The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Virtual Tour is now fully embedded with audio and video hotspots, and touch-screen devices, offering online visitors the opportunity to experience the entire museum.

Located at www.nmusafvirtualtour.com, the final two areas to be embedded -- the Cold War Gallery, with over 300 hotspots, and the Missile and Space Gallery, with close to 60 hotspots -- are now interactive with initial materials, allowing users to click on an artifact or exhibit and access factsheets, audio tour podcasts with printable transcripts, videos and interactive touch-screen displays.

Online visitors can see an array of aircraft and exhibits in the Cold War Gallery, which features an SR-71A Blackbird, B-1B Lancer, F-117F Nighthawk, A-10A Thunderbolt II and the world's only permanent public display of a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. Other exhibits include Office of Special Investigations, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Warrior Airmen.

The Apollo 15 Command Module and Mercury and Gemini capsules are located at the entrance to the Missile and Space Gallery. In the gallery are eight different rockets and missiles, ranging from the Minuteman to the Peacekeeper, and exhibits including astronaut food, re-entry vehicles, the Stargazer and Excelsior gondolas, and the 5-star general's insignia belonging to Gen. Henry "Hap" Arnold, which flew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 2011.

The virtual tour features more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles on display at the museum amid more than 17 acres of indoor exhibit space. Thousands of personal artifacts, photographs and documents further highlight the people and events that comprise the Air Force storyline, from the beginnings of military flight to today's war on terrorism.

Creating and embedding material in the virtual tour took more than a year. Consisting of nearly 75,000 files and more than 1,200 clickable hotspots, the tour will be an ongoing process to update and add new content.

"We still have a lot of work to do on this project," said Bryan Carnes, who developed the tour along with a contractor. "Although we have the initial content available for our online visitors to view, we will be adding more video, audio, interactive and educational materials associated with specific aircraft and artifacts in the museum."

"The museum is always expanding and changing," said retired Lt. Gen. John L. Hudson, the museum director. "With the addition of several important artifacts like the three recently declassified National Reconnaissance Office satellites, acquisition of NASA's Crew Compartment Trainer, renovation of the Southeast Asia War Gallery and plans to construct a fourth building, the virtual tour will continue to evolve as well."

The museum offers online visitors various ways to experience the tour, whether it is downloading podcasts from iTunes or accessing the tour through handheld devices. An application is also in development for download on Android and iPhone devices and is anticipated to be available by the summer.

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is located in Dayton, Ohio, and is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission and parking are free. For more information about the museum, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.

"You can be my wingman anytime."

Most moviegoers know this cliché line uttered by Val Kilmer to Tom Cruise at the end of the 1986 film "Top Gun" by heart. But these classic words sum the Air Force's Wingman Day concept.

Wingman Day is mandatory for all Airmen every year. Air Force Reserve Command units will host their 2012 Wingman Day activities by mid-March.

"We must take care of each other," said Col Bruce Bowers, 446th Airlift Wing commander. "Our units are our family. Family members take care of each other. I constantly see this sense of family anytime there is a crisis. The recent power outage and snow event is evident of this desire to help our fellow Airmen."

What used to take more of a safety emphasis, the Wingman concept has evolved into a focus on life balance.

"The suicide rate at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and the Army as a whole, has been going through the roof," said Lt. Col. Kevin Welin, 446th AW chief of safety. "That has become the new buzz term, "wingman." What can you do? What can I do for the Reservists in our office? Can you see different personality changes? AFRC wants to make sure every (Reservist) refreshes their brains. What can we do to help somebody out who's in need of something, spiritually, mentally, physically and socially?"

These needs Welin mentioned are the four pillars of comprehensive fitness, which the new Wingman concept is based on.

"If you don't have the four solid pillars, you are not ready for a deployment," said Welin, who's been in the military for nearly 30 years. "If we don't have personnel ready for a deployment within 72 hours, we're not ready. You have to make sure those four pillars are always balanced to the best of your ability."

Wingman Day briefly halts normal UTA activities to revisit unit morale and wellness, said Welin. Small group discussions will provide strategies related to the four pillars, mission effectiveness and unit solidity. Basically, it's about team building, looking out for each other and maintaining the individual's physical and mental health.

The reason for the hands-on approach isn't just to get Reservists involved, but it's to make sure concept is effectively reinforced.

"If I gave a standard Power Point briefing, I basically turn everybody off in 10 minutes," explained Welin. "What good is it to give four hours of briefs when I've lost them in the first 10? Make it quick, snappy or however each squadron commander wants to tailor it."

According to Welin, these activities are vital because they stress awareness and attention to detail.

"If you have somebody who is contemplating suicide, you are not necessarily going to have any indicator," he said. "It's not going to be that the person left a note on my desk, saying they're alone and feeling very depressed. You are not going to get them saying, 'oh I went through the checklist and I have seven out of however many indicators.' You won't know. Forget the logic. That's the problem, the person is not in the right frame of mind," he added.

Welin provides easy informal solutions that can make the difference when it comes to awareness in the unit.

"Know your people," he said. "Go out to lunch with them once in a while. Build more trust and they'll open up to you. That's way the military is going. We need more morale building. We're so overloaded with our daily taskings, with our military and civilian careers and juggling family life, school, etc. that you have to keep bringing the wingman concept to the forefront. You have to make it a number-one priority," he added.

In addition to the colonel's advice, there also resources, which are also part of the Wingman Day briefings, that Reservists can make good use of wherever they are.

· Military One Source - www.militaryonesource.com - for military from all components and their families which provides local counseling, free books and resources on topics ranging from family to finances.
· Wingman Toolkit - www.wingmantoolkit.org - to learn how to intervene and save a life 365 days a year.
· National Resource Directory - www.nationalresourcedirectory.gov - provides access to information on employment support, family support, education, benefits and compensation.

Welin brings home the point, that proper enforcement of the four pillars not only benefits the individual and unit cohesion, but it also helps accomplish the Reserve mission.

"As Reservists, we have to be ready to support any world-wide event. That's our job," said Welin. "If we're not ready, we're letting down the United States and our family."

Gen. Raymond E. Johns, Jr., Air Mobility Command commander, visited Joint Base Lewis-McChord Feb. 24 to deliver McChord Field's newest C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.

During his short visit, Johns also took the opportunity to thank and inspire Airmen during a commander's call.

"First of all, I want to thank you for what you do," he said. "We deliver hope, fuel the fight and saves lives. You do that right here through airlift, airdrop and aeromedical evacuation. You do these missions, and you are the best at it. All of us couldn't be prouder of you."

The general mentioned the missions that McChord Field Airmen have supported up until now including relief efforts in both Haiti and Japan.

"Every time our nation calls, you never hesitate," he said. "You have always said, 'yes' and answered the call."

In addition, he mentioned the Operation Deep Freeze aircrew from the 446th and 62nd Airlift Wings who flew a mission that conducted the first mid-winter medical evacuation, saving a woman's life.

"That's the kind of impact you have around the world," Johns said. "You touch thousands of people because you do whatever we ask."

Johns is no stranger to JBLM and the Puget Sound area. He was previously assigned to then McChord Air Force Base as the 62nd AW commander, from 1998 to 2000.

Because the 62nd AW is so close to his heart, Johns did something new at the commander's call. After his speech, he opened up the floor for Airmen to ask him questions.

Some of the questions asked included topics such as the Air Force inspection system, joint basing, force reductions and budget cuts.

"I was very impressed with the general's speech," said Capt. Dayle Hartung, 62nd AW assistant staff judge advocate. "It is always wonderful to hear the decision-making thought process from senior leaders and his acknowledgement of our Airman and mission's continued excellence. Taking the time to ask us what was on our minds was as genuine as it was informative."

AMC's primary mission out of the three Air Force mission areas of global vigilance, global reach and global power, is global reach. McChord Field's C-17 Globemaster III aircraft provide critical airlift and airdrop with speed and accuracy, able to reach anyone and any place in the world within 18 hours. McChord Field Airmen are simultaneously engaged in supporting operations in Afghanistan and Antarctica.

"You maintain and employ a machine that keeps Soldiers and Marines on the ground in the villages of Afghanistan safe," Johns said. "The speed and accuracy of our precision airdrop mission gets food, water and ammunition to them so they can continue their mission."

Johns departed McChord Field Saturday, continuing his official travels.

PHOTO: Gen. Raymond E. Johns, Jr., Air Mobility Command commander, presents a key to Master Sgt. Eric Burr, 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, after delivering McChord Field's newest C-17 Globemaster III aircraft Feb. 24, 2012, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Frances Kriss)

Congratulations to the following members of Team McChord were named the "best of the best" at the 2011 Annual Awards Banquet Feb. 22. The awards were presented by Lt. Gen. Paul J. Selva, Pacific Air Forces vice commander.

Key Spouse
Emily Culbert, 10th Airlift Squadron

Civilian Category IA
62nd Airlift Wing: Rene Emondt, 62nd Aerial Port Squadron
Team McChord: Kathleen Whipple, 627th Force Support Squadron

Civilian Category IIA
62nd AW: Cary Hatzinger, 62nd Maintenance Operations Squadron
Team McChord: James Ihlan, 22nd Special Tactics Squadron

Civilian Category IIB
62nd AW: Roberta Peterson, 62nd AW
Team McChord: Charles Hawthorne, 627th Communications Squadron

Civilian Category III
62nd AW: Mark Logan, 62nd AW

Airman
62nd AW: Senior Airman Kali Ackles, 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Team McChord: Senior Airman John Hansard, 22nd STS

Noncommissioned Officer
62nd AW: Master Sgt. Ray Smittle, 62nd AW
Team McChord: Tech. Sgt. Sean Kurdziolek, 5th Air Support Operation Squadron

Senior Noncommissioned Officer
62nd AW: Master Sgt. Matthew Mueller, 8th AS
Team McChord: Master Sgt. Jonathon Skipper, 5th ASOS

First Sergeant
62nd AW: Senior Master Sgt. Angela Fernandez, 62nd APS
Team McChord: Master Sgt. Jeremy Carney, 627th FSS

Junior Company Grade Officer
62nd AW: 1st Lt. Gregory Stewart, 62nd Comptroller Squadron
Team McChord: 1st Lt. John Wylie, 22nd STS

Company Grade Officer
62nd AW: Capt. Jonathan Dedic, 62nd Operations Support Squadron
Team McChord: Capt. Mica Myers, 627th CS

The 10th Airlift Squadron deployed Thursday in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.

More than 90 Airmen from the 62nd Airlift Wing's 10th AS departed for a 75-day deployment to the Middle East. They are accompanied by Airmen from the 446th AW and others from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The Airmen will take over operations of the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron.

The unit will operate out of two bases, managing and flying missions concentrated in and around Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. They are replacing the 7th Airlift Squadron which is scheduled to return in early March.

As the 817th EAS, their mission is to provide global strategic airlift, airdrop, aeromedical evacuation and humanitarian relief, to create an air bridge for personnel, equipment and supplies throughout the assigned areas of responsibility.

"It is an incredible honor to command a deployed flying squadron in a time of war," said Lt. Col. Clint ZumBrunnen, 817th EAS commander. "We are taking a total force team to the combat zone. Airmen from Pacific Air Forces, Air Force Reserve Command and each of the other squadrons in the 62nd Operations Group will work side-by-side to accomplish the mission for 75 days."

"In such a dynamic environment, a wide range of perspectives and experience levels enhances the unit's effectiveness," said ZumBrunnen. "I am fortunate to have so many contributors from outside the 10th AS on my team."

The 62nd AW's four active duty flying squadrons share responsibility for the deployed squadron and rotate operating the 817th EAS continuously. The deployments allow Air Mobility Command to consistently position assets closer to the action.

Mission ready. Not if the weather forecasters said it's a no go. An often overlooked Air Force Specialty Code is the weather forecaster. Who hasn't anguished over a weather forecast gone wrong or at an umbrella left in a stand because the forecaster predicted sunshine?

"Mother Nature is unpredictable sometimes," said Staff Sgt. Joshua Thorn, a 451st Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron weather observer, deployed from Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center, Wis.

Weather forecasting might be an imperfect science, but instead of hand-held pressure gauges that resembled Grandpa's box camera, mankind has progressed to satellites and computer systems to more accurately calculate weather trends.

"We use a combination of weather machines and balloons, satellites, modeled data, and physical observations to collect data and issue a forecast," said Thorn.

Modeled data is compiled from pre-existing weather forecasts and averages and funneled into a set of algorithms or a mathematical construct, to predict weather over a three-, five-, or even seven-day range, whereas SkewT, a website that depicts satellite data with real-time telemetry, is much more precise, Thorn said.

However, both are necessary for a complete picture of Kandahar Airfield, and on a larger scale, Afghanistan. With such a far-reaching capability, weather forecasting is an integral key to a flight's mission success. After all, deciding to fly a multi-million dollar airplane involves more than a weather-watcher looking out a window.

"We've positioned several weather stations around the airfield," said Thorn. "They have many attachments to gauge different things like temperature, dew point, wind, cloud height, and precipitation to give us a vertical atmospheric profile."

Assessing Kandahar Airfield's weather involves many pieces of equipment and a full-time staff. The KAF weather team, comprised of Air Force and NATO personnel, maintains a 24-hour operations tempo to run three weather sections at the base operations center as well as support another shift on the other side of the flight line.

Weather forecasts aren't just crucial to the pilots, though.

"Engineers ask us about precipitation amounts, say for a 5-10 year period," said Thorn. "Weather affects how they would go about building something here."

Whether it is a pilot, engineer, or Airman deciding on whether or not to don a jacket, the weather forecast affects everyone.
"The best part of my job is seeing how our mission briefs have an impact on operations," said Thorn.

Anyone aware of the Phoenix Raven program mission knows Air Mobility Command aircraft and crews are in good hands, regardless of where the mission takes them.

Just ask Master Sgt. Carlos Duell and Tech. Sgt. Ric Shumate, Raven team Reservists with the 446th Security Forces Squadron.

The two of them combined have notched more than 200 missions in more than 80 countries and five continents. And over the next month, you can add at least three more.

"I try to fly a Raven mission at least three to four times a year," said Duell, who works as a transportation officer for King County Corrections. "My employer supports me."

Duell, also the Raven Program manager for the 446th SFS, is gearing up to support Cornet Oak, a year-round Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard operation, in which aircrews deploy from the United States to Muniz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico, to provide theater airlift support for the U.S. Southern Command.

For those not familiar with how critical the Raven mission is, Shumate provides a quick rundown.

The program was born in 1997, said the Lacey resident. Raven teams are made up of anywhere from two to six security forces members and provide security for AMC assets at locations and air fields that don't have adequate security. Once the aircraft lands in that particular area, the Ravens provide force protection for the aircraft and the aircrew. If they ever leave the aircraft in the air fields, they'll search it before the aircrews enter the aircraft, he added.

Both Duell and Shumate believe the combination of their military and civilian backgrounds, give Reserve cops an advantage in missions like these.

"It's awesome," said Duell, a Reservist since 1989. "Just dealing with personnel at my job gives me good verbal communication skills, because I deal with inmates all day long. Getting people to do things they don't want to do without them knowing it is a great skill, because that eliminates having to use physical force."

Shumate is a Port of Seattle police officer and bomb technician, who also values his Reserve and civilian law-enforcement training to apply to his Raven duties.

"As a Reservist and a civilian police officer, I go through a lot of training on both sides," said the 15-year Reservist. "You can work 12, 14, 16 or 18 hours. You have to be mentally and physically alert. You can do a three-day mission that ends up getting extended because of a broken aircraft or a mission changed. You can't always plan for what a mission says it needs. You always have to plan ahead. You have to be physically and mentally ready for those demands. It's an evolutionary-type of mission."

As his squadron's former Phoenix Raven Program manager, Shumate believes missions such as Cornet Oak provide good opportunities for Reserve cops.

"It's a real unique opportunity," he said. "We're going to places we'd otherwise never have an opportunity to. We're doing something that most cops don't do, but we get to do it in a different environment. What's cool about it is you are on your own, so you have to make the decisions on how you're gonna provide security for that aircraft. It also gives more exposure to what the big Air Force does and how we impact international-national relations. It's a nice career-enhancing step and pathway. It's more than just an EPR bullet."

Although being part of this unique team can be a career enhancer for a Reservist, it needs to mean more than that to the Airmen.

"It's not like you get a prize at the end of your shift," said Duell. "You have to want to go out there, knowing you're sometimes gonna work long hours, long days and sometimes it won't be rewarding. For cops, knowing that things are good for you means no one's crossed through the wire, the aircraft is still intact, and the personnel you're around are still safe. If everyone walks away, we all win."

photo: Master Sgt. Carlos Duell (standing), 446th Security Forces Squadron Phoenix Raven Program manager, provides cover while a security forces Airman secures a hostile during an operational readiness exercise at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Main, Feb. 15, 2012. Duell, who's been with the 446th Airlift Wing since 1989, has been on numerous missions which have taken him to more than 80 countries. He plans to participate in more Raven missions in March. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jake Chappelle)

The 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings and 627th Air Base Group conducted a mobility exercise Feb. 10 - 17 to improve the ability to survive and operate, solidify mobility processes and strengthen the ability to complete missions under adversity in preparation for an Operational Readiness Inspection in October.

"The main goal of this week's exercise is to provide an overall training opportunity," said Capt. Brian Dodson, 62nd AW deputy chief of exercises and evaluations. "The objective was for people to walk away having learned something they can apply during the ORI."

This exercise marked the first opportunity for the 62nd and 446th AWs and 627th ABG to train together in preparation for the 2012 ORI.

"Training together was an important aspect of the big picture," said Dodson. "This opportunity was extremely valuable and beneficial."

The team spent the week operating in a simulated deployed environment with a pause for training days in between. During the training, Airmen received various informative briefings from experts on topics such as self-aid and buddy care, chemical decontamination and flightline driving.

"I've personally noticed many improvements and beneficial teachings during this exercise," said Staff Sgt. Ken Thomas, 62nd Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment technician. "People seemed more on track and ready to apply their previous experience. The communication has definitely improved."

According to Dodson, the team has areas to focus on for the coming exercises, but is satisfied with performance during this week's exercise.

"I feel that the goals and objectives set out for this week have been achieved," said Dodson. "We've noticed improvement each day as people were learning. Now, we have a good knowledge base to work from and we can continue to move forward."

Now that the MOBEX has successfully been completed, Team McChord will continue to maintain the same mission ready procedures to prepare for the fly-away exercises in May and September.

Photo: Airmen assigned to the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings and 627th Air Base Group take equipment to work areas during a mobility exercise Feb. 17, 2012, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The exercise was conducted to improve the ability to survive and operate, solidify mobility processes and strengthen the ability to complete missions under adversity in preparation for the Operational Readiness Inspection in October. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Leah Young)

Software developers have created a new mobile Web application that allows total force Airmen the ability to account for themselves and family members from their smartphone during a crisis or natural disaster.

During a crisis, the Air Force uses the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System to account for and assess the needs of the Air Force's Total Force -- active-duty Airmen, selected Reserve members, Department of the Air Force and non-appropriated fund civilian employees, Air Force contractors (assigned overseas) and family members.

AFPAAS becomes operational, or active, at leadership request during crises to allow the total force to account for themselves and their family's safety and whereabouts. Now individuals have improved access through certain smartphones to the accountability and assessment features of AFPAAS.

"The Air Force is taking AFPAAS to the next level to align with what is used in the private sector every day," said Brian Angell, the Air Force Personnel Center Personnel Readiness Cell operations chief. "This wireless capability enhances Air Force accountability during crises and natural disasters."

In the case of an active AFPAAS event, members can use a smartphone to log into the application via their user identification and password. The application is accessible on iPhones, Androids and certain touch-screen Blackberry phones; however it is not available on iPads or non-touch-screen phones.

Once logged in, users can account for themselves and their family members. Other available functions include the ability to update sponsor and evacuation contact and location information as well as complete a needs survey if necessary.

The mobile Web app uses the browser on the phone versus downloading an application and uses the same URL as AFPAAS, said Donna Williamson, the lead developer with SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific. The site recognizes the person is using a smartphone and will present the site in a mobile format.

The Air Force recently tested the application and shared their findings with the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Pacific, which will make updates and improvements to the application as necessary. As AFPAAS improves, so will the application and functionalities.

Each military service uses their own Department of Defense-funded application to assist with their specific personnel accountability and assessment system during a crisis or natural disaster.

When there is not an on-going event, officials said the total force should keep their contact information updated by logging into the secure AFPAAS website from a personal computer at https://afpaas.af.mil.

Support officers in some overmanned career fields may be eligible to volunteer for retraining into an undermanned career field in support of the Air Force 2012 nonrated line officer crossflow program.

Applications for the program will be accepted Feb. 17 through March16.

Crossflow is one of various initiatives implemented in an ongoing effort to balance the force, said Joseph Marchino, the Air Force Personnel Center special duty assignments branch chief.

"Officers have always been able to crossflow into other career fields, but until last year, it was a less formal process," Marchino said. "Each request was considered on its own merit, with coordination between the losing and gaining career field teams. This program formalizes procedures to ensure the process is fair and competitive for all affected officers."

Last year, 73 officers crossflowed into the control and recovery, air liaison, intelligence, public affairs, developmental engineer and acquisition manager career fields.

This year, officers from year groups 2001-2004 in the following career fields are eligible to volunteer for crossflow: weather, cyberspace operations, aircraft maintenance, munitions and missile maintenance, logistics readiness, security forces, force support, behavioral scientist, chemist, physicist, financial management and special investigations.

Officers from year groups 2005-2008 in the munitions and missile maintenance, security forces, behavioral science, chemist, physicist, and special investigations career fields are also eligible to volunteer.

To date, according to Marchino, the intelligence career field has more than 150 openings for crossflow candidates and public affairs has 20 openings.

The AFPC special duty assignments branch will accept applications through March 16. A panel of five colonels representing affected career fields will convene the week of March 26 to select volunteers for crossflow.

"We are accepting volunteers for this program, but if we don't have enough volunteers to fill available training quotas, non-volunteer selections may be necessary," Marchino said. "Officers selected will be notified in early April and could begin reporting as early as June."

Some officers within the eligibility year group and career fields are not eligible to apply, including officers with an established date of separation, those with quality control indicators, those enrolled in advanced degree and other developmental programs, sitting commanders and officers selected for command, officers with cyberspace defense, nuclear and psychological operations qualifications, and others, Marchino said.

"Officers should carefully review the crossflow eligibility and application messages to determine if they are eligible before beginning the application process," he said.

For more information on the crossflow program, including exemptions and application instructions, or information on other personnel issues, visit the secure Air Force Personnel Services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil.