NCO Academy gets $6M upgrade - San Antonio Express-News

F R I D A Y, J A N U A R Y 2 2 , 2 0 1 0
w w w. l a c k l a n d . a f . m i l • G AT E WAY T O T H E A I R F O R C E • L A C K L A N D A I R F O R C E B A S E , T E X A S • Vo l . 6 8 N o . 3
INSIDE
2010 AETC SYMPOSIUM
Commentary
4
Recognition
6
What’s Happening 18
News & Features
Check six
10
Opthamologists
12
Photo by Robbin Cresswell
AETC Symposium
15
Intramural basketball 19
Lt. Gen. Michael Gould, Air Force Academy
Superintendent, says hello to military working dog
Jjet at the 2010 Air Education and Training
Command Symposium Jan. 14. See Page 15 for
more about the AETC Symposium.
NCO Academy gets $6M upgrade
By Mike Joseph
Staff Writer
View the Talespinner online
at www.lackland.af.mil
The Robert D. Gaylor NCO
Academy officially reopened
Jan. 15 after completing a
multi-million dollar renovation.
A $6 million makeover to
the 29,000 square foot build-
ing, begun in November 2008,
included relocating classrooms
and the student learning
resource center.
“They gutted the entire
facility,” said Senior Master
Sgt. Clarence Brown, director
of resources and Gaylor
Academy first sergeant. “It
was rebuilt from the studs up.”
The renovation standardized the entire building,
according to Sergeant Brown.
It now groups the 16 flight
rooms and administrative
offices on the first floor. The
second floor consists of the
learning resource center,
where the students will have
access to 30 systems and net-
work printing capabilities.
They will also be able to do
research, homework assignments and check e-mail.
Before the project, classrooms of different configurations were split on both floors.
The main learning center
See ACADEMY P2
PAGE 2
TALESPINNER
JANUARY 22, 2010
ACADEMY from P1
was on the first floor with several mini-LRCs on the
second floor.
“In the new configuration, the instructor offices
are co-located with the flight rooms,” said Sergeant
Brown. “The whole facility is outfitted with new
furniture and everything is standardized throughout. It will provide a uniformed educational environment for the students.
“If students walk into another flight room, nothing would change,” he added. “There is nothing to
disrupt the ability of those students to learn.”
The academy provides leadership courses to
NCOs from various bases. Approximately 224 students attend classes every seven weeks with 14 students per flight room. In addition to the students,
the academy houses 18 instructors, four superintendents and support staff.
Courses include profession of arms, unit management and leadership, and communications.
The academy is named in honor of retired Chief
Master Sgt. Robert D. Gaylor, the former Chief
Master Sergeant of the Air Force.
Since the academy opened its doors in 1973,
thousands of NCOs have received training there for
positions of increased responsibility. Every year,
more than 1,600 students attend the academy,
which is part of the Air University at Maxwell Air
Force Base, Ala.
Photo by Robbin Cresswell
Retired Chief Master Sgt. Robert Gaylor and his wife Selma, along with 37th Training Wing leadership, cut the ribbon to
the renovated Robert D. Gaylor NCO Academy Jan. 15. Chief Gaylor was the ranking Air Force enlisted servicemember
from Aug. 1, 1977 to his retirement Sept. 1, 1979.
JANUARY 22, 2010
TALESPINNER
News
BR I E F S
PAGE 3
MOVE ’EM OUT
CONTESTANTS TO PERFORM
Contestants for the 2010 Tops In Blue
cast will be performing at the Bob Hope
Performing Arts Theater Friday through
Sunday with free admission.
Performances begin at 7 p.m. Friday and
Saturday, and at 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Call 671-2619 for more information.
37TH TRW ANNUAL AWARDS
The 37th Training Wing annual awards
banquet is Feb. 5 at the Gateway Club, 6
p.m.
Meal prices are $19 for vegetarian or
chicken, and $22.20 for fish.
Contact your first sergeant for tickets.
RAPE CRISIS CENTER CLOTHES DRIVE
A clothes drive for the rape crisis center
continues through Feb. 3.
New items needed are socks and underwear, all sizes, for men, women and children; men’s t-shirts and sweatpants, all
sizes and colors; children’s sweatpant outfits, all sizes and colors, boys’ and girls’;
women’s or teen yoga pants, all sizes and
colors; and women’s long sleeve t-shirts, all
sizes and colors.
Contact Edith Davis of the Sexual
Assault and Prevention Outreach office at
671-8773 for dropoff locations at Lackland,
Wilford Hall Medical Center, Security Hill,
Kelly Annex and Brooks City-Base.
LACKLAND TECHNOLOGY EXPO
The Lackland technology expo is Monday,
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Gateway Club.
Sponsored by the 37th Communications
Squadron, the exposition features more than
30 exhibits by information and technology
vendors.
H1N1 VACCINE AVAILABLE
The H1N1 vaccine is available at the
Wilford Hall Medical Center Immunizations
Clinic.
The vaccine is mandatory for active-duty
members, including active duty and civilian
health care workers. It is also available for
civilian employees.
For more information, call 292-5730 or
go online to http://www.whmc.af.mil/h1n1/
index.asp.
Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeromy Cross
Tech. Sgts. Keith Cloninger (ground) and Mark Forman, 455th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron, use a 25K Loader to off
load a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle, or M-ATV, at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Jan. 13. Sergeant
Forman is deployed from Lackland.
Air Force officials announce enlisted board,promotion schedules
By Tech. Sgt. Amaani Lyle
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFNS) – Air Force
officials released new enlisted promotion board and testing schedules Jan.
14.
“The 2010 enlisted promotion rates
look promising,” said Chief Master Sgt.
Mark Long, the enlisted promotions,
evaluations and physical fitness chief.
“Nearly all 2009 rates slightly
increased from 2008 and we anticipate this year’s rates to hold steady
and be comparable to last year,” he
said.
While the Weighted Airman
Promotion System evaluation criteria
will remain the same, the calendar
year 2010 senior master sergeant and
chief master sergeant board briefs will
document whether or not the
Community College of the Air Force
degree is complete, the chief added.
The senior master sergeant and
chief master sergeant boards are now
Feb. 1-19 and Oct. 18-29, respectively.
New testing dates for E-5 through E-9
are as follows:
• E-6/7, Feb. 1 through March 31
• E-5, May 1 through June 15
• E-9, Sept. 7 through 10
• E-8, Dec. 1 through 14
Promotion eligibility cutoff dates are:
• March 31 for E-5
• Dec. 31 for E-6/E-7
• Sept. 30 for E-8
• July 31 for E-9
“We want all Airmen to be aware of
these key dates and understand the
program so they can do everything in
their power to achieve their promotion
and career goals,” Chief Long said.
“We all know how difficult enlisted
promotion tests are, so it’s never too
early to prepare.”
Studying and preparation are the
keys to testing success, the chief said.
“Time and again, I hear stories
from Airmen who did not study and
missed promotion by a few points,” he
said.
“Be a confident Airman on the
release day knowing you gave it your
best shot. Being prepared for promotion testing is an individual responsibility and it falls squarely in the Air
Force core value of ‘excellence in all
you do.’”
For more information view the
Enlisted Program Promotion fact sheet
at http://ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil/
eprom.
PAGE 4
TALESPINNER
JANUARY 22, 2010
COMMENTARY
Little brown book guides enlisted path
By Senior Master Sgt. Darrell Smith and Master Sgt. Steve Colon
59th Inpatient Operations Group; 33rd Operations Group
Air Force Instruction 36-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure, is often called the
little brown book. We have all seen it: you likely received it at the First Term
Airman’s Center or from a supervisor. If not, you can get a copy from your first
sergeant.
So, what’s the big deal about the little brown book?
First, it’s little for a reason. It fits perfectly in any Airman battle uniform pocket
and, at only 23 pages, it is small enough to take anywhere. Short, simple, and to
the point, it’s the Air Force’s blueprint for every enlisted member from airman
basic to chief master sergeant.
The Enlisted Force Structure defines what’s expected of all junior Airmen,
NCOs, and senior NCOs. These expectations aren’t optional. The first sentence of
chapters three, four and five all end with the word “must”. They don’t end with
“should”, “maybe”, “might”, or “can”; they end with “must”.
In our copies, we’ve highlighted and underlined in red the word must as a
reminder that these instructions are an absolute requirement. It doesn’t get any
simpler.
This AFI is a great supervisory tool, but it also has checks and balances. While
an NCO can use it to shape junior Airmen in their duties while holding them
accountable for their responsibilities, junior Airmen can do the same with their
NCOs. If a junior Airman sees an NCO not in compliance with the AFI, he should
correct that NCO. The book also clearly defines first sergeant and other special
senior NCO positions. If they are not meeting one of those requirements, I expect
someone to bring it to their attention.
Paragraph 3.1.5 of the little brown book even covers our off-duty conduct.
According to the book, Airmen must “exhibit professional behavior, military bearing, respect for authority, and high standards of dress and personal appearance,
on- and off-duty.” Whether in uniform or not, Airmen represent the Air Force at
all times. It’s important to be mindful of the kind of image you are portraying to
the local community.
As members of the military, we are held to a higher standard. This AFI, and all
AFIs for that matter, aren’t suggestions. They’re mandatory requirements. Our
people and adherence to standards is what makes us the greatest Air Force the
world has ever seen.
The Air Force doesn’t have an enlisted bible, but the little brown book is as
close as it comes. So get it, read it, know it and live it.
COL. WILLIAM H. MOTT V,
37TH TRAINING WING
COMMANDER
OSCAR BALLADARES,
DIRECTOR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS
JOE BELA,
CHIEF OF INTERNAL
COMMUNICATIONS, 671-4111
SHANNON CARABAJAL,
MANAGING EDITOR, 671-1786
MIKE JOSEPH,
STAFF WRITER, 671-4357
PATRICK DESMOND,
SPORTS EDITOR/STAFF WRITER,
671-5049
PAUL NOVAK,
DESIGN/LAYOUT, 671-0478
Office:
1701 Kenly Ave. Suite 102
Lackland AFB, Texas
78236-5103
(210) 671-1786;
(fax) 671-2022
E-mail: [email protected]
Commander’s Action Line:
actionline@lackland. af.mil.
Straight Talk: 671-6397 (NEWS)
For advertising information:
Prime Time Military Newspapers
2203 S. Hackberry
San Antonio, Texas 78210
(210) 534-8848
(fax) 534-7134
Courtesy Photo
Staff Sgt. Ariel Acosta, 59th Surgical Inpatient Squadron,
reads through Air Force Instruction 36-2618, The Enlisted
Force Structure. The AFI serves as a career model and
guide for the enlisted ranks.
What to do in case of tooth trouble
By Col. Kent Sabey
59th Dental Training Squadron
Dental emergencies, mild and severe,
occur every day. Preventative measures
such as good oral hygiene, consistent
periodic check-ups and wearing athletic
mouth guards can help avoid tooth trouble. We all want to preserve our natural
teeth and avoid discomfort, so it is
important to determine which situations
require immediate action and which are
less urgent. The American Dental
Association published the following suggestions on how to manage some dental
Editorial staff
situations:
• If something is caught between teeth,
try to gently remove it with dental floss,
but avoid injuring the gums. Do not try to
remove it with a sharp instrument. If you
can’t dislodge the object using floss, contact your dentist.
• If you have bitten your lip or tongue,
use a soft cloth to clean the area and
apply gentle pressure. You can apply a
cold compress to reduce swelling. If
bleeding in the area doesn’t stop, see
your dentist promptly.
• A cracked or broken tooth may be
painful when chewing or might be sensi-
tive to hot and cold liquids. A toothache
may be caused by tooth decay, such as a
cavity or a defective filling. Removing
food or debris that might be caught, or
rinsing the mouth with water may provide some relief. Call your dentist for an
appointment so the condition can be
evaluated. If you notice any swelling of
the gums or cheek near a tooth that is
aching, you should call your dentist
immediately.
• Gums can bleed or become sore. Use
good brushing and flossing techniques
See TOOTH P5
This newspaper 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 Lackland AFB,
Texas. This commercial enterprise Air
Force newspaper is an authorized
publication for members of the U.S.
military services. Contents of the
Talespinner 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 race, color, religion, sex,
national origin, age, marital status,
physical handicap, political affiliation,
or any other nonmerit factor of the
purchaser, user or patron.
Editorial content is edited,
prepared and provided by the Public
Affairs Office of the 37th Training Wing.
All photos, unless otherwise indicated,
are U.S. Air Force photos.
Deadline for submissions is
noon Thursday the week prior to
publication.
JANUARY 22, 2010
TOOTH from P4
and rinse the mouth
with warm water. Make
an appointment with
your dentist to determine why this is occurring.
• If you have tooth or
gum pain, a proper
dose of an over-thecounter analgesic, such
as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can be helpful until you can make
an appointment with
your dentist. Make sure
you have no history of
allergy or adverse reaction to the medicine. It
is not recommended to
place pain pills against
the gums near the
aching tooth because it
may burn the gum tissue.
• Results of tooth trauma can be quite variable. Teeth may be tender and the gums may
bleed slightly. A portion
of a tooth may be miss-
TALESPINNER
ing. A tooth may be
partially moved out of
its normal position. If
any of these occur, call
your dentist.
• Occasionally a tooth
is knocked completely
out of its socket. If this
occurs, the best action
is to hold the tooth by
the crown and gently
rinse the root, if it is
obviously dirty. Do not
scrub it or remove any
attached tissue fragments. Insert the tooth
back into the socket. If
that isn’t possible, put
the tooth in a cup of
milk and see your dentist as quickly as possible.
• Some severe accidents can result in a
broken jaw. Signs of
this may include pain, a
change in the way your
teeth fit together, or
swelling. Contact your
dentist or an emergency room right away
in this case.
PAGE 5
Lackland Tax Center
Bldg. 1000 on Kenly Avenue
Opens Feb. 1
Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–12 p.m. & 1–3 p.m.
Closed Fridays
Appointments necessary for everyone except
basic trainees and technical school students,
which are seen on a walk-in basis.
BMT HONORS
PAGE 6
Congratulations to the following 81 Airmen for being
selected as honor graduates
among 817 trainees graduating today:
321st Training Squadron
Flight 111
Espinet Alcaraz
David Haupt
Nathan Hayden
Dervon Hayes
Eric Rasnake
Joseph Robinson
Matthew Sindelar
Flight 112
James Decker
Martin Evans
Stephen Koehle
322nd Training Squadron
Flight 109
Patrick Forbes
Mitchell Gideon
Gregory Hansen
Robert Keller
Jeffery Korhonen
Steven Mattson
TALESPINNER
Sean O’Connor
Saxon Paiz
Ronald Waite
Flight 110
Jayci Adams
Mary Barker
Angela Bragg
Jennifer Davis
Risa Hess
Lindsey Kuty
Christin Pelletier
Vanessa Robledo
323rd Training Squadron
Flight 101
Tyler Anderson
Peter Christensen
John Cool
David Duggan
Daniel Epps
Jacob Fox
Benjamin Gehrig
Brandon Maley
Jacob Tyson
Flight 102
Matthew Bushek
Kendell Coleman
Drew Criner
JANUARY 22, 2010
Ryan Galbreith
Mathew Hansen
Devin Lynch
Ryan Reynolds
Dennis Rivera
Burt Stinson
Trevor Thompson
Ryan Youngberg
Flight 100
James Anderson
Nicholas Fisher
Randy Fouse
Marcus Klein
Keenan Prince
323rd Training Squadron
Flight 113
Andrew Bear
Trevor Leahy
Jordan Midgley
Alan Thompson
Brian Youngberg
Flight 114
Rebekah Schappel
Kelly Williams
326th Training Squadron
Flight 105
James Cowan
Jonathan Fariss
David Smith
Flight 106
Kyle Copeland
Gregory Gorski
Tony Roberts
324th Training Squadron
Flight 099
John Esqueda
David Evers
Casey Frueh
L B Johnston
Joshua Jones
Kyle Norman
Sidney Richards
331st Training Squadron
Flight 103
Justin Bender
Connor Olney
Jacob Parenti
Teagan Sanders
Flight 104
Kamille Reaves
Elizabeth Watson
Top BMT Airman
Rebekah Schappel, 323rd
TRS, Flight 114
Most Physically Fit
Male Airmen
Jordan Noonan, 326th
Flight 105
Jordan Ruiter, 320th
Flight 107
Female Airmen
Allison McCall, 331st
Flight 104
Jody Romeo, 320th
Flight 108
Male Flights
320th TRS, Flight 107
324th TRS, Flight 099
Female Flights
323rd TRS, Flight 114
322nd TRS, Flight 110
TRS,
TRS,
TRS,
TRS,
Top Academic Flights
321st TRS, Flight 111
326th TRS, Flight 105
EARNING THEIR STRIPES
Photos by Alan Boedeker
59th Medical Wing Commander, Maj. Gen. Tom Travis (left), and 59th MDW
Command Chief Master Sgt. Richard Robinson (right) present Staff Sgt.
Jennifer Daily with Technical Sgt. stripes Jan. 11 in the Wilford Hall Medical
Center Auditorium. Sergeant Daily, course supervisor, diagnostic imaging
phase II, received an immediate promotion as part of the Stripes for
Exceptional Performers Program.
59th Medical Wing Commander, Maj. Gen. Tom Travis (left), and 59th MDW Command Chief
Master Sgt. Richard Robinson (right) present Tech. Sgt. Gwendolen Wilder with Master
Sergeant stripes Jan. 11 in the Wilford Hall Medical Center Auditorium. Sergeant Wilder,
NCO-in-charge of the 59th MDW equal opportunity office, received an immediate promotion as
part of the Stripes for Exceptional Performers Program.
JANUARY 22, 2010
TALESPINNER
PAGE 7
Lackland honors Martin Luther King Jr.
By Mike Joseph
Staff Writer
A capacity crowd was on hand to hear retired
Brig. Gen. Toreaser Steele deliver the keynote
address at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. commemorative luncheon Jan. 14 at the Gateway Club.
The annual luncheon sold out before the event as
nearly 300 people gathered in the main ballroom to
hear General Steele’s remarks, a gospel choir and a
video presentation about Dr. King.
General Steele, a former 737th Training Group
commander in the mid-1990s and 31-year Air Force
veteran, recalled with fondness her time at
Lackland and the changes that were endured during command.
“Compared to my tour more than a decade ago,
they pale in comparison to the demands for change
you are experiencing today,” she said. “The Rev. Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was a servant to the people
who embraced change; he desired to be God’s
change agent.”
She cited the slain civil rights leader’s desire to
change the status of a people by removing the injustices that blocked their access to the freedoms that
were enjoyed by others in this nation.
Photo by Alan Boedeker
Retired Brig. Gen. Toreaser Steele gives comments during
Lackland's Martin Luther King Day luncheon Jan. 14. The
general spoke about Dr. King's vision of change.
General Steele said Dr. King fought for non-violent social change, change in the implementation of
laws and change in the hearts of the people.
“We have not been as willing as perhaps we
should have been in embracing change, desiring
instead to remain status quo,” she said.
She then recounted how the citizens of the United
States, not ethnic groups, elected Barack Obama the
first African American president, drawing one of
several rounds of applause during her address.
“Dr. King believed so strongly in a need for
change he was willing to put his life on the line and
ultimately would lose it for the sake of change to
bring justice and quality to all Americans,” she said.
General Steele went on to say Dr. King knew the
sacrifices of freedom and that change would be
required to extend those freedoms to those being
denied.
“He really meant it when he said, ‘Lord, send
me,’” she added. “Many of you know when you
make such a statement you had better be ready to
go. Dr. King was ready and he went.”
After citing President Obama’s wish to honor Dr.
King by being of service to others on Jan. 18, the
official MLK Day observance, General Steele concluded by saying Dr. King’s legacy is one of change
through service to others.
“Dr. King touched the citizens of this great nation
and others around the world,” she said.
JANUARY 22, 2010
TALESPINNER
Scholarships open
to housing residents
By Dianne Borges
Balfour Beatty Communities
Balfour Beatty Communities
Foundation is promoting the pursuit of
education and a commitment to community leadership through educational
scholarships for children of active- duty
military members living in Lackland’s
privatized base housing.
The foundation offers scholarships
that reward high school and undergraduate students in need of financial
assistance, recognizing their educational and leadership efforts.
Lackland family housing residents
with high school and undergraduate
students may apply for these scholarships for the 2010-2011 academic year,
valued up to $2,500.
The application, details and requirements can be found at www.bbcommu-
nitiesfoundation.org. The application
deadline is April 15.
Balfour Beatty Communities
Foundation was proud to award 17
academic scholarships to students
residing in its communities across the
country for the 2009-2010 academic
year.
Balfour Beatty Communities
Foundation is a non-profit organization
committed to honoring military personnel – active, disabled and fallen – and
their families.
“Balfour Beatty Communities is
committed to providing a quality living
environment that supports the diverse
interests and needs of our military
families. Through Balfour Beatty
Communities Foundation, we say,
‘thank you for the work you do and the
sacrifices military families make,’” said
Bruce Robinson, president and CEO.
PAGE 8
8PAGE 9
TALESPINNER
JANUARY 22, 2010
Program reaches out to dorm residents
By Mike Joseph
Staff Writer
The first Check Six event of the year is Thursday, 6
p.m., at the Kisling Community Center.
The event, co-sponsored by Freedom Chapel, 37th
Communications Squadron and 67th Network
Warfare Wing chapel, is a social activity for permanent party dormitory residents.
According to Freedom Chapel Chaplain (Capt.) Alex
Jack, music by a disc jockey, swimming, X-box and
prizes will be among the activities. Chief Master Sgt.
Darryl Morris, 67th NWW command chief, will also
speak to the attendees.
“We try to give them a nice meal since they don’t
have a dining facility or a real kitchen to cook in,”
said Chaplain Jack, in charge of this Check Six event.
“So typically, the co-sponsors grill steaks and chicken.
It’s a night to relax, have fun, socialize and get to
know other people.”
He said that Check Six is one way for the Freedom
Chapel chaplains to reach out to the dorm residents,
“to let them know we care, we’re available, and we’re
here for them.”
The group plans for 200 to attend out of the more
than 800 permanent party residents on base.
Past winter Check Sixes have been held in
December but was switched this year to January.
“We were planning on having it in December …
but the lull occurs after the holidays,” said Chaplain
(Maj.) Stephen Allen, Freedom Chapel branch chief.
“Considering the amount of attention given in
December to Christmas, parties, a heightened sense of
checking ourselves, I thought it was a great insight by
Chaplain Jack to move it to January.
“That’s the time things are occurring in others’
lives that maybe we need to give a little special attention to,” he added. “There’s an elevated level of stress
in January and February.”
Chaplain Allen said the funding for this Check Six
comes from the Freedom Chapel congregation
through Sunday offerings. He added many members
of the congregation are retired Air Force who want to
help the dorm Airmen.
“They (the congregation) have a great passion to
help the young Airmen,” Chaplain Allen said. “They
remember how lonely it can be in the dorms, and this
is their way of saying, ‘we want to be a part of your
life, we support you, we’re behind you 100 percent.’
“It’s a gracious gift from the parishioners who want
to be a part of that.”
Ophthalmic surgeons employ
cutting-edge technology
PAGE 10
By Staff Sgt. Vanessa Young
Defense Media Activity-San Antonio
Ophthalmic surgeons at
Lackland are the first in the
Defense Department to employ a
state-of-the-art laser that will
shorten recovery times for corneal
transplantation.
Members of the ophthalmology
department assigned to the 59th
Medical Wing now use a femtosecond laser to dissect human cornea
tissue for cornea transplants or
refractive surgery.
The laser produces a very short,
(one-billionth of a second), intense
pulse that gives ophthalmologists a
hyper-accurate way of cutting the
cornea tissue. Ophthalmic surgeons can program the laser to
make very specific shapes that act
like a tread pattern on the tissue.
For cornea transplants, the laser
allows ophthalmic surgeons to
design very specific interfaces
between the donor tissue and the
host, said Lt. Col. (Dr.) Charles
Reilly, the chair of the department
of ophthalmology for the 59th
MDW. These specific cuts improve
healing and the speed of recovery,
which makes the overall surgery
much more successful.
The ophthalmic surgical team
performed the first three corneal
transplants using this technology
three months ago.
“They are all doing just terrific
and their visual recovery is just
amazing,” Doctor Reilly said.
The normal recovery time for
corneal transplantation patients is
one year.
“The beauty of this laser is that
we can start removing the sutures
at a much earlier rate,” Doctor
Reilly said. “With this procedure,
we hope we can cut (recovery time)
down to six or seven months.”
Since the inception of the
corneal transplant technology in
the 1950s, Wilford Hall ophthal-
TALESPINNER
mology surgeons have been some
of the pioneers.
The ophthalmology team continues to be at the forefront of
advancing the science of human
cornea transplant, Doctor Reilly
said.
“We are doing things here that
not very many medical centers in
the U.S. are capable of doing when
it comes to eye surgery,” Doctor
Reilly said. “We’re not standard of
care; we’re state of the art.”
Having a premiere eye surgical
program within the Air Force
directly translates to the combat
environment, he added.
“This new technology will play a
huge role in visual recovery of our
men and women in uniform who
suffered eye injuries with corneal
scars and other problems in
pathology from (Operation Iraqi
Freedom) and (Operation Enduring
Freedom),” Doctor Reilly said.
The ophthalmologists here will
play an even bigger role in the
advancement of servicemembers’
eye care when the Wilford Hall
campus becomes the Vision Center
of Excellence for DoD
According to Doctor Reilly,
under the San Antonio Military
Medical Center concept, the center
will serve a three-part mission:
Research and eye care; education;
and largest eye clinic in DoD.
The 59th MDW ophthalmology
and optometry team will partner
with their Army counterparts to
not only create the largest eye center, but also the leader in education
for eyes and the center for excellence for eye surgery and visual
science.
“We’re excited to bring the best
of the best together and to offer the
best surgery,” he said. “It’s almost
unfair to be an eye surgeon in the
Air Force right now because we
have the best equipment and the
best patients; it really is the melding of perfection.”
JANUARY 22, 2010
Photo by Staff Sgt. Robert Barnett
Lt. Col. (Dr.) Charles Reilly examines a patient’s eyes at Lackland. Doctor Reilly was the
first in the Department of Defense to use a femtosecond laser to cut cornea tissue in preparation for a cornea transplant. Doctor Reilly is the chair of the department of ophthalmology
for the 59th Medical Wing.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Desiree Palacios
Maj. (Dr.) Vasudha Panday
performs a cornea transplantation on John Kelly Dec. 22 at
Lackland’s Refractive Surgery
Center. Dr. Panday is assigned
to the 59th Medical Wing.
JANUARY 22, 2010
TALESPINNER
PAGE 11
Photo by Staff Sgt. Desiree Palacios
Maj. (Dr.) Vasudha Panday looks through a microscopic instrument as she performs a corneal transplant on Gloria Bolick Dec. 22
at Wilford Hall Medical Center. Doctor Panday is assigned to the 59th Medical Wing.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Desiree Palacios
Dr. Adriana Ramirez watches a corneal transplant on Gloria Bolick Dec. 22 at Wilford Hall
Medical Center. Doctor Ramirez is an ophthalmology resident at University of Texas Health
Science Center.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Desiree Palacios
Maj. (Dr.) Vasudha Panday a performs corneal transplant on Gloria Bolick Dec. 22 at
Wilford Hall Medical Center.
JANUARY 22, 2010
TALESPINNER
PAGE 12
2010 AETC Symposium reaches new heights with record attendance
By Capt. Rose Richeson
Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
More than 3,700 people attended the
2010 Air Education and Training
Command Symposium held at the Henry
B. Gonzalez Convention Center in downtown San Antonio last week, the largest
showing to date.
The symposium featured nearly 100
academic seminars on a variety of Air
Force topics, a technology exposition
hosted by the Alamo chapter of the Air
Force Association and a formal ball.
Col. John Thompson’s seminar on
social networking for the Air Force was
filled to capacity and then some. His
hour block discussed how the Air Force
continues leveraging industry for systems, services and best practices for professional networking and social learning
adapting them to the Air Force learning
environment.
“You will see folks saying things like,
‘Hey I’m deploying,’ or ‘I’m deployed and
getting ready to go out on a mission,’ and
if the enemy can see that type of information they can take advantage of it,”
Colonel Thompson said. “So we need to
train them (Airmen) not to do that.”
In addition to the symposium, Airmen
viewed and interacted with more than
100 vendor and unit demonstrations at
the AFA Exposition including medical
operating room displays, helicopter
training simulations, remotely piloted
aircraft presentations and many more.
Other displays included more handson programs like a C-130 airdrop simulation designed by Lockheed Martin
showing how the front end crew and
back end of the aircraft are able to communicate and operate in a simulated
environment that they’ve never been
able to do before outside the actual aircraft.
When the seminar rooms emptied out
and the exhibit hall was drawing to a
close Jan. 15, more than 1,000 people
attended the AETC Ball, the command’s
largest formal event of the year.
“This year’s symposium was truly a
world-class event and we have the entire
staff and attendees to thank for it,” said
James Sturch, AETC symposium event
director.
“We continue to receive positive feedback and are already gearing up for the
2011 symposium, which should only get
bigger and better.”
Lackland Conservation Corner
SAVE ENERGY!
During the winter season, reset your
thermostat from 72 degrees to 65 degrees
for eight hours a day (for instance, while no
one is home or while everyone is tucked in
bed) you can cut your heating bill by
up to 10 percent.
Photo by Robbin Cresswell
Tracy English, 37th Training Wing Historian, discusses the history of military
aviation in San Antonio during the 2010 Air Education and Training Command
Symposium Jan. 14. More than 3,700 people attended the two-day symposium
held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.
Stay up-to-date during special events
and rough skies. Call 671-NEWS
Lackland technology expo
2PAGE 13
TALESPINNER
The Lackland technology expo is Monday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
at the Gateway Club. Sponsored by the 37th Communications
Squadron, the exposition features more than 30 exhibits by
information and technology vendors.
JANUARY 22, 2010
ARRIVING ON TIME
Photo by Kemberly Groue
The first 82 Air Force Basic Military Training graduates arrive at Keesler AFB, Miss.,
Jan. 13. The weekly flights from Lackland Air Force Base to Keesler is a quality-of-life
initiative which reduces travel time from a 15-hour bus ride to a 1 1/2-hour flight.
JANUARY 22, 2010
TALESPINNER
PAGE 14
COMMUNITY
Local
BRIEFS
LAPA SETS MEETING
The Lackland Administrative
Professionals Association meets
Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., at the Gateway
Club’s Maverick Lounge for its
monthly luncheon.
LAPA is open to secretaries and
administrative assistants.
ARTS GROUP MEETING
A general membership meeting
of the Lackland performing arts
group is Thursday, 6 p.m., at Arnold
Hall Community Center.
The group is open to anyone
interested in learning acting, musical production, and technical theatre or management skills such as
producing or directing. No experience is necessary.
The next production is “Speed
Date” May 14-15.
PROPERTY OFFICE SEEKS PCSING AIRMEN
The Lackland Personal Property
CHAPEL SERVICES
Christian
Catholic
Monday-Friday:
Freedom Chapel
Mass, 11:30 a.m.
Office seeks participants for a new
Web-based management system for
permanent change of station moves.
Beginning Feb. 1, the Defense
Personal Property System will allow
registered users to set up and track
their household goods movement via
the Web. It will also have an automated claims settlement module
and built-in customer satisfaction
survey.
To participate, a hard copy of
PCS orders and a DPS account are
required.
For more information, contact the
personal property office at 6712821.
Additional information about DPS
is available at www.move.mil.
HYPERTENSION EDUCATION CLASS
A hypertension education class is
Feb. 1, 12:30-3:30 p.m., at Wilford
Hall Medical Center.
The class is open to any patient
or family member interested in
Orthodox
Saturday:
Airmen Memorial Chapel
Divine Liturgy, 9:30 a.m.
Religious Education,
10:45 a.m.
Monday-Friday:
Wilford Hall Chapel
Mass, 11 a.m
Protestant
Sunday:
Airmen Memorial Chapel
Liturgical Service, 8 a.m.
Saturday:
Freedom Chapel
Confessions, 4:45 p.m.
Mass, 5:30 p.m.
Hope Chapel
Spanish Contemporary,
12:45 p.m.
Contemporary, 10:45 a.m.
Sunday:
Freedom Chapel
Religious Education, 9
a.m.
Mass, 11 a.m.
Freedom Chapel
Contemporary Service,
9:30 a.m.
Gospel Service, 12:30
p.m.
Children’s Church
provided
Religious Education, 11
a.m.
Wednesday and
Hope Chapel
Hispanic Mass, 9:15 a.m.
Wilford Hall Chapel
Mass, 3 p.m.
learning more about hypertension.
For more information or to register, call the Nephrology Clinic at
292-6868.
geant. Technical sergeants and
above are also eligible to attend.
Contact any first sergeant for
more details.
AACA NEEDS SINGERS
ANNUAL FASHION SHOW
The African American Cultural
Association needs singers for its
annual gospel celebration program
Feb. 6.
Rehearsals are in the Gateway
Chapel, each Monday and Friday
through the performance date.
Contact Karen Knowles at 6711721 or Chiretta Boclair at 9776545 for more information.
The Team Lackland African
American History Cultural
Association’s annual fashion show is
Feb. 13.
The theme for the show is
“Motown in Review.” Event proceeds
will go to the AAHCA scholarship
foundation, which gives scholarships to Department of Defense
graduating seniors in the San
Antonio area.
Contact Tracy Parmer at 2928145 or Staff Sgt. Jennifer Brown at
671-5858 for more information.
FIRST SERGEANTS SYMPOSIUM
Air Education and Training
Command and the Team Lackland
First Sergeants Council will host the
AETC First Sergeants Symposium
Feb. 8-12.
The symposium is open to those
interested in becoming a first sergeant or an additional duty first ser-
Sunday:
Medina Chapel
Contemporary Service, 9
a.m.
Wicca
Friday:
Defense Language
Institute
Student Center
Faith Study, 1:30 p.m.
Jummah Prayer, 1:30-2:30
p.m.
Sunday:
Religious Education, 10:00
a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Jewish
Friday:
Airmen Memorial Chapel
Sabbath Eve Service,
The Lackland Officers’ Spouses
Club scholarship applications for
fall 2010 are available at the
Gateway Club cashier’s cage, the
thrift shop, the education office and
on the LOSC Web site at www.
lacklandosc.org. The submission
deadline is March 1, 2010.
For more information, refer to the
OSC Web site or call Darla Gerner,
scholarship chairman, at 888-5063.
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
testing is scheduled for Feb. 20,
7:30 a.m., in Bldg. 5725, Room 153.
Eligible active duty, Reserve or
5:45 p.m.
Religious Education, 4:30
p.m.
Islamic
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
SAT TEST SCHEDULED
Thursday:
Bible Study, 6 p.m.
Wilford Hall Chapel
Traditional Service, 1:30 p.m.
Guard personnel are authorized to
sit for only one DANTES-funded
administration of the SAT for a service or education requirement.
Eligible personnel can contact
the Lackland Education Office at
671-2895, 671-2896, 671-2897 or
671-2633 for reservations.
1st Wednesday:
Freedom Chapel
Room 8,
San Antonio Military
Open Circle,
6:15 p.m.
For more information,
contact the chapel staff:
Freedom Chapel • 671-4208
Gateway Chapel • 671-2911
Hope Chapel • 671-2941
WHMC Chapel • 292-7373
To see menus for
Lackland dining halls,
go online to
www.lackland.af.
mil and click on the
“Services” link.
KEY FAMILY SUPPORT RESOURCES
Air Force Aid Society
Airman & Family Readiness Center
Airman's Attic
Base Post Office
Bowling Center
DEERS
Family Child Care
Legal Office
Library
Medical Appointment Line
MPF ID Cards
Outdoor Recreation
TRICARE Info
Thrift Shop
Lackland Enlisted Spouses’ Club
Lackland Force Support Squadron
Lackland ISD
Lackland Officer Spouses’ Club
Lackland public Web site
My Air Force Life
Year of the Air Force Family
671-3722
671-3722
671-1780
671-1058
671-2271
800-538-9552
671-3376
671-3362
671-3610
916-9900
671-6006
925-5532
800-444-5445
671-3600
www.lacklandesc.org
www.lacklandfss.com
www.lacklandisd.net
www.lacklandosc.org
www.lackland.af.mil
www.MyAirForceLife.com
www.af.mil/yoaff
What’s Happening v
4PAGE 15
JAN. 25
RETURN AND REUNION SEMINAR
A return and reunion seminar is
Monday, 2:30-3:30 p.m., at the Airman
and Family Readiness Center, Bldg.
1249.
The seminar is an informal forum
about the stress families and individuals experience during separation.
For more information, call 6713722.
MOTHERS OF PRESCHOOLERS
Mothers of Preschoolers, or MOPS,
meets for Bible study and fellowship
Monday, 9:30 a.m., at the Freedom
Chapel’s Fellowship Hall.
Child care for preschool-aged children will be provided.
For more information, call 6714208.
meets for Bible study Tuesday, 10 a.m.,
at Freedom Chapel in Rooms 5 and 6.
Activities for children are offered
during the meeting.
For more information, call 6714208.
WOMEN’S CLUB LUNCHEON
The retired Officers’ Wives and
Widows Club luncheon is Tuesday, 11
a.m., at the Fort Sam Houston club.
Mary Reynolds of Elegant Furs will
present a program on fur restyling.
For reservations, contact Arline at
822-6559.
JAN. 27
HANDLING STRESS CLASS
Praise dance class meets Monday,
6 p.m., at Arnold Hall Community
Center. For details on the free classes,
call 671-2619.
The Airman and Family Readiness
Center will host a class on anger, anxiety and techniques for relaxation
Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at
the AFRC, Bldg. 1249.
The class will review signs of
stress and relaxation techniques to
cope.
Call 671-3722 for information.
JAN. 26
JAN. 28
PROTESTANT WOMEN OF THE CHAPEL
CHECK SIX
PRAISE DANCE CLASS
Protestant Women of the Chapel
Check Six for permanent party dor-
TALESPINNER
v Family Support Events
MONTHLY MEETINGS
ENLISTED SPOUSES CLUB
The Lackland Enlisted Spouses Club meets every third Tuesday of the month,
6:30 p.m., at Arnold Hall Community Center. For more information, visit www.lacklandesc.org.
OFFICERS’ SPOUSES CLUB
The Lackland Officers’ Spouses Club meets every third Thursday of the month,
11 a.m., at the Gateway Club. For more information, visit www.lacklandosc.org.
PROTESTANT WOMEN OF THE CHAPEL
The Protestant Women of the Chapel meet every Tuesday, 10 a.m., in Rooms 5
and 6 at the Freedom Chapel for bible study. Activities for children are offered. For
more information, call 671-4208.
MILITARY COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN
The Military Council of Catholic Women meet the first Friday of the month, 10
a.m., at the Freedom Chapel. For more information, call 671-4208.
mitory residents is Thursday, 6 p.m.,
Kisling Community Center.
library about his book “An Airman’s
Odyssey.” Call 671-2619 for more
information.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Author Richard Rowly will speak
Thursday, 7-8 p.m., at the Lackland
SWING DANCE LESSONS
Free swing dance lessons are
WWW.LACKLANDFSS.COM
JANUARY 22, 2010
Thursday, 6-7 p.m., at Arnold Hall
Community Center.
For more information, call 6712619.
JAN. 29
BUDGET AND SPENDING CLASS
A budget and spending class is
Jan. 29, 10:30 to noon, at the Airman
and Family Readiness Center, Bldg.
1249.
The class teaches the basics of
financial management.
For more information, call 6713722.
FEB. 1
RETURN AND REUNION SEMINAR
A return and reunion seminar is
Feb 1, 2:30-3:30 p.m., at the Airman
and Family Readiness Center, Bldg.
1249.
The seminar is an informal forum
about the stress families and individuals experience during separation.
Call 671-3722 for more information.
FEB. 3
FOUR TO GO CLASS
A Four to Go class is Feb. 3, 8:30
a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Airman and
Family Readiness Center, Bldg. 1249.
The class provides information for
those planning to separate or retire
from the military in the next four years.
Call 671-3722 for more information.
FEB. 16
HEART LINK ORIENTATION
Heart Link, the Air Force’s official
orientation program for spouses, will
be held Feb. 16, 6-9 p.m., at the
Airman and Family Readiness Center,
Bldg. 1249.
Heart Link is an interactive program targeted at all spouses new to
Lackland or the military, as well as
fiancées and other service branch
spouses assigned to the base.
Heart Link is designed to increase
awareness of the mission, customs,
traditions, protocol and support
resources in the Air Force.
A light dinner and reimbursable
childcare will be offered.
Reservations are required and can
be made by calling Terryca Fuller at
671-3722.
H
JANUARY 22, 2010
BRIEF S
5K
The 737th Training
Group is sponsoring the
Texas Polar Bear 5K Run
Feb. 6. The $15 race-day
registration opens at 7
a.m., with the race at 8
a.m. For more details, call
497-8214.
POLAR BEAR
VARSITY SOCCER TRYOUTS
The varsity soccer program is holding open tryouts and practice
Tuesdays and Fridays, 6-8
p.m., at the Warhawk
Field.
For more information,
contact the sports office
at 671-3716.
BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL
TRYOUTS
Varsity softball tryouts
are Feb. 15-19, and baseball tryouts are Feb. 1618.
For more details, call
women’s softball coach
Michael Richardson at
671-3871, men’s coach
J.J. Rady at 373-0593 and
baseball coach Davin
Dukes at 977-2774.
BASKETBALL CLINICS
The Lackland African
American Heritage
Committee and the youth
center are offering two
free basketball clinics,
focusing on game fundamentals, Feb. 12.
For more details, call
671-2611.
VALENTINE FUN RUN
The Valentine fun run
is Feb. 10, 3:30 p.m.,
starting at the Lackland
Outdoor Recreation
Center.
TALESPINNER
Intramural basketball
PAGE 16
SPORTS
TIs ‘go-to-guy’ comes up big
Story and photo by Patrick Desmond
Sports Editor
week,” he said. “It just shows.”
If David Robinson was playing intramural basketball in the
Air Force Wednesday night, it
might have looked like this: an
athletic center grabbing
rebounds, running fastbreaks
and owning the paint.
Except for the fact that the
737th Training Group’s center
Gabe Lewis also drains 3-balls.
Lewis led the TIs (5-1) in a
convincing 43-27 win over the
668th Alteration and Installation
Squadron Wednesday night,
totaling his 17 points in the
paint, from the charity stripe
and around the perimeter.
“He’s a beast,” TIs coach Saul
Bookman said. “He’s our go-toguy for sure.”
About the only thing Lewis
didn’t do was throw one down.
“I’m just very selective,”
Lewis said. “I’ve had a couple
surgeries so I pick and choose
when I do (slam dunk).
“My team trusts me with the
ball. I’ll do what I can to make
sure we win.”
For Bookman, the win proves
lunchtime practice is paying off.
“We’ve been practicing really
hard, about two or three times a
After spacing 17 points
between the 543rd Support
Squadron’s halftime score and
its own, the 345th Training
Squadron watched the lead
dwindle to seven before its
starters went back in the game
to seal the 44-39 win.
“We almost lost that one,”
Matt Heifner said, laughing in
relief. “We went on a little
drought, but were able to start
hitting shots.”
Heifner, seven points, was
instrumental in creating breathing room in the first half.
By Patrick Desmond
Sports Editor
Narrow escape
Coming up short
By the time short-handed
37th Force Support Squadron
put its fifth player onto the
court, the 37th Medical Group
already had a 25-6 lead.
They nearly doubled the difference by the final whistle in
the 79-42 win.
Even Med Group’s leading
scorer was in disbelief.
“I thought I had like 10,”
Lawrence Burkett said after
hearing he scored 31 points,
with seven 3-pointers. “Really? I
wasn’t even trying.”
345th Training Squadron’s Matt Heifner rises above a 543rd Support
Squadron defender during the second American Conference intramural
basketball matchup Wednesday at the Chaparral Fitness Center.
Astros to shine at base exchange
Baseball fans are some of the most loyal
of all sports, as evidenced by the crowd that
quickly packed Lackland’s base exchange
last spring for the Astros Caravan tour stop.
The visit was a surprise to some, and
word of mouth spread throughout the base
community.
This year, when the MLB team’s community outreach tour visits the BX
Wednesday, the stars will shine again.
Tentatively scheduled, former first base-
man and 1994 National League MVP Jeff
Bagwell will be joined by current pitchers
Bud Norris and Matt Lindstrom, and former
pitcher and Astros broadcaster Jim
Deshaies to meet with fans and sign autographs.
Fans are encouraged to sport Astros
gear and bring memorabilia when they
meet players at the entrance of the base
exchange, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Community affairs director Shawn
Bertani and coordinator Dairanetta Spain
ask that fans limit the items to one autograph per player.
Pictures are prohibited to ensure the
greatest amount of fans meet the players
during the one-hour stay, event coordinator
Dwayne Reed said.
The nine-day tour makes stops at
schools, hospitals, military bases at locations around Texas, Louisiana and Mexico.
Other stops around San Antonio are
planned for HEB (281 N.), 12-1 p.m., and
Academy Sports and Outdoors (714 West
Loop 1604 North).
Last year’s autograph session featured
Mike Hampton, Mark Saccomanno, and
Bagwell.
6PAGE 17
TALESPINNER
JANUARY 22, 2010
Training camp deadline
extended into February
By Patrick Desmond
Sports Editor
The program that produced standout service boxers such as three-time
All-Air Force light heavyweight champion Rodney Ellison is looking for a
few Airmen to fill their shoes.
Currently, Air Force boxing coach
Steven Franco is reviewing nine applicants, three from Lackland. But he’s
out for more local talent.
Air Force sports has extended the
application deadline for the Air Force
boxing training camp until March 1.
Training camp begins March 20.
Boxers who make the cut will continue
to train through April 25.
Eligible applicants need to have five
USA boxing-sanctioned bouts under
their belt to join the program and fight
in the Armed Forces and amateur
national tournament – the program’s
ultimate goals.
However, Franco said a boxer with
only three bouts will be admitted as
two more fights will be picked up at
the Lackland hosted All-Air Force Boxoffs, April 3-4 at the Bennett Fitness
Center.
Eligible applicants enter into the 10day training camp, which is designed
Gridlocks
to weed out boxers who lack physical
fitness, necessary technique and mental toughness.
The training camp serves to further
strengthen basics such as counterpunching and physical conditioning.
Due to time limitations, potential
boxers need to come into camp fit,
eager and open-minded, Franco said.
“Physically, the PT program now in
the Air Force is doing a good job,” he
said. “So, a lot of guys are already in
some type of shape.
“Now, they are going to have to get
in even better shape.”
He said that’s half the battle. The
rest is applying fundamentals.
For less experienced boxers, the
ability to pick up training quickly is
crucial.
“That’s what we’re looking for,”
Franco said, “‘Can this guy apply what
we just taught him?’ We don’t have
much time; a month later, we’re at
Armed Forces.”
Compared to the Army and Marine
boxing programs, the Air Force is
ostensibly at a disadvantage, considering the other branches’ year-in-yearout commitment to the sport.
But the Air Force coach has a different perspective.
“A lot of the people (the Army and
Marines) box, they have already fought
in different tournaments. With our
guys, they don’t know who we’re
bringing in.”
Finally, Franco expects boxers to
bring enthusiasm into the camp.
“The will to win,” he said. “You
have to have a heart to win; you’re not
just here to get away from work for a
while.”
The theories are then put into application inside the ring at the Box-offs, a
deciding factor in who makes the cut
for the 2010 boxing team.
Franco said it doesn’t matter who
wins or loses at the All-Air Force tournament, but just that the boxers show
competence.
“And, just because they won doesn’t mean we are going to keep them,”
he said. “It’s about who performs the
best, who’s going to provide us with
the best chance of winning at Armed
Forces and nationals.”
Three Lackland fighters have filed
applications: Richard Smith (178
pounds), Matt McCoy (152 pounds) and
Chris Mann (165 pounds).
Two of the three, McCoy and Smith,
also train in mixed martial arts.
McCoy is looking to return to the
camp, after making the cut in 20072008, followed by a hiatus last year.
“He has some skill; he’s pretty good
at both, MMA and boxing,” Franco
said.
Smith would be joining the camp for
the first time.
At the moment, the Air Force boxing gym is changing houses from the
Bennett Fitness Center, to its new
home at the Chaparral Fitness Center
in March.
During the camp, boxers will live in
the Defense Language Institute dorms
and cross the street to the fitness center three times daily for training sessions.
People interested in applying for a
spot in the camp can turn in Air Force
Form 303, Request for USAF specialized Sports Training, to the Chaparral
Fitness Center, or contact the sports
office at 671-3716 for more information.
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NFL Conference Championships
NY Jets at Indianapolis
Sunday
Minnesota at New Orleans
Sunday
Indianapolis
Minnesota
Indianapolis
Minnesota
Indianapolis
New Orleans
Indianapolis
Minnesota
Indianapolis
New Orleans
Which QB will have the highest rating Sunday?
Drew Brees
Peyton Manning
Drew Brees
Peyton Manning
Drew Brees
Weekend
Forecast
“Home field advantage has rarely
been so important,
as Saints outscore
old man Brett in a
classic.”
Todd Hedgepeth
AFLOA