COMMENTARY>>Black Knights, Team Little Rock, Community…
By Col. Mike Minihan
19th Airlift Wing commander
No words can capture the amount of gratitude and respect I have for You, your Families, and this Community. “Thank You!” falls embarrassingly short of what I and my family owe each of you.
It has been an honor to watch you in action. You make magic happen both at home and abroad.
You dominate our Nation’s enemies in combat. You train daily to a standard worthy of the title “C-130 Center of Excellence.” You execute a state mission to a level that leaves 49 other states extremely envious. And you provide meaningful support to our most important assets…Airmen and Families.
On April 25, 2011, I watched you fight for each other on “Miracle Monday.” I’ve seen some powerful things in my life…but never to the level of what I witnessed after the tornado struck.
You perform under pressure. Your combat, crisis, and inspection record proves it.
You define resiliency. You define community.
To truly understand the level of your sacrifice, you need to see your families cry in pain on the day you deploy. You need to see their strengths and struggles on day 30…day 60…day 90 and beyond. You need to see them…along with your parents, grandparents, and friends…bursting with pride and excitement in the waning minutes before you arrive back home.
Since August 2, 2010, I have dreaded the moment of my departure. That moment is now.
You will continue to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coastguardsmen in harms way with unrivaled combat airlift.
You will continue to set the standard for Total Force. You are a seamless team…Airmen, Guardsmen, Reservists, Civilians, Retirees, Community, Elected Officials, and Families…it takes everybody to execute our mission and live up to our sacred vow of taking care of each other.
My physical journey with you ends on Jan. 31…but my love, respect, and gratitude for you and your families will endure. You made me a better husband, father, Airman…citizen.
Ashley and I will forever treasure our time with you all.
TOP STORY >>AETC marks 70 years of training and education excellence
By Dianne Moffett
Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) – The demand for flying training caused by the United States’ entry into World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor, resulted in the creation of the Air Corps Flying Training Command Jan. 23, 1942.
Today marks Air Education and Training Command’s 70th Anniversary. After several re-designations, the Air Corps Flying Training Command became Air Training Command and finally Air Education and Training Command, headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.
Despite changing production goals for trained personnel brought on by the events of WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the end of the Cold War, the Persian Gulf War and the terrorist strike on New York City and the Pentagon, AETC continues to meet the demands for trained and educated Airmen.
AETC recruits, assesses, commissions, educates, and trains Air Force enlisted and officer personnel. It provides basic military training, initial and advanced technical training, flying training, and professional military and degree-granting professional education.
The command also conducts joint, medical service, readiness and training to build partnerships with foreign air forces.
Training conducted at AETC bases provides the major Air Force commands and combatant commanders with skilled, expert Airmen who are able to perform at the highest level whether they are at home running nuclear enterprises or overseas fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Today, AETC consists of 12 bases and is hosted at four more. The command is home to more than 56,000 active-duty members, 16,000 civilians, and 4, 000 Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel. Over 6,000 Airmen from AETC are also deployed around the world in today’s fight.
“Major transformations in training and education came to AETC after the Persian Gulf War and 1992 was designated the Year of Training,” said Ann Hussey, an Air Education and Training Command historian.
The initiative to create a single and consistent education and training structure for officer, enlisted and civilian personnel led to AETCs current designation.
“The year of training revamped the Air Force’s education and training requiring all enlisted personnel attend technical training,” Hussey said, “The goal was to make all Air Force members mission ready upon arrival at their first duty station.”
The Air Force merged Air University and ATC on July 1, 1993, re-designating the command to AETC. The command gained two numbered Air Forces, the Nineteenth to oversee flying training from Randolph Air Force Base, and the Second to manage basic and technical training from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
The command also converted its training centers to training wings and resumed responsibility for much of the aircrew training mission, freeing the operational commands to focus on warfighting.
Hussey said what is most significant at AETC today is its focus on modernization and enhancing the level of education for all Airmen.
“New advanced weapons systems, such as the C-130 J at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., the F-22 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., the F-35 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and the CV-22 at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., requires highly skilled trainers, pilots and maintainers,” Hussey said.
“Simulator flying training integrates new technology while maintaining cost effectiveness and affordability.”
Currently, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. provides high-fidelity training in HC-130 flight simulation, which emulates aircraft handling, refueling, air drops, defensive tactics and emergency procedures for the entire crew.
“Air University offers both in-residence and distance learning opportunities. The Community College of the Air Force offers Airmen online courses that combine military and technical training with accredited courses to receive associate degrees,” she said.
“The first Ph.D. program offered by Air University is through the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.”
Throughout its history, AETC, known as the “First Command,” has been committed to creating innovative training and education programs built on the achievements and hard work of thousands of dedicated men and women.
AETCs foundation for success in the Air Force will continue to advance its programs “to develop America’s Airmen today... for tomorrow.”
By Staff Sgt. Jacob Barreiro
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Team Little Rock, along with members from the Calvary Baptist Church, the second and third grade classes of Arnold Drive Elementary School and other citizens from the local community we’re present Jan. 13, when the base celebrated the accomplishments and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a three-part event.
The event began at the base theater with songs sung by the Arnold Drive Elementary School students, followed by a speech on Dr. King by guest speaker Col. Todd Pavich, 314th Airlift Wing vice commander, then followed by a rendition of Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech by Calvary Baptist Church minister Cecil Gibson, then followed by the remembrance walk from the base theater to Hangar 1080, where the festivities we’re concluded over a luncheon.
“I want to thank everyone who came and made this event the success it is,” said Col. Thomas Crimmins, 19th Airlift Wing vice commander, to the crowd at Hangar 1080. “Martin Luther King accomplished a lot of things … he died when he was 39, and accomplished a lot more than many people who have lived twice as long. We lost a great leader too early … and hopefully after today we can better appreciate why we celebrate (Dr. King’s) birthday on Monday.”
While the event was about the legacy of a man who was assassinated at the age of 39, the event was celebratory rather than somber, as Pavich highlighted in his speech not only the accomplishments of King, but the underlying conditions of them, and why they we’re necessary.
“Dr. Martin Luther King was a great man,” Pavich said during his speech. “Cleary he’s done some fantastic things for our country and our nation.”
He would go on to say King was the right man, at the right place, at the right time, with the right preparation and goals to make a difference when numerous other people couldn’t.
“We the people … we need to be more like Dr. Martin Luther King every day, from this day on and into the future,” he said.
By Staff Sgt. Jacob Barreiro
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
A lot of work goes into maintaining the largest fleet of C-130 airplanes in the world residing on base here. Countless hours and unmatched effort are put into making these airplanes mission capable and ready to fly, and, for the Airmen working at the 314th Maintenance Operation Group Quality Assurance unit, the details can be deviling.
The group QA team oversees and assures the maintenance compliance of 28 C-130H and J model airplanes. Each airplane has numerous pieces of equipment requiring thorough and detailed inspections; this requires routine maintenance inspections on top of additional check-ups required for repairs or replaced pieces of equipment. Yet, these inspections and checkups, while routine, are anything but perfunctory ... the team of inspectors understand the impact and consequences of missed details.
Tech Sgt. George Terrell, 314th MXG avionics quality insurance inspector, said the QA team inspects nothing less than all of the systems on these 28 airplanes.
“We check all the systems that let the pilot know what direction they’re going, how fast they’re going, if they’re going up or down, what altitude the aircraft is (flying) at,” said Terrell.
The job of inspecting aircraft requires diligence and thoroughness, said Terrell.
“Every maintenance action that’s performed on the aircraft has a governing directive of some sort,” said Terrell. “The majority of them are covered in technical orders, we use those along with maintenance group operating instructions, Little Rock operating instruction, Air Force Occupational Safety and Health standards, and that’s just to assess how well individuals (maintaining the aircraft) have complied with those publications.”
The publications governing the maintenance of the airplanes are based on the specific type of maintenance action being performed. Terrell said it is the QA team’s job to ensure these publications are being adhered to because he knows that if they aren’t, the consequences can be serious.
“The impact (of what we do) is significant,” said Terrell. “What we do is tied directly to the (Logistics Compliance Assessment Program) inspection, and basically the quality assurance is the maintenance component of the LCAP. Those guys come to measure compliance, and on a day to day basis that’s what we do too. If we do our job well, we should be able to give an indication of what we should get on an LCAP.”
Maintaining inspection-readiness and mission capability is a large part of the QA team’s function; however, an equally important aspect of what they do is ensuring safety standards are being met.
“Compliance with publications goes hand-in-hand with safety,” said Terrell. “We’ve got to keep people safe and alive on the flight lines, and when people deviate from the prescribed procedures, that’s when the potential for injury or mishaps is greatly increased.”
As much responsibility as his unit has for maintaining the safety of the airplanes on base, Terrell acknowledges that the maintenance isn’t a one man, or one unit, job.
“It’s takes a lot of coordination and looking into the details,” he said. “From the people doing the repairs to my unit inspecting them, there are a lot of details that go into maintaining these aircraft.”
By Lt. Col Mike Nelson
62nd Airlift Squadron commander
The military has a tendency to attract “Type A” personalities. We are bold, goal-oriented and determined to succeed no matter the obstacle. We like to believe we can shape most aspects of our life and the world around us – and in most cases we are correct. Type A personalities prove to be a valuable commodity in a profession where initiative and decisiveness are markers of excellence; the ability to operate autonomously in uncertain circumstances might well be the difference between life and death. While Type A personality traits generally promote military success, they also present challenges.
One downside to this gung-ho mentality is portrayed through our desire to control. We want everything to work perfectly. But let’s face it: things rarely do come off without a hitch. And when they don’t, we go into crisis action mode. Whether it’s an aircraft accident or the latest challenges at the mortuary in Dover, we pride ourselves on detecting a problem, identifying its root cause and resolving it quickly.
Most times, the root causes are obvious and we can get back on track almost immediately. Some problems, however, do not lend themselves to the “quick fix,” so getting us back on the right track may take time…and that will cause friction with our Type A impulse to resolve the issue without delay.
This leads me to a quote my father, a 26-year veteran of the United States Coast Guard, recites to this day: “All hands not doing so, do so immediately!” The sarcasm of the quote highlights the irrationality of acting quickly when the way ahead is not clear. To avoid falling prey to this mentality when an issue arises, first understand the situation then make a timely decision.
“Timely” does not mean “quick” or “immediate”; rather, it’s better defined as “appropriately-timed.” The difference is subtle, but important. Just as some decisions are best made with little delay, others require time to simmer and evolve. We should let each situation define our way ahead.
Appropriately-timed (and presumably correct) decisions promote confidence in the abilities of superiors, subordinates and peers; they also confirm our status as fervent and reputable stewards of our country’s trust.
So this holiday season, sit back and relax. Take a break – you deserve it! Make a promise to your family, your service and your country to work even harder for the betterment of all next year. But also make a promise to yourself to trust your instincts and your fellow Airmen. Understand that we cannot plan everything out – bad things will happen to good people, no matter how hard we try to prevent them. We can shape outcomes, but we can’t permit our Type A personalities to lead us astray. Let’s focus on making decisions in a timely manner: in the end, take the time to make the right decision the first time when the situation inevitably eludes your control.
TOP STORY >> Base loses three in round two of AF civilian restructuring
WASHINGTON (AFNS) – Team Little Rock is losing three more authorizations as part of the continuation of the Air Force’s fiscal 2012 Civilian Workforce Restructure. The base was originally hit with the loss of approximately 41 authorizations in November as part of the first round of the restructure.
The three cuts announced today are the base’s portion of the Air Force’s 4,500 additional positions eliminated as a continuation of its FY12 Civilian Workforce Restructure.
“We’ve worked incredibly hard to minimize the impact of the loss of these positions on our employees,” said Col. Thomas Crimmins, 19th Airlift Wing vice commander. “We understand the significance these three positions have on the affected individuals and their families. Our civilian personnel staff has worked tirelessly to help find on-base positions for those affected by this announcement.”
This reduction builds on the realignments announced in November, including the elimination of 9,000 positions and the addition of 5,900 positions against the Air Force’s top priorities. In addition, these reductions respond to the Secretary of Defense’s direction to target civilian funding at fiscal year 2010 levels.
“We value our talented and experienced workforce and are trying to do everything possible to manage these reductions with as little impact to our people as possible,” said Michael B. Donley, Secretary of the Air Force.
In an effort to encourage voluntary separations and retirements, the Air Force is currently offering its second round of voluntary separation incentive pay and voluntary early retirement authority programs. Civilian employees received VERA/VSIP eligibility surveys from their personnel managers earlier this month and the applications are due no later than Jan. 27. Approved applications will result in separations or retirements that take effect by April 30.
Air Force officials are still evaluating the need for a Reduction in Force.
“At this time, we are surveying the workforce for a second round of VERA/VSIP and are in the midst of management reassignments resulting from the first round of the restructure,” said Brig Gen Gina Grosso Director of Manpower, Organization, and Resources. “Once we exhaust all voluntary force management measures, a determination will be made whether or not a RIF is necessary. We hope to have more information in the spring.”
This announcement marks the end of civilian reductions associated with the Air Force’s FY12 civilian workforce restructure.
By Staff Sgt. Jacob Barreiro
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Born into an inconspicuous family on Jan. 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Ga., few would have predicted that Martin Luther King Jr. would go on to become one of the most recognized icons in American history. Yet little of what King is remembered for was inconspicuous, from when he was a 13-year-old skeptic in Sunday school, to earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology at the age of 19, to his time as a minister in his 20’s delivering vociferous sermons, to his emergence as a key leader of the civil rights movement that swept across the country in the 50’s and 60’s, to him becoming the youngest Noble Peace Prize recipient in 1964, and up to his inglorious assassination on April 4, 1968, King lived an extroverted life.
Not to say that all of King’s actions we’re inconspicuous in a good way. He was the subject of wiretapping from the Federal Bureau of Investigation for alleged socialist activity, he has been accused of plagiarizing his doctoral thesis, and many other people and organizations, including close friend Ralph David Abernathy, have written about King’s life-long struggle with substance abuse and infidelity. Regardless, through all the allegations of moral turpitude or praise bestowed by admirers, what stands firm about King’s legacy is the affirmation of human and American values. Values like endurance, moral courage and a desire for equality and justice embodied his life-long work.
Read this excerpt from King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”, written to his fellow clergymen who criticized him for making “unwise and untimely” protests in Birmingham that lead to his arrest. The letter is one of the most widely read of King’s writings and possesses the same theme of the indominable human and American spirit present in other imperishable work’s like Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath or Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address:”
I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial “outside agitator” idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.
It was this desire to achieve equality and eliminate outsiders that drove King to defy his fellow clergy’s advice and continue to organize non-violent protests. In some places the protest we’re more effective than others, but through it all King became an icon of the civil rights movement and has taken a place as one of the most recognizable American names in history. His birthday isn’t just recognized as a federal holiday for nominal reasons, his accomplishments actually mean something.
In today’s America, particularly in the armed services it’s easy to take for granted that we’re a “melting pot”, and comprised of people with diverse ethnicities, races and cultures united in a common cause. However, we would do a disservice to our distinguished ancestors if we didn’t pay homage toward the Americans who had the moral courage, if not always moral perfection, and longsuffering fortitude, and who made living in a diverse country with ample opportunities for all people alike possible.
It was conspicuous behavior that made King so beloved by his supporters and so derided by his detractors. Yet it wasn’t his oratory skills or eloquent verbiage that made him a great American, it was the action of pursuing and achieving equality, in the face of adversity. Because of men like King we can live, and serve, in a diverse Air Force today, and be proud of it.
