BLUE LINEBOT Class 15-03 Issue 2

Class 15-03, we are officially over

halfway through the program. It did take us two shots, but we are all Phase 2, so give yourself a pat

on the back and have a mini celebration inside your head

for no more bracing procedures and Maxwell base

privileges. Enjoy the expanded freedom and keep moving

onward and upward to glory.

There is one choice we cannot make, we are incapable of making: we will not choose the path of submission and suffer the most sacred rights of our Nation and our people to be

ignored or violated. The wrongs against which we now array ourselves are no common wrongs; they cut to the very roots of human life....The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty. We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no material compensation for the sacrifices we

shall freely make. We are but one of the champions of the rights of mankind. We shall be satisfied when those rights have been made as secure as the faith and the freedom of nations can make them.... right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts,—for democracy, for the right of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their own Governments, for the rights and liberties of small nations, for a universal dominion of right by such a concert of free peoples as shall bring peace and safety to all nations and make the world itself at last free. To such a task we can dedicate our lives and our fortunes, everything that we are and everything that we have, with the pride of those who know that the day has come when America is privileged to spend her blood and her might for the principles that gave her birth and happiness and the peace which she has treasured. God helping her, she can do no other.

- President Woodrow Wilson addresses Congress, April 6, 1917

D-Fac DELIcacIEsAfter several weeks of delightfully delicious delicacies, many OTs have managed to massage manageable mouthfuls of mournfully mediocre meals. Here are some new recipes reminisce of remarkable renaissance revelations. If things are getting a bit boring you may want to try out some of these creative combos.

Anything goes well on a bagel, but here is a popular breakfast variation.

1 Bagel 2-3 Pieces of breakfast meat Scrambled eggs 1-2 Hash-browns 1-2 Pieces of cheese 1-2 Cups of cream cheese

Put it all together and enjoy!

Everyone has been extra excited since that first OT uncaged their eyes long enough to notice the gleaming dessert case and ice cream machine. Here are some ideas to customize those sweets.

Soft serve ice cream (as needed) Milk (as needed) Toppings/mix-ins (fruit, yogurt, sweet cereals, juice, etc.)

Go WILD and enjoy the adventure.

Fish is a heart-healthy option that most OTs tolerate, but to turn that into enjoyment, why not try a little honey-lemon glaze to sweeten things up.

2 Honey packages 2 Lemon juice packages Pinch Salt Pinch Pepper

Mix it in a little bowl and dip your fish in or just dump it all on top and eat up.

If you’re getting a little weighed down by all the heavy options, lighten it up with a custom sandwich.

2 Slices of bread 2-3 Slices of meat Vegetables (salad bar too) 1-2 Pieces of cheese Dressing of choice

If you aren’t digging the regular bread, try a croissant or the hoagie buns.

Cereal may have been a daily “go to” in college, but now we can mix things up. Here are some ideas to add.

Sliced fruit CHOCOLATE milk Yogurt (instead of milk) Soft serve ice cream (why not?)

Just because cereal starts out rather boring and predictable, doesn’t mean it has to stay that way.

Salads can be a great choice to add some customization and control to your menu options. Add some of these to mix things up a bit.

Fruit Cut up chicken or fish Different dressing (crazy right!) Cereal (instead of crutons)

Try some different things and find an option that works for you.

BrEakFast BagEL

MarvELoUs MILkshakE

FaNtastIc FIsh

sUccULENt saNDwIch

cELEBratory cErEaL

sUpEr saLaD

photo oF thE wEEk

“World War I – known at the time as ‘The Great War’ - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However,

fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: ‘To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…’”1

Armistice Day was later changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to honor veterans who had fought in all wars, not just World War I. It was a privilege to march in the Montgomery, Alabama Veterans Day Parade and honor all those veterans who have gone before and paved the way for those of us who are following.

Source: 1. “History of Veterans Day,” U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved November 14, 2014. http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

“You are Welcome, and You are Worth it.”

Class 15-03, get your cameras ready and your lenses cleaned, because every week you will have the opportunity to submit your photos for the honor of Photo of the Week. Submit photos to OTLageman1503T@gmail.com by 2000 on the Friday of each week.

OT Steven Jackson OT Ryunosuke Karaffa

OT Anne Fredell OT Megan Curry

OT Ross Carli OT Robert Lovelady OT Birkes Williams OT Robert Mathews

OT Anastacio Arreola OT William Sprout OT Adam Parker

OT David Merideth

F/CC Capt. Andrews

OT William Sprout AFSC: 13S1A (Space Ops) Age: 27 From: Salem, Wisconsin Favorite Movie: “Clue” Something nobody knows about me: I took a downhill bike ride from the top of a mountain in Hawaii. Favorite story from OTS: Watching OT Karaffa salute left-handed with a flashlight.

OT Robert Mathews AFSC: 13S1 (Space Ops) Age: 33 From: Mountain Home, Idaho Favorite Band: Grateful Dead Something nobody knows about me: My first car was a 1974 Super Beetle. Favorite story from OTS: When MSgt Nicholson expressed his certainty that I would know what a tu-tu was; he was right!

OT Megan Curry AFSC: 92T0 (Pilot) Age: 29 From: San Diego, California Favorite Saturday Night Activity: Line dance to country music with a cold beer. Something nobody knows about me: I applied to be an American Gladiator in college. Favorite story from OTS: Watching OT Morales eat her daily ice cream.

A warrior is a person specializing in combat or warfare, especially within the context of a tribal or clan-based society that recognizes a separate warrior class or caste.

Class 15-03, we are on our way. Less than 0.5% of Americans serve in the armed forces and fewer than 18% of military personnel are in the Air Force and fewer than 20% of Airmen are officers. This means that when we complete this program we will represent less than .018% of the American people.

The future of the United States Air Force rests with us.

We are learning one step at a time what it takes to become Airmen: how to lead, how to work as a team, how to survive, and how to improve. These are invaluable skills, and every time we get one thing down, its time to learn something else. There will never be a time when we know everything there is to know about being an Airman.

Many battles throughout history have come down to the actions of one individual. If you need examples consider Agis III of Sparta, Dian Wei, Frank Luke, Thomas A. Baker, or countless others. These individuals changed the tide of battle. They knew what was required of them, and they did not shrink from their duty.

We have a duty, and we are on our way.

That duty will not be over December 19. It will not be over when we return from a deployment. It will not be over when we have retired. It will not be over so long as we live.

While we are here, learning and making mistakes and growing, remember: we are warriors.

wE arE warrIors!

“I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan

“Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” – Babe Ruth

a MEssagE FroM oUr wINg coMMaNDEr- OT Dave Meredith

We finally made Phase 2!!! Phase 3 is (hopefully) right around the corner. Class 15-02 is almost gone, CWT1 is behind us and we’re about to give our first briefings. We’ve reached the halfway point for our course and we have under three weeks of academics remaining.

Let’s learn from 15-02’s examples and not let up on our procedures, our knowledge, our customs and courtesies, and our rooms. Class 15-03 is the final class of this calendar year. We need to finish strong. No phase reductions. No failures. No Airmen left behind. Huah!

hoNorINg hIstory21 Nov 1970: Operation Ivory Coast was a joint mission between the Army Special Forces and Air Force search and rescue crews to extract American POWs that were being held at Son Tay during the Vietnam War. Brigadier General Leroy J. Manor was given command of the overall mission and was tasked with overseeing the integration of the forces of the two branches. The operation faced several problems, including the speed limitations of the aircraft involved and the interoperability of the forces. The mission was practiced 171 times, using a mock Son Tay prison, which could be disassembled to prevent it from being spotted by the Russian satellites. There were three plans that were developed, named blue, red and green, were designed around the possibility that not all the helicopters made it to the proper destination.

The operation was executed smoothly and was held as an example of command leadership, mass and training. However, it was considered by the public and Congress to be a failure. After Army Colonel Simon’s, the commander of the ground forces, helicopter landed at the wrong site, the remaining forces executed plan green and continued to the compound. When they arrived, they found that the prisoners had been moved to a new location after the Son Tay river flooded. The raid is still considered a success by some, because after the raid all prisoners were moved from scattered locations to two main camps, allowed to communicate, given food, and the torture effectively stopped. Though the mission returned no prisoners, it may have saved hundreds.Source: “Operation Ivory Coast” Global Security, http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/ivory_coast.htm

cARRy On 15-03!

For questions, comments, or concerns contact OT Mecham at

OTMecham1503T@gmail.com