The Air Force has flown 70 humanitarian missions to Burma in support of the relief effort for Cyclone Nargis victims, Defense officials said here today.
Over Memorial Day weekend, five C-130 flights per day arrived at Rangoon International Airport and delivered supplies.

To date, Air Force relief flights have delivered 409 pallets containing water, blankets, hygiene kits, mosquito netting, plastic sheeting for shelter, food, rice, plywood and medical supplies. The total weight is 637.27 metric tons.

Burma’s ruling military junta decided last week to allow international aid workers into the nation, and news reports indicate these workers are now reaching the Irrawaddy River delta — the hardest hit area of the nation. Burmese authorities said the toll from the cyclone, which struck May 3, is 77,738 deaths and 55,917 missing. U.S. Air Force flights began flying into the stricken country May 12, but American officials must receive clearance for each flight that lands in Rangoon.

The United States has about a dozen cargo aircraft and a dozen heavy-lift and medium-lift helicopters in neighboring Thailand. The USS Essex, USS Harpers Ferry, USS Mustin and USS Juneau remain on hold in the Bay of Bengal. The Navy ships have 14 helicopters aboard. The ships could deliver relief supplies to millions of people, but Burmese authorities refuse to let them in, U.S. officials said.

“For now, U.S. personnel and equipment will remain in Thailand as well as on U.S. naval assets located about 50 nautical miles off the coast of Burma,” officials said.

DoD
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

A hard fought transition brought one Marine from shooting photos to shooting rifles.

Cpl. Andrew M. Oquendo, a scout with Delta Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, went from photographer with the U.S. Air Force to infantryman in the U.S. Marine Corps.

The 22-year-old infantryman from Paterson, N.J., joined the Air Force after struggling to make payments for his tuition at Delaware State University.

Oquendo was determined to experience what it takes to be successful, so after talking with a high-school friend and a recruiter, he reported to boot camp at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, in February 2005.

“The Air Force was the only branch I could think of that I wanted to join,” said Oquendo. “I didn’t see any other options, so I signed the dotted line to start my future.”

Upon graduation, he felt a sense of pride in becoming a member of the U.S. military.

“I felt like most Marines feel when they graduate boot camp and earn the Eagle, Globe and Anchor,” he said. “I felt like I was on top of the world.”

The new airman checked into the Defense Information School in Fort Meade, Md., to earn the military occupational specialty of photographer. After graduating the course and arriving to his first duty station at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, Oquendo deployed in July 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“I was in Qatar temporarily until my unit was visited by Maj. Gen. Anthony Przybyslawski (former commanding general of U.S. Air Force Personnel Center), and I took pictures of him,” Oquendo said. “He liked the photos so much he asked if I could accompany him through the rest of his tour.”

During the tour, Oquendo saw Marine infantrymen conducting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and had a feeling that something was missing in his life. He felt he wasn’t contributing enough to the Global War on Terrorism.

“I knew what I really wanted to do, so I had to do whatever it took to achieve it,” said Oquendo.

After building the courage, he talked to Maj. Gen. Przybyslawski about his ambitions and got the assistance he needed to make the transition from the Air Force to the Marine Corps.

“I went to the administrative center to apply for separation forms and the lady at the front desk thought I was crazy for filling it out after how long I’d been in,” said Oquendo. “Little did she know how committed I was to becoming a Marine.”

Within two weeks, his separation request was approved and he left the Air Force Nov. 1, 2006. Oquendo stepped on the “Yellow Footprints” at Parris Island, S.C., Nov. 27, 2006, with the ambition of becoming an infantry Marine.

The newest Marine recruit was prepared for whatever he had to face. According to him, he was looked up to by most members of his platoon.

“Since I had been in the military for two years, it was kind of like cheating because a lot of times were easier for me than the other recruits,” Oquendo said.

Now deployed to Iraq for his second combat tour, but this time with the Marine infantry, he is as happy as ever.

“I wanted to be an infantryman because it’s the backbone of the Marine Corps,” said Oquendo. “It’s the stuff you read about in the history books; making a difference in the world.”

He added he wanted to be part of a brotherhood that would make history.

“When it comes to motivation, Oquendo brings it to a different level,” said Sgt. James D. Leach, a scout squad leader with Delta Company, 2nd LAR. “It’s good having him around.”

DVIDS
By Cpl. Ryan L. Tomlinson
Regimental Combat Team 5

Capt. Heather Fox, a U-2 Dragon Lady pilot with the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, stands while Senior Airman Roric Ongaco (right) and Staff Sgt. Lisa Tetrick, 99th ERS physiological support division technicians, help attach the torso harness to her suit. She was preparing to fly a reconnaissance mission March 25 from an air base in Southwest Asia. Captain Fox is one of only three female U-2 pilots currently serving in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Levi Riendeau)

In its 50 years of flight, only six women pilots have been at the controls of the U-2 Dragon Lady.

Three of those six are currently in the Air Force, and two of those three are currently fighting in operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, flying with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing’s 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, the only U-2 squadron in Southwest Asia.

Maj. Merryl Tengesdal and Capt. Heather Fox, both U-2 pilots with the 99th ERS and deployed from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., continue to add to women’s and the U-2′s history, while fighting the war on terror 70,000 feet in the air.

From these altitudes, Major Tengesdal and Captain Fox, along with their 99th ERS wingmen, provide other warfighters with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance of the battle space.

Since its introduction in 1957, the U-2 and the men and women who support it have provided the United States and all its branches of military, with an unmatched upper hand on the enemy by providing high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to commanders.

“After we’ve completed a mission and landed the aircraft, it’s rewarding to know that we’ve helped the forces on the ground, and kept them safe,” said Captain Fox. “Even after 50 years, the U-2 has a significant impact on the mission.”

According to Lt. Col. Thomas Engle, 99th ERS commander, the U-2 is an unforgiving aircraft which requires exceptional airmanship to fly, and is arguably the most difficult aircraft in the world to land.

Pilots are carefully screened before being accepted for training, to include a three-sortie interview profile to determine the applicant’s aptitude for flying the “Deuce.” Fewer than half of the candidates invited to interview eventually get qualified to fly combat reconnaissance missions in the aircraft.

Missions in excess of nine hours wearing a full-pressure suit while flying at extreme altitudes are very fatiguing and require a high degree of professional commitment.

“Major Tengesdal and Captain Fox are both experienced U-2 instructor pilots bringing a high level of maturity and skill to the 99th ERS,” said Colonel Engle. “I place a high degree of trust in these officers, as they face tough decisions every day to keep our pilots and aircraft safe while executing the mission; and they do it admirably.”

Fewer than 850 Airmen have piloted the U-2 since its introduction. According to Captain Fox, the small number of women whose names are on that list is just another number.

“To be perfectly honest I really don’t think it’s that big of a deal,” she said. “The aircraft flies the same for women as it does for men. I’m just glad I’m a part of an aircraft with such a great mission.”

According to Major Tengesdal, every contribution in the military is important to winning the war on terrorism.

“As a pilot, all that matters is the mission, no matter if you’re male or female,” she said. “We get it done out here, and I’m happy to be a contributing member of this team. It’s an honor to be a part of the U-2 heritage.”

Air Force
by Senior Airman Ross M. Tweten
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Army Sgt. Heather Slater, deployed from the 367th Military Police Company, Horsham, Pa., helps an Afghan boy Feb. 25 at the Egyptian Hospital here. Slater and several other servicemembers from the 724th MP Battalion visit patients at the hospital every Sunday. Slater, who’s been deployed to Afghanistan for eight months, is a student at Castleton State College in Vermont. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Bolinger)

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Tech. Sgt. Sarah Gordon holds an orphaned infant at the Osu Children’s Home Feb. 18 in Accra, Ghana. Sergeant Gordon is the Joint Task Force West personnelist in charge of contingency operations. She is just one of 25 Airmen who visited the home to hand out more than $500 worth of supplies they purchased through personal donations. The Airmen are part of a joint task force providing infrastructure, aircraft and personnel in support of President George Bush’s visits to Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia Feb. 16 through 21. Sergeant Gordon is the Joint Task Force West personnelist in charge of contingency operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Denise Johnson)