Senior Airman Victoria Drefs prepares to pump fuel from her R-11 fuel trunk into a KC-135 Stratotanker to surpass the two-million-gallon mark for fuel delivered during her deployment

The 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron’s Petroleum, Oils, and Lubricants Flight, however, is certainly an organization that still embraces the full-service ethic.

Senior Airman Victoria Drefs, a 376th ELRS POL technician, is one of the many premiere refueling unit operators who takes that “extra mile” ethic to work with her every day.

Airman Drefs is currently deployed from Aviano Air Base in Italy is a native of Armour, S.D. and a three year Air Force veteran. She is the first and likely will be the only technician, of her crew of 37, during this four month rotation to surpass an amazing two million gallons of fuel pumped into the KC-135 Stratotanker fleet here.

This is no small feat even during the summer months when the Manas Air Base fleet is nearly fifty percent larger and the weather conditions are optimal, but it is truly an enormous achievement in the harsh Kyrgyzstan winter on an open and unprotected flight-line.

Victoria reached the two million gallon mark on the day after Christmas and was met by Lt. Gen Gary North, Air Forces Central Commander, at the receiver aircraft to commemorate the occasion with a presentation of one of his commander coins.

The two million gallons of fuel she delivered into 464 aircraft equates to 13,400,000 pounds and would average out to about four or five aircraft a day during her time at Manas, if she never took a day off.

“She’s the epitome of what today’s Airmen can do,” said Master Sgt. Cleven Allen, 376th ELRS fuels superintendent, “She’s every supervisor’s dream come true.”

“I knew I was getting close to the two million gallon mark because they sent us updates,” said Drefs, “but I did not know that Lt. Gen. North would be there until just before I headed to the plane. It was great how it worked out for him to be there.”

Drefs is no stranger to the limelight when only a month prior she was selected as one of only two deployed Air Force members to receive a Thanksgiving Day morale call, from President George W. Bush.

She coyly said “no comment” when asked how passing the 2 million gallon mark and getting coined by North compared to getting a phone call from the President of the United States.

Drefs will redeploy to Italy, but she can look back fondly on her experiences at Manas from her recognition as a top performer to her phone call with the President or just for spending time playing basketball with her friends.

“Although I am ready to go home, I will never forget my memories of Manas,” said Drefs.

DVIDS
By Senior Master Sgt. Patrick J. McCracken
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

Megan Schlotthauer, left, and her mother, Lisa Altoon, enlisted together in the Army Reserve

Like many high school seniors, Megan Schlotthauer wasn’t sure what she wanted to do after graduation. Her grades weren’t the best, and college is expensive.

Searching for a purpose, the 17-year-old decided to explore her options in the Army Reserve.

“I was looking at the community colleges, and thought I would go there,” she said. “Then I was talking to some people I know who are in the Navy Reserve, and some friends who have been in the military, and I thought that’s what I wanted to do.”

She presented the idea to her mother, Lisa Altoon, who wasn’t receptive to the notion of her cheerleader daughter joining the Army.

“I was dead set against it from the beginning,” she said.

Altoon, like many parents, was concerned about the possibility of Megan deploying to a combat zone. That is, until she met her daughter’s recruiter, Army Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Dean of the Fremont, Calif., recruiting station. Dean proved to be a persuasive recruiter.

After learning about the Army Reserve, Altoon, a postal carrier in Fremont, decided that she, too, would become a soldier. Until recently, someone her age with no prior service would have been too old to enlist. Since the Army increased its maximum age to 42 in 2006, however, the door was wide open for the 39-year-old.

Mother and daughter enlisted in the same military occupational specialty — computer information specialist — and were assigned to the same unit, the 351st Civil Affairs Command in Mountain View, Calif.

Though Altoon originally was skeptical about her daughter joining, she said being in the same Reserve unit has its advantages.

“I’m a mom,” she said. “This will give me a chance to protect her and keep an eye on her.”

Altoon began basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., in October, followed by advanced individual training at Fort Gordon, Ga., to train as a computer specialist. Schlotthauer leaves for Fort Jackson in August.

Both soldiers said they’re aware they might be deployed in support of the global war on terrorism, but insist they’ll be ready if that time comes.

“Honestly, if I’m meant to go to Iraq, I’ll go to Iraq,” Schlotthauer said.

Her mother, and now her fellow soldier, agreed. “If it’s meant for me to go, then that’s what’s going to happen,” Altoon said.

DVIDS
By Al Laxamana
Special to American Forces Press Service

Senior Airman Michelle Kendall scans the area while providing ground security for a 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-130 Hercules Nov. 22 at a remote location in Iraq. Airman Kendall is a member of a 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Fly Away Security Team. She is deployed from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and her hometown is Houston, Pa. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson)

Senior Airman Rosie Munoz scans the area for threats while a 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-130 Hercules unloads cargo Nov. 22 at a remote location in Iraq. Airman Munoz is a member of a 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Fly Away Security Team. She grew up in Seoul, South Korea, and calls El Paso, Texas, home. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson)

Senior Airmen Rosie Munoz (left) and Michelle Kendall exit to provide ground security for a 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-130 Hercules Nov. 22 at a remote location in Iraq. Airmen Munoz and Kendall are Fly Away Security Team members with the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. These Airmen make up the only all-female 332nd ESFS FAST, stationed at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Airman Kendall is a native of Houston, Pa. Airman Munoz calls El Paso, Texas, home. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson)

Texas National Guard Soldier Pvt. Simone Garner, originally from Germany, is sworn in as a U.S. citizen during a naturalization ceremony at the Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11, 2008 at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Garner is a parachute rigger with the 294th Quartermaster Company (Airborne) in Austin, Texas. Photo by Jeff Crawley

BALTIMORE, Md. (Nov. 13, 2008) Chief Storekeeper Marie Toffolo cries as she is greeted by her father during her return from a nine-month individual augementee tour in Gardez, Afghanistan. Toffolo served as a mentor to the Afghan National Army. More than 72,000 Sailors have served as individual augementees in the war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Gwen A. Truett

It’s that time of year again, mandatory flu shots for everyone. There are many things that are unique to military service, and one of them is that anyone wearing the uniform is going to get shots—lots of them.

Master Sgt. Christi Soileau is an Aerospace Medical Services Technician who is one of the Air Force medics responsible for making sure people receive their immunizations.

She is just finishing her deployment to the 447th Expeditionary Medical Squadron at Sather Air Base in Iraq, and she understands how important timely immunizations are to maintain good health and to keep the force “fit to fight.”

“It seems like every time you turn around, it’s time to roll up your sleeve again,” she said. “There are some people who step-right-up and ‘take it like a man,’ but there are others who seem to make themselves pretty scarce when immunizations are due.”

Deployed from the 159th Fighter Wing at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in New Orleans, Sergeant Soileau is a member of the Louisiana Air National Guard with more than 14 years in the Air Force, including four years active-duty. When she is not serving in uniform, she is a nuclear medicine specialist with the Louisiana State University Health Care System.

Because there’s no such thing as a “voluntary immunization,” even the biggest needle-phoebes can run, but they can’t hide, Soileau said.

During her deployment, she served as the Nursing Services NCO in charge and was responsible for oversight of the enlisted medics, as well as ensuring that everyone’s immunizations stay current.

“The flu shot is just one of the many immunizations required for each of us to maintain our deployable status,” and whether you’re at home station or deployed, I’m one of the medics who make sure you get what’s coming to you– whether you come to us or we have to go find you, it’s all for your own good,” she said.

When the flu vaccine arrived at Sather, Soileau and her staff of medics headed out to duty sections throughout the base with syringes, vials of vaccine and the determination to make sure that each one of more than 800 Airmen assigned at Sather received their shots. The medics also took along a complete roster of personnel that listed each person’s immunization history. “If anyone was due for other shots; well, they got those too,” she said.

Tetanus, Hepatitis A and B, Influenza, Small Pox, Anthrax and Typhoid are just a few examples of immunizations required for military members.

“I would be lying if I said that some of the shots didn’t hurt,” Soileau said. “Most people who have ever had the Typhoid shot know that it smarts when you get it, and then it can be pretty sore for a few days afterward. And, the Anthrax shot can really be a pain. It usually doesn’t hurt too much while you are getting it, but about 30 seconds later it really stings.”

During her career as a health care provider, Soileau estimates that she has given more than 15,000 shots, and has found that she just can’t predict how people will react. “Some people come in joking and others have panic attacks,” she said. “Sometimes a small, 90 pound girl can come in and get a shot without so much as a flinch, and other times you might see a big, burly guy with arms like a body builder who puts up the biggest fuss or even passes out.”

Soileau is known by many coworkers and patients alike for always having a smile and enjoying her work. While it’s often funny to see how different people react to getting a shot, she explains that there’s more than a century of data proving that immunizations save lives; that’s why she takes her job so seriously.

“Not only are immunizations a key element to maintaining our readiness, but preventing disease is much easier than treating it once it develops,” said Col. Charles Chappuis, 447th EMEDS commander. “An outbreak of the flu or some other contagious diseases would put a serious dent in the war fighter’s ability to accomplish their mission.”

Chappuis is also a Louisiana Air National Guard member deployed from the 159th FW. He said that while immunizations have made many terrible diseases of the past nearly extinct today, there is still a danger of an enemy getting their hands on a biological strain of one of these diseases and attempting to weaponize it.

For example, according to the Centers for Disease Control, Smallpox was once a disease that took an enormous toll on the population in the U.S. Even though an immunization to prevent the disease was invented in 1796, it was more than 100 years until it had wide-spread usage.

Outbreaks of Smallpox became sporadic through 1925, and then ceased abruptly in 1929. The last reported case in the U.S. was in 1949, and the disease was declared eradicated in 1977 and routine immunization was stopped.

Shortly after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Defense Department officials ordered Smallpox immunizations to resume for military members specifically as a precaution against a biological attack.

“The Smallpox vaccine consists of taking a large, flattened needle, dipping it into the serum and then jabbing it into the skin 15 times,” Soileau said. “For many people this is the immunization that hurts the most. It makes getting the flu shot seem like a walk in the park.”

Regardless of which immunization Soileau is administering, she always takes the time to talk to her patients, reassure them and help them through the “traumatic” experience.

Ironically, while she tries to explain to her patients the importance of each immunization and what to expect when they receive them, Soileau is a pretty big needle-phoebe herself. “Yup, I can give one without any problem,” she admitted. “But getting a shot is pretty much at the top of the list of things I don’t like.”

DVIDS
By Master Sgt. Brian Davidson
447th Air Expeditionary Group

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Jennifer Grimes receives an anthrax vaccination from Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class David Logan aboard the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7). Iwo Jima is deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Chad R. Erdmann/Released)

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (Nov. 16, 2008) Parachute Rigger 3rd Class Carley Stevenson, embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), shows a local boy pictures that were taken of him on her camera while helping to renovate East Ruimveldt Community Center during the humanitarian/civic assistance mission Continuing Promise (CP) 2008. Kearsarge is supporting the Caribbean phase of CP 2008, an equal-partnership mission between the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Brazil, Nicaragua, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gina Wollman/Released)

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (Nov. 16, 2008) Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Sara Larson, assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), helps paint the East Ruimveldt Community Center during the humanitarian/civic assistance mission Continuing Promise (CP) 2008. Kearsarge is supporting the Caribbean phase of CP 2008, an equal-partnership mission between the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Brazil, Nicaragua, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Emmitt J. Hawks/Released)

SAN DIEGO (Nov. 18, 2008) Ensign Susan Barrett, Combat Weapons Division officer aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), receives her Surface Warfare Officer pin from country music singer and songwriter Tracy Lawrence. Lawrence visited Sailors, signed autographs and toured the ship as part of a visit arranged by the ship’s Moral, Recreation and Welfare department. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Drew Williams)

I’m guessing that this child is thinking “WTF is that?!” Not a lot of kangaroos in Afghanistan.

KABUL, Afghanistan (Nov. 20, 2008) Lt. Jessica Gandy, public affairs officer for the International Security Assistance Force, gives a stuffed kangaroo to cheer up an Afghan girl in the Indira Ghandi Children’s Hospital Burn Ward. International service members assigned to ISAF gave stuffed animals and crayons to the children in the downtown Kabul, Afghanistan hospital. The hospital budget is $400 per month. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Petty Officer 1st Class Monica R. Nelson

An Ohio Army National Guard member from Cleveland is in the running to become the 2009 Miss Ohio USA.

2nd Lt. Elena Gonzalez will compete for the title against more than 50 contestants from throughout the state during a Nov. 20-22 competition at The Vern Riffe Center for the Arts on the Shawnee State University campus in Portsmouth, Ohio. The winner will go on to represent Ohio in the 2009 Miss USA competition on April 19 at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

Gonzalez, a native of Euclid near Cleveland, won the opportunity to represent Ohio after winning the title of Miss Euclid USA in July 2008. The competition marked the second such contest for the 23-year-old medical platoon leader and logistic operations officer for the Cleveland-based 237th Brigade Support Battalion. Gonzalez entered her first pageant when she competed for Miss Teen Ohio USA as a high school student in 2003.

A December 2007 graduate of University of Toledo with a bachelor of science degree in biology, Gonzalez enjoyed a full scholarship through the Army ROTC program. She said the military has helped her prepare for the competitions in several ways.

“It’s pushed me to do things that I never would have done in my civilian life, like rappelling or obstacle courses,” Gonzalez said. “It’s definitely been a confidence builder.”

Although Soldiering and competing in pageants might seem an odd mix, Gonzalez said she likes to push the envelope and do the unexpected.

“I like to break stereotypes. You can paint your nails and put on make up and still be a Soldier,” she said. “It has nothing to do with the internal drive for success. The military is just another avenue for success.”

DVIDS

Miss Ohio USA Pageant

The Vern Riffe Center for the Arts
At Shawnee State University
Portsmouth, Ohio

November 20-22, 2008

Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Ashley Ordorica, from Globe, Ariz., prepares to hoist a .50 caliber machine gun to its mount before a live-fire exercise on the fantail of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Torrey W. Lee/Released)

Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Brittany Cooper puts on a bullet-proof vest before a live-fire exercise on the fantail of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Torrey W. Lee/Released)

MILWAUKEE (Nov. 8, 2008) Ship’s Navigator Lt. j.g. Shaina Hayden renders honors to the national anthem during the commissioning ceremony for the littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) at Veterans Park in Milwaukee, Wis. Freedom is the first of two littoral combat ships designed to operate in shallow water environments to counter threats in coastal regions. (U. S. Navy photo Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin S. O’Brien/Released)

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago (Oct. 30, 2008) 1st Lt. Lindsey Maddox, embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), reads to children from the All in One Child Development Center, a local daycare where engineers embarked aboard Kearsarge are making renovations supporting Continuing Promise (CP) 2008. Kearsarge is the primary platform for the Caribbean phase of the humanitarian/civic assistance mission CP 08, an equal-partnership mission involving the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Brazil, Nicaragua, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gina Wollman/Released)