A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E 5 0 2 n d A I R B A S E W I N G
JOINT
BASE
SAN
ANTONIO-LACKLAND,
TEXAS
•
Vol.
73
No.
32
•
August
12,
2016
Pringle succeeds LaBrutta as
502nd ABW-JBSA commander
Photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Ely
U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson (left), commander of Air Education and Training Command, passes the guidon to Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle during the 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base
San Antonio change of command ceremony Aug. 5 at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston's MacArthur Parade Field. See pages 10 and 11 for the story and more photos.
INSIDE |
Commentary 2
News 3
Community Briefs 14
Sports 17
ONLINE | http://www.JBSA.mil
PAGE 2
commentary
TALESPINNER
August 12, 2016
Transparent leadership:
An old concept for modern times
By Col. Sean P. Larkin
National Air and Space Intelligence Center
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
W
e’re living in an age of hyperconnectivity. With sensors everywhere and supercomputers
in our pockets, there’s a wealth of information available to everyone, whether it’s
a review of a restaurant, an updated Air
Force instruction or the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow (African or
European). There are unofficial forums
and social media groups devoted to
nearly everything – including the Air
Force. Further, your words and actions
can live on indefinitely on the internet.
Nothing stays in Vegas. Now, more than
ever, to quote Gen. George S. Patton,
“You are always on parade.”
The combination of instant information, rapid social interaction and
recorded behavior has changed the
environment and expectations for leaders. Our Airmen expect and deserve
leaders whose actions match their words
and whose decision-making is open, fair
and consistent.
While discretion and the safeguarding
of sensitive, classified and personal data
remain critical responsibilities of military
professionals, the fact remains that any
gap between what you say and what you
do will be exposed, one way or another.
But there is no reason to fear such
scrutiny; in fact, we must embrace transparency to lead in the 21st century.
Transparency is not a novel concept.
Political scientists, journalists and policy
advocates have been touting its importance for more than a century. In 1913,
Louis Brandeis, who would go on to
serve as a U.S. Supreme Court justice,
famously referred to sunlight (transpar-
“Open, honest and consistent
leaders will develop trust,
strengthen relationships and
bolster our core values. ”
– Col. Sean P. Larkin
National Air and Space Intelligence Center
ency) as “the best disinfectant.” An
organization that maintains open records, encourages honest dialogue and is
accountable for its actions is less likely
to violate the public trust.
The benefits of transparency go
beyond our external relationships, to the
heart of our organizations. Open, honest
and consistent leaders will develop trust,
strengthen relationships and bolster our
core values.
For example, as a commander,
I have to make tough decisions on
personnel matters, strategic priorities, resources and mission execution.
I trust my team to provide the best
available information and their recommendations to inform those decisions.
While I could technically make decisions
without seeking such advice, involving
the right subordinates and stakeholders
in a transparent decision-making process
is essential to leading effectively and
building organizational trust.
Transparency helps establish this
trust over time and strengthens critical relationships when your Airmen and
your mission partners can see how your
actions match your stated priorities and
vision. Openness also allows your Airmen
JBSA Sexual Assault
Prevention and Response
JBSA SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE • 808-SARC (7272)
DOD SAFE HELPLINE • (877) 995-5247
JBSA CRISIS HOTLINE • 367-1213
JBSA DUTY CHAPLAIN • 365-6420
to understand how and why decisions
are made, even if they disagree with a
particular outcome. This transparency
encourages collaborative decisionmaking, empowers our Airmen and
fosters the professional development of all
stakeholders, which ultimately strengthens the organization.
Finally, transparency can reinforce and
uphold the Air Force core values. I
believe in these values and wholeheartedly believe we need to serve with integrity,
service and excellence, every day. When
your leadership style is transparent and
collaborative, it is easier to model and
enforce the ethical behavior we expect
from everyone in the Department of
Defense. Additionally, an open environment with high standards of personal
conduct reinforces positive norms and
discourages behavior that violates our
values.
What we say is important, but our
actions are what really speak to our
Airmen. Leading with transparency
creates strong, accountable organizations built on trust and guided by the Air
Force core values. So, let some sunlight
into your leadership style — it is a great
day for a parade.
One of the best things about ICE is that
people can let service providers know
when they do a great job, not just for
poor service.
It takes five minutes or less to
submit a comment at http://ice.
disa.mil.
Joint Base San AntonioLackland
Editorial Staff
Brig. Gen. Bob LaBrutta
502nd Air Base Wing/JBSA
Commander
Todd G. White
502nd ABW/JBSA
Public Affairs Director
Oscar Balladares
JBSA-Lackland
Public Affairs Chief
Senior Airman Lynsie Nichols
Senior Airman Krystal Jeffers
Photojournalists
Jeremy Gerlach
Jose T. Garza III
Staff Writers
Dorothy Lonas
Page Design/Illustrator
Office
2230 Hughes Ave.
JBSA-Lackland, Texas
78236-5415
(phone) 671-2908
(fax) 671-2022
Email: [email protected]
Straight Talk: 671-6397 (NEWS)
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250-2052
This newspaper is published by
EN Communities, a private firm in no
way connected with the U.S. Air Force,
under exclusive written contract with
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Editorial content is edited, prepared
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unless otherwise indicated, are U.S. Air
Force photos.
Deadline for story submissions
is noon Wednesday the week prior
to publication.
August 12, 2016
News in Brief
jbsa stage 1 water restrictions looming
The 10-day average of the Bexar County
index Bexar (J-17), Comal Springs and San
Marcos Springs are dropping due to no rain.
According to an analysis performed by the
Edwards Aquifer Director of Aquifer Modeling,
Stage 1 water restrictions may be scheduled
soon. The 502nd Civil Engineer Squadron
urges the Joint Base San Antonio community
to stay diligent and be careful to follow upcoming water restrictions, according to JBSA
Water Use Critical Period Management Plan,
available at http://www.jbsa.af.mil/shared/
media/document/AFD-130809-013.pdf.
eight af officers chosen for 2017
darpa service chiefs’ fellows program
The Air Force selected eight officers for the
2017 Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency Service Chiefs’ Fellows Program.
This 90-day program is designed specifically for highly motivated, active duty officers
with clear potential for operational leadership positions. The participants will provide
valuable input into technology development
efforts in addition to serving as liaisons
between DARPA and the Air Force after they
complete the program.
According to Baskin, DARPA’s Service
Chiefs’ Fellows Program also exposes rising
military officers to a unique organization that
rapidly develops imaginative and innovative
research ideas.
2017 participants include: Lt. Col. Mark
Bigley, Lt. Col. John Wagemann, Maj. Zachary
Augustine, Maj. Anna Gunngolkin, Maj.
Jonathan Sawtelle, Maj. Brandon Westling,
Maj. Timothy Zens and Capt. John Duray.
For more information about Air Force
personnel programs, visit http://myPers.
af.mil. Individuals who do not have a myPers
account can request one by following the
instructions at http://www.retirees.af.mil.
air force seeks nominations for
2017 afa aerospace awards
Air Force officials are accepting nominations for the 2017 Air Force Association
Aerospace Awards through Jan. 6, 2017.
The Aerospace awards recognize the most
outstanding contribution to national defense
in the fields of science and engineering
relating to aerospace activity; flight, in
the atmosphere or space; arts and letters,
covering a wide range of activities including
writing, speaking, media relations, sculpting
or painting; and for significantly exceeding
standard performance.
See NEWS IN BRIEF Page 15
news
National Guard critical to Total Force
TALESPINNER
PAGE 3
By Terri Moon Cronk
DOD News, Defense Media Activity
Citizen-warriors and the entire
National Guard family are vital to
the security of the United States,
Defense Secretary Ash Carter said at the
National Guard bureau changeof-responsibility ceremony at the
Pentagon Aug. 3.
The secretary swore in Air Force
Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, who received his fourth star just before taking the oath, as chief of the National Guard Bureau, succeeding Army
Gen. Frank Grass, who is retiring.
Lengyel had served as bureau vice
chief and Grass was the first Guard
Bureau chief to serve as a member
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The days of the National Guard
serving exclusively as a strategic
reserve that was called up only in
emergencies are over, Carter said.
“The post-9/11 environment has
proven the Guard is an indispensable component of the Total Force, in
day-to-day activities and large-scale
operations, in planning and execution, and in conventional conflicts
and novel threats,” he said.
The more deeply integrated the
Guard becomes, the better prepared
the nation becomes, the secretary said.
“The presence, skill and readiness
of citizen warriors across the country give us the agility and flexibility
to handle unexpected demands, both
at home and abroad. It is an essential component of our total force, and
a linchpin of our readiness,” Carter
said.
The critical element the Guard
brings to the Total Force is one
reason why the Guard bureau chief
position was elevated in 2012 to
the Joint Chiefs of Staff level, the
secretary pointed out.
“Gen. Frank Grass has led this historic transition with character and
skill,” Carter said.
“He’s helped increase our rapid
deployment capability to respond
to any crisis,” the secretary added,
“and strengthened the Guard’s partnerships at the local, state, federal
— and international — levels. He has
been a strong and steady voice at the
table for the men and women of the
National Guard.”
Photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Tim D. Godbee
Defense Secretary Ash Carter administers the oath of office to incoming National Guard
Bureau chief Air National Guard Gen. Joseph Lengyel Aug. 3 at the National Guard Bureau
change of responsiblity at the Pentagon.
The Guard keeps the skies free
from danger, responds to disaster
with compassion and professionalism at a moment’s notice and stands
watch at home and abroad, Carter
said, telling Guard members, “You
responded when we needed you during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan
all those years.”
Those qualities have been the
spirit, mission and enduring commitment of the Guard through the
centuries, “and never more so than
over the past 15 years,” Carter noted,
adding, “Since Sept. 11 [2001], the
men and women of our Army and Air
National Guard and their families,
have answered the nation’s call to
deploy more than 787,000 times.”
Today’s Guard is battle-tested and
is an agile, flexible, deployable force
with combat experience and a broad
range of skills gained both on the
battlefield and in civilian life and
confronts the challenges of today’s
complex world, the secretary said.
“As history has shown that we can
never perfectly predict the strategic
future, we must also be flexible and
agile in preparing for unknowns that
we can’t anticipate today,” Carter said.
“As chief of the National Guard
these past four years,” he told Grass,
“you’ve been a courageous and
skillful leader — exactly the one the
nation needed, and you’ve seized every opportunity to make progress,
and our Total Force is stronger as a
result.”
The National Guard family will
remain in the good hands of another
proven strategic thinker in Grass’ vice
chief and new bureau chief, Lengyel,
the secretary said.
Perhaps most importantly, Carter
said, Lengyel “knows what it means”
to be a military family member after
his military pilot father was shot
down in Vietnam and became a
prisoner of war in 1969, only to return to service there as just one of
two former POW pilots in 1975.
“We cannot predict how, or when,
or where, the men and women of
our National Guard will be called on
to serve their fellow citizens,” the
secretary said, adding that because of
Grass’ strong leadership, the National
Guard is an indispensable force,
trained and ready to respond wherever
it’s needed.
“We know that General Lengyel will
lead this force with certainty, clarity and the full confidence and trust
of myself and the president,” Carter
said, thanking both leaders and all
National Guard members for remaining “Always Ready, Always There.”
PAGE 4
TALESPINNER
August 12, 2016
Leader training on Blended Retirement
System available via mobile application
By Kat Bailey
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
The new Blended Retirement System is a hot topic
of conversation across the Department of Defense, and
most total force members have questions on how it will
work and who is eligible.
The online BRS leader course released in June is
designed to educate leaders on the new retirement
system. The training provides both military and civilian
leaders of Airmen with a working knowledge of the
BRS and the DOD plan to educate the force prior to
implementation on Jan. 1, 2018.
The course is available both online and through
a mobile version for your smartphone or tablet via
Joint Knowledge Online, course number P-US1330.
The course is also available to those without a
Common Access Card – to include family members —
via an alternate website. The mobile version has a login
option that provides a training certificate, which will be
necessary for the required opt-in training next year, as
well as a public access option for spouses and parents
of current or prospective Airmen.
“The public access option of the JKO mobile app
for smartphones also makes the BRS leader course an
easily accessible pocket version of BRS for questions
on the fly from Airmen seeking more knowledge,” said
Col. Brian Anderson, military compensation policy chief
at Headquarters Air Force. “Many leaders may not be
eligible to opt-in to BRS themselves, but they will need
to be knowledgeable about the new system in order to
respond to questions from eligible service members.”
Leaders can download the app from their respective
app store for free.
The leader role is to provide information and access
to education but not to provide specific financial advice.
Leaders who take the course will gain an understanding of the new retirement system, educational opportunities that will be made available to Airmen and the
available resources to answer questions.
“In the future, Airmen will be able to seek individual
information and education from a personal financial
expert at their Airman & Family Readiness Center
before making a final decision,” Anderson continued.
AFPC courtesy graphic
“The Air Force has a plan to train Personal Financial
Managers and make them available to assist members
and spouses on the financial aspects of the current and
See TRAINING Page 12
August 12, 2016
TALESPINNER
Some IDs may be
invalid starting
Monday
Individuals will no longer be able to access Air Force installations
with a state-issued identification card or driver’s license from Minnesota,
Missouri, Washington or American Samoa beginning Monday.
This new change aligns the Air Force’s installation access policy with
requirements of the Real ID Act, which focuses on improving the reliability of state-issued identification documents and helps prevent a person’s
ability to evade detection by using a fraudulent form of ID.
While ID’s that do not meet security and data-collection guidelines
will not be accepted, alternate forms of identification will be allowed.
Some of the more common alternatives include a valid U.S. or foreign
government issued passport, an employment authorization document
that contains a photograph, or ID cards issued by federal state or local
government agencies that include a photo and biographic information.
Those who do not have the accepted documentation for installation
access will not be permitted to enter the base without an approved escort.
For a full list of Real ID Act compliant and non-complaint states, visit
http://www.dhs.gov/current-status-states-territories.
Joint Base
San AntonioLackland is on
Share your JBSA-Lackland
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us @JBSALackland
FOSTER a
PUPPY
Call
671-3686
PAGE 5
PAGE 6
TALESPINNER
August 12, 2016
JBSA kids star in one-week theater production
By Jeremy Gerlach
JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs
As the lights dim, music
swells and the curtain rises at
the Bob Hope Performing Arts
Center Aug. 5, more than 50
children from Joint Base San
Antonio-Lackland take the
stage for a performance of the
play, “Rapunzel.”
Bursting with colorful costumes, elaborate set pieces
and playful, energetic acting, it
might come as a surprise that
this entire production came
together in less than a week.
That short timeframe is
a hallmark for Gabriella
Fernandez
and
Matthew
Schnitker,
directors
for
Missoula Children’s Theater.
The troupe hails from Missoula,
Mont., and has traveled across
the county for 40 years, bringing a unique, one-week theater
experience to thousands of kids
along the way.
“Missoula has this down to
a science,” Fernandez said.
“We can cast 50 to 60 kids in a
show on a Monday and can put
on an hour-long production by
Friday.”
Getting from Monday to
Friday can be a frenetic experience.
Unlike many other traveling theaters, Missoula puts
local kids from bases, schools
and after-school programs in
Magical mushrooms perform the opening number of Rapunzel, a
Missoula Theater production at the Bob Hope Theater on Joint Base
San Antonio-Lackland Aug. 5.
the spotlight when it comes to
town, Fernandez added. That
means the Missoula team needs
to restart the entire production
from scratch with a fresh group
of actors during each stop along
their tour.
While the speed of the production might vary from location to location – due to the abilities of each cast – the process
always begins with two hours
of Monday auditions.
“We’re just looking for really big energy – being really
big and expressive,” Fernandez
said. “We love casting kids who
show their true self, and just
having fun doing it, because at
the end of the day, having fun
Wood elves decked out in blue, accompany Rapunzel during a magical
number at the Bob Hope Theater at JBSA-Lackland Aug. 5.
is what this is all about.”
At the Aug 1 auditions, kids
sang, danced and showed off
their acting chops for the Missoula directors.
After the auditions, the
Missoula team made their selection for the lead roles, and
rolled right into rehearsal. In
JBSA-Lackland’s Rapunzel production, the group needed to
cast two Rapunzels: one for a
series of room scenes and one
for a scene in the tower. These
actors started working first.
On Tuesday, the crew incorporated a slew of elves, bears,
unicorns and other woodland
creatures into the rehearsal.
When Wednesday comes, a
pianist joined the practice
and the musical numbers took
shape. On Thursday, the Missoula team added the set; and
Friday morning; the kids got
their props and costumes for
a dress rehearsal. By Friday
afternoon, what was a frenetic
bunch of kids and preteens; had
morphed into a streamlined,
disciplined production.
“Once we do that runthrough on Friday, that’s the
first time the kids got to see
how the whole show comes
together,” Fernandez said.
“Before Friday, they’d only
been practicing their separate parts. Seeing it all come
together, their eyes just lit up
– it’s the coolest thing.”
While the play, Rapunzel,
is based around the familiar,
long-haired princess, Missoula
worked a slew of other fairy
tales and characters into the
story, which gaves a variety of
kids a chance to shine.
In addition to two Rapunzels and two princes – one in
a horse-riding costume, the
other on foot – the production
included standard fairy-tale
fare like wood elves, gremlins,
trolls, goblins and unicorns.
Not everyone had an individual line, but all the characters
participated in several musical
numbers.
The variety of roles, Schnitker
said, is a nice way to incorporate both outspoken and shy
kids into the play. Rapunzel
and her unicorns might have
taken center stage, but characters playing the multicolored
mushrooms, corn stalks and
many-eyed potatoes cracked
their fair share of one-liners.
That inclusivity makes all
the difference, Fernandez
noted, because, some schools
and bases that Missoula visits
don’t have art programs. For
many kids, performing with
the troupe might be the first –
and only – experience they get
with the dramatic arts during
their elementary and middle
school years.
“You never know,” Fernandez
explained. “A lot of these kids
might never have theater in
their lives again, or, after doing
this, they might go on to pursue
theater. So to be able to help
these kids put on a play like
this, that’s just really cool.”
Bringing on-stage opportunities to military families makes
this experience even more
meaningful, Fernandez continued. So far in 2016, the group
has visited Edwards Air Force
Base, Calif., and Naval Air
Facility El Centro, Calif., in addition to JBSA-Lackland.
“All these kids are always so
well-behaved and respectful,”
she said. “It’s so fun to able to
work with them and give something to them that they might
not usually have.”
Even if a kid is only on a
stage for a week, the experience can open up their confidence, Schnitker said.
“There will be something
small,” Schnitker said. “It could
be just with a kid whose character has waited to say their
lines all week, and when they
finally speak - it’s just heartwarming.”
The Missoula troupe might
have only spent a week at
JBSA-Lackland, but the group
had plenty of time to leave a
mark.
“Kids came up to us, and
they were just so loving,”
Schnitker said, “They are saying; ‘this has been the best
week of my life.’“
Kids of Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland employees put on a final dress
rehearsal at the Bob Hope Theater on JBSA-Lackland for the Missoula
Children's Theater's production of Rapunzenl Aug.5.
August 12, 2016
TALESPINNER
PAGE 7
Rules DOD employees should know this political season
By Katie Lange
DOD News, Defense Media Activity
I’m sure you’ve all seen political posts in
full effect on Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat.
The opinions are just going to get louder, too,
before the election this November.
As members of the Department of Defense, we
have a responsibility to be smart about what we
post, as well as how we participate in political
activity and how we support political campaigns.
DOD employees are limited to certain political
activities under the Hatch Act, which is meant
to protect employees from political coercion at
work, as well as make sure employees move up
in their careers based on their merit, not political
affiliation.
So for those who are politically active, here’s a
refresher of what limitations you need to be aware
of:
Service members
Political Activity:
Active-duty service members (in and out of uniform) aren’t allowed to engage in partisan political
activities, meaning no campaigning for candidates,
joining in on fundraising activities, serving as an
officer in a partisan club or speaking at a partisan
gathering. All military personnel are also supposed
Courtesy graphic
to avoid implying or appearing to imply that any of
their political activities are endorsed or sponsored
by the DOD.
However, when out of uniform, service members are allowed to express their personal political
opinions, donate money to campaigns or organizations and attend political events as a spectator.
But again, that’s out of uniform — not in it. More
specifics on the rules can be found at http://www.
dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/134410p.pdf.
You are allowed to express your personal views
and politics via your own social media platforms,
but when you’re doing that, and you’ve been identified as a DOD employee on that platform, make
sure it’s clear that the views you’re expressing are
your own, not the DOD’s.
While you’re allowed to “follow,” “friend” and
“like” a party or candidate, you’re not allowed
to share or retweet information posted to that
corresponding social media page. You’re not supposed to post links to that page’s content, either.
It’s considered participating in political activities.
More guidance for service members can be
found at http://www.dod.mil/dodgc/defense_ethics/
resource_library/faqs_political_activities_armed_
forces.pdf.
DOD civilians
Political Activity:
While on duty or in a federal building, DOD
See POLITICAL Page 13
PAGE 8
TALESPINNER
August 12, 2016
Safety tips for protecting your head this summer
By Toni McCall
Regional Education Coordinator
Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center
During the summer, people look forward to leaving the house and enjoying
more recreational sports and activities.
The military community is familiar with
being on-the-go and living active lives.
The thrill of exploring a new bike path
or the excitement of hitting the basketball
court can distract people from recognizing unseen risks. Understanding the risks
that cause traumatic brain injury, or TBI,
can help people avoid summer mishaps.
There are simple things to do to protect your head, like wearing a helmet
when you venture the roads on your bike,
motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle; consider key safety measures when choosing a
helmet; select the right helmet or headgear for each activity and ensure they
fit properly.
While traveling to a summer vacation
destination, practice safe driving. Essential precautions to take include wearing
a seatbelt and removing driving distractions such as texting or dialing on mobile
Courtesy graphic
phones. These actions help to keep all
drivers and passengers safe.
On the basketball court or the playing
field, you should assess the risks around
you such as objects you can trip over or
collide into. Footwear with good traction
prevents slips and falls.
In the military, most brain injuries
are diagnosed in noncombat settings.
Common causes of noncombat brain injuries are motor vehicle collisions, falls,
sports-related incidents and training
accidents. According to Department of
Defense data, more than 344,000 service
members have been diagnosed with
TBI since 2000.
The majority of brain injuries in the
military are concussions, also known as
mild traumatic brain injuries or TBIs. A
TBI occurs when a blow or jolt to the
head disrupts normal brain function.
After a concussion, you may feel woozy
or confused, see spots or lose consciousness. The signs and symptoms are often
subtle and difficult to recognize. Seek
medical attention if you suspect you experienced a concussion.
Both in combat and noncombat settings, DOD policy requires a concussion
evaluation and appropriate rest time for
service members involved in potentially
concussive events – a motor vehicle collision, a direct blow to the head, loss of
consciousness or repeated experience
with concussive events.
All of these incidents require mandatory concussion evaluation by a medical
provider.
Education is critical in raising concussion awareness, promoting prevention
and supporting recovery. The San Antonio
Military Medical Center regional education coordinator for the Defense and
Veterans Brain Injury Center provides
concussion awareness trainings for ser-
vice members and medical personnel.
For more information about education
and outreach efforts at Joint Base San
Antonio, contact the regional education
coordinator at 916-7013.
A Head for the Future (http://dvbic.
dcoe.mil/aheadforthefuture) is a U.S.
Department of Defense TBI awareness
initiative that highlights service members
and veterans who recovered from brain
injury with medical treatment and support. The video series TBI Champions is
featured on http://dvbic.dcoe.mil/aheadforthefuture and the YouTube channel
of the Defense Centers of Excellence
for Psychological Health and Traumatic
Brain Injury.
For additional safety tips and TBI
prevention during noncombat activities
– such as playing sports, driving, biking
and riding – educational resources can
be found at http://dvbic.dcoe.mil/aheadforthefuture/materials and ordered from
the DVBIC Resources section for free.
Visit “A Head for the Future” on
Twitter (https://twitter.com/AHFTF_Page)
and on DVBIC’s Facebook page at https://
www.facebook.com/DVBICpage.
August 12, 2016
TALESPINNER
Congratulations to the
following 70 Airmen
for being selected as
honor graduates among
the 701 Air Force basic
military trainees who
graduate today:
323rd Training
Squadron
320th Training
Squadron
Flight 549
Jon Blaine
Chandler Fernandes
Mario Garcia
Brandon Harp
Michael McBride III
Connor Murph
Flight 539
Miguel Alejandre
Amado Almazan
Andrew Borgens
Michael Brooks
Jacob Coll
Dustin Hicks
Michael Murillo
Austin Newberry
Habum Song
Ryan Thompson
Daemont Yates
Flight 540
Max Babbidge
Edward Burdick
Justin Cooper
Flight 541
II C. Berridge
Joshua Canarelli
Jacob Stanley
Caedan Sweeney
Andrew Wesley
Flight 542
Kelly Hoff
Georgia Kern
Eleonora Kotlyar
Kyra Langston
Amber Madden
Olivia Tusko
Jennifer Whittington
322nd Training
Squadron
Flight 551
Eli Haley
Kurt Hendrix
Shane Marin
Darryle Matsumiya
Nicholas Oden
Gregory Swain
Tristan Turner
Flight 552
Lopez Infante
Valerie Powell
Flight 548
Michael Le
Mathew Shapley
Colton Stark
Flight 550
Jordan James
Nicolas Lozano
Brandon Mendez
Mitchel Nosbisch
Joshua Oliver
Steven Statham
Female Airmen
Erica Garcia
331st TRS, Flight 546
Emily Freling
322nd TRS, Flight 552
Savanah Nesvold
331st TRS, Flight 546
Male Airmen
Isaac Bernatchez
331st TRS, Flight 545
Juan HernandezMendoza
320th TRS, Flight 539
Dakota Wells
331st TRS, Flight 543
James Cortez
331st TRS, Flight 544
Flight 543
Easton Bauer
Frank Croote
Cody Gee
Juan Montes
Cody Wright
Female Flights
320th TRS, Flight 542
331st TRS, Flight 546
322nd TRS, Flight 552
Flight 545
Zachary Flores
Flight 546
Megan Biggers
Brey Lesperance
Makenzi Pies
Jessica Sassler
Top BMT Airman
Connor Murph
323 TRS Flight 549
Most Physically Fit
ARSOUTH JAG TEACHES
INTERNATIONAL CLASS
AT JBSA-LACKLAND
Lauren Knox
331st TRS, Flight 546
331st Training
Squadron
Flight 544
Nicolaus Arbogast
Benjamin Broussard
Stewart Conkwright
James Cortez
Austin Garrigus
Jakson Newberry
Raymond Robinson
Escobar Rodriguez
Levi Simmons
Donavon Wisener
PAGE 9
Male Flights
320th TRS, Flight 539
322nd TRS, Flight 551
320th TRS, Flight 540
323rd TRS, Flight 548
323rd TRS, Flight 549
331st TRS, Flight 543
331st TRS, Flight 544
331st TRS, Flight 545
323rd TRS, Flight 550
323rd TRS, Flight 547
320th TRS, Flight 541
Top Academic Flights
320th TRS, Flight 539
331st TRS, Flight 544
323rd TRS, Flight 549
320th TRS, Flight 541
323rd TRS, Flight 550
331st TRS, Flight 543
322nd TRS, Flight 551
320th TRS, Flight 540
320th TRS, Flight 542
322nd TRS, Flight 552
323rd TRS, Flight 548
331st TRS, Flight 546
331st TRS, Flight 545
323rd TRS, Flight 547
SEAT BELTS SAVE LIVES! BUCKLE UP AND WEAR YOURS!
Photo by Andrew J. Quesada
Capt. Daniel Franco-Santiago, U.S. Army South Staff Judge Advocate at Joint Base
San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, taught a military justice class at the International
Squadron Officer School’s Inter-American Air Forces Academy at Joint Base San
Antonio-Lackland July 22. The class included lawyers from Colombia, Costa Rica,
Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Panama, Uruguay and the U.S. Air Force. Franco
also participated as a judge during a debate the ISOS students had. This event
provided an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the U.S. military justice
system model and engage in discussions about military justice systems in South and
Central America and the Caribbean.
PAGE 10
TALESPINNER
August 12, 2016
August 12, 2016
TALESPINNER
PAGE 11
Pringle succeeds LaBrutta as 502nd ABW-JBSA commander
By Robert Goetz
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs
Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle assumed command of the 502nd Air Base
Wing and Joint Base San Antonio during a change of command
ceremony Aug. 5 at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston’s MacArthur Parade Field.
Pringle, who most recently served as the executive officer to former
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, succeeds Brig.
Gen. Bob LaBrutta, who led the 502nd ABW and JBSA for more
than three years.
“I am honored to take the flag and excited to become part of this incredible team,” Pringle said. “The (wing) has a great reputation in this city
and in the entire Department of Defense. This did not happen by chance.
It happened because of your hard work, your dedication that each and
every one of you has shown and, I believe, will continue to show.”
Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, commander of Air Education and Training
Command and presiding official for the ceremony, said Pringle comes
well-qualified to command the 502nd and JBSA.
“She has the experience, the proven performance and leadership
qualities to take the wing to even newer heights,” he said. “When you
take a peek at her record, it is clear that she has earned her reputation
for strong character, commitment to the mission and Airmen, and the
readiness to make the tough calls when needed.”
Roberson said he knows Pringle will lead the team to continued
excellence.
“I am confident you are up to this task, and the 502nd Air Base Wing
and Joint Base San Antonio, under your leadership, will continue to
provide unrivalled installation support and service to enable mission
partner success,” he said. “As you take command today, I trust you to
lead them; we need you to inspire them and we expect you to take
care of them.”
Roberson also commended LaBrutta, who is headed to Keesler Air
Force Base, Miss., to take command of 2nd Air Force, for leading the
502nd ABW and JBSA “through some significantly difficult events while
achieving great accomplishments,” and presented him with the Legion
of Merit – an award given to members of the armed forces for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service.
“You led the 502nd to inspire, engage and support the Department of
Defense’s largest joint base, demonstrating to the rest of our armed forces
what innovative leadership can do to foster synergy between the Army
and Air Force to deliver air and ground power for America,” he said.
“I am honored to take the flag and excited to become part of this incredible
team. The (wing) has a great reputation in this city and in the entire
Department of Defense. This did not happen by chance. It happened because
of your hard work, your dedication that each and every one of
you has shown and, I believe, will continue to show.”
Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle
502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio commander
Photo by Olivia Mendoza
Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle, 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio
commander, has her new rank pinned on by family during a frocking ceremony Aug. 5
at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.
Photo by Melissa Peterson
Photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Ely
Master Sgt. Steven Erickson, Air Force Band drum major,
stands at attention while the Band of the West plays before
the 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio change
of command ceremony Aug. 5 at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston’s
MacArthur Parade Field.
Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle gives
her first salute to members of the
502nd Air Base Wing during the
502nd ABW and Joint Base San
Antonio change of command ceremony Aug. 5 at JBSA-Fort Sam
Houston's MacArthur Parade Field.
Photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Ely
Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle speaks to attendees during the 502nd Air Base
Wing and Joint Base San Antonio change of command ceremony Aug. 5 at
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston's MacArthur Parade Field.
PAGE 12
TALESPINNER
August 12, 2016
Air Force MTI bridges cultural, lingual
divides during Colombian exchange
By Jeremy Gerlach
JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs
Through their work with basic
military trainees, U.S. Air Force
military training instructors learn
how to break down barriers across
borders, languages and cultures.
Master Sgt. Jorge Cortijo, Air
Education Training Command
military training instructor and
Enlisted Character Development
Center manager, put those skills
to work during an MTI–to–MTI
exchange with the Military Forces
of Colombia in May 2016.
The exchange was, to Cortijo’s
knowledge, the first of its kind between the U.S. and its Colombian
partner. During the trip, Cortijo
gave a group of Colombian airmen
valuable feedback on their own
enlisted basic training, as well as
a taste of U.S. Air Force culture.
“Over the past seven decades,
the U.S. Air Force has refined and
improved the art of basic military
training,” Cortijo noted. “In just a
year, our Colombian ally has been
able to closely mimic our program,
which is a testament to the quality
of training provided to foreign instructors here at JBSA-Lackland.”
Since Colombia’s Basic Military
Training program and Military
Training Instructor School are
still working to improve and
standardize its training systems,
Cortijo’s visit had “special merit,”
said Gary Boyd, AETC History
Office historian.
“I’m very pleased with the outcome,” Boyd said of Cortijo’s trip.
“We have long focused on techni-
TRAINING from Page 4
new retirement systems.“
According to Anderson, quality
education and training are key to
an Airman’s ability to make an informed decision about retirement
plans. Airmen will be encouraged to
research their options during 2017
and may elect to opt-in to BRS on
or after Jan. 1, 2018. Elections must
be completed during 2018 and an
online course, tailored to those
who are eligible to opt-in, will be
cal and flying training … but MTI
training, to me, is getting to the
essentials of building a strong Air
Force.”
Cortijo said his Colombian
counterparts were eager listeners.
“They were mainly concerned
with how I learned to carry myself or speak a certain way and
were really hungry for learning
the art of being an MTI more than
the theory,” he noted. “I feel like
their military training instructors,
as well as their instructors in
training, were able to get a better
sense of the intangibles expected
of a U.S. Air Force MTI.”
The visit also served as a
valuable social opportunity for
both the American and Colombian
members of the program.
While in Colombia, Cortijo took
the time to get to know many
of the Colombian participants in
more informal settings like lunch
or over coffee.
“It was a rich experience in
many areas,” Cortijo said. “It
gave me a better sense of how the
U.S. Air Force is involved with its
partners abroad and the important role that Airmen play in the
lives of peoples and cultures far
detached from ours. I felt truly
welcomed and was met by a group
of professionals who were eager
to learn and a culture that is
warm and inviting.”
At the conclusion of the exchange, Cortijo was able to offer a
frank assessment of the strengths
– and needs – in Colombia’s
BMT and MTIS programs. While
the results of this review were
confidential, Cortijo was able
to share that the culture of the
Colombian military might not be
identical to that of the U.S., but
the two forces share more similarities than differences,
“The main barrier to our communication isn’t language, but
culture,” Cortijo explained. “I
found out that the biggest challenge to the mission is to be able
to implement meaningful change
– which is tried and true in our
culture – but will also translate
well with theirs.”
Cortijo also noted the efforts of
his Colombian exchange partner,
Air Force Sub-Jefe Velasco, in implementing several improvements
to the Colombian MTI School and
BMT programs over the past year.
Velasco, whose full name has
been withheld for security purposes, graduated from the U.S. Air
Force MTI School in 2015 and has
worked to transfer the lessons and
standards learned there into her
service in Colombia.
Looking to the future, Cortijo hopes his Colombian partners internalized his feedback on
their best practices and are able
to train even better Colombian
Airmen because of his visit.
He also expects the ColombianU.S. relationship to extend well
past the efforts of the MTI exchange
program.
“I hope that this was only the
beginning of a long-lasting partnership,” he added. “There is still
a lot of work to be done, but the
starting line is far ahead of the
expected starting point.”
available soon.
Stand-alone DVDs are also available for the BRS leader course for
use at remote locations or locations with limited internet connectivity making it difficult to take the
course online at JKO or Military
OneSource. Ordering instructions
were recently sent to all deployed locations by the Air Force
Personnel Center.
BRS information is available and
continuously updated on myPers.
Click “Retirement” from any mili-
tary landing page. In addition, a live
chat feature on BRS is available for
Airmen. To chat live with a Total
Force Service Center representative, go to the page and allow about
30 to 60 seconds to enable a representative to come online.
For additional information about
Air Force personnel programs,
visit http://myPers.af.mil. Individuals
who do not have a myPers account
can request one by following the
instructions at http://www.retirees.
af.mil.
August 12, 2016
TALESPINNER
PAGE 13
POLITICAL from Page 7
civilian employees are not allowed to engage in
political activities such as sending or forwarding
political emails or posting political messages to
social media accounts, even from your own devices.
Don’t ever use government equipment for those
activities, either.
However, when it comes to what you can do politically, there are basically two groups of civilians:
Further restricted employees and less restricted
employees.
Further restricted employees include:
• Those appointed by the president and
confirmed by the Senate.
• Those serving in non-career senior executive
service, or SES, positions.
• Career members of the SES.
• Contract appeals board members.
• Employees
of
the
National
Security
Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency and National
Geo-Spatial Intelligence Agency.
The above people are prohibited from participating in political activity, especially any that’s
sponsored or supported by a party, political group
or candidate up for election. You also can’t solicit
or receive political contributions. However, further
restricted employees can make monetary contributions, express personal opinions and attend
campaign events or fundraisers sponsored by a
candidate – they just can’t actively participate.
Less restricted employees include:
Courtesy graphic
• All DOD civilians who aren’t listed above,
including schedule C political appointees.
These people can volunteer with a political
campaign or organization on their personal time.
That includes organizing rallies or meetings, making calls on behalf of a candidate, serving as a
delegate to a party convention and working for
a party to get out the vote on Election Day. Less
restricted employees still cannot solicit or receive
political contributions, though.
Social Media:
Like the social media rules for service members, DOD civilians are allowed to express personal views and politics via their own social media
platforms, but they have to make it clear that the
views they’re expressing are personal and not the
DOD’s.
Since further restricted employees (as listed
above) aren’t allowed to be part of partisan political activity, they also can’t share or retweet
information posted to the social media page of a
party or candidate. They can’t post links from a
party or candidate’s account, either, but they can
“follow,” “friend” or “like” them.
To get more specifics on how to avoid violating
the rules, visit http://www.dod.mil/dodgc/defense_
ethics/resource_library/hatch_act_and_social_
media.pdf.
community
PAGE 14
LOCAL BRIEFS
FRIDAY
bUsiness ownership for veterans
Participants will learn about
business ownership, franchise opportunities, challenges and benefits
- review businesses that thrive in all
economic conditions. This workshop
is held 1-4 p.m.at the Arnold Hall
Community Center.
To reserve a seat, call 671-3722.
AUG. 19
king of the hill dodgeball toUrnament
Tournament will be held 7 a.m.
at Stapleton Park basketball court
located on Security Hill. Deadline to
sign up is noon Thursday.
For more information or to sign
up, call 977-2353.
AUG. 23
create an effective resUme
Review the key elements of
resume writing like career objectives
and descriptive accomplishment
statements from 2-4 p.m. Patrons
are encouraged to bring a copy of
their most current resume and will
begin to construct a draft.
For information, call 671-3722.
AUG. 25
changing dUtY stations with
school age children
This class will provide information
on moving schools and tools that
you can use to ease the transition.
Topics included: different responses
children may have, school enrollment
paperwork, placement, moving with
a special needs students and more.
This course is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at
Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical
Center Annex, building 4600.
Call 671-3722 for more information or to register.
AUG. 26
2016 volUnteer eXpo
The 688th Cyberspace Wing's
Top III is hosting a Joint Base San
Antonio volunteer expo at Arnold Hall
on JBSA-Lackland from 10 a.m. to
2 p.m. Organizations that will be in
attendance include American Red
Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters and
more. For more information, contact
[email protected].
AUG. 27
parents’ night oUt
Youth Programs can give parents
a much-needed break through the
Give Parents a Break/Parents’ Night
TALESPINNER
August 12, 2016
parents assigned to Joint Base San
Antonio-Lackland. This class covers
financial awareness of the cost for
raising a child, WIC, Family
Advocacy, New Parent Support
Programs, Pediatric Dental Clinic
and car seat safety. Military
members and their spouses will
receive a free gift from Air Force
Aid Society at the end of class. The
class will be 1-4:30 p.m. at Military
& Family Readiness Center, building
1249. Call 671-3722 to register or
for more information.
Out program 1-5 p.m. Kids, ages 5
(in kindergarten) to 12 years old, will
be provided snacks and entertained
with activities and games.
The cost is $25 per child with
a multiple-child discount or free
with Give Parents a Break referral.
To register, call 671-2388 for ages
5-12, and 671-3675 or 671-3413 for
ages 6 weeks to 4 years.
AUG. 30
emploYment sYmposiUm,
This workshop is geared towards
educating spouses on the various
resources available to them on the
military installation for assistance
with federal employment. This is
accomplished with briefings from
civilian personal on spousal preference. Additionally, AAFES,
Commissary, Family Childcare
Coordinators and Volunteer Services
will attend to explain their service
areas. Community partners will
look at resumes on-site and offer
feedback.
This workshop will be from 9 a.m.
to 1 p.m. at Arnold Hall.
Call 671-3722 to register or for
more information.
SEPT. 16
save the date for the annUal air
force ball
The Air Force is hosting their
annual ball at the Hyatt Hill
Country Resort. This year’s theme
is „You are what makes our Air
Force Diverse!“ Social hour will
begin at 6 p.m. with the main
event to follow at 7 p.m. The ticket
prices and sales contacts are still
undetermined.
INFORMATIONAL
YoUth swim team
Participants, ages 3-17, will learn
competitive swimming three days a
week at the Skylark Aquatic Center
bUndles for babies
This course is for expecting
CHAPEL SERVICES
—WICCA
Pfingston – Building 6330
—ISLAMIC
Global Ministry Center – Building 7452
Contemporary Service
Religious Education
Gospel Service
Youth Ministry
Sun
Jumu'ah Prayer
9:30 a.m.
11 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
6 p.m.
—LITURGICAL SERVICE
Airman Memorial Chapel – Building 5432
Sun
Sun
Religious Education
9:45 a.m
10:45 a.m.
—CHURCH OF CHRIST
Pfingston – Building 6300
Sun
7:30 a.m. (Room 175)
—SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
Gateway Chapel – Building 6300
Sat
12:30 p.m.
—CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
Pfingston – Building 6300
Sun
7:30 a.m. (Room 113)
—ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN
Airmen Memorial Chapel – Building 5432
Sun
8 a.m.
—PENTECOSTAL
Religious Education Building 6300
Sun
let’s get mUsical
Arnold Hall Community Center is
now offering lessons in piano and
guitar. Guitar classes are held
9-11 a.m. Wednesdays, 4-6 p.m.
and Saturdays. The cost is $15 per
student for a one-hour session.
Students must bring their own
instrument. Piano classes are held
4:30-7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and
Thursdays. Classes are $20 per
student for each 30-minute session.
For details and to reserve a class
time, call 671-2619. No walk-ins
allowed.
lackland toastmasters meet bi-monthlY
The Lackland G.U.T.S.
Toastmasters meetings are held
every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the
month at the Dunn Dental Clinic’s
conference room, located on the
second floor, from 11 a.m. to noon.
Anyone with base access is
welcomed to attend.
JBSA-LACKLAND
—PROTESTANT WORSHIP SERVICES
Freedom Chapel – Building 1528
Sun
Sun
Sun
Mon
and can participate in local swim
meets. Practices are on Tuesdays,
Wednesdays and Fridays from
6-7 p.m. Participants must be able
to pass a swim test before being
placed on the team. Monthly fee is
$65 per member. Call 671-3780.
8 & 9:30 a.m. (Room. 112)
9 – 11 a.m. (Auditorium)
Freedom Chapel – Building 1528
Open Circle
1st Tue
6 – 7 p.m.
—REFUGE STUDENT CENTER
Building 9122 (Tech. Training & TDY Students)
Wed
Thur
Fri
Sat
Sun
6 – 8 p.m.
6 – 8 p.m.
6 – 11 p.m.
12 – 9 p.m.
11 – 5 p.m.
—JEWISH
Airmen Memorial Chapel – Building 5432
Sabbath & Kiddush Fri.
Religious Education Sun
4:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m.
—ROMAN CATHOLIC
Freedom Chapel – Building 1528
Religious Education Sun
Adult Religious Education
Mass Sat. 5:00 p.m. Sun
Youth Ministry
Sun
Reconciliation
Sat
9 a.m.
Sun 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.
11 a.m.
4 p.m.
4 – 4:45 p.m.
Note: Reconciliation(s) may be scheduled by appointment
Fri
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
—BUDDHIST
Pfingston – Building 6330
Sun
10:45 a.m. (Room 175)
—HINDU WORSHIP
Gateway Chapel – Building 6300
1st, 3rd and 5th Sat
2 – 4 p.m. (Room 13)
—ECKANKAR
Gateway Chapel – Building 6300
1st, 3rd and 5th Sat
12:30 p.m.
—BAHA'I
Gateway Chapel – Building 6300
1st, 3rd and 5th Sun.
11 a.m.
—THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF
LATTER-DAY SAINTS
Gateway Chapel – Building 6300
Religious Education Tue
LDS Institute
Thur
LDS Service
Sun
6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
1 p.m.
—LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSOURI SYNOD
Gateway Chapel Building 6300
Every third Sun.
For more details, contact Freedom Chapel at 671-4208
or Gateway Chapel at 671-2911
3:30 p.m.
KEY FAMILY SUPPORT RESOURCES
Air Force Aid Society
671-3722
Airman & Family Readiness Center
671-3722
Airman’s Attic
671-1780
American Red Cross
844-4225
Base Post Office
671-1058
Bowling Center
671-2271
DEERS
800-538-9552
Exceptional Family Member Program
671-3722
Family Child Care
671-3376
Legal Office
671-3362
Library
671-3610
Medical Appointment Line
916-9900
MPF ID Cards
671-6006
Outdoor Recreation
925-5532
TRICARE Info
800-444-5445
Thrift Shop
671-3608
Enlisted Spouses’ Club http://www.lacklandesc.org
Force Support Squadron http://www.lacklandfss.com
Lackland ISD
http://www.lacklandisd.net
Officers’ Spouses’ Club http://www.lacklandosc.org
JBSA Public website
http://www.jbsa.mil
My Air Force Life
http://www.MyAirForceLife.com
August 12, 2016
TALESPINNER
Protect
Your
Personal
Information
Fraud against TRICARE beneficiaries is in the news. Protecting
your personal information is vital
to your privacy, and prevents
abuse of taxpayer funds. Be safe;
don’t share your military ID or
other personal or family information with an unknown person.
Fraudsters often target TRICARE
beneficiaries, including active
duty service members. Examples
include fake surveys used to
collect personal information or
offering gift cards to get your information, then billing TRICARE
for services you didn’t need or
never received.
If you think you are the victim
of TRICARE related fraud, can
report it to the Defense Health
Agency. You can also report cases where you think someone is
trying to defraud TRICARE. For
example,
if
your
TRICARE
explanation of benefits shows
a bill for something you didn’t
get, tell your TRICARE Regional
Contractor.
TRICARE usually doesn’t contact you asking for personal information, such as your military ID
number or social security number.
Only provide that information to a
trusted entity, like your doctor, a
claims processer or your TRICARE
regional contractor. Be wary of an
unknown person offering a gift or
reward in exchange for providing
a health service. They may be
trying to get your information to
commit fraud.
For more information about
fraud, visit http://www.health.mil/
fraud.
(Source: TRICARE)
One of the best things about ICE is that people
can let service providers know when they do
a great job, not just for poor service. It takes
five minutes or less to submit a comment at
http://ice.disa.mil.
PAGE 15
NEWS IN BRIEF from Page 3
All Air Force military members, Department
of the Air Force civilians, units or group of
individuals are eligible to apply. However,
each major command, combatant command,
field operating agency or direct reporting unit
may submit one nomination for each award.
Nominations should be based on contributions that occur from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 and
can include projects that were started more
than a year ago but were completed during
the current calendar year.
Search for eligibility and application
procedures on http://myPers.af.mil with the
keyword “Aerospace.”
For more information about Air Force
personnel programs, go to the myPers website. Individuals who do not have a myPers
account can request one by following the
instructions at http://www.retirees.af.mil.
air force seeks nominations for 2017 oUtstanding
af civilian emploYees of the Year award
Air Force officials will accept nominations
for the 2017 Air Force Association
Outstanding Air Force Civilian Employees of
the Year Award through Jan. 6, 2017.
Each year the AFA recognizes four Air Force
civilian employees for outstanding achievement in four categories: Civilian Wage
Employee of the Year, Civilian Program
Specialist (GS-1 through GS-11), Civilian
Program Manager (GS-12 and GS-13) and
Civilian Senior Manager (GS-14 and GS-15).
Nominations are evaluated on the nature
of the achievement, development of techniques or procedures that significantly
increased mission effectiveness and breadth
of impact.
Organizations and base-level personnel
must contact their major command, combatant command, field operating agency or
direct reporting unit for applicable suspense
dates and additional information regarding
nomination procedures. Complete application
procedures and deadlines are available on
myPers.
Complete application procedures and
deadlines are available on http://myPers.
af.mil. From the dropdown menu, select
“Any” and search “Employee of the Year.”
For more information about Air Force
personnel programs, go to the myPers website. Individuals who do not have a myPers
account can request one by following these
instructions on http://www.retirees.af.mil.
Straight Talk Line
For current, automated information during a natural disaster,
crisis or emergency, call your local Straight Talk line.
•JBSA-Fort Sam Houston: 466-4630•JBSA-Lackland: 671-6397
•JBSA-Randolph: 652-7469
To advertise in the Talespinner, call 250-2345
for classifieds orcontact Michelle Bogue
at 250-2052 for retail ads
PAGE 16
TALESPINNER
August 12, 2016
‘Turn Around – Don’t Drown”: don’t become a flood water statistic
By Janis El Shabazz
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Public Affairs
“Turn Around – Don’t Drown.”
We’ve all heard this flood precaution. As with
many oft-repeated mottos – after a time people tend
to let it go in one ear and out the other. However,
San Antonio residents who ignore this warning do
so at their peril.
According to the San Antonio River Authority, or
SARA, San Antonio is in one of the most flash floodprone regions in North America. Furthermore, data
from the Flood Safety Education Project reveals that
Texas leads the nation most every year in flood related deaths and damage.
Each year, more deaths occur in the United States
due to flooding than from any other thunderstormrelated hazard. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention report more than half of all flood-related
drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of
flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near
flood waters.
People often underestimate the force and power
of water.
Many of the deaths occur in automobiles as they
are swept downstream. Of these drownings, many
are preventable, but too many people continue to
drive around the barriers that warn the road is
flooded.
It only takes 6 inches of fast-moving flood water
to knock over an adult. Most cars will float and be
swept away in 18-24 inches of moving water. Trucks
and sport utility vehicles are not much better with
only 6-12 more inches of clearance. It is never safe
to drive or walk into flood waters.
We all have seen the flooding that occurs in San
Antonio, sometimes with only moderate rainfall.
SARA officials point out it is San Antonio’s particular
topography that causes this dangerous recurrence,
because a large percentage of San Antonio contains
what is known as impervious cover. Impervious cover prevents rain from soaking in the ground, which
is a major contributor of water run-off leading to
flooding during medium to heavy rainfall.
American Red Cross officials said floods are among
the most frequent and costly natural disasters. Conditions that cause floods include heavy or steady rain
for several hours or days that saturates the ground.
Photo courtesy National Weather Service
Flood waters caused by Hurricane Isabel in 2003 quickly
surged across streets and towns in its destructive path
across the Mid-Atlantic states.
Flash floods occur suddenly due to rapidly rising
water along a stream or low-lying area.
Flash floods can roll boulders, tear out trees,
destroy buildings and bridges and scour out new
channels, according to the National Weather Service,
Southern Region Headquarters. Rapidly rising water
can reach heights of 30 feet or more. Furthermore,
flash flood-producing rains can also trigger catastrophic mud slides.
The terms most used by weather forecasters when
floods are predicted in the community are:
Flood/Flash Flood Watch – flooding or flash flooding is possible.
Flood/Flash Flood Warning – Flooding or flash
flooding is already occurring or will occur soon.
“No matter how many times we say, “Turn around
– don’t “drown,” every time it rains a group of people ignore this warning, drive around barriers, walk
through standing water causing city officials to expended thousands of dollars on high water rescues,
or worse, have to tell a family that their loved one
died in a flood,” said Travis Kilpack, 502nd Air Base
Wing occupational safety manager. “Sometimes folks
wind up in these situations because they believe their
3,000-pound or more vehicle will remain in contact
with the road surface … that it is too heavy to float.”
To that flawed logic Kilpack offers this sobering
fact; “Aircraft carriers weighing 97,000 tons float.
Vehicles and ships float because of buoyancy. He said
in moving water all that needs to happen is for the
vehicle to become buoyant enough for the force of
the moving water to push it sideways.
Furthermore, Kilpack said automobile commercials advertising the ability to drive through water
leads to a false sense of security at best and tragic
consequences at worst. Once swept downstream, the
vehicle will often roll to one side or perhaps flip over
entirely. The driver then only has a few seconds to
escape the vehicle.
Heeding the “Turn Around – Don’t Drown” warning and following the old adage often used to bracket a precautionary tale, “An ounce of prevention is
worth a pound of cure,” can prevent people from
becoming a flood water statistic.
The American Red Cross offers the following flood
water safety recommendations:
• Listen to area radio and television stations and
a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Weather Radio for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress or other critical information from the National Weather Service
• Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
• When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for
your area, head for higher ground and stay there.
• Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon
a flowing stream where water is above your ankles,
stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of
swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.
• If you come upon a flooded road while driving,
turn around and go another way. If you are caught
on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly
around you, get out of the car quickly and move to
higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less
than two feet of moving water.
• Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or
contaminated water.
• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder
to recognize flood danger.
For additional information, visit the National
Weather Service, Southern Region Headquarters
Turn Around, Don’t Drown page at http://www.srh.
weather.gov/srh/tadd/.
FRIDAY THROUGH THURSDAY
Friday
• 6 p.m. The Legend of Tarzan (3D)
(PG-13)
Saturday
• Noon Studio Appreciation
Advance Screening – Free Admission – Rated R
*Tickets available at your local Exchange Food Court.
Seating open to non-ticket holders 30 minutes prior to
showtime.
• 3 p.m. The Legend of Tarzan (3D) (PG-13)
• 6 p.m. The Purge: Election Year (R)
Sunday
• Noon The Legend of Tarzan (3D) (PG-13)
• 3 p.m. The Purge: Election Year (R)
Thursday
• 4 p.m. The Legend of Tarzan (3D) (PG-13)
Movie Line: 671-3985
View schedules at:
https://www.shopmyexchange.com/
reeltime-theatres/
Program Note: We have one movie
screen, one movie per show time.
Doors open 30 minutes prior to
each show time.
August 12, 2016
TALESPINNER
sports
PAGE 17
343rd TRS claims first intramural softball title since 2012
By Jose T. Garza III
JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs
Master Sgt. Francisco Santiago didn’t know how
the 343rd Training Squadron intramural softball
team made it to the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland
Intramural Softball Playoffs, much less the championship game.
The team entered the playoffs as the No. 4 seed
from the National League, despite work commitments
preventing the squadron from having a complete roster throughout the season.
After defeating the 668th Alteration and
Installation Squadron, the American League’s No. 1
seed, and the 502nd Force Support Group, the defending base intramural softball champion, Santiago
capitalized on the 343rd TRS’ momentum, nailing
two home runs to help the team defeat the 737th
Training Group, 11-1, for the JBSA-Lackland Intramural Softball Championship Aug. 2 at Warhawk
Field.
It was the team’s first championship since 2012
“We came out to have fun,” said Santiago, 343rd
TRS course chief. “We told each other to have fun and
if everyone plays then everyone wins.”
Santiago’s homers came in the first and fourth inning. His three-run shot in the fourth increased the
343rd TRS’ score to 8-1. Michael Chop hit an RBI
single late in the inning.
Staff Sgt. Kelly McKinley concluded the game with
a two-run RBI in the fifth inning. Master Sgt. Adam
Leslie coughed up the team’s only run in the second
and allowed four hits and two walks.
“It felt good (to win this championship),” said Master
Sgt. Kevin Werlein, 37th Training Group superintendent of training assessments and the 343rd TRS coach.
“We started off a little shaky, but I feel we were the
best team throughout the playoffs and the best team
won. With some key players back on the team, we
came together and worked as a cohesive unit.”
The 343rd TRS’ accomplishments amazed people
within the league.
“Greg Jones, one of the umpires, was laughing with
me because at the beginning of the year he told us
how terrible were,” Santiago said. “And I said, “Yeah
we will be lucky to make the playoffs.' Now he said
it was amazing how far we’ve come along, so it feels
good to win.”
As a result of making the finals, the 343rd TRS
and the 737th TRG will compete against the four
best intramural softball teams from JBSA-Randolph
and JBSA-Fort Sam Houston in the JBSA Intramural
Softball Tournament. The dates and location have yet
to be determined.
JBSA-Lackland Warhawks men’s softball team
aims to win second consecutive Military World Title
By Jose T. Garza III
JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs
The Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Warhawks
men’s varsity softball team are “pretty darn close” to
clicking on all cylinders for the United States Specialty
Sports Association Military World Tournament, which
starts Friday in Augusta, Ga., according to coach
Brett Cannon.
Former coach Michael Richardson said during team
tryouts in February that his main goal was to have the
Warhawks be on the same page by the tournament.
The team will be seeking its second consecutive
military world championship. They conquered the
Men’s Varsity “B” tournament in 2015, and as a result
were elevated to the USSSA Slow-Pitch Men’s Military
Varsity “A” Division this year.
The Warhawks, ranked No. 2 in the division, picked
up a few new players this season to bolster its roster
and compete in the Ultra division, said Cannon, who
also serves as JBSA-Lackland intramural and sports
director.
“The guys are coming together pretty well,” he said.
To score its second consecutive military world title,
the team needs to improve its execution on offense
and play solid defense, Cannon explained.
“We need to hit the ball into the outfield, because
we haven’t done that well,” he said. “We try to hit
home runs and they end up getting caught. Runs are
important.
“A-level softball competition lives and dies with
the pitcher on the mound,” Cannon added. “If they
repeatedly throw balls, then it kills the defense and
everything else.”
Staff Sgt. Edwin Jorge, Dental Activity NCO in
charge of operations, shared his coach’s sentiments.
“We have to make the routine fundamental plays
in the outfield and get routine hits,” said Jorge, who
was named the USSSA Military World Men’s Varsity
“B” Tournament’s Most Valuable Player in 2015. “We
understand we are going to make errors and mistakes, but we have to still make the routine key plays
that come at us.”
Jorge was selected as a team captain this season
and feels the Warhawks are considered underdogs
in this year’s tournament due to its placement in a
new division.
He is confident the team can “break hearts and
shock a lot of people.”
“We are flying in under the radar and nobody is expecting us to be there at the end,” Jorge said. “I have
a good feeling we are going to be in the championship
game because we are clicking toward the end of the
year. Our confidence is high and we are ready to go.”
Pete Barela, 502nd Civil Engineering Squadron
firefighter and the tournament’s defensive player
award winner, is also confident the Warhawks can
execute their game plan on both ends of the ball.
The team has group outings off the field occasionally to improve its chemistry, he said.
“It would be a blessing (to win a second consecutive Military World Tournament,)” Barela said. “Not
a lot of teams get an opportunity to accomplish that,
so it would be a great accomplishment to bring home
another championship.”
Photo by Jose T. Garza III
Staff Sgt. Edwin Jorge practices hitting motion during
softball practice at the Warhawk Field at Joint Base San
Antonio-Lackland Aug. 4. Jorge and the JBSA-Lackland
Warhawks men’s varsity softball team will compete in the
United States Specialty Sports Association Military World
Tournament Friday through Sunday in Augusta, Ga.