RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE No. 28 • JULY 16, 2010 INSIDE

A publication of the 502nd Air Base Wing – Joint Base San Antonio
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE
No. 28 • JULY 16, 2010
INSIDE ... AFRS FILMS WEB SPOT, P3 ... AFPC AIRMEN TAKE OATH, P4... AIRMEN’S BASH HUGE SPLASH, P8 ... BASE GETS NEW RUNNING TRACK, P11
PAGE 2
WINGSPREAD
COMMENTARY
ON THE COVER
LORENZ ON LEADERSHIP
Investing in the intellectual resource
By Gen. Stephen Lorenz
Air Education and Training Command
commander
Today, we are approaching nine
years of sustained combat operations.
Many could even argue that our Air
Force has been involved in continuous
combat operations since the original
Gulf War in 1991. Even more challenging, today’s combat operations
are being conducted while the rest of
the nation fights its way through a
recession, making resources extremely constrained. Such an environment
demands a unique blend of innovation and intellect – looking for efficiencies at every corner in order to
achieve our desired effect.
Sometimes it’s easy to focus on
resourcing and new weapon systems as
the “innovation,” the panacea for our
challenges. Doing so, however, would
cause us to overlook the most effective
weapon at our disposal during such
challenging times: the one between our
ears. In many ways, investing in intellect,
in our ability to out-think the enemy, is
the most cost-efficient way to prepare for
future uncertainty and to combat a
clever foe.
There are those who say there are
three types of intellect – and we fit into
a different category depending on the
situation. There are those who come up
with the innovative idea, those who
understand the idea and those who
wouldn’t know a good idea if it hit them
in the face. Now, my description of the
last group may seem a bit harsh, and at
times I’m sure we all feel like we’re out
of our element, but the times where you
find yourself in the last category are
also the times where you will have the
best opportunity for self-improvement.
You see, we each bring a unique set
of skills, experiences and intellect to
different situations. Although we
“Sometimes it’s easy to focus on
resourcing and new weapon systems as
the “innovation,” the panacea for our
challenges. Doing so, however, would
cause us to overlook the most effective
weapon at our disposal during such
challenging times: the one between
our ears.”
would all like
to be the “idea
person,” the individual who always
has the innovative ideas, not every situation or challenge is suited to their
intellectual talents. These are the
times when we can be most critical of
ourselves and take advantage of the
opportunity to improve. In today’s
world, the easiest and quickest way to
self-improve is to increase our individual levels of education. Remember:
Education is how we prepare ourselves for the uncertainty of tomorrow.
I know that increasing our education
levels isn’t always as easy as it sounds.
Thankfully, the Air Force helps with
one of the limited resources we balance
every day: money. Scholarship and
tuition assistance programs help pay
for many advanced degrees and education programs.
Another limited resource most people struggle with is time. Our challenge
is making the time to find beneficial
education programs and then the
important part – completing them.
After all, if it were easy, then time
wouldn’t be an issue and everyone
would have multiple degrees.
Think back five years ago, and then
10 years ago. Were you any busier then
than you are now? Chances are no. Do
JULY 16, 2010
you think you will be any less busy five
or 10 years from now? Again, probably not. The truth is – you won’t be any
less busy or have more time than you
do right now.
Making a commitment to complete
education and self-improvement programs may move other priorities to the
side. When you’re weighing the relative
importance of each, remember that
education and self-improvement are
activities that will help you no matter
where life takes you. If you decide to
stay in the Air Force, it will help better
serve the nation. If you decide to shift
into another career outside the Air
Force, higher levels of education and
study will help translate into increased
pay and responsibilities.
Either way, you win and are better
prepared to successfully handle the challenges that life throws at you – especially
when you least expect it. In the end, the
better prepared that you are, the better
the chance you could be the “idea person.” Tomorrow’s challenges will certainly be bigger than those we face
today. Our Air Force – and our nation –
needs you to better prepare now. Your
investment in education and intellect is
the best weapon to combat the uncertainty that tomorrow will bring. After all,
we can’t afford not to.
We invite all Airmen assigned to Randolph to share your Air Force story through a commentary published here in
the Wingspread. We continuously look for topics relating to life lessons learned, leadership, values, deployment
experiences and more that will resonate through the total force. Submissions must be between 500-700 words
typed, and submitted to [email protected] for consideration. For more information, call 652-5760.
Staff Sgt. Brandon Freeman (left) and
Airman 1st Class Scott Brill, 902nd
Security Forces Squadron, inspect their
assigned field gear during a deployment
line July 8. The two Airmen are part of a
group of 13 from the 902nd SFS being
deployed to Afghanistan.
Photo by Steve White
WINGSPREAD
502nd Air Base Wing
Operating Location Bravo
Editorial Staff
Brig. Gen. Leonard Patrick
Commander
1st Lt. Ryan Ernst
Deputy Chief of Public Affairs
Kelly Parsons
Editor
Airman 1st Class Precious Yett
Robert Goetz, Brian McGloin
Staff Writers
Maggie Armstrong
Graphic Designer
Wingspread Office
1150 5th Street East
Randolph AFB, Texas 78150
Phone: (210) 652-5760
Fax: (210) 652-3142
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2203 S. Hackberry
San Antonio, Texas 78210
Phone: (210) 534-8848
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[email protected]
This paper is published by Prime Time Military Newspapers, a
private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under
exclusive written contract with Randolph AFB, Texas. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the
Wingspread are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed
by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the
Department of the Air Force.
The appearance of advertising in this publication, including
inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the
Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, or Prime
Time Military Newspapers of the products or services advertised.
Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to the race,
color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical or
mental handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor
of the purchaser, user, or patron.
Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public
Affairs Division of the 502nd Air Base Wing OL-B in accordance
with local policy and style guidance. All photos, unless otherwise
indicated, are U.S. Air Force photos.
Articles for the newspaper should be submitted by noon
Thursday the week prior to the desired publication date. Items can
be dropped off on a PC- or Macintosh-formatted disk at the
Wingspread office in Hangar 6.
Articles for submission may also be sent by e-mail to
[email protected].
For details about submissions, call 652-5760.
JULY 16, 2010
WINGSPREAD
PAGE 3
NEWS
Video crew films Randolph activity for recruiting
By Airman 1st Class Precious Yett
502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs
AirForce.com, the Air Force’s recruiting Web site, was
recently at Randolph shooting snippets for their newest
recruiting video.
The purpose of the Web site is to bring in new recruits
for the Air Force. Online videos escalate the interaction
between the viewer and the Web site through sight and
sound. The Web site is geared toward enlisted, officer
and health professions recruitment.
The project filmed at Randolph showcases technical
schools and base lifestyles. The project’s mission is to
show the next step in an Airman’s career in the Air
Force after basic military training. As an added bonus
producers shot lifestyle features to show a potential
applicant what is available to them in technical school
and on their permanent duty base.
“You go through basic training and technical school.
We show you what you can do at technical school in your
off-time and what you can do at your duty base once you
get there,” said Frank Radis, Air Force Recruiting
Service interactive account executive for AirForce.com.
They went to four of the major technical training
centers – Sheppard, Goodfellow, Keesler and
Lackland – in order to ascertain certain career fields
and receive varying points of view from instructors
and students. Although Randolph is not one of the
Photo by Senior Airman Katie Hickerson
A cameraman from AirForce.com films a scene for an Air
Force recruiting video at Randolph.
major technical training school centers, it was showcased in the lifestyle feature because of the brandnew BX, the revitalized enlisted dorms, the health
and wellness center and the fitness center.
“We tried to show career fields from each of the
aptitude areas: mechanical, administrative, general
and electronics,” Mr. Radis said. “We wanted to show
some jobs from each one to give diversity because not
everyone’s a pilot and we want to try to steer away
from that mindset. We wanted to show all the different career fields people can go into. We shot technical
schools from the student’s perspectives as well as the
instructors.”
The focus of the video is to let people who have no
prior military affiliation understand what comes next
after basic training. It gives the average person insight to
be better informed about enlisting.
“We have to have future Airmen, officers and
health professionals. We’re recruiting for the future
here now so that the Air Force can continue to be a
strong branch of service,” said Mr. Radis.
There are a lot of people who are looking at the
basic training videos currently up on the Web site
and sharing them, he said.
“This is the intent. It’s good to see the Web site is
working,” said Mr. Radis.
There were also still photos taken along with the video
and those photos will be used to update AirForce.com as
well as in brochures and direct mail marketing. The target release of the technical school and lifestyle features
on AirForce.com is slated for early October.
Joint Base San Antonio set for hurricane season
By Brent Boller
502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Joint Base San Antonio planners and
operators watched closely as Hurricane
Alex approached South Texas June 29.
The joint base was prepared to provide
relief operations and ready for airlift or
evacuation support needed in the aftermath of the storm.
On June 30, Alex made landfall in
northern Mexico. The damage to Texas
was minimal and the preparatory
actions taken by JBSA weren’t needed –
not this time.
The Atlantic hurricane season is young
and forecasters believe this year could rival
that of 2008, which saw Hurricanes Gustav,
Ike and Dolly. That means JBSA and other
military organizations and civilian response
agencies could be very busy during the
next three to four months.
Willie Monroe, 502nd Air Base Wing
emergency manager, said JBSA provides
one focal point for local civil authorities
and FEMA to request military assistance. Mr. Monroe is also the JBSA representative at the City of San Antonio
Emergency Operations Center during
large-scale contingencies.
“In the past, city officials and FEMA
would contact each base for support.
Now, requests will be made through the
502nd ABW command post who will
relay the request to Brig. Gen. Leonard
Patrick (502nd ABW commander) for
approval,” he said.
Mr. Monroe said during Hurricane Alex,
FEMA requested parking space for at least
1,000 logistical and command and control
vehicles at Seguin Auxiliary Airfield.
“Lackland was poised to provide billeting, pet kenneling and transportation
potentially for several thousand military members and their families evacuated from locations near the Texas
coast,” he said.
Preparations were also made at
Randolph for the possible arrival of
search-and-rescue teams and aircraft
from coastal-area installation seeking
safe-harbor.
In addition to JBSA, U.S. Army North,
headquartered at Fort Sam Houston, plays
a pivotal role.
“As the U.S. Northern Command
joint force land component command,
we most likely would deploy the
FEMA Region VI defense coordinating
element from Denton, Texas,” said
Donald Manuszewski, chief of public
information at U.S. Army North.
Personnel from U.S. Army North headquarters would augment the element,
working with FEMA and other federal partners to anticipate state and local needs for
military assistance, according to
Manuszewski.
Army North Headquarters also has a
liaison officer representing Air Forces
Northern who provides a voice for the
air assets which complement the
ground components.
Oftentimes during hurricane evacuations, hospital patients must be transported
from coastal areas inland to San Antonio.
The massive job of coordinating that
process falls to the Federal Coordinating
Center of the National Disaster Medical
System attached to Brooke Army Medical
Center at Fort Sam Houston.
“If called upon, we would set up
operations to receive patients evacuated from the coast,” said Army Sgt.
Maj. Duane Waddle of the Federal
Coordinating Center. “We’d coordinate
with the Southwest Texas Regional
Advisory Council and the Air Force to
receive the patients at the old Kelly
Field flight line, then we’d route them
to NDMS-designated hospitals in the
San Antonio area.”
Mr. Monroe said JBSA will continue conducting exercises simulating hurricane
evacuation scenarios to ensure they are
ready to respond when needed.
“It’s a huge undertaking with several
moving parts; the more we train the
better we will be prepared when we
have to provide support.”
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JULY 16, 2010
WINGSPREAD
Three AFPC Airmen become U.S. citizens
By Staff Sgt. Steve Grever
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
Three Airmen from the Air Force Personnel
Center here raised their right hands and
pledged to defend and support the U.S.
Constitution for the second time in their lives
during a special naturalization ceremony July 9
in San Antonio. The first time they made this
commitment was when they initially joined the
Air Force, but this time it was to become U.S.
citizens.
Airmen 1st Class Siarhei Marynin, Jourdan
Castaneda and Abraham Flomo, Total Force
Service Center sustainment apprentices, were
three of six Air Force members to take the oath
of allegiance and receive their naturalization
certificates. The U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services office administered the
ceremony for six Airmen and two Army Soldiers
in recognition of their commitment to defending
America and the unique journeys each of them
took to become American citizens.
Airman Castaneda was born in the Philippines
and enlisted in the Air Force in November 2009.
He said becoming a citizen will help him reach
his goal of becoming a chief master sergeant
some day.
“I really want to affect change at the enlisted
level,” Airman Castaneda said.
Airman Marynin joined the Air Force in
November 2009 from a small country called
Belarus, which is nestled between Poland and
Russia. He said his father was in the Russian
military and he grew up in a military family.
“I joined the Air Force because it gives you an
opportunity to have a good career and become
an officer,” Airman Marynin said.
After the Airmen received their naturalization
certificates, Airman Flomo, a native of Liberia,
shared the experiences that led him to become a
U.S. citizen and join the Air Force.
“I come from a country where civil war is the
norm,” Airman Flomo said. “Today, I stand
here, proud to wear this uniform. We are now
all Americans. I thank you.”
Photo by Staff Sgt. Steve Grever
More information on the naturalization
process for military personnel is available at the Airman 1st Class Abraham Flomo (right), Air Force Personnel Center
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Web sustainment apprentice, takes the oath of allegiance during a special
site at www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis.
naturalization ceremony July 9 in San Antonio.
JBSA SNCO induction
Randolph Welcomes ...
Lt. Col. Anthony Waldroup
359th Aerospace-Medicine
Squadron
Photo by Alan Boedeker
Chief Master Sgt. Linus Jordan, 2nd Air Force command chief master sergeant, from
Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., gives the keynote address during the first Joint Base San
Antonio Senior NCO induction ceremony June 25 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention
Center in San Antonio. Chief Jordan spoke to the 197 Senior NCO inductees about
leadership and preparing for future challenges in their new roles.
Date assumed command: July 8
Previous assignment: Resident,
United States Air Force School of
Aerospace Medicine
Time in Service: 14 years total
service – Five active duty and nine
Air National Guard
Family: Wife, Candice, and five
children: Jade, Zachary,
Johnathan, Nicholas and Olivia
Hobbies: I enjoy flying, camping
and spending time with my family.
Why the squadron is important to
the Air Force mission: The 359th
AMDS ensures operational medical support and optometric care
to more than 4,700 war fighters.
Squadron personnel provide medical care to 1,200 aviators and
special-duty operational personnel
and their families; train aircrew to
enhance
in-flight
performance and
survival;
and provide preventive
medical support to reduce health
threats due to occupational, environmental, deployment and
lifestyle risks. The squadron
deploys in support of the Air
Expeditionary Force worldwide.
Command philosophy: Servant
leadership
Goals for new position: To provide the support and environment necessary for outstanding
performance by the Airmen of
the 359th AMDS.
JULY 16, 2010
WINGSPREAD
Duty Title:
Greatest Accomplishment:
Hometown:
Pet Peeve:
Hobbies:
Commander’s Comments:
Assistant NCOIC, Plans and Integration
902nd Logistics
Readiness Squadron
Congratulations
Congratulations to Capt. Toni Agnew on being
promoted to major.
BX parking
Plans are under way to build a temporary road
that alleviates traffic congestion at the new BX.
Base officials urge motorists to be patient and
use caution around construction areas.
Tuskegee Airmen convention
The San Antonio Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen
Inc. will host the 2010 Annual Tuskegee Airmen
Convention at the Grand Hyatt Hotel July 28-31.
For more information, call 818-6585.
Road construction notice
Third Street West will be reduced to one lane in
each direction adjacent to the clinic and
Kendrick Club from July 6-30 to facilitate installation of road barriers. Please obey all traffic
control signs and personnel during this period.
Also, while under construction, West Perimeter
Road is only open to one-way traffic traveling
from South Gate toward Randolph High School.
Enlisting in the world’s greatest Air Force!
People who text and drive on the freeway
Beaumont, Texas
Staff Sgt.
Darryl Chretien, Jr.
PAGE 5
Working out, traveling and cooking
Goals:
Complete my Community College of the Air Force and
bachelor’s degree
Personal Motto:
A mind is a terrible thing to waste.
“Staff Sergeant Chretien is an outstanding NCO
with a sincere desire to give his very best to every
job, each and every day. I am impressed with his
‘can-do, no whining allowed’ attitude and he
continues to be a positive role model and influence
throughout our organization.”
Personal Inspiration:
My father – he always told me you can be whatever
you want to be as long as you put your mind to it.
– James Williams
902nd Logistics Readiness Squadron director
Base BRIEFS
2010 SAVE award
President Barack Obama wants federal
employees to submit their ideas for eliminating
government waste and saving American taxpayers’ money as part of the 2010 Securing
Americans’ Value and Efficiency award program.
The deadline for submissions is Thursday, with
the winners being announced in September.
Civil servants interested in submitting their
ideas should go to http://saveaward.gov.
Thrift shop
The Thrift shop is closed Saturday through
Aug. 1st due to the upcoming move into a bigger
building. The shop will reopen Aug. 2 in Bldg.
1048, which is located behind the Burger King
off Forth Street West.
For questions, call 659-5990.
NSPS Town Hall
Base civilian personnel will host a town hall
meeting July 26 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the
base theater to discuss the National Security
Personnel System. All NSPS employees and their
supervisors are encouraged to attend. For more
information, contact Rodney Morris at 652-4659.
Marathon training
Rambler Fitness Center hosts a 12-mile
Randolph Marathon training run Saturday at
6:30 a.m. at Eberle Park. Sign-up takes place
that morning. For details, call 652-7271.
JPPSO
Joint Personal Property Shipping Office and
Traffic Management Flight personnel are experiencing unprecedented challenges this summer
season regarding the movement of household
goods. A saturated market is making it difficult
for JPPSO San Antonio to book shipments. They
ask that customers have alternate pack/pickup
dates, be flexible and consider performing a full
Personally Procured Move or DITY move.
For more details, call 652-1848 or 652-1849.
BAMC Family Medicine Services move
Brooke Army Medical Center Family Medicine
Services will move to the new Fort Sam Houston
Primary Care Clinic this month. The new clinic is
at the corner of Schofield Road and Garden
Avenue, across from the McWethy Troop Medical
Clinic. Call 916-9900 for an appointment.
NOW SHOWING
at the
Randolph Theater
“Killers” (PG-13)
Ashton Kutcher, Katherine Heigl
Today @ 7 p.m.
Saturday @ 6 p.m.
“Splice” (R)
Adrien Brody, Sarah Polley
Sunday @ 3 p.m.
$4.50 for adults
$2.25 for children 11 and under
Call 652-3278 for details.
AFSA Chapter 1075
The Air Force Sergeants Association, Chapter
1075, meets the second Thursday of each month
at 5 p.m. at the Kendrick Club. For more information about Chapter 1075 and how to become an
AFSA member, come to a meeting or visit the Web
site at www.afsa1075.org.
For a complete listing
of base briefs, visit www.randolph.af.mil
PAGE 6
JULY 16, 2010
WINGSPREAD
Welcome Lt. Col. Vaclavik
Lt. Col. David Vaclavik (right)
accepts the guidon from Brig. Gen.
Leonard Patrick, 502nd Air Base
Wing commander. Colonel Vaclavik
took command of the 902nd
Comptroller Squadron at a change
of command ceremony June 24.
Photo by Rich McFadden
101 CRITICAL DAYS OF SUMMER
Plan ahead for safe summer hiking excursions
By Deborah Silliman Wolfe
502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs
Many families look for exciting outdoor activities
they can take advantage of during the sunny summer
months in Texas. With a number of trails both in and
outside the metro San Antonio area, hiking can be an
entertaining pastime. But with unpredictable weather
and the sometimes-stifling summer heat, it is important to plan ahead before heading out on the trail to
avoid unnecessary risks.
No matter how long or difficult a hike one plans to
take, Bob Baker from the Analysis and Integration
Division, Air Force Safety Center at Kirtland Air Force
Base, N.M., suggests observing the following rules to
avoid hiking difficulties:
• Don’t hike alone. Hiking with a friend can be enjoyable and it helps provide safety for both hikers. If one
gets injured, help is as close as their hiking partner. The
uninjured person can attend to first aid, call for help and
signal rescuers. Even better than hiking with one friend
is hiking with three. Then, if someone gets injured, one
person can stay with the injured party and the other two
can go for help – no one is left alone.
• Tell people the hiking route, the plan for getting
there (trail names/numbers or sketch a simple map) and
a return time. It is important to follow the plan because deviating from
it can lead potential searchers to
look in the wrong area.
• It is important to develop a
working knowledge of routine hiking areas. Explore areas that are
frequently hiked and gradually
expand knowledge of the area.
• Leave a clothing description
and gear list with someone so
searchers will know what to look
for and will have an idea of how
long the hiker can make it in the
wilderness. Include a list of any
required medicines and the timing
of the last dose. This is especially
important for people with diabetes,
heart conditions and many other
life-threatening medical conditions.
• Save cell phone batteries. As
hikers go deeper in the wilderness,
the phone will ramp up its output power just to talk with
a cell tower. As it does so, the battery drains quickly.
Don’t make unnecessary calls – doing so deprives rescuers of a good tool to locate a lost hiker.
• Keep an eye on the weather.
Those puffy, friendly looking
clouds can quickly turn threatening. Understand local conditions.
In the mountains, clouds can build
into thunderstorms within 15 minutes, complete with life-threatening lightning.
• Learn outdoor survival skills
through commercial or local organizations, such as orienteering, hiking and camping clubs.
• Practice sound risk management. Assess personal skills and
stay within them. Overestimating one’s abilities can lead to
great peril.
• Be mentally and physically prepared, packing the right equipment
and following some common sense
rules will help hikers safely enjoy
their time in the wilderness.
Central Texas offers numerous scenic hiking
areas. With safety in mind, hiking can be an enjoyable outdoor activity that enhances physical health
and increases stamina.
JULY 16, 2010
WINGSPREAD
PAGE 7
Randolph chaplain assistant runs well-oiled machine
By Airman 1st Class Precious Yett
502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs
Mary Bolden has been the administrative assistant to
the wing chaplain for more than 20 years.
Since her permanent change of station from Japan to
Randolph, she has experienced many changes, the most
recent being Joint Base San Antonio.
“The impact is that our unit functions more like a
branch or division instead of a wing,” Ms. Bolden said.
“It is almost like a branch of Lackland. Lackland has the
basic military training mission, tech training and permanent party, all three under the leadership of the wing
chaplain, while the day-to-day operations are carried out
by the respective branch chaplain. All of us now fall
under Lackland; all the administrative processes go
through Lackland.”
The changes affected a large portion of her duties, but
change is necessary and positive.
“It will be positive once we get all of the processes perfected, but we’ve only started in February, so right now
we are all working together to get the processes to
where they function smoothly. We fall under the 502nd
Air Base Wing and we are still working on becoming one
large well-oiled machine,” she said.
Ms. Bolden participates in many activities
involved in Airmen’s lives. One of the major organizations is the Homeless Ministry, formerly at
Randolph which evolved into a new program that
“My best experience
working here has
been with Chaplain
Novotny. Under his
direction, the
chapel has now
returned its
complete focus back
to the Airmen and
the community of
Mary Bolden
Randolph.”
Randolph chaplain assistant
works mainly in the local community.
“The single Airmen used to come and help make the
bag lunches and distribute them to the homeless people,” she said. “I built rapport with the single Airmen
and the Airman Leadership School students so when
they needed service projects, they would come and help
the homeless ministry. I have been involved in a lot of
Airmen’s lives. The homeless ministry that I had has
taken on a new look and a new perspective. It ran for 17
years here at Randolph. Just recently, because of the
new laws set by San Antonio, we can no longer distrib-
ute food to homeless people on the street. The ministry
has done a reconstruction. It has transformed itself into
doing more projects for the community where Hope
Temple is, the church I pastor. It has morphed into
something besides a homeless ministry, but that is how I
originally became integrated with the Airmen on base. I
started dealing with a lot of them through the ministry.”
Ms. Bolden works under the direction of Chaplain (Lt.
Col.) Richard Novotny, 502nd Air Base Wing, Operating
Location Bravo.
“My best experience working here has been with
Chaplain Novotny,” she continued. “Under his direction,
the chapel has now returned its complete focus back to
the Airmen and the community of Randolph.”
As part of the chapel staff, Ms. Bolden helps out wherever help is needed. The staff works together as a team.
For example, during the monthly dorm dinners the
chaplain’s office’s whole focus is for the Airmen to enjoy
each other and the meal provided.
“We just want them to come together and get to know
each other from different units and have fun,” said Ms.
Bolden said.
Ms. Bolden’s favorite Bible verse, one she often
recites to Airmen during their times of difficulties in
order to help them remember why they enlisted and
to remind them they never have to walk alone is:
“When you’re in a valley, that valley can become a
well of water springing up to refresh you and coming
down to sustain you.”
Foster parents needed for future MWDs
The Department of Defense Military Working
Dog breeding program at Lackland Air Force
Base is seeking volunteers to raise and socialize
future Military Working Dogs. Puppies are
fostered out from the time they are 9 weeks old
until they are 6 months old.
All supplies are provided, including a crate,
food, toys and all veterinary services. The puppies are required to return to Lackland AFB for
monthly vaccinations and evaluations. Civilians
and active- duty members are encouraged to
foster these future Military Working Dogs.
For more information, call 671-3686 or e-mail
[email protected].
“I need a foster home!”
PAGE 8
JULY 16, 2010
WINGSPREAD
FEATURE
Photo by Steve White
Airman 1st Class Adriana Carrasco (left) and Airman 1st Class
Fernandez Garcia, Air Force Personnel Center, brave the large slide
at Schlitterbahn Water Park in New Braunfels, Texas, where first
term Randolph Airmen had an "Airman Bash" July 9.
FUN IN THE SUN, TEXAS STYLE
This year’s Airmen’s Bash makes big splash
By Airman 1st Class Precious Yett
502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs
On July 9, this year’s Airmen’s Bash commenced at Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels.
The Airmen’s Bash was a day off of work
for Airmen to relax in an atmosphere of
their peers.
The Airmen’s Bash is organized by the
First Sergeant’s Association, Chapter 1075,
and has been running for approximately 17
years now.
“Enjoy, have fun. If you’re prone to burn
put suntan lotion on. Be safe. Hydrate. Be a
good Wingman,” said Senior Master Sgt.
Damon Smith, the AFSA Airmen’s activity
coordinator, at the pre-briefing.
The Airmen organizers for this year’s
event were Senior Airman Daniel
Henderson and Airman 1st Class Kyle
Jones, Air Force Personnel Center, evaluations procedures technicians. They were
selected by Sergeant Smith. The organizers
were in charge of allocating funds, transportation, getting the word out and accepting RSVPs.
This year the organizers are putting
together a mandatory survey for the
Airmen to participate in after the event in
order to gauge how the event went. In the
past there was not a method of feedback.
Usually, the Airmen would go to Canyon
Lake, but due innovative thinking by the
new points of contact a different place was
chosen. Schlitterbahn gives military members a 48 percent discount, which means
the tickets cost the Airmen only $20 instead
of the normal $40.
“It was a good opportunity to take the
time to get out of the office and mingle with
new people we’d never met before” said
Airmen Henderson.
“I think the Airmen’s Bash went fairly
well this year. My favorite part of the day
was everyone being together and enjoying a
Wingman day outside of work,” added
Airmen Brandon Gibbs, 902nd Comptroller
Squadron, financial services technician.
JULY 16, 2010
WINGSPREAD
PAGE 9
THE ROAR OF 30,000 POUNDS OF THRUST
Mechanics solve T-38 engine problems in test cell
By Robert Goetz
502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs
The roar of the T-38C Talon’s J-85
engine is heard throughout the day at
Randolph, but sometimes that sound is
far removed from the base community.
It is contained within Bldg. 85, a
detached structure near the north end
of the west flightline, distinguishable
only to the veteran mechanics of the
12th Flying Training Wing’s propulsion shop who spend part of their time
in that facility, home of the J-85
engine test cell.
The mechanics’ job is to evaluate each
J-85 engine brought to them from the
flightline or another Air Force base and
fix or replace external parts and systems
as needed – typically at Bldg. 33 – or send
it to a facility at Laughlin Air Force Base,
Texas, for internal repairs. Part of their
evaluation involves running the engine,
which produces more than 30,000
pounds of thrust.
“We make sure the engines are safe to
run,” said Richard Jones, a mechanic
with more than 40 years’ experience on
active duty and as a civilian. “We install
them in the test cell and do a hands-on
evaluation. We also run the engines to see
what is wrong.”
Mechanics inside the test cell wear
double hearing protection – earplugs and
a specially designed helmet – when the
engine is running, while soundproofing
protects those at a cockpit-like console in
an adjoining room from the deafening
noise. The console houses a variety of digital and analog gauges that measure
everything from oil pressure and fuel flow
to thrust and exhaust gas temperature.
Richard Jones, aircraft engine mechanic, checks the fittings on a T-38 engine.
An engine’s journey to the test cell
typically begins with the pilot, who
reports a discrepancy with an aircraft
to an expediter from the sortie generation section, which performs pre- and
post-flight inspections, launch and
recovery, and servicing of aircraft.
“The expediter is responsible for
relaying information from the pilots to
the Maintenance Operations Center and
the appropriate maintenance personnel,” said Randy Schul, 12th FTW
propulsion shop supervisor. “They are
also involved in the debrief process.”
He said a debriefer works for sortie
generation and takes the information
from the pilot, expediter and mechanics
and enters it into the Core Automated
Maintenance System, or CAMS, the
data collection system used by the Air
Force to record all aircraft maintenance actions.
Mechanics from the maintenance
support unit, who are involved in the
troubleshooting process, may perform
repairs themselves, but if the engine is
taken out of the aircraft for further
evaluation, it is taken to the test cell.
“If the engine comes out, we’re
going to get it,” said Mr. Jones. “We
can repair anything external, but anything internal (such as bearing or
compressor failure) goes to ERRC (the
Engine Regional Repair Center at
Laughlin) for repairs.”
Engines that are repaired or overhauled at Laughlin also come back to
the propulsion shop mechanics for
reverification at the test cell, he said.
Mr. Schul said the evaluation of
each engine that comes to the test
cell is rigorous.
“The mechanics go through a troubleshooting guide,” he said, referring to the
manufacturer’s technical order. “They
have a procedure to follow. Every engine
gets a complete check, no matter what
Photos by Steve White
the problem might be.”
“We run the whole engine and check
everything,” said Mr. Jones. “It’s like taking the car to a mechanic. We just go
down the line until we hit the problem.”
Mr. Schul, whose mechanics evaluate
some 35 to 40 engines per month, said an
inventory of spare engines is available, so
when one is removed from an aircraft, it
can immediately be replaced.
“We’re always rotating engines,”
he said. “We usually have 14 to 16
spares available.”
Mr. Schul said the test cell operators at
Randolph average more than 37 years of
military and civil service experience in
aircraft and engine maintenance. He also
said most of them performed complete
disassembly, inspection and buildup of J85 engines when the base had an engine
overhaul facility.
“This vast knowledge of the engine,
understanding of the interrelationship
of the components and operational
experience working on the flightline
provides them with superb test cell
troubleshooting skills,” he said. “They
experience and skills they possess are
invaluable to an engine mechanic
whose sole job is to produce reliable
engines in support of the T-38 pilot
training mission here at Randolph.”
PAGE 10
WINGSPREAD
ADVERTISEMENT
902nd Force Support Squadron Briefs
JULY 16, 2010
JULY 16, 2010
WINGSPREAD
PAGE 11
SPORTS - HEALTH - FITNESS
Sports
BRIEFS
Sports physicals
The Wilford Hall
Medical Center Pediatric
Clinic at Lackland Air
Force Base will conduct
annual sports physicals
for WHMC pediatric prime
patients 8-22 years on
Friday afternoons from
July 30 through Aug. 27.
Parents should bring the
patient’s military identification, shot record, third
party liability card and any
school forms that need to
be completed.
To schedule an appointment, call 916-9900. Due to
space issues, only the child
with the appointment and a
parent should go to the clinic and patrons should allow
plenty of time for parking.
Children with special needs
will need to make an individual appointment at
another time.
For more details, call
Tech. Sgt. Jacqueline
Martinez at 292-0786.
Water aerobic classes
Water aerobic classes
are offered Monday and
Wednesday from 10-11 a.m.
at the center pool. Classes
cost $3.
Youth sports
Registration for youth
sports runs through Aug.
13. The cost is $40 per
youth. For complete
details, call the youth
center at 652-3298.
IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL RUN
New running track under construction
By Kelly Parsons
502 Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs
Randolph will soon offer another area
for active-duty and DoD cardholders to
stretch their legs.
Construction began in mid-June on a
new quarter-mile outdoor running track.
The track will be located off of H Street
across from the Rambler Fitness Center on
what is now Grater Field.
Marlin Richardson, Rambler Fitness
Center director, said the track is open to all
DoD cardholders, however, units doing physical training tests will have priority during
PT testing times. In the past, Eberle Park
has served as the official location for unit
physical training tests.
“The new track will add safety and accuracy to the unit PT tests,” Mr. Richardson
said. “Runners at Eberle Park have to be
aware of cars driving along the road, also,
the out-and-back nature of the 1.5-mile
running course means that runners can
lose valuable time turning around.”
Mr. Richardson also noted that a standardized track adds to one’s ability to prepare for PT tests.
“Instead of going and running 1.5 miles
over and over, a person can do interval
training and sprints, which add to cardiovascular capability and help a person
improve their speed.”
Peggy Hill, 902nd Civil Engineering
Squadron civil engineer, said the track is
projected to take about six months to complete pending favorable weather.
The area inside the four-lane track will
feature a grass field sized for flag football
and soccer matches. Lights around the
track will ensure activities can continue
after the sun sets.
Randolph currently offers runners an
indoor track along the perimeter of the
second floor in the Rambler Fitness
Center, as well as an outdoor paved path
which leads runners by the golf course
and flight line.
Photo by Steve Thurow
The chain-link fencing around Grater Field was
dismantled to make way for a new running track.
Testing blocks fill up for revised fitness assessment
By Robert Goetz
502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs
Rambler Fitness Center personnel report a smooth transition
as service members begin testing under the revised Air Force
Fitness Program.
The revised program, which requires service members to take
the fitness assessment twice a year and pass each of four test
components, officially began July 1.
“The number of people taking the test has been low so far, but that
should increase,” said Ronnie King, 902nd Force Support Squadron
Fitness Assessment Cell team member. “We’re still early in the process.
We project more people signing up and preparing for the test.”
Mr. King is one of three FAC team members who conduct all four
test components, another feature of the program. In the past, unit fitness program managers were responsible for testing personnel.
Three testing blocks per day allow FAC team members to test 36
service members each day, but Adriana Ortiz, 902nd FSS fitness specialist intern, said only five or six Airmen are taking the test each day
so far. However, testing blocks at the end of the month are quickly filling up, and people are still registering for July testing blocks that are
Intramural Softball Upcoming Games
All games are currently being played on the Rambler Softball Field
available. August registration is also under way.
Because the former system ended last month, many Airmen will not
have to take the FA for as many as six months.
“A lot tested in June, so they won’t be due again until
January,” Ms. Ortiz said.
The revised program requires active-duty and reservist personnel to meet a mandatory minimum based on age and gender
in each of four categories – push-ups, sit-ups, abdominal circumference and a 1.5-mile run.
“For the most part, everybody’s doing pretty well,” said Mr.
King, who added that push-ups are proving to be the most difficult portion of the test.
Although the program requires semiannual testing, it also allows
Airmen who score a 90 or above in each of the four categories to test
again in a year rather than six months.
“A lot of people are striving for that,” Ms. Ortiz said.
Airmen can register for a test date and time online at https://randolph.eis.aetc.af.mil/fast/default.aspx. When the FA is scheduled,
Airmen must meet in front of Room 135 at the fitness center no later
than 10 minutes prior to their testing time and wear an approved Air
Force physical training uniform.
• July 19
6 p.m. - 559th FTS vs AFMA
7 p.m. - 562nd FTS vs AFRS
8 p.m. - 902nd SFSs vs Fire Dept.
• July 20
6 p.m. - 359th MDG vs AFPC
7 p.m. - AETC vs FSS #2
8 p.m. - FSS #1 vs 99th FTS
• July 21
6 p.m. - 902nd CPTS vs AFMA
7 p.m. - 561st DET 2 vs 562nd FTS
8 p.m. - Fire Dept. vs 559th FTS
PAGE 12
JULY 16, 2010
WINGSPREAD
Intramural Softball
Standings
As of Wednesday
AETC
FIRE DEPT
AFPC
359 MDG
559th FTS
FSS #2
902nd SFS
4-0
3-1
2-0
2-1
2-1
2-1
2-1
561st DET 2
AFRS
562nd FTS
FSS #1
902nd CPTS
AFMA
99th FTS
2-1
2-1
1-2
0-3
0-3
0-4
0-4