Refreshing Art of the Possible Efforts Jillian Coleman Staff Writer
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Vol. 75, No. 32 Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. Friday, August 11, 2017 INSIDE Refreshing Art of the Possible efforts Jillian Coleman Staff Writer A group of five Art of the Possible subject matter experts and several senior leaders from across the Air Force Sustainment Center gathered for an Advanced Level Workshop and to discuss the implementation of Art of the Possible. Tinker lands “The intent of this session is to further E-3 test emphasize how Art of the Possible is our squadron way of doing business,” said Steven Alsup, director of Logistics for the AFSC. “We Page 3 are not just applying these principles to production, this is a leadership model that applies to all business done within AFSC Faces behind and how we approach improving that the places business. “We have come a long way with AoP, but Page 6-7 it is time to take the model’s application to the next level,” he added. The Center AoP team, which includes the 76th SMXG AoP SMEs along with members of AFSC/ interns learn LG and AFSC Directorate of Personnel, the ropes focuses its efforts through a four-element Page 8 cycle comprised of doctrine, training, operations and knowledge. This cycle is: implementing AoP down to the squadron and AoP familiarization. It is comprised of 1. Explaining what AoP is, 2. AoP training division level. AFSCH 60-101 is a handbook the New Employee Orientation-level and is the keystone AoP document. It is pamphlet training, which pertains to all new Partnerships 3. Operationalizing it, and 4. Continually gaining knowledge to further improve it. instructive in nature and can be thought of as employees. lead to healthier The AoP team has drafted two publications, the AoP “how to” publication. Intermediate-level introduces the science vending options AFSCI 60-101 and AFSCH 60-101, to AoP training is broken down into four behind the philosophy and is provided on base provide doctrine on AoP. AFSCI 60-101 tiers, each focusing on training for a specific through a four-hour block of instruction. Page 1A is an instruction and is directive in nature. level of the workforce. It defines the inspectable requirements for Basic-level training consists of elemental See Possible page 9. Softball fields to get upgrades Page 2A Civilian Mentoring Council Visit us online at Jillian Coleman www.tinker.af.mil Staff Writer Four of Tinker Air Force Base’s senior leaders gave their own insights on mentorship advice at the Civilian Mentoring Council’s July 26 event in the base theater. Each of the leaders had the same goal in mind: take the Like us on Facebook time to help that next generation of leaders www.facebook.com/ and innovators. tinkerairforcebase The Air Force’s most valuable resource is its people. Take care of them, and they will take care of the mission. That was the Air Force photo by Kelly White common theme pressed by the panel. 72nd Air Base Wing Vice Commander Col. Thomas Brown speaks to members of the The hour-long session was about being Civilian Mentoring Council July 26. Other panel members included, from left, 72nd ABW adaptable and pushing yourself to go out Follow us on Twitter Director of Staff Bob Sandlin, 72nd ABW Command Chief Master Sgt. Melissa Erb and Dr. @Team_Tinker Keith Hardiman, with the 72nd ABW’s Communications Directorate. See Mentoring page 5. 2 — www.TinkerTakeOff.com — August 11, 2017 Tinker Air Force Base Commentary: The Court-Martial of ‘Billy’ Mitchell Howard E. Halvorsen Courtesy photo/Tinker Air Force Base History office Air Force Sustainment Center Historian An all-black P-61A Black Widow captured in-flight William Lendrum “Billy” Mitchell (Dec. 28, shows the design features of the aircraft type during service with the Army Air Corps. Early P-61As had 1879–Feb. 19, 1936) was a United States Army a four-gun turret mounted on the top of the aircraft, general who is regarded as the father of the United but was subsequently deleted after the 37th aircraft States Air Force. He is also one of the most built. controversial figures in American airpower history whose famous court-martial began on Oct. 25, 1925. He first enlisted as a private during the Spanish- Northrop P-61 American War. Later, he gained a commission and joined the Signal Corps. Records show him to have been an outstanding junior officer who became Black Widow excited about aviation, which was then assigned to the Signal Corps. Thus, in 1916 at age 38, he took Photos courtesy of Tinker History office aircraft profile private flying lessons. The North American B-25 bomber, which Lt. Col. Mitchell served in France during World War I Jimmy Doolittle and his raiders used to bomb Tokyo Greg L. Davis and, by conflict’s end, commanded all American and four other Japanese targets in April 1942, was 72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs air combat units in that country. Recognized as named the “Mitchell.” The B-25 is the only American the top American combat airman of the war (he aircraft ever named for a specific individual. The Northrop P-61 Black Widow was the first was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the American aircraft specifically designed as a night- Distinguished Service Medal, and several foreign Not content to remain quiet, when the Navy dirigible “Shenandoah” crashed in a storm and fighter optimized to use on-board radar systems to decorations), Mitchell nevertheless managed detect enemy aircraft for engagement. The aircraft to alienate himself from most of his superiors killed 14 of the crew, Mitchell issued his famous statement accusing senior leaders in the Army and sat on robust, retractable tricycle landing gear and — both flying and non-flying — during his 18 featured a single main wing, which met the fuselage Navy of incompetence and “almost treasonable months in France. After the war, he was appointed half-way up. One engine was placed on each side administration of the national defense.” He was deputy director of the Air Service, retaining his of the fuselage ahead of the wings’ leading edge. court-martialed, found guilty of insubordination one-star rank and began advocating for increased This structure also formed the root for the twin- and suspended from active duty for five years investment in air power, believing it would prove booms and rudders connected by a single, long-span without pay. Mitchell elected to resign instead as of vital in future wars. elevator. An air-interception radar was fitted in the Feb. 1, 1926, and spent the next decade continuing His relations with superiors continued to sour bulbous nose of mission configured Black Widow to write and preach the gospel of airpower to all as he began to attack both the War and Navy aircraft. who would listen. Mitchell died of a variety of Departments for being insufficiently farsighted Tinker’s role with the P-61 was fleeting. Only regarding airpower. His fight with the Navy ailments, including a bad heart and influenza, in 17 aircraft are shown to have been processed climaxed with the dramatic bombing tests of 1921 1936. through the facilities here between January- and 1923 that sank several battleships, proving Among Mitchell’s published works were “Our June 1947. These aircraft were likely here for the effectiveness of air power. Within the Army, Air Force, the Keystone of National Defense,” 1921; modification to F-15A “Reporter” reconnaissance he also experienced difficulties and in early 1925 “Winged Defense,” 1925; and “Skyways, a Book configuration. he reverted to his permanent rank of colonel and of Modern Aeronautics,” 1930. Subsequent events, The P-61 arrived in both the Pacific and European was transferred to Texas. Although such demotions including the Japanese air attack on Pearl Harbor in theater late in the war (first half of 1944). Despite the were not an unusual occurrence at the time, the December 1941, proved the validity of many of his late arrival, the aircraft had notable success with the move was nonetheless widely seen as punishment prophesies, and many of his ideas were adopted by downing of its first enemy aircraft on July 7 of that and exile. the Army Air Force in World War II. year. In the same month, Black Widows shot down four German bombers in their first aerial engagement over Europe. This week in Tinker history Dual engines, long range and multiple crewmembers made the P-61 ideal for long-range reconnaissance missions and 37 P-61Cs were Aug. 8, 1947 - Tinker Oklahoma City during 1964. becomes the repair center Aug. 10, 1965 - Col. R. A. Stevenson becomes for B-36 bombers. Tinker base commander. See Black Widow page 5. Aug. 6, 1965 - The 2854th Aug. 8, 1966 - Oklahoma City Air Materiel Area Air Base Group receives the gains responsibility for most of the North American Air Force Outstanding Unit Air Defense Command Cheyenne Mountain Manufacturer: Northrop Award for exceptionally meritorious Complex Communication/Electronic System. Aircraft type: P-61 service in support of the Federal Aviation Aug. 6, 1968 - The Pacer Fin project, to strengthen Nickname: Black Widow Agency’s sonic boom program conducted in the vertical fin of the entire -135 fleet, begins. Crew: 3 Power plant: Two Pratt & Whitney R2800 radial engines producing 2,000 horsepower each In-service dates: 1941-1952 2017 Key events: Sept. 16: Air Force Ball Oct. 13: Capstone Event Number produced: 740 Tinker connection: Maintenance and repair. August 11, 2017 — www.TinkerTakeOff.com — 3 Tinker lands The guidon for the E-3 test 605th Test and Eval- uation Squadron, De- tachment 1, is officially unfurled during a Flag squadron Uncasing Ceremony in Fannin Hall Aug.