San Diego Native with the U.S. Border Patrol to Accept Prestigious CBP Team Award

San Diego — Gerald Wilke, an Assistant Chief Patrol Agent (ACPA), with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Border Patrol, San Diego Sector, has been designated to represent team members and receive the CBP Mission Integration Award on their behalf. This award recognizes an important and successful team effort that demonstrates a cross-organizational approach when developing and implementing a solution to address a significant problem. ACPA Wilke will be presented with the award by the CBP Commissioner at the annual CBP 2012 Awards Ceremony today, in Washington D.C.

ACPA Wilke was a team member comprised of high level managers from a diverse group of San Diego based federal agencies formed to collaboratively address the increasing use of the maritime environment by criminal organizations as a method to smuggle drugs and people into the country.

The maritime domain is a high-risk environment that poses significant danger of death and serious injury to human life. Maritime smuggling vessels are often overloaded and not seaworthy. Maritime smuggling generally occurs at hours of darkness and vessel operators rarely use required safety equipment. Maritime vessel operators often intently smuggle during inclement weather and hazardous sea state to evade detection. The team successfully created and implemented a consequence delivery strategy specific to the San Diego region called the Maritime Safety Initiative (MSI) designed to prevent this unsafe and illegal maritime smuggling activity.

Under MSI, all illegal maritime migrants are formally removed, informed of the consequences of re-entering through the maritime domain, and then transported outside of the California corridor to be repatriated to Mexico. Maritime migrants that choose to illegally re-enter through the San Diego maritime domain are referred for prosecution for felony re-entry after deportation. Maritime smugglers are also targeted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for prioritized criminal prosecution.

ACPA Wilke said, “Each team member greatly contributed to the success in the creation, implementation, and execution of the Maritime Safety Initiative with a primary focus to promote the preservation of life at sea and the enforcement of U.S. laws.” He added, “The Maritime Safety Initiative demonstrates what can be accomplished when agencies work together and share resources to accomplish a common goal."

After the implementation of the MSI during Fiscal Year 2011, maritime smuggling trends have significantly decreased as witnessed by a reduction in maritime apprehensions from 867 apprehensions in fiscal year 2010 to 631 in fiscal year 2011.

ACPA Wilke will accept the CBP Mission Integration Award on behalf of team members Mark V. Dunbar with the U.S. Border Patrol, William P. Snyder and John E. Garzon with the Office of Field Operations, William Raymond, with the Office of Air and Marine, Michael P. Carney, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Michael Wheat, with the Assistant United States Attorney Office and Patricia L. Hill, with the United States Coast Guard.

Gerald, a San Diego native, served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division and Special Forces from 1980 through 1984 and later attended San Diego Mesa College. In 2010, he successfully completed a CBP Command Leadership Academy. Gerald has worked for the U.S. Border Patrol since 1986.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Face of Defense: Retired NCO Continues to Mentor

By Air Force Staff Sgt. Olufemi Owolabi

65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

LAJES FIELD, Azores, April 6, 2011 – Many people know Cynthia Burney as a counselor at the Airman and Family Readiness Center here. But not many may know she retired as a chief master sergeant after 26 years of service in the Air Force.

When she enlisted in the Air Force 33 years ago, Burney said, she knew she was going to get an education. She earned two associate degrees, a bachelor's degree with honors and two master's degrees before she retired.

Cynthia would also gain a husband, Garrick Burney. They've been married 27 years and both retired as Air Force chief master sergeants. Garrick retired three years ago after 30 years of service.

The story of the two retired chiefs began in the 1970s before they met. They had separate goals and came from different backgrounds. But fate and the Air Force brought them together.

While Cynthia came from a military family, Garrick did not. Cynthia's father was in the Army at Fort Bragg, N.C., and Garrick's only military tie was living close to a military base in Indiana.

Coming from a family of 11 siblings, four of Cynthia's five brothers joined the Army. Her goal, she said, was to travel and get an education. She knew the military was one way to achieve that goal.

When she was in the 11th grade, an Air Force recruiter visited her school and talked about the opportunity to go to college and travel the world. Right there, Cynthia said, she knew the recruiter was talking directly to her, and she was going to join the Air Force, despite being in Army ROTC at the time.

Garrick also had a large family, and his parents couldn’t afford college for him. Driven to get a skill that would last him a lifetime, he often worked with summer hires cutting grass for a civil engineering unit and planned to join the Air Force.

When the time came for Garrick to join the service, a job opening happened to come up in the civil engineering department. Unlike Cynthia, Garrick said he wasn’t enticed by any recruiter or his parents to join the Air Force. He was simply attracted to the Air Force by the image of "sharp airmen" who visited his town decked out in their uniforms.

After two years of service as a pavement maintenance specialist, the Air Force sent Garrick to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., where he met Cynthia, then a jet engine mechanic sergeant. The pair married two years later.

"We've both always been goal-oriented," Cynthia said. "That is one of the things that really kept us together as a couple."

As an Army brat, Cynthia already knew about discipline. She was used to following rules, she said, so she didn't have any problems after joining the Air Force. Later, she decided to become a counselor.

"I knew I wanted to be a counselor when my fellow coworkers and friends would always come and talk with me about different issues or problems," she said.

"I knew I could make better use of my life's gifts as a counselor,” she said, “and Garrick encouraged and supported me.”

She described her husband as a mentor in teaching her about the Air Force.

Garrick said he also learned from his wife.

"Together, we were able to meld our careers and bounce things off each other about life," Garrick said.

"We never really got to the point where I was telling her what to do, and she wasn't telling me what to do," he added.

Cynthia now is assigned to the 65th Force Support Squadron as the community readiness consultant for the Airman and Family Readiness Center. Though a lot has changed since the Burneys joined the Air Force and met each other, they said one thing hasn’t changed -- the Air Force always needs good mentors.

As a former enlisted member, military spouse and mother of three, Cynthia said, she has vast experience as a counselor, and enjoys continuing her commitment to serve.

Leading the Way with "Team River Runner"

With the rush of the rapids and spray of cool river water on his face, Robert Wake hadn't had this much fun in years. In fact, his Colorado kayaking trip last June was the first thrilling adventure he'd experienced since he was injured in Iraq five years ago.

Wake is one of many Veterans across the country participating in Team River Runner (TRR), an organization that uses kayaking and other paddle sports as physical therapy for wounded Veterans. Paddling sports allow recovering Vets the opportunity to get out of the hospital and replace the adrenaline of combat with the adrenaline of water sports. The volunteer organization provides outdoor activities ranging from white water rafting to wilderness fishing trips, catering to the desires of participants and their type of injury.

"We can adapt to any disability-including quadriplegics," states Joe Mirnini, executive director of Team River Runner.

A new opportunity for Veterans is a TRR training program where top paddlers from around the country are invited to attend a leadership clinic in Colorado or Montana to learn leadership tools for paddling trips in their local chapters.

"It's often the first vocational role they've had since disability," says Mirnini. "The course prepares Veterans to be certified with the American Canoe Association."

Robert Wake, whose kayaking experience was limited to a swimming pool at the St. Louis VA Medical Center, was asked to join both leadership clinics this year. He headed out west and took his first plunge into the river as a kayaker.

"It was an unbelievable experience-it's a difference between daylight and dark. When you're on the water it just feels like all of your cares take a back seat, and for me, the extremes of the river was something else," describes Wake.

Wake's recreational therapist, Jean Ferguson, attended the Colorado trip with him. Prior to the trip she taught him how to swim, then how to kayak. "Our goal is to help Veterans with skill development so it gives them a chance to get out in the water." She considers Team River Runner a valuable program that continues to grow. "It's a team bonding experience, like in the military where you depend on each other. If you flip over in your kayak, the others will help you out."

Ben Brown was selected for the Montana Training Clinic in July. Prior to the trip, he was an active member of Team River Runner in Lexington, KY for one year. Like Wake, Brown had not tried a recreational sport since his injury; he was thrilled to find a sport where his paralysis did not affect his performance.

"Personally, it's an opportunity to become active again in boating and on the water. The water for a paraplegic-just being in the water, you're at zero gravity. It's a totally safe sport. If you wipe out, you float in the water."

The TRR leadership program is geared to incorporate the skills that Veterans have learned in the military. The course covers planning, executing, and analyzing safety and technique while in the water. Recent clinics hosted 10 to 15 Veterans plus their family members and volunteers.

Both Brown and Wake plan to continue in leadership roles within their respective TRR chapters. Wake's goal is to start a chapter in his hometown in southeastern Missouri. Brown continues as an active participant of the Lexington chapter and takes biweekly trips to various kayaking spots. He is also an avid white water rafter, and recently competed in the National White Water Rafting Championship in Maryland.

By Megan Tyson, VA Staff Writer