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A PUBLICATION OF THE UTAH DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRSveterans.utah.gov january 2016in Review2015Korean WarMedal RecognitionCeremony.Director’s MessageGARY R. HARTERExecutive Director, Utah Departmentof Veterans and Military AffairsFirst off, Happy New Year to everyone! We wish you aterrific 2016. In this issue of The Voice, you will find ourregular items as well as a review of 2015 — a summary ofnotable accomplishments and happenings.We were honored to have many dignitaries visit Utah during theyear, including President Barack Obama, Mr. Robert McDonald,Secretary of the VA, Ms. Deborah James, Secretary of the AirForce, General Mark Welsh,the Chief of Staff of the Air Force,General Herbert “Hawk” Carlisle, Commanding General of theAir Combat Command and Lieutenant General James Jackson,Chief of the Air Force Reserve. It was great to have them here!We saw huge gains in veteran employment, dropping ourveterans unemployment rate to 3.6%, sixth best in the country.I applaud the efforts of the business community, WorkforceServices and many others who helped make this happen. Thereare over 1,000 more veterans in school today than last year.Davis Applied Technology College and Westminster Collegeboth opened Veterans Support Centers. The VA is processingcontinued on page 2 Helpful Links pg. 3 TLC Update pg. 3 DATC Year in Review pg. 6 SLCC Year in Review pg. 6 Dugway Year in Review pg. 7 National VeteranWheelchair Games pg. 2 Outreach Calendar pg. 14Ribbon cuttingon Sept. 11, 2015.Governor Herbert presents Proclamation to General Mark Welsh. Hill Air Force Base Year inReview pg. 4 VA Healthcare, VA Benefits Facts and Stats pg. 10 UDMVA Facts and Stats pg. 11 FAQs pg. 12WORLD WAR II/KOREAN WAR VIETNAM WAR COLD WAR/PEACETIME GULF WAR/OIF/OEF FAMILYin theNewspg. 8–9

Director’s Message cont.claims quicker and more Utah veterans are receivingcompensation now than ever before. The VA MedicalCenter continues to be a national leader in healthcarewith the first ever prosthetic implants. Veteransorganizations, both large and small, are flourishingthroughout the state. There were events to honor WorldWar II veterans, Korean War veterans, Welcome Homeceremonies for Vietnam veterans, and 500 World War IIveterans participated in Honor Flights this year to DC.Our veterans nursing homes are all five star-rated, the onlystate in the country to achieve that distinction.On the military side, some of the highlights includethe F-35 Joint Strike Fighters are now stationed at HillAir Force Base, the first operational units to receivethem. The workforce at Hill AFB continued to berecognized for their outstanding performance and theworkload continues to grow. Tooele Army Depot, withever increasing support for the deployed forces, madegreat strides towards their efforts for net-zero energyindependence. Dugway Proving Ground welcomed inColonel Sean Kirschner as their new commander.What we sometimes forget is that service membersacross all of the units in Utah, continue to be deployedworldwide, and 2015 was no different. The UtahNational Guard, both Army and Air Force, deployedunits and personnel throughout the year, and as this isbeing written, another group just left. They, like theircounterparts at Hill AFB and Fort Douglas, and armoriesand posts across Utah, are being sent to defend ourfreedoms and way of life, and to help those that need ourassistance. We wish them all to be safe and return to theirfamilies very soon.Most of all though, it is you that has made this yeargreat. We truly enjoy interacting with veterans, militarymembers and their families throughout our great state.We have tremendous partners at federal, state and locallevels who work tirelessly to ensure great outcomes. Weare all here to serve and work with you. Here’s to an evenbrighter 2016! National Veteran Wheelchair Games in SLCare Fast Approaching!By Jill Atwood, Salt Lake Regional Health Care HospitalMark your calendars for the last week in June. If youare a Veteran interested in participating or a memberof the community wanting to volunteer please visit:http://wheelchairgames.org/Wheelchair games clinics and training are happening right now.For more information contact Recreation Therapist HeatherBrown at 801-582-1565 ext. 1559. We need volunteers and fans to fill the stands in support of theseextraordinary Veteran Athletes — get involved today!2

Helpful Links Outreach, Websites, Claims Assistance, Events, and ResourcesUTAH DEPARTMENT OF VETERANSAND MILITARY AFFAIRSveterans.utah.govRegister your information with theVeterans Information MS ASSISTANCE R OF EVENTSveterans.utah.gov/events-calendarTransfer and Lodging Center UpdateInformation Provided By SLC VHCCOORDINATION OF eteran-servicesMileage eligibility changes for short-term lodging: Veterans are entitled toan overnight hotel stay if they are traveling at least 75 miles for treatment atthe medical center (the old policy was 50 miles).3

Hill Air Force BaseHAFB2015in ReviewBy Micah GarbarinoMedia Relations, 75th Air Base Wing Public AffairsJANUARY2015 marked the 75th anniversary of Hill AFB. On Jan. 12, 1940,roughly 200 civic and government leaders, and other interested partiesparticipated in the groundbreaking ceremony for Hill Field.FEBRUARYThe Ogden ALC’s 570th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron took onadditional workload to help the Marine Corps. The squadron, whichmaintains A-model F-35 Lightning II aircraft, was focused on modifyingtwo B-model F-35s for five months to help the Marines achieve theirinitial operational capability. The Marines landed at Hill AFB on Feb. 2and work began the next day.MARCHThe 775th Explosive Ordnance Flight’s Tech. Sgt. Gabriel Wasnukwas presented with the Purple Heart during a commander’s call atHill AFB March 25. Wasnuk was awarded the Purple Heart for braininjuries he sustained during two deployments to Iraq and Afghanistanas an Explosive Ordnance Technician, where he was in the area of siximprovised explosive blasts.Community leaders affiliated with the Utah Defense Alliance and theTop of Utah Military Affairs Committee, received a close-up look Feb.13 at progress in F-22 Raptor maintenance. The event was an effort tofamiliarize community leaders with the Ogden ALC mission. The visitculminated with an overview of the recent F-22 rapid improvementevent focused on reducing F-22 depot flow days by 30 percent.APRILPresident Barack Obama visited Hill AFB April 3 to talk economyand solar industry jobs during his first visit to the state of Utahas commander in chief. The president addressed a group of Utahelected officials, base leadership, and news media at Hill’s solar arrayto announce a program called Solar Ready Vets, which seeks to trainveterans for jobs in solar energy.4

JUNECol. David B. Lyons took the reins of the 388th Fighter Wingduring a change of command ceremony June 19. The ceremonywas presided over by Lt. Gen. Chris Nowland, 12th Air Forceand Air Forces Southern commander.JULYSecretary of the Air Force, Deborah Lee James, visited HillAFB July 23-24for the first time since taking the job. James’visit included updates on the transition from the F-16 tothe F-35, the total force integration of the active-duty 388thand Reserve 419th Fighter Wings, F-35 and missile depotmaintenance, Hill’s global munitions-deployment capability,and cost effectiveness programs helping the Air Force “MakeEvery Dollar Count.”AUGUSTThe Air Force’s trusted trainer, the T-38 Talon, received anew lease on life thanks to a robust structural-modificationprogram. Technicians in the Ogden ALC’s 575th AircraftMaintenance Squadron at Randolph AFB, Texas, completedthe first aircraft in the program. The program, tabbed “PacerClassic III,” will extend the life of the T-38 Talon to 2029.OCTOBERThe Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, wrappedup a visit to Hill AFB by holding a town-hall-style meeting withthe base’s Airmen. During his visit, Welsh received an overviewof several Hill AFB facilities and operations. He also visitedwith Utah Governor Gary Herbert. 5

Fallen Warriors Memorial CampDATCin Review2015Dina Nielsen, Ph.D., Director of Student Services and Financial AidDavis Applied Technology CollegeThis past year at the DATC we committed tocreating a more seamless transition for ourveterans. We created a designated Veterans’Center with an advisor, meeting or study space, and aplace to simply escape the busyness of campus. DanielCzech is the new Academic Advisor who will assistveterans transitioning to civilian life. Daniel is a 22-yearveteran of the U.S. Army and has also worked in WeberState University’s Veterans Upward Bound program. Hejust finished his master’s degree in Education. His thesisfocused on the veteran experience of returning to civilianlife and pursuing education. We are excited to have him aspart of the DATC team. SLCC2015in ReviewDarlene Head, Manager veteran Services, Salt LakeCommunity CollegeSLCC continues to expand services for student Veteransand dependents on campus and work with localand national Veteran communities. Events this yearincluded our 9th annual Valentines-4-Veterans campaign.We collected over 3,000 messages of love and support forService members and Veterans which were delivered topatients in the SL VA hospital, all Utah VA nursing homesand three Veteran Homeless shelters.At SLCC, 186 Veteran and Service members graduated thisyear and were honored at the annual Veterans Graduationdinner and given a special Veterans Honor cord.In September Rear Admiral Rick Snyder from WashingtonD.C. and Lt. Cmdr. J Apollo Burgamy, U.S. Navy Reserve,Utah visited our campus. Admiral Snyder requested to visitour Veterans Center to learn how we serve our studentVeterans.continued on page 76

Freedom Eagle MonumentDugwaySLCC CONT.Every Veterans Day, we holdflag raising ceremonies onthree SLCC campuses tohonor our Veterans. Thisyear the Utah BattleshipNavel Sea Cadets, the VFWPost # 3586, and VeteranStaff and Faculty membersassisted with our Flag raisingceremonies.VAHC Women’s Services,under the direction ofCoordinator, Gina Hemma,honors our Utah WomenVeterans each year. Thisyear the “Grit To Glamour:Warrior To Woman”Fashion Show was held.The 13 women Veteranswere treated to customdesigned gowns from theSLCC Fashion Institute.Participants included a23-year-old soldier and an84-year-old Korean War vetmodeling their gowns.2015in ReviewBy Aaron Goodman, Director Family and MWR at Dugway Proving Ground In July, Dugway Change of Commandoccurred from Colonel Ronald F. Fizerto Colonel Sean G. Kirschner on theParade Field, United States ArmyDugway Proving Ground Dugway, Utah. Dugway held the dedication ceremonyfor the 19 million high school inDecember. This is a major investmentin the education of our children. Theschool will house all K-12 students. TheDepartment of Defense provided a 16.1 million grant specified for a newhigh school and Tooele County SchoolDistrict contributed 3.3 million. Family and MWR hosted a range ofcommunity events that contributedSLCC will be opening asecond Veterans Centerlocated on the South CityCampus with an open househeld in March. In addition,a new employee will provideVeteran outreach to fouradditional campuses.We continue to proudlyserve our veterans anddependents. 7to the resiliency and quality of life forour soldiers, their families, and thecommunity. One of the most significantevents was the Dugway Trail and UltraRun held in October. The mission ofthe annual family event is to promotecommunity outreach, build resiliency,and encourage fitness and well being.The run is held on Dugway at 5 MileHill and participants can choosecourses from a 5K, 10K, 20K, 30K,and 50K with varying degrees of desertterrain. This was their most successfulyear to date and was a fun event for theentire community.