Volume 2, No. 8 403rd Wing, Keesler AFB, Miss. Aug. 4, 2017

Little Rock maintainers MISSION READY: train at Keesler AFB Photo by Staff Sgt. Heather Heiney Members of the 913th Maintenance Squadron from Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas work together with members of the 803rd Aircraft Main- tenance Squadron to hook up a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to be towed to the wash rack July 21 here. By Staff Sgt. Heather Heiney Rock said for many of the 913th members this is their first time 403rd Wing Public Affairs off station doing longer-term work. “It’s been a great opportunity to work with other Airmen and get Dozens of Reserve Citizen Airmen from the 913th Maintenance a flavor of how they do things,” said Senior Airman David Roby, Squadron out of Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, have spent 913th MXS crew chief. the past few weeks here at Keesler Air Force Base working on the “The 403rd Wing and the 913th Airlift Group are the only two 403rd Wing’s fleet of C-130J and WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft. units in AFRC with a C-130J combat mission. It’s imperative that “We’re here for proficiency training and to work with all aspects the two maintenance units work together for increased Air Force of the maintenance group and it happens to assist with Keesler’s Specialty Code-specific proficiencies and to increase the mission current need with their hurricane mission,” said Senior Master Sgt. capability of Keesler’s aircraft,” said Maj. Brian Horton, 803rd Air- Cathryn Rock, 913th MXS flight chief. “Our guys are out there do- craft Maintenance Squadron commander. “Our goal with this en- ing launches, recovery, servicing aircraft and helping in the iso- deavor is to train Airmen, work airplanes, but most importantly to chronal inspection dock.” build relationships. We can build on these relationships to provide “Over the past two weeks the Airmen from the 913th MXS … a more robust group of trained maintainers with the sole purpose have made invaluable contributions maintaining the health of the of answering the call of the combatant commanders.” 403rd Maintenance Groups’ 20 C-130J aircraft,” Horton said. “They Unlike the three maintenance squadrons that fall under the 403rd have been fully integrated into all work centers of the 403rd Main- Maintenance Group, the 913th MXS doesn’t have any of its own tenance Group, providing sortie generation, back-shop support, equipment or aircraft because it falls under the 913th Airlift Group, isochronal inspections and staff support. The Airmen of the 913th which is an associate unit to the 19th Airlift Wing. All of the C-130J MXS have been working alongside and partnering with Keesler aircraft and maintenance equipment there belongs to the 19th AW, Airmen, contributing to over 350 maintenance actions.” which is an active duty unit. www.403wg.afrc.af.mil

End of an era: Maintenance chief retires By Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek 403rd Wing Public Affairs More than 37 years equals almost two full careers, and this is the military service of just one chief as he comes to the end of one road and the beginning of a new way of life. Chief Master Sgt. Vincent Armata, 403rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superin- tendent, retires in August with an impres- sive career, leaving behind a legacy. “Whoever takes over as the new super- intendent will have big shoes to fill,” said Maj. John Fite, 403rd AMXS commander. “His presence, being able to observe him and interact with him cannot be measured. Other chiefs as well as officers for that mat- ter look to him or confer with him when making decisions. He is a rock around here, a wealth of knowledge and wisdom, which is going to be missed.” Photo by Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek After graduating high school, Armata Chief Master Sgt. Vincent Armata, 403rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent, poses said that he hopped from job to job, but for a photo May 6, 2017 at St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The chief retires this weekend. got bored after realizing it didn’t take long ta said he distinctly remembers one Friday “That’s not saying he didn’t give me for him to master those jobs. He said he in 2003. pointers and guidance as I needed it, but had always been fascinated by the struc- “Chief Mina Babb, my supervisor at the the trust he had in me to do the job meant ture of the military, and after listening to a time, came to my office and said that on a lot,” Keely said. co-worker, that everyone called Sarge, talk Monday you are being transferred to the “The one thing you can count on is that about his experiences, he decided to join. maintenance flight,” he said. he is very passionate, whether it is about May 25, 1980. Like everyone else, Arma- “I was shocked but I know that change is what he does or the people around him, ta remembers the day he took the oath, en- inevitable and you have to be up for a chal- no matter who they are or what job they listing into the Air Force. After attending lenge,” said Armata. “People get comfort- hold. He is very encouraging to others and basic military training in July, 1980, his Air able in their niche and don’t like change, is one of a kind,” said Senior Master Sgt. Force career started as an airframe repair but the old saying ‘what doesn’t kill you Delphia Trippe, 403rd AMXS specialist specialist, or as it is now called a structural makes you stronger’ is true.” flight chief. “He will be encouraging those repair specialist. And for Chief Armata, change was young Airmen and trying to leave behind “After I did my four years of active something he embraced, from leaving anything he can that will help and influ- duty, I joined the Air Reserve Technician the fabrication shop in 2003, to going to ence them.” program at the 403rd Wing at Keesler the maintenance shop, honing his skills The one thing all of these members had AFB; but due to changing missions and working in the isochronal inspection (ISO) in common was they view Chief Armata as cut backs, I left and was lucky enough dock, the wheel and tire shop, and aero a great mentor and a great example of the to land a position at Joint Base Mc- repair, only to be moved back to the fabri- kind of leader they aspire to become. They Guire-Dix-Lakehurst (in New Jersey) cation shop in 2006. Then again a move in also agree their careers were influenced by working for the 514th Air Mobility Wing 2007 to his current position as superinten- the way he takes care of his people, by put- in 1986,” said Armata. dent of the maintenance squadron. ting everything he has into what he does, “But I missed working on C-130s, so Armata even looked at deployments as a his work ethic and the passion for his job. about eight months later I went to work for growing opportunity and said to never shy “He is great, he is ‘the Chief’, he is a peo- the 913th Airlift Wing at Naval Air Station away from a challenge or a deployment, ples’ chief,” said Keely. “He makes sure his Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, Penn- because it will make you a better person, as people are taken care of at all times, and sylvania until 1988, when I got a call from well as increasing job performance. Master you can’t ask for any more than that.” a buddy at the 403rd that the unit was Sgt. Brett Keely, 403rd AMXS production “Treat people the way you want to be coming back to life, changing it back into a superintendent, said that during a deploy- treated and do your job, be a subject mat- weather mission. I put in for the position ment Armata had confidence in him to ter expert, most importantly be proud of back here, landed the job, packed my stuff perform even though he was in a higher what you are doing and be the best at it.,” up and here I am.” leadership role than he was trained for and said the chief. After a few years and promotions, Arma- gave him the freedom to perform the job. To read the complete article click here.

403rd Flyer Page 2 403RD HEADLINES CHAPLAIN CANDIDATES TOUR WING Air Force News About 20 years ago, an Afri- can Methodist Episcopal pastor placed his hands on a 7-year-old boy’s forehead. After a moment of reflection, he prophesied the boy would be a man of God. Today, that boy is now 2nd Lt. William Hammond, an Air Force chaplain candidate completing his Master of Divinity. The lieutenant is one Air Force senior leaders of 27 candidates in a variety of religious faiths who toured the U.S. Air Force unveil new priorities Reserve’s 403rd Wing and the active component’s 81st Training Wing at Keesler WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- In a recent letter Force Base July 8-11 as part of the Air Force Reserve Command Chaplain Can- to the Total Force, Secretary of the Air Force didate Intensive Internship June 24 to July 28. Click here for more info. Heather Wilson, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright released their new OPERATIONS SUPPORT SQUADRON priorities and addressed issues Airmen face day to day. HELPS YOKATA ADAPT TO C-130J As the demands for Air Force capabilities continue to increase, the senior leaders estab- Tech. Sgt. Marlon Prevost and Tech. Sgt. John- lished the following priorities to ensure the nie Simms with the 403rd Operations Support Air Force is always able to answer the nation’s Squadron here have been assisting the 374th call and win: OSS, Yokota Air Base, Japan, with their C-130H Restore readiness … to win any fight, any to C-130J Super Hercules transition. time. This transition from the old H-model to the Cost-effectively modernize … to increase the new J-model C-130s has given the Aircrew lethality of the force. Flight Equipment Flight a chance to show their Drive innovation … to secure our future. capabilities overcoming the many challenges Develop exceptional leaders … to lead the that come with the airframe switch. world’s most powerful teams. “Our big issue was that we were getting 14 J-model aircraft, with eight of them Strengthen our alliances ... because we are coming fresh from the factory and not having the equipment we need” said Mas- stronger together. Click here for more info. ter Sgt. Richard Jackson, 374 OSS AFE superintendent. “We needed help in order to meet all the requirements for that transition.” Click here for more info. Loan forgiveness program takes effect in October DESERVING AIRMEN PACKAGES DUE JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- The first forgiveness of stu- As he sits outside the room waiting to be called dent loan balances under the Public Service into the interview, his brain feels like a whorl Loan Forgiveness Program goes into effect for wind. His thoughts go into overdrive trying to government employees this October. make sure he prepared enough for this import- The program offers forgiveness for remaining ant day. He silently recalls the Airman’s Creed balances due on William D. Ford federal direct and the wing’s mission statement while also go- loans after employees have made at least 120 ing through every possible question the board loan payments after Oct. 1, 2007, while em- could ask in the interview. ployed full-time by certain public service em- Second Lt. James Selig, then an enlisted tech- ployers. Loan forgiveness is available only for nical sergeant as a military pay specialist with direct loans; however, loans made under other federal student loan programs may become el- the 403rd Wing’s finance office, said when he was preparing for the Air Force Re- igible for the program if they are consolidated serve Deserving Airman Commissioning Program, his nerves were a wreck. The into a direct consolidation loan. Visit Federal program’s board is only held once a year to select future officers, so he said he Student Aid for eligibility requirements and wanted to be prepared. for additional information. For more infor- “The program is designed to select highly qualified enlisted members for leader- mation about Air Force personnel programs, ship roles as officers,” said Senior Master Sgt. Monica Brown, 403rd Force Support go to myPers. Click here for more info. Squadron superintendent. Click here for more info.

403rd Flyer Page 3 WING COMMANDERS MAKING AN INFORMED DECISION: BLENDED RETIREMENT TOOLS FOR AIRMEN CALLS SUNDAY Col. Jennie R. Johnson, 403rd Wing com- madner, will have her first commanders calls Sunday at the Roberts Maintenance Facility. The first commander’s call is at 8 a.m. for the 403rd Operations Group, Maintenance Group and Aeromedical Staging Squadron. The second command- er’s call is at 9 a.m. for the 403rd Mission Support Group and Wing Staff Agencies. BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE The 403rd Wing Human Resources Devel- The Air Force has provided several tools to assist Airmen and their families in mak- opment Council is hosting a back to school ing informed decisions about the new Blended Retirement System, which takes supply drive during this Unit Training As- effect Jan. 1, 2018. Airmen have until Dec. 31 to acknowledge their eligibility in sembly. All items will be donated to Biloxi MyPers, complete the mandatory BRS Opt-In training, and make a decision about Public Schools. Drop off school supplies their future retirement plan. Reserve Airmen who have accrued fewer than 4,320 or monetary donations to commander’s retirement points as of Dec. 31 will have the option of electing BRS or remain in the support staff sections by sign out on Sun- legacy retirement system. Airmen who do not opt in will remain under the legacy day. Needed items include: ear buds, dry- retirement system. In addition to the BRS Opt-In Course, there is also a Comparison erase markers, markers, 24-count crayons, Calculator and online resource materials. Service members can get free, personal jumbo glue sticks, #2 pencils, rectangle support from an accredited personal financial counselor or manager through their erasers, disenfectant wipes, scissors, baby installation’s Military and Family Support Center. wipes, plastic baggies, hand sanitizer, hand soap, plastic folders, construction paper, RESERVE DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION composition books, three-ring binders, wide-ruled paper, tissues, spiral note- BOARD PACKAGES DUE AUG. 23 books, tabbed dividers, three-ring pencil The Academic Year 2018-2019 Reserve Developmental Education Designation pouches, pencil boxes, highlighters, col- Board will concene Sept. 18. Eligible 403rd Wing members must submit their pack- ored pencils, protractors, and jump drives. ages to Col. Jennie R. Johnson, 403rd Wing commander, by 7:30 a.m. Aug. 23 to be considered by the board. The RDEDB is convened to identify the best-qualified -offi cers for in-residence developmental course placement. Board members will evaluate KICKBALL NEXT UTA applicants based on the whole person concept, which includes depth and breadth The 403rd Wing Human Resources De- of military experience. All school board selections will be based on the needs of the velopment Council and Green Dot team Air Force Reserve followed by consideration for the individual’s school preferences. are co-hosting a kickball tournament 4:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at the WHAT EPME21 MEANS FOR RESERVISTS soccer fields near In July, Air Force officials announced major the gas station. changes to the enlisted professional military ed- Prizes will be Kickball ucation program, now called “Enlisted Profes- given out to the sional Military Education for the 21st Century,” top three men or “EPME 21.” While most changes more directly and top three women affect active duty members, the biggest change for in Green Dot gear as well as prizes for enlisted Reserve Citizen Airmen is the elimina- the first, second and third place winning tion of time-in-service windows as a qualifying teams. Teams will be five to eight members factor for in-residence courses. Enlisted reservists can still do the distance learning course and be considered PME complete. However, if members want to go in-resi- and should register by contacting Staff Sgt. dence to the NCO Academy or Senior NCO Academy, they must complete the dis- Ashley Bever ([email protected]) tance learning course first. Basically, this gives members more time to complete the or Staff Sgt. Lacey Matthews (lacey.mat- distance learning prior to attending in-residence. All distance learning courses will [email protected]). be self-enrolled and scheduling in-residence courses has not changed.

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