Friday, July 25, 2014

Kirby: Friends contribute to tribute for airman

Holly Whitley walked with a particularly expedient stride toward the "Duty" wall panel just installed in Freedom Memorial Park.
She studied the monument for a moment, then could no longer hold back her tears.
"I've waited 11 years for this," Whitley, 58, was saying about the slick black military monument that pays tribute to Staff Sgt. Scott D. Sather, an airman killed in Iraq on April 8, 2003. "It's beautiful. I've waited so long."

The panel is one of five placed on the grounds Monday, honoring the many in this community who have monetarily donated to the park that stands across from the Airborne & Special Operations Museum downtown.
Kirby: Friends contribute to tribute for airman Link

Monday, July 21, 2014

2014 North West Loop Reminder

We are just a few days away from this years NW-Loop. I have attached a link to road conditions due to fires around the Leavenworth area.

Link: http://www.wsdot.com/traffic/trafficalerts/default.aspx 

Please drive safely and check conditions before you leave home and en-route if you have time. It appears there are some posted detours so you will spend a bit more time getting there.

We are close to 75% of our donation goal for this year. Many of you showed your support with generous gifts to the SOF Warrior Foundation.

I cant thank you each enough.

I will arrive on Wed at the hotel to work through some final logistics for your arrival. 

Again, travel safely and plan ahead.

I look forward to seeing you all this year. I think we will have a few surprise guests possibly.

I will miss Ron Childress and his soulmate Ann this year for sure. 

Call me at 206-437-1269 if you need anything and pass this on to people you know are coming this year but are not on this distribution.


Sincerely, 


Robert Rankin 
Cellular: 206-437-1269
Chiefrk@gmail.com"

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

A Little Break in the Schedule for Dan Coonan

Teammates,
Looks like it's time to fix the old model.  I'll be getting the motor overhauled.  This is just an update on my upcoming surgery, and a slightly belabored explanation of the procedures, to answer those who have been asking.  Here goes:
I am entering the Texsan Heart Hospital here in San Antonio this Wednesday for four separate heart procedures:
Wednesday, 16 July at 10:00 am:
1.       Trans Esophageal Echocardiogram (TEE).  A video sensor is inserted down the esophagus to determine the precise location of the electrical tissue that has been misfiring, causing a dangerous condition of atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat).  AT leads to ventricular tachycardia (VT), a deadly, excessively rapid heartbeat (180+ beats per minute).
2.       Ablation of electrical pathway. The TEE will be followed by an ablation (cauterization) of that tissue by inserting a device through a vein/artery in the groin. Eliminating that tissue should bring my heartbeat back into normal rhythm.
Friday, 18 July at 10:00 am:
3.       Mitral valve repair.  I will be moved back to the surgical suite where the surgeon will open my chest and transfer my heart functions to a heart-lung machine.  He will then open the heart itself and repair a leaking mitral valve.  This valve is supposed to receive oxygenated blood from the lungs through the right atrium and pass it to the right ventricle for delivery to the body through the aorta. The leak now creates a back pressure into the lungs and is responsible for my congestive heart failure. 
4.       Intra-atrial perforation repair.  While the surgeon is inside the heart, he will also close a hole between the two atria in the upper chambers of my heart.  This condition has caused a mixing of the blood coming back from the body and the oxygen rich blood being sent back out. The oxygen-poor blood is not sufficient to meet my body’s demand and makes me exhausted and light-headed all the time.
These procedures are not the same as the bypass surgery and stent emplacements I have had in the past which now keep the blood flowing through arteries previously blocked by atherosclerosis.  All is good on that front.  So, once these new procedures are completed, I’ll be the new bionic man. 
Please keep me in your prayers,
Dan Coonan
Dcoonan3@idworld.net

LM-048

Friday, July 11, 2014

Airfield Management Consultant in Djibouti, Africa

Wittenberg Weiner Consulting is seeking qualified applications for an Airfield Management Consultant in Djibouti, Africa. This position would begin around 1 September 2014.

Summary
The Airfield management position will provide subject matter expertise (SME) on safe airfield operating conditions, provide technical expertise for all phases of programmed airfield construction, and airfield construction and maintenance projects for runways, taxiways, aircraft parking ramps and lighting systems being performed by military personnel. The position will also provide SME on airfield improvement activities such as airfield surface repair, painting programs, and work crews. The consultant will assist in planning and inspecting airfield improvements, repairs, and continuing operations. The consultant will provide technical recommendations to the Operations Officer and Air Operations Officer on all upcoming projects, as well as the status of ongoing projects. Provide briefings to maintenance and airfield personnel on airfield operations as well as the proper use of radios and basic communications procedures. Coordinate with the Djiboutian Airfield Authority on all matters that affect the commercial airport.

Required Qualifications  
·       U.S. Citizen
·       Active DoD Secret Security Clearance
·       Valid U.S. Passport
·       Bachelor’s degree plus 10 years experience as Airfield Manager for a Department of Defense facility OR Master’s degree plus 5 years experience as Airfield Manager for a Department of Defense facility
·       Department of Defense Advanced Airfield Managers Course graduate
·       Expert knowledge of military airfield functions
·       Expert knowledge of UFC, ICAO, and FAA Circular Guidelines
·       Informational briefing preparation and presentation skills to large groups and senior level officers
·       Ability to prepare and deliver point/position papers
·       Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office 2007 Suite to include Word, Excel and PowerPoint
·       Valid U.S. Driver's License

Preferred Experience & Qualifications
·       International, restrictive and /or hostile environment operations experience
·       Understanding of Navy base-wide operations plans
·       Subject matter expertise in advising on major and minor airfield improvement projects
·       Understanding and experience implementing and maintaining a Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) Program that is incompliance with NAVFAC P-73
·       Excellent command of communication skills, both verbal and written.
·       Ability to prepare and confidently deliver briefings.

Compensation is competitive and benefits are provided. Position will require a one year commitment (with option years). WWC is an equal opportunity employer.

 If you would like to learn more about this opportunity with WWC, please submit your resume and a cover letter to Heidi Snell at heidi.snell@ww-consult.com

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

2014 Nationwide Series #62 Camaro for Richard Childress Racing (RCR), sports the Combat Control Team flash

Brendan Gaughan (BG62), Associate Life Member to CCA and Driver of the 2014 Nationwide Series #62 Camaro for Richard Childress Racing (RCR), sports the Combat Control Team flash on his car and his helmet and Special Tactics emblem on his pit sign at all of his races. This tribute is done in high respect of CCT and the sacrifices we make every day.

The RCR store is selling 1:24 and 1:64 scale models of his car both with the CCT flash above the door, next to his name opposite th...e American Flag. Brendan is a longtime friend of CCT. His family, a huge supporter of the military and USAF, owns the South Point Casino in Las Vegas where the Vegas Mini Reunion is held. Brendan often wears a CCT or SOWF hat on race day and can be seen on TV. If you don't have a favorite Nationwide driver, please pull for Brendan. 

You can find Brendan on twitter @brendan62


Contact Phillip "PIMP" Freeman rugby9cct@aol.com if you want attend a race in the pits, as Brendan's guest. There are limited spots and 1 month notice required. 


Links to the South Point and RCR web site and store where you can purchase gear: 
http://www.rcrstore.com/product.php?productid=503&cat=2&page=1


http://www.rcrracing.com


http://www.southpointcasino.com