. Javier Rivera Rosaria, Staff Judge Advocate for U.S. Army South; and Enrique Labrador, U.S. Army’s liaison officer to the Conference of American Armies, all attended specialized con-ference on human rights Nov. 28 to Dec. 3 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.


Life after loss: One Air Force family’s journey to recoveryBy Senior Airman Chip PonsAir Education and Training Command Public Affairs

Nine months ago, Air Force Lt. Col. Melchizedek “Kato” Martinez, a career tactical communications officer, was welcomed home from another combat deployment, a constant in the Martinez family. His wife, Gail, along with their four children, had planned a family retreat to their second home, the one place that, no matter what was going on within their family, would center them – Disney World.

With bags packed, the family of six made their way to the Brussels Airport in Zaventem, Belgium, en route to the happi-est place on earth, and anx-iously waited in line to check-in for their flight to Florida.

That’s when the first bomb detonated.

On the morning of March 22, 32 victims tragically lost their lives and dozens more were injured during three simultane-ous terrorist attacks, two at the Brussels Airport and a third at the Maelbeek Metro Station.

For Martinez and his family, it forever changed the course of their lives.

In the moments after the explosion, time seemed to slow as a badly injured Martinez assessed the state of terror in which he and his family found themselves. According to Martinez, there was only one sound that filled the airport that moment – the blood-curdling screams of his oldest daughter, 18-year-old Kianni.

As his prior-enlisted medic training kicked in, Martinez, who had suffered the brunt of the blast, desperately searched for his family amidst the bodies and gore. When he found his wife and saw the stillness of her body, he knew instantly he had lost his soulmate, his best friend, and everything went dark.

“After first responders removed us from the terminal, I felt myself bleeding out. I knew my body was going into

shock, but I was ready to die,” Martinez said. “I didn’t know if my son and two youngest daughters were alive; I genu-inely believed they had been vaporized by the blast. I only knew for certain that I had lost my wife, and I had given in to death. I wanted to go quietly into the night because I had failed my wife and my family – I just wanted to let go.”

In the midst of the chaos, first responders began placing victims and casualties next to one another. Placed between her deceased mother and her bleeding father was a severely injured Kianni, who now faced the very real possibility of losing both parents.

“I remember holding both of their hands,” Kianni said. “My father, who had always been so strong and protective, began squeezing my hand less and less, and I felt myself losing him.”

In and out of consciousness, Martinez remembers hear-ing the frantic pleas of his daughter.

“When I thought I had suc-cumbed to the pain, all I could hear was Kianni screaming ‘don’t you leave me, too,’” a tearful Martinez said. “And it was then that I knew my fight wasn’t over.”

The surviving members of the Martinez family remained separated for hours, each receiving individual treatment for their injuries. Eventually, the children and Martinez were all stabilized as patients in the same Brussels hospital.

Second- and third-degree burns, a fractured heel, shrap-nel wounds, a concussion, hearing loss and a left-foot laceration challenged Martinez’s road to physical recovery, but the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and a devas-tating heartache left him at a crossroads.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say that this ordeal didn’t make me want to end it all,” Martinez stated. “Gail and I were married for nearly 22 years. She was everything I

could have asked for and more in a partner, and without her I struggled to find the will to live. For almost 18 years, Gail had been both mom and dad to our children; she nurtured and raised them in a way I never could and feared I would be unable to.”

As he struggled daily to move forward, Martinez said he stands in awe of his children and the resiliency they display every day.

“We were all in such agoniz-ing pain, physically and emo-tionally; but I never want my children to forget the pain of that day and the moments after because it will continue to make them stronger,” Martinez said. “We all had to, and continue to be, rebuilt from the inside out.”

The Martinez family was treated at the Brussels Army General Hospital in the first month after the attack then transported back to the United States at the Shriners

Hospitals for Children in Galveston, Texas. There, the family began a number of gru-eling rehabilitative procedures.

“We underwent a series of painful skin-graft surgeries, as well as repairs to our perfo-rated ear drums,” Martinez recounts. “For us, post-attack was simply a phase of recovery; a period of rebuilding.”

Kianni has the longest and most grueling road to physical recovery, but continues to face every setback and meet every personal milestone with an unmatched determination. She considers her 18 years of essen-tial guidance from her mother as vital preparation for clearing the next obstacle in her path -- passing the Air Force physical fitness assessment.

“Being an Air Force child meant constant moving, separa-tion from our father, and the challenges of making and then saying goodbye to friends,” said Kianni. “But my constant

was home, and that has always been wherever my mom was.”

“She instilled in each of us the importance of an educa-tion,” she continued. “She taught us to be strong, and pushed us to excel and to work toward our goals no matter what. I always envisioned earn-ing a college scholarship on my own merit, so I put in the work early and began taking college level courses as soon as I could.”

Kianni remembers times when she was bullied in school for placing such an empha-sis on her studies at a young age, but followed her mother’s advice to continue pursuing her goals.

When the day came that Kianni was awarded a full Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship, the first person she wanted to tell was her mother.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Melchizedek “Kato” Martinez (center) and two of his children, Kianni (left) and Kimo (right) pose for a photo after an extensive rehabilitation session at the Center for the Intrepid at Joint Base San Antonio- Fort Sam Houston Dec. 7. During the Brussels Airport bombing March 22, 2016, that killed his wife and injured him and his children, Kato and his children have faced a long road to recovery with determination and resiliency.

See MARTINEZ, P17


“After my injuries, the first thing I thought about when I was told there was a chance my leg couldn’t be saved was how was I going to continue?” Kianni said. “How was I going to fulfill the promise I made to my mom?”

While considering her op-tions, Kianni received some encouraging news from her growing Air Force family.

“Air Force senior leaders told me to focus solely on my recov-ery,” Kianni said. “They assured me my scholarship would be waiting for me after I healed and could put more focus on passing my physical require-ments.”

On her long road to recovery, Kianni has learned to be more attuned to her body’s needs than ever before.

“You have to have patience with your body and with your recovery,” she said. “I was in a position where I was having back-to-back surgeries, and I had to realize that, while this may be yet another setback, it would only make me stronger.”

As Kianni prepares to be-come the next Airman in the Martinez family, her next goal seems tailor made for both her intellect and her legacy.

“I want to study computer science with a focus in robot-ics and artificial intelligence,” Kianni proudly said. “Once I graduate, I am going to join the Air Force and serve as a cyber communications officer.”

Having spent 26 years in service putting his life on the line for his country, Martinez felt certain that there was a distinct possibility he would be the one to go first. Jok-ingly, Martinez and Gail made a promise to each other early in their marriage that provided both of them comfort when the possibility of losing one another became a reality.

“We always promised each other that we would haunt one another,” Martinez said solemnly. “For the longest time after I lost my wife, I struggled because I thought she broke her promise.”

Hanging in the entryway

of the Martinez household is a prominent reminder of his hope: a silent wind chime.

“I wanted that physical manifestation of Gail,” he stated while fighting back tears. “I wanted her to slam doors, knock over tables, ring the chimes – something. I desper-ately needed to hear or see something from her to know that everything was going to be okay. And when nothing happened, I thought she had broken her promise.”

“But I realized just recently that it wasn’t a promise she could possibly break,” he con-tinued. “I do still see her – in the faces of our children and when I look in the mirror. I am surrounded by photos of our family in the home we created. All of the help and kindness we’ve received as a family is all because of her, from the won-derful people at Building Homes for Heroes to the staff at the Center for the Intrepid, they’ve

made me realize how blind I’ve been for the last couple of months.”

Through struggling with the loss of his wife and searching for a sense of normalcy, Martinez has learned the true impact and magnitude of Air Force spouses.

“In all the time Gail and I were married, I never once realized how much she did in order for me to do what I love,” Martinez said. “For the first time, I am now being a parent to four children who have been raised by an incredibly strong woman who did everything.”

“I would deploy or go TDY with no-notice and my wife just accepted that as normal,” he continued. “She never com-plained or let our situation hin-der her from giving everything to our children every day. All of the amazing qualities of my children come from her – I will take no credit for that.”

Plagued with reliving the

scenario that changed his life forever, Martinez struggles to this day with acceptance of what happened, and of his newfound role.

“Why am I the one here?” Martinez asked. “Why was it her and not me? She made taking care of our children her mission; despite how lost I am now and might always be with-out her, it’s mine now. I can’t fail her again.”

“Now, my oldest daughter is trying to learn how to walk again,” he continued. “My son is trying to get back into sports and reclaim the active life he once had. My youngest daugh-ters are finally back in school and participating in extracur-

ricular activities; we are all just trying to live again.”

Thrust into a role foreign to him, Martinez’s world now revolves around his children, while he searches for ways each day to honor his late wife.

“The only way I can truly honor Gail is to fulfill the promise I made to her when we were younger,” he said. “To make sure that these beautiful children continue on the path she paved for them and to be the human beings they were always meant to be – the ones she always saw them as.”

“We are strong,” he contin-ued. “We are resilient, despite all that we have faced, because we are an Air Force family.”

Photos by Senior Airman Chip PonsKianni Martinez performs an exercise during a rehabilitation session at the Center for the Intrepid at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Dec. 7. During the March 22 Brussels Airport bombing that killed her mother and injured her family members, Kianni suf-fered multiple burns and injuries to her leg and has since undergone a number of grueling rehabilitative procedures.

Kimo Martinez pushes a weighted sled during a rehabilitation session at the Center for Intrepid at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Dec. 7. During the Brussels Airport bombing March 22, 2016, that killed his mother, Kimo and his family sustained multiple injuries that have led to extensive rehabilitative proce-dures.

MARTINEZ from P16


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