RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE 64th Year • No. 33 • AUGUST 20, 2010

A publication of the 502nd Air Base Wing – Joint Base San Antonio

INSIDE ... MISSION ACCOMPLISHED, P3 ... COL. PEEL TAKES COMMAND, P5 ... GRIDIRON GRIT, P12 ... SIGN-UP FOR RAMBLER 120, P14

Page 10Be Alert ...School starts

Monday

PAGE 3WINGSPREADAUGUST 20, 2010

NEWS

By Robert Goetz502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

An aircraft that has helped train budding navi-gators and electronic warfare officers at Randolphfor nearly 20 years will soon be grounded forever,but not before the “flying classroom” completestwo important missions.

Students in Class 10-15, Randolph’s final combatsystems officer graduating class, are taking part intheir last mission in the T-43, the modified Boeing 737used for navigator training, this weekend.

Next month the base community will celebrate theretirement of theT-43 with a host of activities, includ-ing a golf tournament and dining-in Sept. 16 and acomposite flyby Sept. 17.

“The T-43 was specially designed to teach celestialnavigation,” said Lt. Col. Peter Deitschel, 562nd FlyingTraining Squadron commander. “It’s done a fantasticjob, but we needed something better because studentshave to learn to manage multiple weapon systems andconduct missions with constant change.”

Class 10-15’s final T-43 mission, which beganThursday, took them to Naval Air Station NorthIsland, Calif. A combined mission of navigation and

electronic warfare students, Lt. Col. Robert Orris,563rd Flying Training Squadron commander, calledit “an opportunity to put their learning to use in amore realistic environment.”

“This one’s a bit different,” said Maj. JeffreyWelborn, 562nd FTS director of operations. “Thistime we’re combining both squadrons in a finalevent. They will be learning from each other.”

Students planned the mission and gave a briefingWednesday. They listened as instructors correctedmistakes and offered their insights Thursday, the daystudents began to execute the mission.

“We don’t tell them what route to fly,” Colonel Orrissaid. “They do all the planning - from how much fuel ison board to where they will stay.”

Colonel Deitschel called the mission, which endsMonday, the “culmination of all the skills they’ve learnedin nine months of training here.”

By now the students are “well-versed in mission plan-ning,” Major Welborn said.

“It’s amazing to see that evolution from its start tothis point,” he said. “It’s in large part due to thededication of instructors in each squadron. It’s aspecial time for us because we see how they’veevolved and what they can do.”

Paraphrasing Col. Jacqueline Van Ovost, former12th Flying Training Wing commander, ColonelDeitschel said instructors “take spectators andmake them aviators” in the time they study here.

“They grow up while they’re here,” he said. The T-43 retirement observance, which will begin

Sept. 16 with a golf tournament at 9 a.m. and a socialhour for dining-in and spouses’ dinner participants at5:19 p.m., will feature the aircraft’s final flight, part ofa composite flyby, at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 17.

“The composite flyby with the T-43 in the lead willcommemorate 37 years of aviation history,” ColonelDeitschel said.

The base community is welcome to attend theevent, he said. Stands will be set up in front of theoperations building.

A picnic lunch is planned at 12:30 p.m. in the areabetween the 562nd and 563rd FTS buildings.

A viewing of one of the two remaining T-43s isscheduled later in the day.

“It will be the last chance to view it,” ColonelDeitschel said.

One of the T-43s will be on permanent display atRandolph while the other will head for the Air Force’s“bone yard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.

Randolph’s ‘flying classroom’ down to final missions

By Robert Goetz502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

Combat systems officer training atRandolph won’t end until the last classgraduates Oct. 1, but one of the pro-gram’s most durable – and essential –tools was retired last week, its finalmission accomplished.

Members of Class 10-15, the 562ndFlying Training Squadron’s C Flight,spent the afternoon of Aug. 11 conduct-ing their last missions in the CSO pro-gram’s remaining T45 navigation simu-lators, which have served the Air Forcesince they were first used at Mather AirForce Base, Calif., in the early 1970s.

“The T45 simulator has been aroundfor 37 years,” said Lt. Col. PeterDeitschel, 562nd FTS commander. “It’sbeen a workhorse for the Air Force.”

“Direct replicas” of what students seein the T-43 aircraft, the program’s 24T45 simulators – four student stationsand an operator/instructor console ineach of six complexes – prepared navi-gation and electronic warfare studentsfor their future duties. The simulators

helped students learn how to use radarand navigate using radar.

Colonel Deitschel said more than20,000 students from the Air Force,Navy, Marines and Coast Guard andaviators from 37 different countrieshoned their navigation skills using theT45 simulators at Mather andRandolph, where it was a constant fornearly 20 years.

He said the T45 simulator was “anti-quated” compared to the state-of-the-art T25 simulator that was used atRandolph’s 563rd FTS, the squadrontasked with the electronic warfare com-ponent of CSO training. The T25 simu-lator is now a mainstay at the 479thFlying Training Group at Naval AirStation Pensacola, Fla., where the nextgeneration of CSOs is training.

“Someone had to push buttons,”Colonel Deitschel said, and the operatorsat the console, personnel from contractorLB&B Associates Inc., acted as pilot andair traffic controller while adjusting air-speed, altitude and headings.

Mission accomplished for ‘workhorse’ simulators

Photo by Rich McFaddenFrom left to right: Second Lt.s Daniel Howe, Chris Creveling and Dan Duck, from the562nd Flying Training Squadron, plot the course they will take during the last T-45simulation at Randolph.See SIMS P8

Maj. Mike Cranston, T-1 instructor pilot,signals for pick up during a simulatedhelicopter rescue after a water bail out.The practice was part of water survivalrefresher training for T-1 pilots Aug. 5.For more photos of the training, seepage 10. Photo by Steve White

Wingspread Office1150 5th Street East

Randolph AFB, Texas 78150Phone: (210) 652-5760

Fax: (210) 652-3142Wingspread Advertisements

Prime Time Military Newspapers2203 S. Hackberry

San Antonio, Texas 78210Phone: (210) 534-8848

Wingspread e-mailnews@randolph.af.mil

This paper is published by Prime Time Military Newspapers, aprivate firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, underexclusive written contract with Randolph AFB, Texas. This com-mercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publica-tion for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of theWingspread are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsedby, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or theDepartment of the Air Force.

The appearance of advertising in this publication, includinginserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by theDepartment of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, or PrimeTime Military Newspapers of the products or services advertised.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made avail-able for purchase, use or patronage without regard to the race,color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical ormental handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factorof the purchaser, user, or patron.

Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the PublicAffairs Division of the 502nd Air Base Wing OL-B in accordancewith local policy and style guidance. All photos, unless otherwiseindicated, are U.S. Air Force photos.

Articles for the newspaper should be submitted by noonThursday the week prior to the desired publication date. Items canbe dropped off on a PC- or Macintosh-formatted disk at theWingspread office in Hangar 6.

Articles for submission may also be sent by e-mail tonews@randolph.af.mil.

For details about submissions, call 652-5760.

ON THE COVER

WINGSPREADPAGE 2 AUGUST 20, 2010

COMMENTARY

By David RobertsDefense Media Activity-San Antonio

“Where’s Sergeant Thompson?”“He’s TDY until Wednesday at oh-six-

hundred, but then he has his PT test,and he starts out-processing next weekfor his PCS to a new AOR.”

“Oh. I thought he was going to helpme with the CSAF and SecAF stories,but I guess I’ll have to check with myNCOIC to see what the plan is.”

“Well, if you need help with the pho-tos, you can call the MAJCOM with theVIRINs, and they should be able to getyou the cutlines ASAP.”

While this hypothetical conversationmay be an exaggeration, it captures theessence of the dialogue I heard on myfirst day as a contractor for the AirForce News Service at Defense MediaActivity-San Antonio.

Prior to my arrival, I was unaccus-tomed to working with members ofthe military. As a result, my firstdays working alongside my Airmencolleagues were both humbling and enlightening.

In addition to my cluelessness aboutthe countless acronyms being constant-ly bandied about, I was also largelyunaware of the sacrifices made by thosewith whom I was working.

While I had always respected ser-vicemembers’ role in protecting ournation, I didn’t fully realize that themission to protect and defend extend-ed at all times to each and everymember of the military.

Like many civilians who have seldomcrossed paths professionally with menand women in uniform, I alwaysassumed that wars were fought by des-ignated combat troops, with other mili-tary members supporting the mission,but otherwise leading “ordinary” quasi-civilian lives. I figured that outside ofcombat operations, other military mem-bers worked 9-to-5 jobs, and wentabout their day-to-day routines outsidethe office as any civilian would.

In some regards, this is true. Manyservicemembers do work in an officeenvironment similar to their civiliancounterparts. They spend time off withfriends and family, and are continuouslyworking to grow in their careers.

However, I have learned that the lifeof a servicemember requires a uniqueset of challenges and sacrifices notoften faced by civilians.

Perhaps the most poignant of these isthe fact that many current servicemem-bers have, at some point in theircareers, deployed to Iraq orAfghanistan, in support of operationsIraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

The stories of the dangers, trials andtriumphs of deployment, as told by mycoworkers and in countless news arti-cles and commentaries read during thecourse of my daily responsibilities as aneditor, have been both touching andheart-wrenching.

Additionally, when servicemembersdeploy, they leave behind loved onesand the comforts of home. They spendholidays, birthdays and anniversaries infar-away places, sometimes in danger-ous situations and environments, andthey do and have done so willingly, sothat civilians like me can sleep safely atnight without fear.

Moreover, in addition to the chal-lenges of deployment, I have learned

that servicemembers also face a uniqueset of circumstances at home.

For instance, when my work day isfinished, my time is essentially my ownuntil the start of the next work day.However, for military members, theduty day never ends. Servicemembersare on duty 24/7, and as a result, theymust be prepared to report to workwhenever they are needed. This meansthat they face restrictions on conduct,travel and personal freedom that thoseof us in the civilian world often takefor granted.

As a result of this constant dedication,our homeland is safe, and our nationremains strong.

Because of this, I am both privilegedand proud to have the opportunity towork beside my Airmen counterparts,and to gain a perspective on both theAir Force and the greater U.S. militarythat many civilians may neverencounter. Each day on the job is alearning experience, and the more Ilearn, the more I am able to con-tribute, within my function, to the AirForce’s mission, which in a small wayis my mission.

This mission has changed the way Ithink.

Where I previously seldom noticedAir Force planes in the sky, I now try toidentify them.

Where the operations in Iraq andAfghanistan used to be news stories ontelevision, now I sit up and take a per-sonal interest in what is going on thereand how it affects our men and womenin uniform.

And, where I used to bristle at thecopious use of acronyms, I now usethem on a regular basis, though I some-times forget that DEERS does not referto an animal, and OIC is not an expres-sion to indicate understanding.

Most importantly, though, I appreciate the men and women ofthe U.S. military for their hard workand dedication.

Thank you for your service.

Contractor gains appreciation for AF

502nd Air Base WingOperating Location Bravo

Editorial StaffBrig. Gen. Leonard Patrick

Commander1st Lt. Ryan Ernst

Deputy Chief of Public AffairsKelly Parsons

EditorAirman 1st Class Precious YettRobert Goetz, Brian McGloin

Staff WritersMaggie ArmstrongGraphic Designer

WINGSPREAD

“In addition to my cluelessness about the

countless acronymsbeing constantly

bandied about, I wasalso largely unaware ofthe sacrifices made bythose with whom I was

working.”

• When: Sept. 7 at 7:15 a.m.• Where: Parr Club, Bldg. 500• RSVP: by Sept. 2

• Cost: $12 for non-club members and $10 for club members• For details, call Maj. Juan Garcia at 652-5972.

Combined Federal Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast

CFC

PAGE 3WINGSPREADAUGUST 20, 2010

NEWS

By Robert Goetz502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

An aircraft that has helped train budding navi-gators and electronic warfare officers at Randolphfor nearly 20 years will soon be grounded forever,but not before the “flying classroom” completestwo important missions.

Students in Class 10-15, Randolph’s final combatsystems officer graduating class, are taking part intheir last mission in the T-43, the modified Boeing 737used for navigator training, this weekend.

Next month the base community will celebrate theretirement of theT-43 with a host of activities, includ-ing a golf tournament and dining-in Sept. 16 and acomposite flyby Sept. 17.

“The T-43 was specially designed to teach celestialnavigation,” said Lt. Col. Peter Deitschel, 562nd FlyingTraining Squadron commander. “It’s done a fantasticjob, but we needed something better because studentshave to learn to manage multiple weapon systems andconduct missions with constant change.”

Class 10-15’s final T-43 mission, which beganThursday, took them to Naval Air Station NorthIsland, Calif. A combined mission of navigation and

electronic warfare students, Lt. Col. Robert Orris,563rd Flying Training Squadron commander, calledit “an opportunity to put their learning to use in amore realistic environment.”

“This one’s a bit different,” said Maj. JeffreyWelborn, 562nd FTS director of operations. “Thistime we’re combining both squadrons in a finalevent. They will be learning from each other.”

Students planned the mission and gave a briefingWednesday. They listened as instructors correctedmistakes and offered their insights Thursday, the daystudents began to execute the mission.

“We don’t tell them what route to fly,” Colonel Orrissaid. “They do all the planning - from how much fuel ison board to where they will stay.”

Colonel Deitschel called the mission, which endsMonday, the “culmination of all the skills they’ve learnedin nine months of training here.”

By now the students are “well-versed in mission plan-ning,” Major Welborn said.

“It’s amazing to see that evolution from its start tothis point,” he said. “It’s in large part due to thededication of instructors in each squadron. It’s aspecial time for us because we see how they’veevolved and what they can do.”

Paraphrasing Col. Jacqueline Van Ovost, former12th Flying Training Wing commander, ColonelDeitschel said instructors “take spectators andmake them aviators” in the time they study here.

“They grow up while they’re here,” he said. The T-43 retirement observance, which will begin

Sept. 16 with a golf tournament at 9 a.m. and a socialhour for dining-in and spouses’ dinner participants at5:19 p.m., will feature the aircraft’s final flight, part ofa composite flyby, at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 17.

“The composite flyby with the T-43 in the lead willcommemorate 37 years of aviation history,” ColonelDeitschel said.

The base community is welcome to attend theevent, he said. Stands will be set up in front of theoperations building.

A picnic lunch is planned at 12:30 p.m. in the areabetween the 562nd and 563rd FTS buildings.

A viewing of one of the two remaining T-43s isscheduled later in the day.

“It will be the last chance to view it,” ColonelDeitschel said.

One of the T-43s will be on permanent display atRandolph while the other will head for the Air Force’s“bone yard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.

Randolph’s ‘flying classroom’ down to final missions

By Robert Goetz502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

Combat systems officer training atRandolph won’t end until the last classgraduates Oct. 1, but one of the pro-gram’s most durable – and essential –tools was retired last week, its finalmission accomplished.

Members of Class 10-15, the 562ndFlying Training Squadron’s C Flight,spent the afternoon of Aug. 11 conduct-ing their last missions in the CSO pro-gram’s remaining T45 navigation simu-lators, which have served the Air Forcesince they were first used at Mather AirForce Base, Calif., in the early 1970s.

“The T45 simulator has been aroundfor 37 years,” said Lt. Col. PeterDeitschel, 562nd FTS commander. “It’sbeen a workhorse for the Air Force.”

“Direct replicas” of what students seein the T-43 aircraft, the program’s 24T45 simulators – four student stationsand an operator/instructor console ineach of six complexes – prepared navi-gation and electronic warfare studentsfor their future duties. The simulators

helped students learn how to use radarand navigate using radar.

Colonel Deitschel said more than20,000 students from the Air Force,Navy, Marines and Coast Guard andaviators from 37 different countrieshoned their navigation skills using theT45 simulators at Mather andRandolph, where it was a constant fornearly 20 years.

He said the T45 simulator was “anti-quated” compared to the state-of-the-art T25 simulator that was used atRandolph’s 563rd FTS, the squadrontasked with the electronic warfare com-ponent of CSO training. The T25 simu-lator is now a mainstay at the 479thFlying Training Group at Naval AirStation Pensacola, Fla., where the nextgeneration of CSOs is training.

“Someone had to push buttons,”Colonel Deitschel said, and the operatorsat the console, personnel from contractorLB&B Associates Inc., acted as pilot andair traffic controller while adjusting air-speed, altitude and headings.

Mission accomplished for ‘workhorse’ simulators

Photo by Rich McFaddenFrom left to right: Second Lt.s Daniel Howe, Chris Creveling and Dan Duck, from the562nd Flying Training Squadron, plot the course they will take during the last T-45simulation at Randolph.See SIMS P8

Maj. Mike Cranston, T-1 instructor pilot,signals for pick up during a simulatedhelicopter rescue after a water bail out.The practice was part of water survivalrefresher training for T-1 pilots Aug. 5.For more photos of the training, seepage 10. Photo by Steve White

Wingspread Office1150 5th Street East

Randolph AFB, Texas 78150Phone: (210) 652-5760

Fax: (210) 652-3142Wingspread Advertisements

Prime Time Military Newspapers2203 S. Hackberry

San Antonio, Texas 78210Phone: (210) 534-8848

Wingspread e-mailnews@randolph.af.mil

This paper is published by Prime Time Military Newspapers, aprivate firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, underexclusive written contract with Randolph AFB, Texas. This com-mercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publica-tion for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of theWingspread are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsedby, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or theDepartment of the Air Force.

The appearance of advertising in this publication, includinginserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by theDepartment of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, or PrimeTime Military Newspapers of the products or services advertised.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made avail-able for purchase, use or patronage without regard to the race,color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical ormental handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factorof the purchaser, user, or patron.

Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the PublicAffairs Division of the 502nd Air Base Wing OL-B in accordancewith local policy and style guidance. All photos, unless otherwiseindicated, are U.S. Air Force photos.

Articles for the newspaper should be submitted by noonThursday the week prior to the desired publication date. Items canbe dropped off on a PC- or Macintosh-formatted disk at theWingspread office in Hangar 6.

Articles for submission may also be sent by e-mail tonews@randolph.af.mil.

For details about submissions, call 652-5760.

ON THE COVER

WINGSPREADPAGE 2 AUGUST 20, 2010

COMMENTARY

By David RobertsDefense Media Activity-San Antonio

“Where’s Sergeant Thompson?”“He’s TDY until Wednesday at oh-six-

hundred, but then he has his PT test,and he starts out-processing next weekfor his PCS to a new AOR.”

“Oh. I thought he was going to helpme with the CSAF and SecAF stories,but I guess I’ll have to check with myNCOIC to see what the plan is.”

“Well, if you need help with the pho-tos, you can call the MAJCOM with theVIRINs, and they should be able to getyou the cutlines ASAP.”

While this hypothetical conversationmay be an exaggeration, it captures theessence of the dialogue I heard on myfirst day as a contractor for the AirForce News Service at Defense MediaActivity-San Antonio.

Prior to my arrival, I was unaccus-tomed to working with members ofthe military. As a result, my firstdays working alongside my Airmencolleagues were both humbling and enlightening.

In addition to my cluelessness aboutthe countless acronyms being constant-ly bandied about, I was also largelyunaware of the sacrifices made by thosewith whom I was working.

While I had always respected ser-vicemembers’ role in protecting ournation, I didn’t fully realize that themission to protect and defend extend-ed at all times to each and everymember of the military.

Like many civilians who have seldomcrossed paths professionally with menand women in uniform, I alwaysassumed that wars were fought by des-ignated combat troops, with other mili-tary members supporting the mission,but otherwise leading “ordinary” quasi-civilian lives. I figured that outside ofcombat operations, other military mem-bers worked 9-to-5 jobs, and wentabout their day-to-day routines outsidethe office as any civilian would.

In some regards, this is true. Manyservicemembers do work in an officeenvironment similar to their civiliancounterparts. They spend time off withfriends and family, and are continuouslyworking to grow in their careers.

However, I have learned that the lifeof a servicemember requires a uniqueset of challenges and sacrifices notoften faced by civilians.

Perhaps the most poignant of these isthe fact that many current servicemem-bers have, at some point in theircareers, deployed to Iraq orAfghanistan, in support of operationsIraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

The stories of the dangers, trials andtriumphs of deployment, as told by mycoworkers and in countless news arti-cles and commentaries read during thecourse of my daily responsibilities as aneditor, have been both touching andheart-wrenching.

Additionally, when servicemembersdeploy, they leave behind loved onesand the comforts of home. They spendholidays, birthdays and anniversaries infar-away places, sometimes in danger-ous situations and environments, andthey do and have done so willingly, sothat civilians like me can sleep safely atnight without fear.

Moreover, in addition to the chal-lenges of deployment, I have learned

that servicemembers also face a uniqueset of circumstances at home.

For instance, when my work day isfinished, my time is essentially my ownuntil the start of the next work day.However, for military members, theduty day never ends. Servicemembersare on duty 24/7, and as a result, theymust be prepared to report to workwhenever they are needed. This meansthat they face restrictions on conduct,travel and personal freedom that thoseof us in the civilian world often takefor granted.

As a result of this constant dedication,our homeland is safe, and our nationremains strong.

Because of this, I am both privilegedand proud to have the opportunity towork beside my Airmen counterparts,and to gain a perspective on both theAir Force and the greater U.S. militarythat many civilians may neverencounter. Each day on the job is alearning experience, and the more Ilearn, the more I am able to con-tribute, within my function, to the AirForce’s mission, which in a small wayis my mission.

This mission has changed the way Ithink.

Where I previously seldom noticedAir Force planes in the sky, I now try toidentify them.

Where the operations in Iraq andAfghanistan used to be news stories ontelevision, now I sit up and take a per-sonal interest in what is going on thereand how it affects our men and womenin uniform.

And, where I used to bristle at thecopious use of acronyms, I now usethem on a regular basis, though I some-times forget that DEERS does not referto an animal, and OIC is not an expres-sion to indicate understanding.

Most importantly, though, I appreciate the men and women ofthe U.S. military for their hard workand dedication.

Thank you for your service.

Contractor gains appreciation for AF

502nd Air Base WingOperating Location Bravo

Editorial StaffBrig. Gen. Leonard Patrick

Commander1st Lt. Ryan Ernst

Deputy Chief of Public AffairsKelly Parsons

EditorAirman 1st Class Precious YettRobert Goetz, Brian McGloin

Staff WritersMaggie ArmstrongGraphic Designer

WINGSPREAD

“In addition to my cluelessness about the

countless acronymsbeing constantly

bandied about, I wasalso largely unaware ofthe sacrifices made bythose with whom I was

working.”

• When: Sept. 7 at 7:15 a.m.• Where: Parr Club, Bldg. 500• RSVP: by Sept. 2

• Cost: $12 for non-club members and $10 for club members• For details, call Maj. Juan Garcia at 652-5972.

Combined Federal Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast

CFC

PAGE 5WINGSPREADAUGUST 20, 2010WINGSPREADPAGE 4 AUGUST 20, 2010

The 902nd Security Forces Squadronwill host a town hall meeting for theRandolph community Monday from 6-9 p.m. at the base theater, Bldg. 100.

Topics on the agenda are:• Defense Biometric IdentificationSystem (new base entry procedures)• Entry access• Crime trends analysis• Housing and neighborhood watch

(new policies)• AAFES (BX and Commissary) • Question-and-answer session

For more information, call Staff Sgt.

Marcus Bernard, NCO in charge, policeservices, at 652-1646.

902nd SFS hosts town hall meetingActive Shooter Training Exercise

affects base commmunities

Photo by Steve White

Randolph and Lackland Air Force Basesare scheduled to participate in an activeshooter training exercise Aug. 31.

The members of these base communitiesare asked to be alert for emergency vehicles and the re-routing of traffic during the exercise.

EXERCISE ALERT

Randolph motorists are reminded to use cautionin school zones and at crosswalks

School starts Monday

By Brian McGloin502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

“No new commander should ever walkin with a plan to change the unit, but theyshouldn’t hesitate to make changes if nec-essary – that’s what leadership is about,”said Col. Scott Peel, 902nd MissionSupport Group commander.

Colonel Peel assumed command of the902nd MSG from Col. Alan Lake in a cer-emony here Aug. 2.

Before his new assignment, ColonelPeel recently worked as the executiveofficer to Gen. Stephen Lorenz, AirEducation and Training Commandcommander.

The colonel, who is a career space andmissile officer, said the biggest challengehe can foresee in his new assignment is

understanding the depth of the variousaspects of his job and learning about themore than 1,500 Airmen who serveunder him, as well as the vast dutiesthey perform.

The 902nd MSG has a broad mission.It’s involved in civil engineering, securityand law enforcement, telecommunica-tions, personnel, logistics, contracting,services and trainer development.

“It’s hard to appreciate the members ofa unit if you don’t understand the workthey perform every day,” Colonel Peelsaid. “The 902nd MSG is a large organi-zation blessed with hundreds of hard-working members dedicated to the mis-sion, and they deserve a commanderequally committed to them.”

Colonel Peel said he never thought hewould be a group commander, including

when he was a lieu-tenant colonel servingas a squadron com-mander in Thule AirBase, Greenland. Hisfather was a chief mas-ter sergeant and ColonelPeel grew up around theAir Force.

“As a second lieu-tenant, I definitely did-n’t envision I’d be acolonel or a groupcommander. But what’smore important is it didn’t matterwhat I thought, but depended uponwhat my commanders and supervisorsthought,” he said. “They’re the oneswho, over the years, have mentoredme, pushed me and enabled me to be

considered and ultimatelyselected for group command.”

He said he was first interest-ed in joining the Air Force as ajunior in high school when hejoined the Junior ReserveOfficer Training Corps. There,he learned the Air Force hadmore to it than he realizedbefore, aspects he neverthought about before. Heearned a scholarship throughROTC where he attended theUniversity of Missouri, Rolla.

“I’m a firm believer that it doesn’t mat-ter where you’re assigned, what unityou’re in, what job you’re doing or whatrank you are, you always have the abilityto make a difference, to learn and devel-op, and serve honorably,” he said.

New commander takes helm of 902nd MSG

Col. Scott Peel

AETC Command Chief Tappana retiresBy Jessica TurnerAir Education and Training Command Public Affairs

Air Education and TrainingCommand’s senior enlistedleader retired Aug. 13 afterserving 31 years, two monthsand 27 days, ending a careerlonger than the average enlis-tee is permitted to serve.

“I enlisted in the Air Forcefor the same reason a lot ofpeople are enlisting in the AirForce today,” said Chief MasterSgt. Robert Tappana. “Due tothe economy, a search for inde-pendence, and leaving a smalltown for the first time, myintent was to serve four years,receive the experience, get outand get a ‘real job.’ It just did-n’t work out that way.”

Chief Tappana began hisservice with the TrafficManagement Office, “movingpeople and equipment from oneplace to another,” and admitsthe choice to make the Air Force acareer did not happen overnight.

The chief described his first mentorand supervisor Tech Sgt. (Ret.) JimSteen as “the kind of supervisor theytell us about in Airman LeadershipSchool, (Sergeant Steen) knew whatwe were doing, where we lived, sethigh standards and didn’t let us getaway with just anything.”

It was that leadership, and the physi-cal and emotional support of his fellowAirmen during a difficult time of adversi-ty, that helped solidify his career pathand commitment to serve.

Early in his career the chief’s familyexperienced a medical hardship, but itwas that struggle and the support ofthe Air Force family that trulyinspired the decision to stay in.Describing the most pivotal momentin his career, the chief thanks onemaster sergeant, Mark Davila, for onesimple question, “Are you okay?” TheAir Force is never easy chief says, buthe knew then he was never alone.

From there, adaptation to the mili-tary became easy for the Tappana

family through the demonstration ofcompassion and encouragement bythe Airmen who surrounded his fami-ly with care and support.

Through the years, the chief alsolearned servicemembers must givetheir family the same care they giveto the Air Force. He believes ourcore value is service before self, notservice instead of self, and both com-promise and balance are crucial tothe Air Force family.

Chief Tappana’s first advice to youngAirmen is to “focus on the job you haveand to blossom where you’re planted,”he said. “As soon as an opportunitycomes up, we will pick you up and trans-plant you to a bigger, better garden.

“Careers begin to go south whenpeople start worrying about the nextjob and the one after that. The key tosuccess is to excel at what you aregiven,” he added.

While serving in different positionsand multiple capacities over the last30 years, the chief has witnessedmany changes to Air Force pro-grams. Improvements he believes

the Air Force benefitted from includethe focus on fitness, embracing edu-cation, family care, technologicalgrowth and more non-traditionalroles in combat contact.

Admitting that he smoked cigarettesfor six and a half weeks during basictraining and his only letter of counsel-ing as a young Airman was from aTraffic Management Office chief for notproviding an ashtray for customers,Chief Tappana agreed the Air Force isnow a healthier force. Airmen mustexceed what used to be only a 1.5-milerun once a year to meet physicalrequirement standards.

“We are giving enlisted people farmore responsibility now than we did30 years ago,” he said. “When I camein, in ’79, Traffic ManagementOfficers had to be officers, enlistedwere not allowed to run TMO.”

The chief encourages giving moreresponsibility to Airmen and empow-ering them with education allowingpeople to produce a lot more for theAir Force.

Chief Tappana explained there wasan assumption until about 10 yearsago that “a majority of our combatwould involve a pilot in an aircraft.For my first 20 years we didn’t thinkabout the fact that our vehicle opera-tors would be running convoysthrough the deserts of Iraq andAfghanistan, or that our young publicaffairs professionals would be outsidethe wire serving on ProvisionalReconstruction Teams inAfghanistan.”

It’s a new world for us, and ourAirmen do phenomenally,” he said. “That includes keeping up with the

speed at which change is happening,the chief said. “I’ve had the privilegeof watching the Air Force move froma basic typewriter, to computing, tomobile phones, and blue tooth wire-less devices,” he said. “TheBlackBerry I carry today is the backup to the laptop I carry that connectsto the entire world without actuallybeing connected to anything.”

Additionally, the chief admits socialmedia is important to the Air Force aslong as the force can figure out how to

use it as an advantage. “We’ve got a lot of senior people

trying to ‘Facebook’ because theythink that is what the junior peoplewant, and we end up trying to put asquare peg into a round hole,” ChiefTappana said. “I think the Air Forcehasn’t figured out how to do it allyet, we try to make Facebook fit par-adigms we (the Air Force) have, andwe also have people who are afraidof it because it’s new.”

“I don’t think social media is any-thing to fear, it’s a communicationtool, an opportunity to revolutionizehow we communicate with our peo-ple,” the chief said. “Social media willnot do anything for us, like a hammeris not going to put a nail in on its own,you have to pick it up, and aim itright,” the chief said. “If nobody picksit up or touches it, we don’t win, wedon’t lose, we don’t get anything; ifsomeone picks up and uses it irre-sponsibly, then yes, we lose.”

For Chief Tappana, winning in theAir Force is “helping put together aplan and watching it unfold, or watch-ing from afar as people you’ve workedwith or people that have worked foryou get promoted and advance intheir career.”

There have been many proudmoments for Chief Tappana in the AirForce, like walking through the airportwith his uniform on as people thankhim for his service, giving 100 percentto the core values of the Air Force,being an effective public speaker, andtaking care of this nation for more than30 years.

Leaving the force is not bittersweetor sad the chief explained, it’s a stepforward into a new path and a futurewhere I can watch my Air Forcefrom the other side.

From here, Chief Tappana andTresie, his wife of 24 years, will travelnorth to Alaska to pursue the one thinghe regrets not doing, earning a collegedegree.

“I want to teach,” he said. “I wantto be more well-rounded, work onmy photography, read more andmost importantly, perform a rolethat makes a difference.”

Chief Master Sgt. Robert Tappana

PAGE 5WINGSPREADAUGUST 20, 2010WINGSPREADPAGE 4 AUGUST 20, 2010

The 902nd Security Forces Squadronwill host a town hall meeting for theRandolph community Monday from 6-9 p.m. at the base theater, Bldg. 100.

Topics on the agenda are:• Defense Biometric IdentificationSystem (new base entry procedures)• Entry access• Crime trends analysis• Housing and neighborhood watch

(new policies)• AAFES (BX and Commissary) • Question-and-answer session

For more information, call Staff Sgt.

Marcus Bernard, NCO in charge, policeservices, at 652-1646.

902nd SFS hosts town hall meetingActive Shooter Training Exercise

affects base commmunities

Photo by Steve White

Randolph and Lackland Air Force Basesare scheduled to participate in an activeshooter training exercise Aug. 31.

The members of these base communitiesare asked to be alert for emergency vehicles and the re-routing of traffic during the exercise.

EXERCISE ALERT

Randolph motorists are reminded to use cautionin school zones and at crosswalks

School starts Monday

By Brian McGloin502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

“No new commander should ever walkin with a plan to change the unit, but theyshouldn’t hesitate to make changes if nec-essary – that’s what leadership is about,”said Col. Scott Peel, 902nd MissionSupport Group commander.

Colonel Peel assumed command of the902nd MSG from Col. Alan Lake in a cer-emony here Aug. 2.

Before his new assignment, ColonelPeel recently worked as the executiveofficer to Gen. Stephen Lorenz, AirEducation and Training Commandcommander.

The colonel, who is a career space andmissile officer, said the biggest challengehe can foresee in his new assignment is

understanding the depth of the variousaspects of his job and learning about themore than 1,500 Airmen who serveunder him, as well as the vast dutiesthey perform.

The 902nd MSG has a broad mission.It’s involved in civil engineering, securityand law enforcement, telecommunica-tions, personnel, logistics, contracting,services and trainer development.

“It’s hard to appreciate the members ofa unit if you don’t understand the workthey perform every day,” Colonel Peelsaid. “The 902nd MSG is a large organi-zation blessed with hundreds of hard-working members dedicated to the mis-sion, and they deserve a commanderequally committed to them.”

Colonel Peel said he never thought hewould be a group commander, including

when he was a lieu-tenant colonel servingas a squadron com-mander in Thule AirBase, Greenland. Hisfather was a chief mas-ter sergeant and ColonelPeel grew up around theAir Force.

“As a second lieu-tenant, I definitely did-n’t envision I’d be acolonel or a groupcommander. But what’smore important is it didn’t matterwhat I thought, but depended uponwhat my commanders and supervisorsthought,” he said. “They’re the oneswho, over the years, have mentoredme, pushed me and enabled me to be

considered and ultimatelyselected for group command.”

He said he was first interest-ed in joining the Air Force as ajunior in high school when hejoined the Junior ReserveOfficer Training Corps. There,he learned the Air Force hadmore to it than he realizedbefore, aspects he neverthought about before. Heearned a scholarship throughROTC where he attended theUniversity of Missouri, Rolla.

“I’m a firm believer that it doesn’t mat-ter where you’re assigned, what unityou’re in, what job you’re doing or whatrank you are, you always have the abilityto make a difference, to learn and devel-op, and serve honorably,” he said.

New commander takes helm of 902nd MSG

Col. Scott Peel

AETC Command Chief Tappana retiresBy Jessica TurnerAir Education and Training Command Public Affairs

Air Education and TrainingCommand’s senior enlistedleader retired Aug. 13 afterserving 31 years, two monthsand 27 days, ending a careerlonger than the average enlis-tee is permitted to serve.

“I enlisted in the Air Forcefor the same reason a lot ofpeople are enlisting in the AirForce today,” said Chief MasterSgt. Robert Tappana. “Due tothe economy, a search for inde-pendence, and leaving a smalltown for the first time, myintent was to serve four years,receive the experience, get outand get a ‘real job.’ It just did-n’t work out that way.”

Chief Tappana began hisservice with the TrafficManagement Office, “movingpeople and equipment from oneplace to another,” and admitsthe choice to make the Air Force acareer did not happen overnight.

The chief described his first mentorand supervisor Tech Sgt. (Ret.) JimSteen as “the kind of supervisor theytell us about in Airman LeadershipSchool, (Sergeant Steen) knew whatwe were doing, where we lived, sethigh standards and didn’t let us getaway with just anything.”

It was that leadership, and the physi-cal and emotional support of his fellowAirmen during a difficult time of adversi-ty, that helped solidify his career pathand commitment to serve.

Early in his career the chief’s familyexperienced a medical hardship, but itwas that struggle and the support ofthe Air Force family that trulyinspired the decision to stay in.Describing the most pivotal momentin his career, the chief thanks onemaster sergeant, Mark Davila, for onesimple question, “Are you okay?” TheAir Force is never easy chief says, buthe knew then he was never alone.

From there, adaptation to the mili-tary became easy for the Tappana

family through the demonstration ofcompassion and encouragement bythe Airmen who surrounded his fami-ly with care and support.

Through the years, the chief alsolearned servicemembers must givetheir family the same care they giveto the Air Force. He believes ourcore value is service before self, notservice instead of self, and both com-promise and balance are crucial tothe Air Force family.

Chief Tappana’s first advice to youngAirmen is to “focus on the job you haveand to blossom where you’re planted,”he said. “As soon as an opportunitycomes up, we will pick you up and trans-plant you to a bigger, better garden.

“Careers begin to go south whenpeople start worrying about the nextjob and the one after that. The key tosuccess is to excel at what you aregiven,” he added.

While serving in different positionsand multiple capacities over the last30 years, the chief has witnessedmany changes to Air Force pro-grams. Improvements he believes

the Air Force benefitted from includethe focus on fitness, embracing edu-cation, family care, technologicalgrowth and more non-traditionalroles in combat contact.

Admitting that he smoked cigarettesfor six and a half weeks during basictraining and his only letter of counsel-ing as a young Airman was from aTraffic Management Office chief for notproviding an ashtray for customers,Chief Tappana agreed the Air Force isnow a healthier force. Airmen mustexceed what used to be only a 1.5-milerun once a year to meet physicalrequirement standards.

“We are giving enlisted people farmore responsibility now than we did30 years ago,” he said. “When I camein, in ’79, Traffic ManagementOfficers had to be officers, enlistedwere not allowed to run TMO.”

The chief encourages giving moreresponsibility to Airmen and empow-ering them with education allowingpeople to produce a lot more for theAir Force.

Chief Tappana explained there wasan assumption until about 10 yearsago that “a majority of our combatwould involve a pilot in an aircraft.For my first 20 years we didn’t thinkabout the fact that our vehicle opera-tors would be running convoysthrough the deserts of Iraq andAfghanistan, or that our young publicaffairs professionals would be outsidethe wire serving on ProvisionalReconstruction Teams inAfghanistan.”

It’s a new world for us, and ourAirmen do phenomenally,” he said. “That includes keeping up with the

speed at which change is happening,the chief said. “I’ve had the privilegeof watching the Air Force move froma basic typewriter, to computing, tomobile phones, and blue tooth wire-less devices,” he said. “TheBlackBerry I carry today is the backup to the laptop I carry that connectsto the entire world without actuallybeing connected to anything.”

Additionally, the chief admits socialmedia is important to the Air Force aslong as the force can figure out how to

use it as an advantage. “We’ve got a lot of senior people

trying to ‘Facebook’ because theythink that is what the junior peoplewant, and we end up trying to put asquare peg into a round hole,” ChiefTappana said. “I think the Air Forcehasn’t figured out how to do it allyet, we try to make Facebook fit par-adigms we (the Air Force) have, andwe also have people who are afraidof it because it’s new.”

“I don’t think social media is any-thing to fear, it’s a communicationtool, an opportunity to revolutionizehow we communicate with our peo-ple,” the chief said. “Social media willnot do anything for us, like a hammeris not going to put a nail in on its own,you have to pick it up, and aim itright,” the chief said. “If nobody picksit up or touches it, we don’t win, wedon’t lose, we don’t get anything; ifsomeone picks up and uses it irre-sponsibly, then yes, we lose.”

For Chief Tappana, winning in theAir Force is “helping put together aplan and watching it unfold, or watch-ing from afar as people you’ve workedwith or people that have worked foryou get promoted and advance intheir career.”

There have been many proudmoments for Chief Tappana in the AirForce, like walking through the airportwith his uniform on as people thankhim for his service, giving 100 percentto the core values of the Air Force,being an effective public speaker, andtaking care of this nation for more than30 years.

Leaving the force is not bittersweetor sad the chief explained, it’s a stepforward into a new path and a futurewhere I can watch my Air Forcefrom the other side.

From here, Chief Tappana andTresie, his wife of 24 years, will travelnorth to Alaska to pursue the one thinghe regrets not doing, earning a collegedegree.

“I want to teach,” he said. “I wantto be more well-rounded, work onmy photography, read more andmost importantly, perform a rolethat makes a difference.”

Chief Master Sgt. Robert Tappana

PAGE 7WINGSPREADAUGUST 20, 2010WINGSPREADPAGE 6 AUGUST 20, 2010

A one-hour special about the Air Force’spararescue jumper indoctrination course atLackland Air Force Base is scheduled tomake its debut on the Discovery ChannelWednesday at 10 p.m. (Eastern and Pacific).

The feature will showcase the notoriousExtended Training Day, a grueling 20-hourstretch of physical and mental enduranceunrivaled by any other U.S. special forcestraining school.

Discovery Channel airsAir Force documentary

“It took them a little back in time, but it was greattraining,” Colonel Deitschel said. “It prepared them for11 different weapon systems.”

Second Lt. Elizabeth Thigpen, a member of Class 10-15, said one of the most important things she learned inT45 simulator training was “prioritization.”

“We are taught to aviate, navigate and communi-cate,” she said. “In the sim it is all on you to get themission accomplished and solve all problems and chal-lenges that are thrown your way, such as timing andmission deviations or equipment malfunctions.”

During the height of training, the 562nd FTS ranthree simulator sessions per day, accommodating 72students. Students put in four times as many hours insimulators than they did in actual flight.

Despite their age, the T45 simulators prepared stu-dents for a wide range of in-flight scenarios – fromthe basics, getting from point A to point B, to real-world situations with multiple threats – and periodictechnological updates improved the simulators’ effi-ciency and effectiveness.

One of the most noticeable features of each simulator

complex was its temperature - never above 65 degreesFahrenheit - which made for some long, cold sessions.

“You need it that cold because the equipment isso old that it’s heat-sensitive,” said Mike Sweatt,LB&B site manager.

Mr. Sweatt, who has been at Randolph as long asthe T45 simulators have been here, said the equip-ment served its purpose well.

“It doesn’t have the gee-whiz displays, but none ofthe aircraft have that,” he said. “It teaches the basicsand it does that very well, but it’s not high-tech.”

Mr. Sweatt said the simulators “lasted a long time, but ittook a lot of effort and maintenance.”

Obtaining parts also became a problem as thesimulators aged.

“A lot of the switches were impossible to get, sowe had to be creative,” he said.

Colonel Deitschel said the T45 simulator was retiredbecause the aircraft it prepared students for, the T-43,will soon retire. The simulators have been dismantledand shipped to the Defense Reutilization and MarketingOffice at Fort Sam Houston.

He credited personnel from LB&B Associates forkeeping the equipment running for so long.

Carolyn Coughlin, a retired T45 simulator operator whovisited Randolph for the final missions, said she will missthe simulators and the relationships she formed with hercolleagues and the instructors.

“It was really fun,” said Ms. Coughlin, who now lives inGilmer, Texas. Her husband, retired Maj. Joseph Gruchacz,was also a T45 simulator operator as well as a repairman.

“I didn’t intend to stay, but I enjoyed it so much, I nevergot another job,” she said.

Both Ms. Coughlin and her husband were simulatoroperators at Mather before moving on to their jobs atRandolph. Ms. Coughlin, who said she loved “thecamaraderie more than anything else,” said it took along time to learn the job.

“It had a long learning curve, but once you learnedit, it wasn’t a difficult job to do,” she said.

Mr. Sweatt said his crew will also miss their work –and the relationships they formed with 562nd FTSinstructors and students.

“As I do our exit interviews, everybody has said theyreally enjoy this work,” he said. “It’s somewhat difficultto learn, but we’ve been able to teach them. The bigadvantage is that you’re working with professionals.They’re really good people.”

SIMS from P4

By April RowdenAir Force Personnel Center Public Affairs

The first two waves of Air Force employees havesuccessfully converted out of the National SecurityPersonnel System, leaving less than 30,000 to makethe transition.

Approximately 8,800 employees were convertedout of NSPS during phases I and II on July 4 andJuly 18. Phases III and IV are scheduled to transi-tion on Aug. 15 and Sept. 12.

NSPS, a human resources pay and performance man-agement system for the civilian work force, intended toreplace the long-standing General Schedule system, wasrepealed in last year’s National Defense AuthorizationAct. The decision affected more than 220,000 civilianemployees across the Defense Department.

To help ensure a smooth transition out of NSPSfor nearly 38,000 Air Force civilian employeesaffected by the repeal, Air Force officials rigorouslytested the computer program that would automatethe conversion process.

Staff members from the Air Force PersonnelOperations Agency tested the automated system forthree weeks in April, looking for incompatibilities,debugging the system and checking the program’soverall functionality.

In May, a team of employees in the Air Force

Personnel Center’s Directorate of Personnel DataSystems field tested the new program, processing theconversion of 60 NSPS employees assigned to the DoD’sDefense Institute of Security Assistance Management atWright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

“Using the information provided by Wright-Patterson(AFB’s) classification office, our team input all the rele-vant GS conversion data into the employees’ currentNSPS positions: the new valid grade, the new positiondescription number, the supervisory status, the newposition title and the target grade,” said BrendaNicholson from DPD. “When we processed the mass con-version, all 60 records were successfully converted, withall pay retentions activated.”

As Air Force officials continue to gear up for the great-est number of conversions yet, approximately 4,100 inAugust and close to 25,000 in September, training mod-ules are available to NSPS employees and their man-agers at www.my.af.mil/afknprod/nsps-gs-trng or on theofficial NSPS Web site.

These modules provide an overview of the paystructure, discuss benefits and entitlements, explain

how jobs are classified, outline the more commonawards and incentive programs available to GSemployees and provide detailed information aboutthe conversion process, including information onhow an employee’s pay will be determined.

By law, employees will not lose pay upon conversion.These general guidelines will be followed when deter-mining an employee’s pay. If the employee’s current pay:• Fits within the rate range of the appropriate grade towhich the employee is assigned, the employee will beplaced at a step that equals or exceeds his existing pay.• Is below the rate range for the appropriate GSgrade to which the employee is assigned, theemployee will be placed on the first step of the GSgrade upon conversion out.• Is above the rate range for the appropriate GS grade towhich the employee is assigned, the employee will beplaced on pay retention to ensure he does not suffer anydecrease in or loss of pay upon conversion.

For more information, visit AFPC’s personnel servicesWeb site. Air Force employees may call the 24-hourTotal Force Service Center at 800-525-0102.

8,800 Air Force employees transition out of NSPSAir Force officials continue to gear up for the greatest number of conversions

yet, approximately 4,100 in August and close to 25,000 in September.

By Chris Beck502nd Air Base Wing Environmental Programsmanager

The Joint Base San Antonio DroughtManagement Plan is now posted on the502nd Air Base Wing Web site atwww.502abw.af.mil. All individuals with-in Joint Base San Antonio are required tocomply with the water conservationmeasures outlined in the plan.

The plan includes tables which sum-marize the JBSA drought plan stage lev-els and measures to be taken. Stages Iand II incorporate the Bexar index welllevels used by the City of San Antonio andthe San Antonio Water System. Stages III,IV and V use the more stringent stageindicator factors required by theBiological Opinion. The Biological Opinionstates how much water the San AntonioDepartment of Defense may withdrawfrom the Edwards Aquifer and wasissued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service after extensive consultation. It is important that all JBSA residents

and workers understand the stages andthe specific conservation measures.Team members of the Joint Base SanAntonio Water Working Group will con-duct daily assessments to identify watermisuse and waste. When users are noti-fied of discrepancies, they must be cor-rected immediately.

The Edwards Aquifer is, at present,the sole source of potable water for SanAntonio. The aquifer is also home toseveral endangered species and habi-tats which depend on the flow fromaquifer springs for survival. Demandson the aquifer, combined with weatherconditions, drive the level of the aquiferdown, decreasing the flow of thesprings and threatening the lives of theendangered species.

Sound drought management practiceswill ensure the quality of life and eco-nomic sustainability for both JBSA and

the greater San Antonio area, but thiseffort requires your action. The localmilitary community can visit the 502nd

ABW Web site and review the JBSADrought Management Plan and WaterStage Normal letter.

Edwards Aquifer Levelin feet above sea level

Normal - above 660’Stage I - 660’Stage II - 650’Stage III - 642’Stage IV - 640.5’Stage V - 637’

CURRENT LEVEL* = 667.6’*determines Joint Base San Antonio water conservation stage

*as of Thursday

Drought management ensures quality of life

RetirementsCongratulations to Lt. Col. Jeff Nicks, 39th

Flying Training Squadron, and Master Sgt. PaulMaple, Air Education and Training Command, ontheir retirements.

Attention travelersThe Transportation Security Administration

will prescreen additional passenger data priorto departure, to include passenger’s legalname, date of birth and gender. Informationmust be submitted by the airlines to the TSA72 hours in advance of flight departures for alltravel on or after Nov. 1.

For details, call Tracy Kreusler at 652-1154.

JPPSO-SAT relocatingThe Joint Personal Property Shipping Office,

San Antonio, Texas, is relocating to Port SanAntonio, Texas, Oct. 7. The office recommends allservicemembers relocating in October visit TrafficManagement Flight no later than 30 days prior totheir pickup date to ensure a smooth personalproperty move.

For details, call Tracy Kreusler at 652-1154.

Perimeter Road constructionTraffic will be rerouted along Perimeter Road

next week. Motorists are advised to use cautionand follow the signs.

For details, call Peggy Hill at 652-1249.

Library renovationsThe Randolph library will close for renovations

Aug. 30-Sept. 3. For more information, contactShelta Reese at 487-2052.

Hangar Doors retiree lunch“The Hangar Doors are Open” retiree lunch

group meets on the third Wednesday of eachmonth at noon in the Kendrick Club.

For details, call Bob Laymon at 415-7282.

Family medicine clinic relocates The Brooke Army Medical Center Family

Medicine Clinic has been renamed the Fort SamHouston Family Medicine Clinic.

It is now located in Bldg. 1179 in the Fort SamHouston Clinic, at the corner of Garden Avenueand Schofield Road on Fort Sam Houston.

For appointments, call 916-9900.

Clinic relocationAdolescent Medicine, Developmental Pediatric

Services and the Wellness Clinic at Wilford HallMedical Center are now located in the formerfirst-floor dermatology clinic area.

For more information, contact MichelleSommerlot at 292-6604.

Healthcare councilThe next Healthcare Consumer’s Advisory

Council meets Sept. 16 at 10 a.m. in the dentalconference room on the second floor of the clinic.This meeting is intended to foster collaborative,two-way communication between the health clin-ic and the Randolph community.

For more information, call Major Hughes at 652-6075.

ASMC host “Back to School Drive”The American Society of Military Comptrollers,

Alamo City Chapter, is sponsoring a “Back toSchool Drive” through Aug. 30 for the Dare toLove Foundation, Child Protective Services.

To make a donation of school supplies, contact 652-4408.

Eligibility requirements for SNCOATechnical sergeants who have completed

NCOA and have two years’ time in grade are noweligible to enroll in non-resident SNCOA.

Tuition AssistanceThe Air Force is no longer covering non-course

specific fees for military tuition assistance.Education Centers are no longer permitted toapprove TA applications with fees on them thatare not course specific or reimbursable.

Base BRIEFS

“Inception” (PG-13)Leonardo DiCaprio, Marion Cotillard

Today @ 7 p.m. and Saturday @ 6 p.m.

“Despicable Me” (PG)Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig

Saturday and Sunday @ 3 p.m.

NOW SHOWINGat the

Randolph Theater

$4.50 for adults$2.25 for children 11 and under

PAGE 7WINGSPREADAUGUST 20, 2010WINGSPREADPAGE 6 AUGUST 20, 2010

A one-hour special about the Air Force’spararescue jumper indoctrination course atLackland Air Force Base is scheduled tomake its debut on the Discovery ChannelWednesday at 10 p.m. (Eastern and Pacific).

The feature will showcase the notoriousExtended Training Day, a grueling 20-hourstretch of physical and mental enduranceunrivaled by any other U.S. special forcestraining school.

Discovery Channel airsAir Force documentary

“It took them a little back in time, but it was greattraining,” Colonel Deitschel said. “It prepared them for11 different weapon systems.”

Second Lt. Elizabeth Thigpen, a member of Class 10-15, said one of the most important things she learned inT45 simulator training was “prioritization.”

“We are taught to aviate, navigate and communi-cate,” she said. “In the sim it is all on you to get themission accomplished and solve all problems and chal-lenges that are thrown your way, such as timing andmission deviations or equipment malfunctions.”

During the height of training, the 562nd FTS ranthree simulator sessions per day, accommodating 72students. Students put in four times as many hours insimulators than they did in actual flight.

Despite their age, the T45 simulators prepared stu-dents for a wide range of in-flight scenarios – fromthe basics, getting from point A to point B, to real-world situations with multiple threats – and periodictechnological updates improved the simulators’ effi-ciency and effectiveness.

One of the most noticeable features of each simulator

complex was its temperature - never above 65 degreesFahrenheit - which made for some long, cold sessions.

“You need it that cold because the equipment isso old that it’s heat-sensitive,” said Mike Sweatt,LB&B site manager.

Mr. Sweatt, who has been at Randolph as long asthe T45 simulators have been here, said the equip-ment served its purpose well.

“It doesn’t have the gee-whiz displays, but none ofthe aircraft have that,” he said. “It teaches the basicsand it does that very well, but it’s not high-tech.”

Mr. Sweatt said the simulators “lasted a long time, but ittook a lot of effort and maintenance.”

Obtaining parts also became a problem as thesimulators aged.

“A lot of the switches were impossible to get, sowe had to be creative,” he said.

Colonel Deitschel said the T45 simulator was retiredbecause the aircraft it prepared students for, the T-43,will soon retire. The simulators have been dismantledand shipped to the Defense Reutilization and MarketingOffice at Fort Sam Houston.

He credited personnel from LB&B Associates forkeeping the equipment running for so long.

Carolyn Coughlin, a retired T45 simulator operator whovisited Randolph for the final missions, said she will missthe simulators and the relationships she formed with hercolleagues and the instructors.

“It was really fun,” said Ms. Coughlin, who now lives inGilmer, Texas. Her husband, retired Maj. Joseph Gruchacz,was also a T45 simulator operator as well as a repairman.

“I didn’t intend to stay, but I enjoyed it so much, I nevergot another job,” she said.

Both Ms. Coughlin and her husband were simulatoroperators at Mather before moving on to their jobs atRandolph. Ms. Coughlin, who said she loved “thecamaraderie more than anything else,” said it took along time to learn the job.

“It had a long learning curve, but once you learnedit, it wasn’t a difficult job to do,” she said.

Mr. Sweatt said his crew will also miss their work –and the relationships they formed with 562nd FTSinstructors and students.

“As I do our exit interviews, everybody has said theyreally enjoy this work,” he said. “It’s somewhat difficultto learn, but we’ve been able to teach them. The bigadvantage is that you’re working with professionals.They’re really good people.”

SIMS from P4

By April RowdenAir Force Personnel Center Public Affairs

The first two waves of Air Force employees havesuccessfully converted out of the National SecurityPersonnel System, leaving less than 30,000 to makethe transition.

Approximately 8,800 employees were convertedout of NSPS during phases I and II on July 4 andJuly 18. Phases III and IV are scheduled to transi-tion on Aug. 15 and Sept. 12.

NSPS, a human resources pay and performance man-agement system for the civilian work force, intended toreplace the long-standing General Schedule system, wasrepealed in last year’s National Defense AuthorizationAct. The decision affected more than 220,000 civilianemployees across the Defense Department.

To help ensure a smooth transition out of NSPSfor nearly 38,000 Air Force civilian employeesaffected by the repeal, Air Force officials rigorouslytested the computer program that would automatethe conversion process.

Staff members from the Air Force PersonnelOperations Agency tested the automated system forthree weeks in April, looking for incompatibilities,debugging the system and checking the program’soverall functionality.

In May, a team of employees in the Air Force

Personnel Center’s Directorate of Personnel DataSystems field tested the new program, processing theconversion of 60 NSPS employees assigned to the DoD’sDefense Institute of Security Assistance Management atWright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

“Using the information provided by Wright-Patterson(AFB’s) classification office, our team input all the rele-vant GS conversion data into the employees’ currentNSPS positions: the new valid grade, the new positiondescription number, the supervisory status, the newposition title and the target grade,” said BrendaNicholson from DPD. “When we processed the mass con-version, all 60 records were successfully converted, withall pay retentions activated.”

As Air Force officials continue to gear up for the great-est number of conversions yet, approximately 4,100 inAugust and close to 25,000 in September, training mod-ules are available to NSPS employees and their man-agers at www.my.af.mil/afknprod/nsps-gs-trng or on theofficial NSPS Web site.

These modules provide an overview of the paystructure, discuss benefits and entitlements, explain

how jobs are classified, outline the more commonawards and incentive programs available to GSemployees and provide detailed information aboutthe conversion process, including information onhow an employee’s pay will be determined.

By law, employees will not lose pay upon conversion.These general guidelines will be followed when deter-mining an employee’s pay. If the employee’s current pay:• Fits within the rate range of the appropriate grade towhich the employee is assigned, the employee will beplaced at a step that equals or exceeds his existing pay.• Is below the rate range for the appropriate GSgrade to which the employee is assigned, theemployee will be placed on the first step of the GSgrade upon conversion out.• Is above the rate range for the appropriate GS grade towhich the employee is assigned, the employee will beplaced on pay retention to ensure he does not suffer anydecrease in or loss of pay upon conversion.

For more information, visit AFPC’s personnel servicesWeb site. Air Force employees may call the 24-hourTotal Force Service Center at 800-525-0102.

8,800 Air Force employees transition out of NSPSAir Force officials continue to gear up for the greatest number of conversions

yet, approximately 4,100 in August and close to 25,000 in September.

By Chris Beck502nd Air Base Wing Environmental Programsmanager

The Joint Base San Antonio DroughtManagement Plan is now posted on the502nd Air Base Wing Web site atwww.502abw.af.mil. All individuals with-in Joint Base San Antonio are required tocomply with the water conservationmeasures outlined in the plan.

The plan includes tables which sum-marize the JBSA drought plan stage lev-els and measures to be taken. Stages Iand II incorporate the Bexar index welllevels used by the City of San Antonio andthe San Antonio Water System. Stages III,IV and V use the more stringent stageindicator factors required by theBiological Opinion. The Biological Opinionstates how much water the San AntonioDepartment of Defense may withdrawfrom the Edwards Aquifer and wasissued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service after extensive consultation. It is important that all JBSA residents

and workers understand the stages andthe specific conservation measures.Team members of the Joint Base SanAntonio Water Working Group will con-duct daily assessments to identify watermisuse and waste. When users are noti-fied of discrepancies, they must be cor-rected immediately.

The Edwards Aquifer is, at present,the sole source of potable water for SanAntonio. The aquifer is also home toseveral endangered species and habi-tats which depend on the flow fromaquifer springs for survival. Demandson the aquifer, combined with weatherconditions, drive the level of the aquiferdown, decreasing the flow of thesprings and threatening the lives of theendangered species.

Sound drought management practiceswill ensure the quality of life and eco-nomic sustainability for both JBSA and

the greater San Antonio area, but thiseffort requires your action. The localmilitary community can visit the 502nd

ABW Web site and review the JBSADrought Management Plan and WaterStage Normal letter.

Edwards Aquifer Levelin feet above sea level

Normal - above 660’Stage I - 660’Stage II - 650’Stage III - 642’Stage IV - 640.5’Stage V - 637’

CURRENT LEVEL* = 667.6’*determines Joint Base San Antonio water conservation stage

*as of Thursday

Drought management ensures quality of life

RetirementsCongratulations to Lt. Col. Jeff Nicks, 39th

Flying Training Squadron, and Master Sgt. PaulMaple, Air Education and Training Command, ontheir retirements.

Attention travelersThe Transportation Security Administration

will prescreen additional passenger data priorto departure, to include passenger’s legalname, date of birth and gender. Informationmust be submitted by the airlines to the TSA72 hours in advance of flight departures for alltravel on or after Nov. 1.

For details, call Tracy Kreusler at 652-1154.

JPPSO-SAT relocatingThe Joint Personal Property Shipping Office,

San Antonio, Texas, is relocating to Port SanAntonio, Texas, Oct. 7. The office recommends allservicemembers relocating in October visit TrafficManagement Flight no later than 30 days prior totheir pickup date to ensure a smooth personalproperty move.

For details, call Tracy Kreusler at 652-1154.

Perimeter Road constructionTraffic will be rerouted along Perimeter Road

next week. Motorists are advised to use cautionand follow the signs.

For details, call Peggy Hill at 652-1249.

Library renovationsThe Randolph library will close for renovations

Aug. 30-Sept. 3. For more information, contactShelta Reese at 487-2052.

Hangar Doors retiree lunch“The Hangar Doors are Open” retiree lunch

group meets on the third Wednesday of eachmonth at noon in the Kendrick Club.

For details, call Bob Laymon at 415-7282.

Family medicine clinic relocates The Brooke Army Medical Center Family

Medicine Clinic has been renamed the Fort SamHouston Family Medicine Clinic.

It is now located in Bldg. 1179 in the Fort SamHouston Clinic, at the corner of Garden Avenueand Schofield Road on Fort Sam Houston.

For appointments, call 916-9900.

Clinic relocationAdolescent Medicine, Developmental Pediatric

Services and the Wellness Clinic at Wilford HallMedical Center are now located in the formerfirst-floor dermatology clinic area.

For more information, contact MichelleSommerlot at 292-6604.

Healthcare councilThe next Healthcare Consumer’s Advisory

Council meets Sept. 16 at 10 a.m. in the dentalconference room on the second floor of the clinic.This meeting is intended to foster collaborative,two-way communication between the health clin-ic and the Randolph community.

For more information, call Major Hughes at 652-6075.

ASMC host “Back to School Drive”The American Society of Military Comptrollers,

Alamo City Chapter, is sponsoring a “Back toSchool Drive” through Aug. 30 for the Dare toLove Foundation, Child Protective Services.

To make a donation of school supplies, contact 652-4408.

Eligibility requirements for SNCOATechnical sergeants who have completed

NCOA and have two years’ time in grade are noweligible to enroll in non-resident SNCOA.

Tuition AssistanceThe Air Force is no longer covering non-course

specific fees for military tuition assistance.Education Centers are no longer permitted toapprove TA applications with fees on them thatare not course specific or reimbursable.

Base BRIEFS

“Inception” (PG-13)Leonardo DiCaprio, Marion Cotillard

Today @ 7 p.m. and Saturday @ 6 p.m.

“Despicable Me” (PG)Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig

Saturday and Sunday @ 3 p.m.

NOW SHOWINGat the

Randolph Theater

$4.50 for adults$2.25 for children 11 and under

PAGE 9WINGSPREADAUGUST 20, 2010WINGSPREADPAGE 8 AUGUST 20, 2010

Twenty Air Force aviatorsreceived their wings during a

combat systems officer graduation Thursday at 10 a.m.

at the Parr Club.During the combat systems officer

course, students learn fundamental, system and

intermediate navigation. Studentsspend about 12 months in

training, including anIntroductory Flight School.

AF aviators complete CSO training

2nd Lt. Ryan BrookinsB-52 (EWO)

Barksdale AFB, La.

2nd Lt. Hoban BlumeC-130

Little Rock AFB, Ark.

2nd Lt. Andrew BordersB-52 (EWO)

Barksdale AFB, La.

2nd Lt. Austin BartlettKC-135

McConnell AFB, Kan.

2nd Lt. John ButlerRC-135 (EWO)

Offutt AFB, Neb.

2nd Lt. Christopher BrinkmannAC-130U (EWO)

Hurlburt Field, Fla.

2nd Lt. Alexander MaranaKC-135

McConnell AFB, Kan.

2nd Lt. Jared ConsoloAC-130H (EWO)

Cannon AFB, N.M.

1st Lt. Sarah KeidelAC-130

Hurlburt Field, Fla.

2nd Lt. Shawn CarrierRC-135 (EWO)

Offutt AFB, Neb.

2nd Lt. Sid MaruEC-130

Davis Monthan AFB, Ariz.

2nd Lt. Travis LightU-28

Hurlburt Field, Fla.

2nd Lt. Kenneth ThomasE-8

Robins AFB, Ga.

2nd Lt. Breon RelefordB-52

Barksdale AFB, La.

1st Lt. Robert Short IIEC-130 (EWO)

Davis Monthan AFB, Ariz.

2nd Lt. Juan Ramirez IVB-52

Barksdale AFB, La.

2nd Lt. Justin WilkensU-28

Hurlburt Field, Fla.

2nd Lt. Daniel StancinC-130

Pope AFB, N.C.

What are the biggest lessonsyou’ve learned from yourtraining so far?

“Be humble. Understand thatmistakes will be made and thebest aviators are the ones wholearn as much as possible fromnot only their own mistakes,but the mistakes of others. It isimportant to ask questionsand share experiences. Whenpreparing to fly, the two mostimportant things to have inthe back of your mind are tobe safe and to learn something.”

2nd Lt. William HertrickC-130

Pittsburgh ARS, Pa.

Why did you decideto become a CSO?“I have alwayswanted to follow inmy father’s foot-steps and fly; Ichose to become aCSO to fulfill thisgoal, and be a partof a community thatis constantlyevolving and beingan integral part ofan aircrew.”

2nd Lt. James OrendU-28 (EWO)

Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Eleven graduate from GaylorAirman Leadership School

Eleven senior airmen graduated fromthe Gaylor Airman Leadership SchoolAug. 10 during a ceremony at the ParrClub. The Airmen successfully completed24 academic duty-days consisting of 192hours of classroom instruction inSupervisory Communicator, Supervisorof Airman, Military Professional andExpeditionary Airman.

Three of these Airmen were present-ed special awards during the ceremony.Senior Airman Samuel Griffen, 902ndForce Support Squadron, earned theJohn L. Levitow Award while SeniorAirman Quinshan Dais, 359th MedicalSupport Squadron, was awarded theCommandant Award. Senior AirmanKeyashaWorld-Morgan, Air ForcePersonnel Center, received theAcademic Award.

Other graduates were:• Senior Airman Kevin Banks,

902nd Security Forces Squadron• Senior Airman Jonathan Blake, 359th Medical Support Squadron• Senior Airman Richard Boatwright,Aerospace Medicine Squadron• Senior Airman Ashley Brown, Air Force Personnel Center• Senior Airman Bryan Brown, Air Education and Training Command• Senior Airman Luis Gomez, 902nd SFS• Senior Airman Jung Kim, AFPC• Senior Airman Agnes Pena, AFPC

The guest speaker for the graduationceremony was Chief Master Sgt. RobertTappana, Air Education and TrainingCommand command chief. The ALS isaffiliated with the Community College ofthe Air Force through EnlistedProfessional Military Education. Thegraduates are awarded 10 semesterhours towards a CCAF degree.

Senior AirmanSamuel Griffen

Senior AirmanQuinshan Dais

Senior AirmanKeyasha World-Morgan

By Brent Boller502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

The school year in most SanAntonio area districts will begin onMonday, and school liaison represen-tatives at area military installationsare working hard to ensure theneeds of military and other federally-connected youth are met.

“The school liaison job is multifac-eted,” said Lori Phipps, Lackland AirForce Base school liaison officer.“We are a link between the schoolsand the military installation. Wewant to level the playing field forstudents who are affected by thecareers of their parents who movefrequently.”

Ms. Phipps and her colleagues atRandolph AFB and Fort Sam Houstonwork with 23 area school districts cov-ering Bexar, Kendall, Guadalupe,Comal and Medina counties.

“They service more than 20,000federally connected students, includ-ing more than 7,800 students in theNorthside Independent SchoolDistrict, 5,000 in the Northeast ISDand thousands more in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD,” Ms.Phipps explained.

Fred Zeithammel is the school liaisonrepresentative at Randolph AFB. Hesaid the liaisons assist parents withtransitional issues, most often relatedwith high school-aged students.

“Students new to Texas may havedifferent requirements for gradua-tion than from their former state,”Mr. Zeithammel said.

Mr. Zeithammel and the otherliaisons will work with the localschool districts and sometimes thesending district to ensure the tran-sitional issues are resolved in a col-laborative manner. Mr. Zeithammelsaid the example of a student froma Kentucky high school who trans-ferred to one of the San Antonio-area districts. Due to being a seniorthere was no way she was going tocomplete the Texas requirements tograduate on time with her newpeers so Mr. Zeithammel said thesending school passed along theschool assignments to the new

school here in Texas.“This enabled the student to grad-

uate on time with a diploma from theschool in Kentucky, allowing the stu-dent and her parents to participatein graduation festivities,” Mr.Zeithammel said.

Most states, including Texas, havesigned the Interstate Compact onEducation Opportunity for MilitaryChildren, which is designed to facil-itate the development of reciprocalpractices and uniform policies tobetter serve military youth. Thecompact covers the transfer ofrecords, course placement,extracurricular activities and grad-uation requirements.

Cindy Ybanez is one of two schoolliaisons at Fort Sam Houston.

“The most satisfying part of the jobis having a resolution with the fami-ly,” Ms. Ybanez said.

She related a phone call from a par-ent who, two weeks before schoolended, was concerned that her sonwas two grades behind and had beenpleading with the district that heneeded to be tested. Ms. Ybanez wasable to intervene with the district andthe child was advanced one grade.

“The parents are sometimes notable to find the right contact withinthe district,” Ms. Ybanez said. “Butthe liaison officer knows exactly whoto contact to solve the problems.”

Ms. Ybanez’s Fort Sam Houstoncolleague Keith Toney said theschool liaison officer is one of thefew jobs where you can actuallyimpact someone’s life in real time.

“We can often resolve issues par-ents thought were unsolvable within15 to 20 minutes,” Mr. Toney said.

Before school liaison officers cameonto the scene Mr. Toney said thechildren really suffered.

“The civilian schools didn’t under-stand the military student and werevery rigid, sticking to their standardsregardless of extenuating circum-stances. It was a matter of aware-ness,” Mr. Toney said. “As personnelchanges are made at the school dis-trict, we educate them. We want tomake this a systemic process and notpersonality driven.”

SLOs ease transitionfor dependent students

Randolph Field IndependentSchool District officials remindparents that their children may beeligible for free or reduced-pricebreakfasts and lunches.

Children may receive free mealsif they live in households receivingfood stamps, are participants inthe Temporary Assistance for

Needy Families program or are fos-ter children. Children may alsoqualify if their household incomeis within the limits on the currentfederal income chart. Parents canpick up an application at theirchild’s school.

For details, call CynthiaMoczygemba at 357-2465.

Student Reduced- Price Meals

PAGE 9WINGSPREADAUGUST 20, 2010WINGSPREADPAGE 8 AUGUST 20, 2010

Twenty Air Force aviatorsreceived their wings during a

combat systems officer graduation Thursday at 10 a.m.

at the Parr Club.During the combat systems officer

course, students learn fundamental, system and

intermediate navigation. Studentsspend about 12 months in

training, including anIntroductory Flight School.

AF aviators complete CSO training

2nd Lt. Ryan BrookinsB-52 (EWO)

Barksdale AFB, La.

2nd Lt. Hoban BlumeC-130

Little Rock AFB, Ark.

2nd Lt. Andrew BordersB-52 (EWO)

Barksdale AFB, La.

2nd Lt. Austin BartlettKC-135

McConnell AFB, Kan.

2nd Lt. John ButlerRC-135 (EWO)

Offutt AFB, Neb.

2nd Lt. Christopher BrinkmannAC-130U (EWO)

Hurlburt Field, Fla.

2nd Lt. Alexander MaranaKC-135

McConnell AFB, Kan.

2nd Lt. Jared ConsoloAC-130H (EWO)

Cannon AFB, N.M.

1st Lt. Sarah KeidelAC-130

Hurlburt Field, Fla.

2nd Lt. Shawn CarrierRC-135 (EWO)

Offutt AFB, Neb.

2nd Lt. Sid MaruEC-130

Davis Monthan AFB, Ariz.

2nd Lt. Travis LightU-28

Hurlburt Field, Fla.

2nd Lt. Kenneth ThomasE-8

Robins AFB, Ga.

2nd Lt. Breon RelefordB-52

Barksdale AFB, La.

1st Lt. Robert Short IIEC-130 (EWO)

Davis Monthan AFB, Ariz.

2nd Lt. Juan Ramirez IVB-52

Barksdale AFB, La.

2nd Lt. Justin WilkensU-28

Hurlburt Field, Fla.

2nd Lt. Daniel StancinC-130

Pope AFB, N.C.

What are the biggest lessonsyou’ve learned from yourtraining so far?

“Be humble. Understand thatmistakes will be made and thebest aviators are the ones wholearn as much as possible fromnot only their own mistakes,but the mistakes of others. It isimportant to ask questionsand share experiences. Whenpreparing to fly, the two mostimportant things to have inthe back of your mind are tobe safe and to learn something.”

2nd Lt. William HertrickC-130

Pittsburgh ARS, Pa.

Why did you decideto become a CSO?“I have alwayswanted to follow inmy father’s foot-steps and fly; Ichose to become aCSO to fulfill thisgoal, and be a partof a community thatis constantlyevolving and beingan integral part ofan aircrew.”

2nd Lt. James OrendU-28 (EWO)

Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Eleven graduate from GaylorAirman Leadership School

Eleven senior airmen graduated fromthe Gaylor Airman Leadership SchoolAug. 10 during a ceremony at the ParrClub. The Airmen successfully completed24 academic duty-days consisting of 192hours of classroom instruction inSupervisory Communicator, Supervisorof Airman, Military Professional andExpeditionary Airman.

Three of these Airmen were present-ed special awards during the ceremony.Senior Airman Samuel Griffen, 902ndForce Support Squadron, earned theJohn L. Levitow Award while SeniorAirman Quinshan Dais, 359th MedicalSupport Squadron, was awarded theCommandant Award. Senior AirmanKeyashaWorld-Morgan, Air ForcePersonnel Center, received theAcademic Award.

Other graduates were:• Senior Airman Kevin Banks,

902nd Security Forces Squadron• Senior Airman Jonathan Blake, 359th Medical Support Squadron• Senior Airman Richard Boatwright,Aerospace Medicine Squadron• Senior Airman Ashley Brown, Air Force Personnel Center• Senior Airman Bryan Brown, Air Education and Training Command• Senior Airman Luis Gomez, 902nd SFS• Senior Airman Jung Kim, AFPC• Senior Airman Agnes Pena, AFPC

The guest speaker for the graduationceremony was Chief Master Sgt. RobertTappana, Air Education and TrainingCommand command chief. The ALS isaffiliated with the Community College ofthe Air Force through EnlistedProfessional Military Education. Thegraduates are awarded 10 semesterhours towards a CCAF degree.

Senior AirmanSamuel Griffen

Senior AirmanQuinshan Dais

Senior AirmanKeyasha World-Morgan

By Brent Boller502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

The school year in most SanAntonio area districts will begin onMonday, and school liaison represen-tatives at area military installationsare working hard to ensure theneeds of military and other federally-connected youth are met.

“The school liaison job is multifac-eted,” said Lori Phipps, Lackland AirForce Base school liaison officer.“We are a link between the schoolsand the military installation. Wewant to level the playing field forstudents who are affected by thecareers of their parents who movefrequently.”

Ms. Phipps and her colleagues atRandolph AFB and Fort Sam Houstonwork with 23 area school districts cov-ering Bexar, Kendall, Guadalupe,Comal and Medina counties.

“They service more than 20,000federally connected students, includ-ing more than 7,800 students in theNorthside Independent SchoolDistrict, 5,000 in the Northeast ISDand thousands more in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD,” Ms.Phipps explained.

Fred Zeithammel is the school liaisonrepresentative at Randolph AFB. Hesaid the liaisons assist parents withtransitional issues, most often relatedwith high school-aged students.

“Students new to Texas may havedifferent requirements for gradua-tion than from their former state,”Mr. Zeithammel said.

Mr. Zeithammel and the otherliaisons will work with the localschool districts and sometimes thesending district to ensure the tran-sitional issues are resolved in a col-laborative manner. Mr. Zeithammelsaid the example of a student froma Kentucky high school who trans-ferred to one of the San Antonio-area districts. Due to being a seniorthere was no way she was going tocomplete the Texas requirements tograduate on time with her newpeers so Mr. Zeithammel said thesending school passed along theschool assignments to the new

school here in Texas.“This enabled the student to grad-

uate on time with a diploma from theschool in Kentucky, allowing the stu-dent and her parents to participatein graduation festivities,” Mr.Zeithammel said.

Most states, including Texas, havesigned the Interstate Compact onEducation Opportunity for MilitaryChildren, which is designed to facil-itate the development of reciprocalpractices and uniform policies tobetter serve military youth. Thecompact covers the transfer ofrecords, course placement,extracurricular activities and grad-uation requirements.

Cindy Ybanez is one of two schoolliaisons at Fort Sam Houston.

“The most satisfying part of the jobis having a resolution with the fami-ly,” Ms. Ybanez said.

She related a phone call from a par-ent who, two weeks before schoolended, was concerned that her sonwas two grades behind and had beenpleading with the district that heneeded to be tested. Ms. Ybanez wasable to intervene with the district andthe child was advanced one grade.

“The parents are sometimes notable to find the right contact withinthe district,” Ms. Ybanez said. “Butthe liaison officer knows exactly whoto contact to solve the problems.”

Ms. Ybanez’s Fort Sam Houstoncolleague Keith Toney said theschool liaison officer is one of thefew jobs where you can actuallyimpact someone’s life in real time.

“We can often resolve issues par-ents thought were unsolvable within15 to 20 minutes,” Mr. Toney said.

Before school liaison officers cameonto the scene Mr. Toney said thechildren really suffered.

“The civilian schools didn’t under-stand the military student and werevery rigid, sticking to their standardsregardless of extenuating circum-stances. It was a matter of aware-ness,” Mr. Toney said. “As personnelchanges are made at the school dis-trict, we educate them. We want tomake this a systemic process and notpersonality driven.”

SLOs ease transitionfor dependent students

Randolph Field IndependentSchool District officials remindparents that their children may beeligible for free or reduced-pricebreakfasts and lunches.

Children may receive free mealsif they live in households receivingfood stamps, are participants inthe Temporary Assistance for

Needy Families program or are fos-ter children. Children may alsoqualify if their household incomeis within the limits on the currentfederal income chart. Parents canpick up an application at theirchild’s school.

For details, call CynthiaMoczygemba at 357-2465.

Student Reduced- Price Meals

PAGE 11WINGSPREADAUGUST 20, 2010WINGSPREADPAGE 10 AUGUST 20, 2010

ADVERTISEMENT

902nd Force Support Squadron Briefs

Water survival training goes poolsidePeriodically throughout the year, flight crews brush up on egress skills.

Rey Gutierrez, 12th Operations Support Squadron life support trainer, teacheswater survival procedures to all assigned aircrews who fly over water beyond

gliding distance from land. Every three years, the crews are required to hone theirsurvival skills through classroom instruction and drills. The 99th Flying TrainingSquadron’s T-1 flight crew took the plunge into Randolph’s Center Pool Aug. 5 fortraining. Training covers a multitude of procedures to include egress, swimming

techniques, inflating and boarding rafts, repairing survival equipment and self-aid.The group also discusses survival-related psychological problems such as isolation

and depression. Learning the proper egress training is critical for the safety ofAirmen and their wingmen.

Above: T-1 instructor pilots practicewater survival skills during refreshertraining Aug. 5.

Left: T-1 Instructor pilots attach the roofon their nine-man raft during watersurvival refresher training.

Photos by Steve White

The aircrew members flip their raft upright duringthe water rescue refresher training Aug. 5.

Reynaldo Gutierrez, aircrew trainer, instructs T-1 pilotson the proper use of the devices used with a helicopterwater rescue.

PAGE 11WINGSPREADAUGUST 20, 2010WINGSPREADPAGE 10 AUGUST 20, 2010

ADVERTISEMENT

902nd Force Support Squadron Briefs

Water survival training goes poolsidePeriodically throughout the year, flight crews brush up on egress skills.

Rey Gutierrez, 12th Operations Support Squadron life support trainer, teacheswater survival procedures to all assigned aircrews who fly over water beyond

gliding distance from land. Every three years, the crews are required to hone theirsurvival skills through classroom instruction and drills. The 99th Flying TrainingSquadron’s T-1 flight crew took the plunge into Randolph’s Center Pool Aug. 5 fortraining. Training covers a multitude of procedures to include egress, swimming

techniques, inflating and boarding rafts, repairing survival equipment and self-aid.The group also discusses survival-related psychological problems such as isolation

and depression. Learning the proper egress training is critical for the safety ofAirmen and their wingmen.

Above: T-1 instructor pilots practicewater survival skills during refreshertraining Aug. 5.

Left: T-1 Instructor pilots attach the roofon their nine-man raft during watersurvival refresher training.

Photos by Steve White

The aircrew members flip their raft upright duringthe water rescue refresher training Aug. 5.

Reynaldo Gutierrez, aircrew trainer, instructs T-1 pilotson the proper use of the devices used with a helicopterwater rescue.

PAGE 13WINGSPREADAUGUST 20, 2010WINGSPREADPAGE 12 AUGUST 20, 2010

By Patrick Desmond502nd Air Base Wing OL-A Public Affairs

Near the end of every July, a group ofTexas military cyclists join together toexperience something special, a toureast across Iowa with thousands ofother bike enthusiasts.

Register’s Annual Great Bicycle RideAcross Iowa is a non-competitive annu-al bike ride.

Along with 124 other Air Force CyclingTeam members, 11 Texas Airmen dippedtheir tires into the Missouri River and thenagain in the Mississippi as is traditional atone of the country’s longest and largesttours. But on the 442-mile course inbetween these rivers, something unique yethard to explain happened to these AirForce recruiters on wheels. Just ask AFCT member, and Texas teamcaptain, Larry Gallo.

“It’s not something you are just going totalk about all the time,” Mr. Gallo saidabout the experience of riding seven daysstraight, an event where each Air Forcecyclist rode 100 miles on the second day.

Back from his fifth RAGBRAI, Mr.Gallo sits in his dark office illuminatedby a glowing monitor at his workstationat Lackland Air Force Base, trying towork through what the seven days onthe road means to him.

He admits it may sound like a cliché, butthe experiences during the ride – enduringthe long trips in the saddle, lying at nightsin humid tents and being invited into thelives of the community members of eachsmall town – has brought these Texanstogether.

“I’ve spent a whole week with these peo-ple, and some are away from families forthe first time,” Mr. Gallo said. “You becomepart of their family in a way.”

His 2010 team was comprised of nearlyall RAGBRAI newbies.

AFCT member Eric Merriam hadbeen there in 2007, while rookiesTammie Canada, Daniel Lunssord, andShallynn Troutman joined Mr. Gallo andMr. Merriam from Lackland. Erin Doss,April Nagle, Martin Huck and RobBrown of Randolph AFB, MichaelRothermel of Carswell Field in Fort Worthand Ruan Brits of Goodfellow AFB werealso first-time RAGBRAI riders.

The tour is a chance to bond with fel-low Airmen, build relationships with thepeople they serve and find out something

new about themselves in the process.Though this year’s route is consid-

ered the third easiest in RAGBRAI his-tory in terms of its elevation and dis-tance, it’s still a grueling trip withseven days averaging roughly 63miles on the bike and six nights camp-ing out.

“When you are riding with six peo-ple, like I was, you see them getstronger each day,” he said. “They’reexcited the first day, tired and sorethe second. If you make it through thethird day, you pretty much have itlicked.”

Mr. Merriam said, “no matter what theroute is like, it requires fitness and train-ing.”

After finishing the ride, he said “know-ing you have five more consecutive daysof long rides can be a mental challenge.”

The Texas riders learned to lean oneach other.

Riding town to town in formation, theylearned each other’s strengths and weak-nesses, and adjusted accordingly. Whenfaced with a strong headwind, the 6-foot-plus, 220-pound Mr. Gallo took the lead inthe pace line, cutting a wide swath for theAirmen behind him.

“I look back and there’s like 20 guysback there, like flies,” he said.

When he comes to climbing hills, heknows to let someone else take thelead. Like cogs in “one big machine,”Gallo said, the riders trade places inthe lead while keeping less experi-enced riders in the middle of the pack.

More than just having to be in shape toparticipate, the team leader said the sportof team cycling champion Air Force idealsin other ways.

“It pretty much displays the wingmanconcept,” he said about riding as a team.“We’re always taking care of the guy nextto us. You know what they are good at.”

And if the Airmen didn’t get to knoweach well well enough, spending “everywaking moment together overcominglogistical obstacles in addition to gettingthrough the physical challenge of theride,” Mr. Merriam said.

The team also camped together atovernight stops at the towns of Sioux City,Storm Lake, Algona, Clear Lake CharlesCity, Waterloo, Manchester and Dubuque.“We aren’t far from each other duringour sleeping moments, either,” Mr.Merriam said. “Believe me, the snoring

from the surrounding tents can beintense.”

The Airmen also learn about eachother by interacting with the civilianriders and community members of thetown they ride into.

Mr. Gallo said the main focus for AFCTis recruiting. It’s a dream event –“likeWoodstock on bicycle.”

It doesn’t get much better: at least12,500 daily riders to talk to, crowds ofwelcoming Iowans at each stop, and evena ceremony dedicated to Air Force ridersto mark the end of the tour, all while cen-tering on a sport that embraces a fit-to-fight mentality.

Between posing for photos, receivinginvitations into homes and commandingattentive ears, RAGBRAI is a chance tomeet with community members.

Mr. Merriam said it’s also an opportuni-ty to demonstrate that selflessness is partof an Airman’s identity; and at the tour,that could mean helping riders with flattires or just encouraging them to keepcycling.

On the fifth day, riding the 82.2-milestretch of road from Charles City toWaterloo, the team came upon a bikeaccident, and a deputy sheriff strugglingto keep the stream of RAGBRAI cyclists

back from the wreck. A critical care nurse at the 59th

Medical Wing, Texas AFCT memberTammie Canada began providingmedical care to the injured riderwhile the other Texas AFCT mem-bers helped control the thousands ofcyclist into a tight line along theedge of the two-lane road. Later,they cleared room for an emergencyhelicopter landing.

“At the time, laying down our bikes andjumping in to help seemed very natural,”Mr. Merriam said. “We’re in the AirForce. Leading and serving is what wedo.”

Back at Lackland, Mr. Gallo knows hisexperiences at RAGBRAI have createdsomething between himself and the peo-ple who were there.

“It’s not something you are going tobring up, but something you take away,”he said.

For the people who were there, it’s notan experience that has to be talked about.

Unfortunately, the cyclist, StephenBriggs, did not survive.

When asked about how they helped,the team members do not see much totalk about. It was just part of their job.Something that is expected of Airmen.

Texas Airmen brave summer heat, ride RAGBRAI

Photo by Daniel LunsfordDaniel Lunsford (right) leads the Air Force Cycling Team from Texas two-by-two into Dubuque,Iowa – the last stop at the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, July 30.

SPORTS – HEALTH – FITNESS

Training runThe fitness center

hosts an 18-mile runSaturday at 6 a.m. atEberle Park for all runnerstraining for a marathon.The first 50 participantsreceive a towel.

Team biathlonA two-person team

biathlon takes place Sept. 4 at 7 a.m. atEberle Park.

The first team membermust complete the 10-milebike route in order for thesecond team member tostart running the 5K. Therewill be age categories forfemale and male.

The first, second andthird place winners in eachcategory receive a trophy.

Golf tournamentA Red,White and Blue

Labor Day Golf Tournamenttakes place Sept. 6 at theRandolph Oaks Golf Club.Tee times are 7-9 a.m. andthe entry fee is $10.

For more information,call 652-4570.

Softball playoffsThe Randolph intra-

mural softball playoffstake place Mondaythrough Wednesday. Thetop eight teams willenter the playoffs.

The championship gameis scheduled for Sept. 1.

For more details, callRikk Prado at 652-7272.

SportsBRIEFS

AETC 8-0AFPC 8-0FIRE DEPT 7-2AFRS 6-1

561st DET 2 6-2FSS #2 6-3559th FTS 4-5359th MDG 4-5

902nd SFS 3-6562nd FTS 3-699th FTS 3-7902nd CPTS 2-6

AFMA 1-9FSS #1 0-9

Intramural Softball Standings

As of Tuesday

By Brian McGloin502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

“I want to know why he didn’t run meover,” the coach said during practiceabout a player who bumped into him onthe field.

The players were separated on the fieldwith the varsity players in the center andthe junior varsity players in the southernend. Pete Wesp, the RandolphIndependent School District athleticdirector and head coach for the Ro-Hawks, the Randolph High School footballteam stood in the middle of the action.

The Ro-Hawks have been practicing forthree weeks now, and hopefully they willsoon see the fruits of their labor.

“We have a huge winning tradition,” hesaid. “Not just in football.”

Last year the football team had many ofits players on the sidelines for injuries orillness – an H1N1 outbreak took some ofthe blame for that. The season began withtwo defensive starters and three offensivestarters, the rest of the team’s ranks beingfilled by underclassmen and less-experi-enced players.

“God decided we need a trial,” Mr. Wespsaid about last year’s losing season, whichwas only the fourth since 1962.

This year is a little different since the Ro-Hawks have more returning starting play-ers. There are eight offensive returningstarters and seven returning defensivestarters this year, making it a more experi-enced starting lineup.

“As long as we don’t have any injuries,we’ll do well,” the coach said.

Mr. Wesp said although he has high hopesfor a winning season, the team always hasareas for improvement and no game or sea-son is ever perfect.

On the field during practice, it’s not unusu-al to see the coach standing facing the hel-meted players running toward him duringmock plays. He gives quiet advice to someplayers while barking orders at others.

“We hope every week to improve,” he

said. “We want to look back and thinkwe were awful.”

Mr. Wesp said the military members livingoff base have a choice to send their childrento Randolph schools or to local publicschools in their school districts. Althoughthe school is small, its students have a highstandard of excellence in sports and wonmany records over the years in track andfield, soccer, basketball, football.

“Our expectations are always high,”Mr. Wesp said.

The Ro-Hawks’ season kicks off Aug. 27with an away game, when they take on SanAntonio Christian.

Ro-Hawks look forward to strong seasonGRIDIRON GRIT

Photos by Brian McGloinPete Wesp (in straw hat), Randolph Independent School District athletic director and head coach forthe Ro-Hawks varsity football team, directs the plays during practice Aug. 13.

Pete Wesp (right), Randolph IndependentSchool District athletic director and head coachfor the Ro-Hawks varsity football team, coaches

a player during football practice Aug. 13.

PAGE 13WINGSPREADAUGUST 20, 2010WINGSPREADPAGE 12 AUGUST 20, 2010

By Patrick Desmond502nd Air Base Wing OL-A Public Affairs

Near the end of every July, a group ofTexas military cyclists join together toexperience something special, a toureast across Iowa with thousands ofother bike enthusiasts.

Register’s Annual Great Bicycle RideAcross Iowa is a non-competitive annu-al bike ride.

Along with 124 other Air Force CyclingTeam members, 11 Texas Airmen dippedtheir tires into the Missouri River and thenagain in the Mississippi as is traditional atone of the country’s longest and largesttours. But on the 442-mile course inbetween these rivers, something unique yethard to explain happened to these AirForce recruiters on wheels. Just ask AFCT member, and Texas teamcaptain, Larry Gallo.

“It’s not something you are just going totalk about all the time,” Mr. Gallo saidabout the experience of riding seven daysstraight, an event where each Air Forcecyclist rode 100 miles on the second day.

Back from his fifth RAGBRAI, Mr.Gallo sits in his dark office illuminatedby a glowing monitor at his workstationat Lackland Air Force Base, trying towork through what the seven days onthe road means to him.

He admits it may sound like a cliché, butthe experiences during the ride – enduringthe long trips in the saddle, lying at nightsin humid tents and being invited into thelives of the community members of eachsmall town – has brought these Texanstogether.

“I’ve spent a whole week with these peo-ple, and some are away from families forthe first time,” Mr. Gallo said. “You becomepart of their family in a way.”

His 2010 team was comprised of nearlyall RAGBRAI newbies.

AFCT member Eric Merriam hadbeen there in 2007, while rookiesTammie Canada, Daniel Lunssord, andShallynn Troutman joined Mr. Gallo andMr. Merriam from Lackland. Erin Doss,April Nagle, Martin Huck and RobBrown of Randolph AFB, MichaelRothermel of Carswell Field in Fort Worthand Ruan Brits of Goodfellow AFB werealso first-time RAGBRAI riders.

The tour is a chance to bond with fel-low Airmen, build relationships with thepeople they serve and find out something

new about themselves in the process.Though this year’s route is consid-

ered the third easiest in RAGBRAI his-tory in terms of its elevation and dis-tance, it’s still a grueling trip withseven days averaging roughly 63miles on the bike and six nights camp-ing out.

“When you are riding with six peo-ple, like I was, you see them getstronger each day,” he said. “They’reexcited the first day, tired and sorethe second. If you make it through thethird day, you pretty much have itlicked.”

Mr. Merriam said, “no matter what theroute is like, it requires fitness and train-ing.”

After finishing the ride, he said “know-ing you have five more consecutive daysof long rides can be a mental challenge.”

The Texas riders learned to lean oneach other.

Riding town to town in formation, theylearned each other’s strengths and weak-nesses, and adjusted accordingly. Whenfaced with a strong headwind, the 6-foot-plus, 220-pound Mr. Gallo took the lead inthe pace line, cutting a wide swath for theAirmen behind him.

“I look back and there’s like 20 guysback there, like flies,” he said.

When he comes to climbing hills, heknows to let someone else take thelead. Like cogs in “one big machine,”Gallo said, the riders trade places inthe lead while keeping less experi-enced riders in the middle of the pack.

More than just having to be in shape toparticipate, the team leader said the sportof team cycling champion Air Force idealsin other ways.

“It pretty much displays the wingmanconcept,” he said about riding as a team.“We’re always taking care of the guy nextto us. You know what they are good at.”

And if the Airmen didn’t get to knoweach well well enough, spending “everywaking moment together overcominglogistical obstacles in addition to gettingthrough the physical challenge of theride,” Mr. Merriam said.

The team also camped together atovernight stops at the towns of Sioux City,Storm Lake, Algona, Clear Lake CharlesCity, Waterloo, Manchester and Dubuque.“We aren’t far from each other duringour sleeping moments, either,” Mr.Merriam said. “Believe me, the snoring

from the surrounding tents can beintense.”

The Airmen also learn about eachother by interacting with the civilianriders and community members of thetown they ride into.

Mr. Gallo said the main focus for AFCTis recruiting. It’s a dream event –“likeWoodstock on bicycle.”

It doesn’t get much better: at least12,500 daily riders to talk to, crowds ofwelcoming Iowans at each stop, and evena ceremony dedicated to Air Force ridersto mark the end of the tour, all while cen-tering on a sport that embraces a fit-to-fight mentality.

Between posing for photos, receivinginvitations into homes and commandingattentive ears, RAGBRAI is a chance tomeet with community members.

Mr. Merriam said it’s also an opportuni-ty to demonstrate that selflessness is partof an Airman’s identity; and at the tour,that could mean helping riders with flattires or just encouraging them to keepcycling.

On the fifth day, riding the 82.2-milestretch of road from Charles City toWaterloo, the team came upon a bikeaccident, and a deputy sheriff strugglingto keep the stream of RAGBRAI cyclists

back from the wreck. A critical care nurse at the 59th

Medical Wing, Texas AFCT memberTammie Canada began providingmedical care to the injured riderwhile the other Texas AFCT mem-bers helped control the thousands ofcyclist into a tight line along theedge of the two-lane road. Later,they cleared room for an emergencyhelicopter landing.

“At the time, laying down our bikes andjumping in to help seemed very natural,”Mr. Merriam said. “We’re in the AirForce. Leading and serving is what wedo.”

Back at Lackland, Mr. Gallo knows hisexperiences at RAGBRAI have createdsomething between himself and the peo-ple who were there.

“It’s not something you are going tobring up, but something you take away,”he said.

For the people who were there, it’s notan experience that has to be talked about.

Unfortunately, the cyclist, StephenBriggs, did not survive.

When asked about how they helped,the team members do not see much totalk about. It was just part of their job.Something that is expected of Airmen.

Texas Airmen brave summer heat, ride RAGBRAI

Photo by Daniel LunsfordDaniel Lunsford (right) leads the Air Force Cycling Team from Texas two-by-two into Dubuque,Iowa – the last stop at the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, July 30.

SPORTS – HEALTH – FITNESS

Training runThe fitness center

hosts an 18-mile runSaturday at 6 a.m. atEberle Park for all runnerstraining for a marathon.The first 50 participantsreceive a towel.

Team biathlonA two-person team

biathlon takes place Sept. 4 at 7 a.m. atEberle Park.

The first team membermust complete the 10-milebike route in order for thesecond team member tostart running the 5K. Therewill be age categories forfemale and male.

The first, second andthird place winners in eachcategory receive a trophy.

Golf tournamentA Red,White and Blue

Labor Day Golf Tournamenttakes place Sept. 6 at theRandolph Oaks Golf Club.Tee times are 7-9 a.m. andthe entry fee is $10.

For more information,call 652-4570.

Softball playoffsThe Randolph intra-

mural softball playoffstake place Mondaythrough Wednesday. Thetop eight teams willenter the playoffs.

The championship gameis scheduled for Sept. 1.

For more details, callRikk Prado at 652-7272.

SportsBRIEFS

AETC 8-0AFPC 8-0FIRE DEPT 7-2AFRS 6-1

561st DET 2 6-2FSS #2 6-3559th FTS 4-5359th MDG 4-5

902nd SFS 3-6562nd FTS 3-699th FTS 3-7902nd CPTS 2-6

AFMA 1-9FSS #1 0-9

Intramural Softball Standings

As of Tuesday

By Brian McGloin502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

“I want to know why he didn’t run meover,” the coach said during practiceabout a player who bumped into him onthe field.

The players were separated on the fieldwith the varsity players in the center andthe junior varsity players in the southernend. Pete Wesp, the RandolphIndependent School District athleticdirector and head coach for the Ro-Hawks, the Randolph High School footballteam stood in the middle of the action.

The Ro-Hawks have been practicing forthree weeks now, and hopefully they willsoon see the fruits of their labor.

“We have a huge winning tradition,” hesaid. “Not just in football.”

Last year the football team had many ofits players on the sidelines for injuries orillness – an H1N1 outbreak took some ofthe blame for that. The season began withtwo defensive starters and three offensivestarters, the rest of the team’s ranks beingfilled by underclassmen and less-experi-enced players.

“God decided we need a trial,” Mr. Wespsaid about last year’s losing season, whichwas only the fourth since 1962.

This year is a little different since the Ro-Hawks have more returning starting play-ers. There are eight offensive returningstarters and seven returning defensivestarters this year, making it a more experi-enced starting lineup.

“As long as we don’t have any injuries,we’ll do well,” the coach said.

Mr. Wesp said although he has high hopesfor a winning season, the team always hasareas for improvement and no game or sea-son is ever perfect.

On the field during practice, it’s not unusu-al to see the coach standing facing the hel-meted players running toward him duringmock plays. He gives quiet advice to someplayers while barking orders at others.

“We hope every week to improve,” he

said. “We want to look back and thinkwe were awful.”

Mr. Wesp said the military members livingoff base have a choice to send their childrento Randolph schools or to local publicschools in their school districts. Althoughthe school is small, its students have a highstandard of excellence in sports and wonmany records over the years in track andfield, soccer, basketball, football.

“Our expectations are always high,”Mr. Wesp said.

The Ro-Hawks’ season kicks off Aug. 27with an away game, when they take on SanAntonio Christian.

Ro-Hawks look forward to strong seasonGRIDIRON GRIT

Photos by Brian McGloinPete Wesp (in straw hat), Randolph Independent School District athletic director and head coach forthe Ro-Hawks varsity football team, directs the plays during practice Aug. 13.

Pete Wesp (right), Randolph IndependentSchool District athletic director and head coachfor the Ro-Hawks varsity football team, coaches

a player during football practice Aug. 13.

WINGSPREADPAGE 14 AUGUST 20, 2010

Entry forms and payment are due no later than Sept. 27

SIGN UPNOW FOR

Calling all athletesAttention all athletes, exercise enthusiasts and anyone up for

a physical challenge! Mark your calendars, organize a team andstart training for the 5th Annual Rambler 120 Team ChallengeOct. 16 at Randolph Recreation Park at Canyon Lake. Be a partof the action as more than 50 teams compete for the best over-all time in the following events:

22-mile bike ride6-mile run 2-mile raft race Mystery event

Not confident about competing? Then just enter to completeit! Challenge yourself and your team mates as you enjoy thecamaraderie, fresh air and beautiful Hill Country setting ofCanyon Lake, 48 miles north of San Antonio. All participants

receive a commemorative t-shirt and lunch.As in previous years, teams are registered in one of two

divisions: a Relay division for teams with five to eight peopleand an Xtreme division for four-person, “do-it-all” teams.There are also three categories within each division: All Male,All Female and Coed. The entry fee is $100 for Xtreme teamsand $150 for Relay teams. Awards are presented to the topthree teams in each division and category.

The deadline to enter is September 27. Entry forms can bepicked up on base at Outdoor Recreation and Information,Tickets and Tours, Bldg. 897, the Rambler Fitness Center,Bldg. 999, or online at www.randolphfss.com .

This event is sponsored by Randolph Brooks Federal CreditUnion, Budweiser and the Randolph Commissary with supportfrom Nestle USA. No federal endorsement of sponsors intended.

For more information, contact Steve Knechtel at 652-6508or e-mail stephen.knechtel@randolph.af.mil.