www.lajes.af.mil Vol. 17, No. 6 • February 10, 2012 Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal Force Protection Lajes aids in new ALS test development Current FPCON: Alpha Threat Level: Low "6-5... IN THE FIGHT!" FY 2012 397 SORTIES 6,959 LODGED 2,1M gallons FUEL ISSUED Lajes Airman Leadership School members get ready for the Beach Run, November 2011. Eighteen previous ALS In a real-world graduates from Lajes will help with the development of a new ALS test. (Photo by Lucas Silva) emergency, call the Public Affairs Straight By Tech. Sgt. Luther Holsonback the student. Therefore, the Barnes Center has asked Talk Line, 535-3542. Lajes Airman Leadership School commandant the Lajes Airman Leadership School to help with this extremely important project by contacting previous Don´t drink and drive; call The Thomas N. Barnes Center/Academic Affairs Lajes ALS graduates who’ve attended the in-resident LADD: 295 57 LADD Enlisted Professional Military Education at Maxwell- course in the past year. These volunteers will take the Gunter AFB, Ala., is in the process of developing Military Professional/Expeditionary Airman Exam and/ Medical Appointment: exams for the new Airman Leadership School Distance or the Supervisor of Airmen/Supervisory Communicator Base: 535-3261 Learning Course (Course 3). Course 3 is the ALS distance Exam. In order to get as much data as possible, they need Off base: 295-573-261 learning course our Guard and at least 300 students from across Emergency: Reserve partners take for their Since successful completion of this the Air Force to take part in this Base: 911 Professional Military Education. course provides our Total Force teammates validation project. Off base: 295-571-911 In order to ensure they provide the an opportunity for promotion, we want to The testing process will be best product possible, the Barnes identical to the one used in the Weekend ensure the exams are valid without risk to Center has requested support from the student. resident course. Students will Weather Forecast active duty senior airmen and receive a paper exam, and then (Lajes Weather Flight) staff sergeants who have attended enter their scores into a computer Saturday (a.m. / p.m.) resident ALS within the past year. Those who volunteer program run by EPME. After all students have completed Mostly Cloudy / Cloudy Rain will take the new test and help with the validation process. the exam, the ALS instructor will conduct remediation Wind S 10 mph Unlike the students attending in-resident ALS courses, by going over each question with the students. Potential SE 10 mph students who complete the distance learning exams do not problems or valid test challenges will be noted. This High 17C / 63F receive immediate feedback and remediation. This also information will then be sent back to EPME for analysis. Low 15C / 59F means EPME is unable to determine if questions are too The timeframe for this project Air Force-wide was Jan. Sunday (a.m. / p.m.) hard, too easy, or invalid altogether. By having prior ALS 16 to Feb. 10. Mostly Cloudy / Cloudy Rain students complete this test, it will give EPME the statistics Lajes had 18 individuals selected to complete these tests Wind SW 10 mph needed to guarantee they are providing a valid test. and was done by Feb. 3. All personnel who volunteered to SE 10 mph Since successful completion of this course provides take this test will receive a letter from the Barnes Center High 17C / 63F our Total Force teammates an opportunity for promotion, recognizing their Air Force-level impact. Low 15C / 59F we want to ensure the exams are valid without risk to Today's Fight—Airmen and Families—Host Nation Relationship—Future Challenges Perspective ESOHCAMP team to be on Lajes Commander's Action Line May 7-11 for evaluation 535-4240 By Susana Simões such as hazardous waste, recycling, water [email protected] 65th Civil Engineer Squadron quality, waste water, Pollution Prevention, and toxics (such as pesticides we use), they will The Commander’s Action Line is be looking for documentation that we have The Air Force has a long-standing your link to the commander for commitment to the health of the natural corrected past problems and are continuously suggestions, kudos and as a way environment at all of its installations, as well monitoring our programs. They will also provide to work problems or issues within as the safety of its personnel. In 1997, the recommendations for improvements. the 65th Air Environmental Compliance Assessment The report from the assessment will inform Base Wing Management Program was established. In the 65th Air Base Wing commander about for which you addition to environmental experts, safety and the health of Lajes Field’s environmental can’t find occupational health personnel have always and occupational health programs. In turn, another been involved in this program. Therefore, in required improvements will provide justification 2006 the program was officially expanded to for environmental funding for the next year solution. include Safety and Occupational Health and the and beyond. Problem areas are given priority Your chain acronym was changed to ESOHCAMP. based on whether the problem, or “finding,” of command Every three years, an ESOHCAMP is significant, major, or minor. As with all should always assessment team, led by Headquarters United assessments of this type, our commitment is be your first States Air Forces in Europe, spends one week to having no significant and as few as possible option — but when that’s at Lajes to ensure we are in compliance with all major findings. Col. Jose Rivera U.S. Federal, Department of Defense, USAFE, This is why awareness of the physical and not the answer, and Final Governing Standards-Portugal-- environmental health of your workplace is call or e-mail the regulations that govern environmental protection, critical. While some units are more directly Commander’s Action Line safety, and occupational health. Besides involved than others, all 65th ABW and tenant at 535-4240 or 65abw.actionline@ compliance, a successful assessment of all organizations should be vigilant to watch for lajes.af.mil. components of these standards demonstrates situations and events that could affect their to our host nation that we are providing the people and the environment. The point-of- Col. Jose Rivera best stewardship possible in support of U.S. contact for the 65th Civil Engineer Squadron Commander, 65th Air Base Wing operations at Lajes Field. Environmental office is Mr. Duarte Fainha, This year, a 14-person ESOHCAMP team will 535-6557. Tech. Sgt. Jason Scott, in the be here from May 7-11. During their thorough Bioenvironmental office, 535-6206, can provide evaluation, which could involve as many as information concerning occupational health. 15 environmental compliance categories, The 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs staff prepares all editorial content in the National Children’s Dental Health Month Crossroads. By Airman 1st Class Brooke N. Busby The Public Affairs Office (Unit 7710, 65th Medical Operations Squadron APO, AE 09720) is located in Bldg. T-100, Room 240. Parents often wonder when is a good time Submissions can be e-mailed to to teach their children how to brush their teeth. [email protected] or faxed to 535- However, many of them don’t know all of the 6326 and are due the Thursday prior details. With February being National Children’s to the required publication date. Call Dental Health Month, the Lajes Dental Clinic will 535-6161 for more details. be coming to primary schools to teach children This Air Force funded newspaper is how to take care of their teeth. an authorized weekly publication for Practicing good dental hygiene with your members of the U.S. military services children at home is very important. According overseas. to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Contents of the Crossroads are not preventive dental care for children includes: necessarily the official views of, or proper nutrition, brushing and flossing, fluoride, endorsed by, the U.S. Government, regular dental check-ups, and guidance for the Department of Defense or the erupting teeth. Department of the Air Force. As a parent, you should be making sure All photographs are Air Force pho- your child is not eating or drinking too many on your child’s oral health and help strengthen tographs unless otherwise indicated. sugary substances throughout their childhood their teeth against bacteria that cause cavities. development. Increased sugar in your child’s A few consequences of not giving your child Editorial Staff mouth may result in tooth decay. Substituting proper guidance to healthy teeth are multiple Col. Jose Rivera sugary drinks and snacks with water and cavities, inflammation, infection, or loss of teeth. Commander, 65th Air Base Wing healthy snacks, such as fruits, vegetables, Teaching proper oral hygiene habits now will 1st Lt. Mara Title and cheese, will help prevent tooth decay. In give your child a lifetime with a healthy smile Editor in Chief addition, your child’s teeth should be brushed and overall improved health. Contact your Staff Sgt. Angelique Smythe at least twice a day and flossed at least once local Dental Clinic for an appointment or more Editor a day. They may not like it at first, but you are information. Mr. Eduardo Lima teaching them healthy habits that will benefit References: Community Relations Adviser them for the rest of their lives. Scheduling www.ADA.org/1586.aspx Mr. Manuel Martins your children for regular dental checkups and www.AAPD.org/publications/brochures/ Layout Designer fluoride treatments will also keep you informed preventdent.asp Page 2 • Crossroads • February 10, 2012 Today's Fight—Airmen and Families—Host Nation Relationship—Future Challenges http://www.lajes.af.mil Feature A celebration of culture, past and present By Lt.