CSAF Memo to Airmen: Leadership Library
By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs, 22 March, 2021, Arlington, VA

In lieu of a traditional reading list, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. presents a new Leadership Library including his recommendations for books, podcasts and documentaries. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Corey Parrish and Travis Burcham)

Airmen,

Today I am launching the CSAF Leadership Library. This is a new way of looking at the traditional reading list – a fluid set of media that I have personally explored – that changes and evolves as novel ideas are published, recorded, and debated. 

I am an avid reader and consumer of information, constantly looking for ways to broaden my perspectives and develop myself as a leader. As a learning leader, I’m in constant search for a range of ideas and perspectives that force me to think more broadly and provide me an opportunity to engage in deeper conversations with regards to leadership and world events. I also work to remain both physically and mentally fit with daily workouts and periods of reflection. I combine my morning workouts with thought-provoking podcasts that I often discuss with my staff.  That is why you will see podcasts and other non-traditional media included in my Leadership Library. 

Like many of you, I spend every day learning. As a leader, I am still learning, even as your 22nd Chief of Staff. I listen to podcasts and constantly read about leadership – I hope you do as well. The Leadership Library is not static and will have periodic additions as I come across media and ideas I’d like to share to generate dialogue. My aim is that this Leadership Library sparks conversations for you with fellow Airmen, with your family, and with your friends.

Part of the reason the United States Air Force is the best in the world is our thirst for knowledge and the way we challenge and question the status quo – no matter what package it comes in. President Kennedy once said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable from each other.” Think deeply about the ideas presented in this Leadership Library, challenge preconceived notions, and find ways to build a better Air Force for today’s Airmen and for those who will follow us. As always, I’m proud to serve alongside you.

Sincerely,

CHARLES Q. BROWN, JR.
General, U.S. Air Force
Chief of Staff

Lincoln on Leadership by Donald T. Phillips

Cautionary Tales: Season 1, Ep. 6: How Britain Invented, Then Ignored, Blitzkrieg  

The Playbook: A Coach's Rules for Life Netflix Original Series

The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek

75th SFS MWD Handlers Honor War Dog Heroes
By Cynthia Griggs, 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs, 19 March 2021

Community members pet retired contract working dog Mazzie, who sits in front of the Vietnam Veterans War Dog Memorial, which was modeled after him, during the dedication ceremony 13 March 2021 in Layton, Utah. The monument honors U.S. military dogs that didn't return after serving in war. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs)

LAYTON, Utah – Defenders and military working dogs from the 75th Security Forces Squadron at Hill Air Force Base gathered with the community on K-9 Veterans Day, March 13, to dedicate a Vietnam Veterans War Dog Memorial at Layton Commons Park.

The monument which honors U.S. military dogs that didn’t return after serving in war is located near park’s Vietnam War Memorial Wall, which honors the nearly 60,000 American men and women who died in the conflict.

According to the U.S. War Dogs Association, during the Vietnam War, 4,900 war dogs served, with only 204 returning home to the United States. Of the nearly 4,700 who remained in Vietnam, only 350 died in combat; the rest were just abandoned by the country they served as they were considered military equipment at that time.

The War Dog Memorial also has plaque stating if it weren’t for war dog heroes, another 10,000 names might have been added to the Vietnam War Memorial Wall.

Jim and Linda Crismer, members of the Northern Utah chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America, raised funds for the War Dog memorial project. Crismers' adopted military dog, Mazzie, who worked as a MWD in Kuwait, was the model for Salt Lake City artist, Lena Toritch, who sculpted the memorial.

“I feel the K-9 Memorial is an instrumental reminder to the community and region of the value that is and has been placed to the work of Military Working Dogs and their handlers,” said Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Wiggins, 75th SFS non-commissioned officer in charge of MWD section.

“For decades, we have built exceptional bonds with K-9s to execute difficult and unimaginable missions that have saved countless lives,” he said. “Today was an opportunity to take a moment with our community and share the trust and faith we all have in our K-9 partners.”

The dedication ceremony was attended by law enforcement and other working K-9 teams from the community and featured two Vietnam War K-9 handlers who spoke about their experiences with the war and their bonds with their K-9s. The ceremony also featured a blessing of the K-9s before the monument unveiling.

“To see so many of our fellow K-9 handlers from across the region also attend was amazing,” said Wiggins. “We work and train with some of these other handlers and this was the first time we were able to take a break from training to just listen to the stories of past and present handlers and truly recognize our four legged partners for their duty and sacrifice.”

Security Forces Vol III History Book Chapter Competition

Which Chapter Will Submit the Most Bios Winning a Defensor Fortis or AFSFA Flag?

Regional Directors and Chapter Chairs,

Due to the continued interest in the Air Force Security Forces history, the Air Force Security Forces Association and MT Publishing Company joined together to publish a third edition history book. The goal was to publish it in 2020. The intent was to have over 300 biographies of former and current Defenders in the book. Unfortunately, we are over 200 biographies short of that goal.

We have decided to hold a competition among the chapters to get us to our goal of 300. The competition period runs from 15 February to 30 September 2021.

The competition is based on the total number of biographies submitted by the chapter during that period and do NOT have to come from AFSFA members. Anyone who is or has ever been Air Police, Security Police or Security Forces can submit a biography. Those serving today at nearby units can be a great source of biographies. To compete though, the chapter must submit a minimum of 25 biographies. Individuals must indicate which chapter they are supporting for the competition.

Individuals can submit their biography and two (2) pictures by mail or electronically although electronic versions are preferred. There is absolutely no cost to submit a biography and two (2) pictures as long as the biography is 150 words or less. Biographies may be submitted without photographs and should be typed double-spaced on plain white paper or submitted electronically in a Word document. Typically biographies include name, rank, duties and duty locations, service dates, awards and medals received, and for retired or separated what you are doing today. Biographies over the 150 word limit cost 15 cents per word for each additional word. A check needs to accompany biographies over the 150 word limit. Ideally, the two pictures will include one picture early in the service period and a recent picture. Photocopies pictures cannot be used and all digital photos must be scanned at 300 dpi for submission. Low resolution photos cannot be used for the book and do NOT embed photos into the Word document.

For those physically mailing materials and wish to have them returned, ensure they write their name, address and phone number on the back of all material submitted and send it to: AFSFA, PO Box 683, Helotes, TX 78023-9998. You may also submit your biography via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. If you have questions about scanning or submitting digital files, please contact us at 210-277-0448. In submitting photos, please include a caption on the back of the photo with the date and an explanation of who or what is depicted. A book order is not required to submit material for inclusion in the publication.

https://www.afsfaonline.com/index.php/guardmount-news/241-air-force-security-forces-history-book-vol-iii

So, the big question is, what does the winning chapter get? The winning chapter will win their choice of an AFSFA flag or the Defensor Fortis flag, which they can proudly display at chapter events.

Good luck in the competition chapters!
Respectfully,
Joseph Rector
AFSFA Vice President

119th Wing Member Helps Woman Out of Sinking Ambulance

By CMSgt David H Lipp, 119th Wing / Published December 18, 2019, North Dakota ANGB, N.D.

Tech. Sgt. Ryan Fontaine, of the 219th Security Forces Squadron, unexpectedly found himself in the position to help save the life of a 91-year-old Williston, N.D., woman as he drove south on U.S. Highway 83 just before midnight on Thanksgiving, November 28, 2019, near Max N.D.

Fontaine was descending a hill on the icy four-lane highway near mile marker 179 when he noticed flashing lights several yards off the road on the west side to his right, and two vehicles on the shoulder.

 Ward County Sheriff Bob Roed, left, shakes hands with Tech. Sgt. Ryan Fontaine, of the 219th Security Forces Squadron, as Roed presents Fontaine with a certificate of courage and recognition coin during a ceremony at the Ward County Sheriff’s administration building Minot, N.D., Jan. 3, 2020. Fontaine is an off-duty, drill status North Dakota Air National Guard member that is being recognized for helping to save the life of a 91 year-old woman who was trapped in an ambulance that slid off U.S. Highway 83 and was sinking into a frozen pond the evening of Nov. 28, 2019. Woody Perez-Valdez, photo center, is also being recognized for his part in the rescue. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by David H. Lipp)

He stopped to investigate and noticed the flashing lights on an ambulance that was half-submerged in the frozen slough next to the road.

The three-person crew that had been in the ambulance escaped by breaking a side cab window with an ice scraper.  The cab of the ambulance was twisted due to the accident and passage was not possible from the back end to the front broken-out window.  The patient, Dolores Paulson, of Williston, N.D., was trapped inside the flooding ambulance.

The driver of one of the vehicles parked on the shoulder of the road was Kathy Paulson, the daughter of Dolores. Kathy, also from Williston, had been following the ambulance as it transported her mother from Williston to Bismarck, N.D., for a medical procedure and was speaking to 911 dispatch.

The ambulance crew members were working to get Dolores out, but were initially unable to break the windows with a fire extinguisher to get to her.

“A paramedic shouted at one point they had between a minute and a minute-and-a half to get mom out.  I thought at that point it would sink totally under the broken ice as less and less of the ambulance was showing.  I did not realize at the time, but the minute to minute-and-a half warning was due to hypothermia,” said Kathy.

They were finally able to break through the window of the ambulance using a jack from Fontaine’s personal vehicle.  Fontaine cleared glass from around the ambulance windows using the jack when he got close enough to the partially submerged vehicle.  Abdual-Jabbar, insisted on going back into the ambulance with Fontaine to rescue the patient they had been transporting.

A passerby, named Woody Valdez-Perez, provided a yellow tow-rope for Fontaine and Hasan Abdual-Jabbar to help them with the rescue efforts.

“The large chunks of ice in the water made it nearly impossible for anyone to swim in the water around the ambulance, but Abdul-Jabbar made it into the ambulance,” said Fontaine as he recalled the events of the rescue.

Once inside the ambulance, Abdual-Jabbar looped the tow rope around Dolores.

“Mom said she was then standing in water with ice chunks up to her armpits,” said Kathy.

Abdual-Jabbar eased her out, as Fontaine and Valdez-Perez pulled her across the icy water to safety.

“The whole thing probably took about 10 minutes from the time I got there, but it seemed like much longer,” Fontaine said.

Two additional ambulances, one from Garrison, N.D., and another from New Town, N.D., and several law enforcement vehicles began arriving and all of the people that were exposed to the frigid water got into vehicles to warm up. Dolores was placed in one of ambulances and the others were checked and treated for hypothermia if necessary, with all surviving.

“I noticed about four or five vehicles as they drove by when I first got there, and I am just glad a few of us stopped to help. I am not sure how much longer Dolores would have lasted in that cold water,” said Fontaine.

 "The selfless acts and quick thinking of these three (Abdual-Jabbar, Valdez-Perez and Fontaine) directly contributed to the survival of Dolores,” wrote Ward County Sherriff’s Sergeant Conrad Kossan in his accident report from the scene.

“The training I received through the military definitely helped me in this event. The command and control helped me to assess the situation and to stay calm and think through the process, and the self-aid and buddy care training helped me to come up with ways to help get Dolores to safety,” said Fontaine.

“Words cannot express my gratitude, my mother’s gratitude, as well as the gratitude of my entire family, for the brave and heroic action of Ryan, the ambulance crews, and all the passers-by who stopped to help. This truly was a total nightmare that had a very happy ending. Let it be known you are all heroes! This was one Thanksgiving we all will remember for a long, long time -- bless you all!” said Kathy Paulson.