The 90% - room to change

AETC Commander Gen. Edward Rice Jr., opened the 2012 AETC Symposium with a mandate to maximize the integration and education opportunities over the two-day event, but his words are just as applicable to us as trainers in our day-to-day work lives.

1. As the commander of Air EDUCATION and TRAINING Command, Gen. Rice pointed to the difference between training and education. Training refers to creating a skill set; education consists of critical thinking and making decisions in the face of uncertainty. In our business, we need to ensure we are providing both.

2. There are few things in life that you get without investing in them. Even with the Air Force's current fiscal situation, Gen. Rice emphasized the need to invest in education so that AETC will continue to grow. As we make cuts, we need to ensure that we are investing in areas that will ensure continued growth.

3. "We have a very, very rare opportunity to pivot the enterprise," Gen. Rice said. With the combination of a fundamental change in available tools (new technology) and a different set of raw materials (the experience base of incoming trainees), we have the chance to make the enterprise more effective and efficient. And according to the general, the current fiscal environment will provide us enough to do our mission but not in the same way, so change will not only be an opportunity, but will be necessary.

Gen. Rice concluded his remarks with a reminder that every experience is 10% what happens to us and 90% what we do with it - the symposium, education, cost cuts, changes.

As trainers, we have an opportunity every day to impact the future of our Air Force; as educators in a time of change, we have an opportunity today to shape the efficiency and effectiveness of the way the Air Force produces Airmen.

Dec. 7, 1941 - a day which lives in infamy

"Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked," President Franklin D. Roosevelt opened his speech to Congress Dec. 8, 1941, in asking for a declaration of war against Japan.

I visited Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona memorial last year. I have known about the history of Pearl Harbor, seen photos, watched the recent movie; but it is different being there…seeing the names, seeing the ship just below the surface where over 900 men are still entombed, seeing the oil seeping slowly into the water.

And whenever faced with memorials like this one with so many American lives reduced to names on a wall, the overwhelming emotion is the same: this is what our country is worth.

In the short two-hour attack, nearly 2,500 service members were killed and more than 1,000 were wounded; 18 ships and almost 300 planes were rendered unusable. And the attack launched our country into a war that would result in the death and wounding of over a million service members in the course of four years. And that is what our country, our freedom, our American dream is worth.

As a Vietnam veteran and former prisoner of war once told me, our generation expects that the freedom and the country we enjoy will continue in its current state with little effort.

"Freedom isn't free; you have to work for it," said retired Col. Tom Norris, an F-105 pilot, who spent almost six years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. He warned that the United States won't always be this way unless we as Americans fight to understand what's going on in the world and take the time to be active and educated voters.

Maintaining freedom is a constant fight, and today is a day to remember those that did not have the luxury of simply fighting with their votes but had the courage to fight with their lives to maintain the freedom that we live in today.

Pulling G's

In the flying world, pilots refer to the “one-G environment,” meaning the normal gravitational conditions we live in every day. It’s easy to talk about how to fly a maneuver at your desk, or in a one-G environment, but it’s another thing to go out and fly the maneuver when you are facing seven to nine Gs, or fighting the weight of seven to nine times the force of gravity.

The day we each enlisted or first pinned on officer rank was a time of pride and excitement. We were ready to be part of something bigger, to make a difference for our country: “I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States, against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same...”

As soon as we put our boots on the ground in a deployed location, it was time to hold to the promises we made in a one-G environment, time to put actions behind our oaths.

So to our WWII veterans who fought a war that claimed the lives of over 400,000 troops,

To the F-105 Thunderchief pilots who put their all into every fight, risking it all knowing the consequences of being shot down over Vietnam,

To the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Airmen who continue to disarm IEDs, even as enemy tactics continue to evolve,

To the Joint Expeditionary Tasking Airmen who work alongside the Army, patrolling the roads and meeting with local Afghans,

To all those who have been out there, thank you.

**The top photo depicts Col. (later Maj. Gen.) Robert Maloy (left) and Capt. William S. Paul (right) of the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing after being rescued by an H-3E Jolly Green Giant from the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron on Oct. 15, 1967. Enemy fire hit their F-4 Phantom over North Vietnam, but they reached open water before ejecting. Maloy fractured his back, and Pararescueman (PJ) Airman 1st Class Roger Klenovich (center, wearing red PJ beret) went into the water to help him. (U.S. Air Force photo from National Museum of the USAF)

**The second photo is of a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Laghman Province, Afghanistan, which included 31 Airmen and 52 Soldiers.

You should have been there

Midwestern State University hosted a military appreciation tribute at its game against West Texas A&M University, Nov. 5.

MSU has paid tribute to military members annually for the past nine years, recognizing service members from Sheppard Air Force Base and Fort Sill. Saturday’s game included a T-6 Texan II flyover by the 80^th Flying Training Wing, a presentation to Sheppard and Fort Sill commanders, and the inclusion of a formation of Airmen and Soldiers in the half time show.

The partnership between Sheppard and MSU is an important one from a community and economic stand point.

But more impactful than the formal recognition of the partnership between MSU and Sheppard AFB was the personal connection for each person in attendance. The afternoon had a sense of gratitude and of pride that never fails to show up when U.S. citizens and large formations of military men and women meet. It’s an emotion that can’t be written into a script or described in a follow-up article – you have to be there.

As a military member, I was touched to see the genuineness of the various expressions of gratitude – an event coordinator can plan commander involvement in a coin toss and the introduction of military members, but he can’t schedule the expressions of appreciation that were woven through the afternoon: the team’s recognition of the Airmen section as they took the field, the cheerleaders wearing camo bows, the Mustang mascot visit to the Airmen section, and the crowd joining in as the MSU band played “America the Beautiful.”

More than 225 Airmen in Training were present at the game, making a visual statement as they occupied an entire section of the stands as a block of solid Air Force blue. They are just beginning their military careers; they will soon be on bases and in war zones across the globe – refueling and maintaining aircraft, building up bases, managing comms, clearing IEDs.

But on Saturday, they represented the Air Force. Their formation during half time showed their sharpness and pride – a pride that the crowd could share because it stems from their commitment to securing America’s future, a future that will include many Saturday football games in sunny Texas stadiums.

Now is the time…

Commander’s Calls are an opportunity for commanders to connect with their people—give them straight talk on the most important issues of the day. At my most recent commander’s call, I shared a few thoughts about forging our way-ahead in a time of change. I thought I’d share them on the Sheppard Live Blog:

Members of the 782d, it is always a pleasure to host a commanders call. It is a place where we can recognize our outstanding performers, go over some important information, and keep open another channel of communication. I know many of you are concerned about your future and the future of our Air Force. While much of the road ahead is uncharted, I am confident & I am optimistic that our future is indeed bright and meaningful.

Now is not the time to despair. Now is not the time to be timid. Now is not the time to withdraw. Now is not the time to resist change.

Now is the time…

Now is the time to look positively for changes in our processes. We must focus our efforts on the most important things we do. Question the way we do things and the benefits of each step in the process. Is a training method unproductive? Seek solutions and improvement from the experts—the folks doing the job day in & day out.

Now is the time to be bold. When we are tasked to find efficiencies—it is our opportunity to get better—to hone the cutting edge of what we do to take us to the next level. Are we following outdated tactics, techniques & procedures? Now is our chance to cut through red tape and ensure we only deliver timely, relevant training.

Now is the time to engage. We have our imperative. Quality, relevant training will only become more important as our Air Force adapts. We have the solid backing of our leadership to forge new & better ways of accomplishing our mission. Are we doing things that aren’t worth the payback? Now is our chance to modify or eliminate them.

Now is the time to embrace change. It is trite but true that the only constant is change. Airmen have a history of adaptability. Sixty-four years ago, our service was founded during a time of intense change—the emergence of super powers in the dawn of the nuclear era. Throughout the life of our service, change has been the constant. Ask yourself: are you mentally ready to accept and yes embrace the inevitable changes. We should welcome it.

Our Chief of Staff, General Schwartz, recently concluded his keynote remarks at the Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition by saying:

Notwithstanding the fiscal and operational challenges that are arrayed before us, the U.S. Air Force will be prepared for whatever our Nation requires of us. We will provide the many utilities of airpower, as only Airmen can provide it: vital in the national context, and indispensible in the proud pursuit of our Nation’s interests. We will be there for our Joint teammates and our Nation. We will do it, or we’ll die trying.

Indeed, we must choose to be firm in our conviction that the best days for our Air Force and our Nation still lie ahead—in air, space, and cyberspace. And, for that, we need everyone to be on board.

General Norton A. Schwartz, Chief of Staff, USAF
Air Force Association
Air & Space Conference & Technology Exposition
Tuesday, 20 September 2011

Let me end my commander’s remarks by paraphrasing what I’ve heard many of our Air Force Senior Leaders say over the last couple of months: Today, we are part of the World’s Greatest Air Force—second to none and the envy of the world. Regardless of the changes ahead—five years from now, ten years, twenty-five years from now—America will still have the World’s Greatest Air Force—second to none and the envy of the world.

I’m confident of that because of you ladies and gentlemen. Because of what you do every day. Because of your professionalism, your dedication. Because of the foundation you are building for our future Airmen. Because I know you recognize: Now is the time… Now is your time… Now is our time…

I’m proud to serve with you—Aim High!

Sheppard in action

Capt. Brittany Martin, 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs, recently returned from a deployment with the Army to Laghman Province, Afghanistan, as part of a Provincial Reconstruction Team. Although she is a public affairs officer by trade, she acted as an information operations officer and assistant S-3 (operations), as well as heading the team's effort in female engagement.

When asked about the most rewarding part of her deployment, Capt. Martin was quick to talk about the Afghans that inspired her.

"I had the opportunity to work with the Laghman Province Director of Information, Culture and Youth, who was passionate about educating the province through news and classes. Despite threats and the frustrations that seem inherent with working in any government, he found ways to spread information and messages to all areas of the province and to provide education that is going to bring progress to Afghanistan."

"When things became frustrating or seemed futile, it was re-energizing to go on a dismounted patrol or visit the girls school - talking to the young girls who had visions and hopes for the future reminded me to focus small. We were making a difference, and long hours and setbacks were worth the pain if we could continue to have an impact," she added.

While Capt. Martin was busy working with the Afghan provincial government to increase their capability and credibility with the population, her husband, 1st Lt. Jack Martin, was in upgrade training for the F-15E Strike Eagle at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.
Capt. Martin is back in the Public Affairs office, excited to tell the Sheppard story.

Thank You...

Team Sheppard—

The last week has been incredibly busy, and incredibly successful. I want to take a minute to say “Thank You” and let you all know about some of the great things that have been happening.

Last weekend’s Open House and Air Show was a huge success, with about 40,000 visitors over two days. An event like this doesn’t happen without a lot of people doing a lot of great work, so thanks to everyone involved, from the Executive Planning Team to the Airmen who did the FOD walk yesterday to make sure the airfield was ready for flight ops again. The Air Show is one of the major ways we show our gratitude to our community for their support, and by all accounts everyone had a great and safe time.

Even as hundreds of folks were getting ready for the Open House, hundreds of other volunteers were downtown supporting Falls Fest—one of the community’s biggest events. I wasn’t able to attend myself, but I’m told it was a great event and that volunteers from Sheppard were integral to its success. So thanks to all those who took time out of an already busy week to support this event.

If that weren’t enough, this past weekend also marked the start of a new fiscal year, which meant that a lot of people all across the base—but especially the folks in the Comptroller and Contracting Squadrons—were extremely busy with closeout. That was also a huge success; because we had all our ducks in a row, we were able to execute about $28 million in purchases and projects, including a lot of money that came down from higher headquarters because we were ready and able to spend it effectively. Great job by all the resource advisors, cardholders, contracting and finance folks.

Included in that $28 million was $1 million that came because Sheppard won second place in Air Education & Training Command’s Energy Use Reduction Program. That’s a huge accomplishment that took effort from everyone to achieve, so kudos to everyone for that. We made good use of the money; in addition to replacing one of our most challenging HVAC systems and upgrading key computer network components, we used it to buy new cardio machines and weights, and also repaired the racquetball courts.

Also on the environmental front, we learned last week that Sheppard was again the only military facility in Texas honored with Platinum Level status in the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Clean Texas Program. This environmental leadership program recognizes organizations for creativity and success in dealing with environmental challenges. In recognition of this achievement—which is really your achievement—we’ll fly a special flag presented to us on the base flag pole in front of Building 400 for the next week.

All of this is on top of conducting our normal technical and flying training missions at the level of excellence our customers have come to expect from us. And, it’s worth noting, at the end of a month that included the POW/MIA commemoration, the Air Force Ball, a Major Accident Response Exercise and a visit from AETC Commander Gen. Edward A. Rice, Jr.

It doesn’t seem quite enough, but thank you to everyone in both wings for the hard work, expertise and dedication that made all this happen. We all know Team Sheppard is the Air Force’s premier training base. You’ve proven one again that it’s AETC’s premier base, period.

My best—

Sheriff