Providing Medical Care in the Air
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A PUBLICATION OF THE 502nd AIR BASE WING JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, TEXAS • Vol. 73 No. 44 • November 4, 2016 Providing medical care in the air Photo by Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla Members of the 59th Medical Wing Acute Lung Rescue Team transport a patient inside the San Antonio Military Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Oct. 15. The 59th MDW Acute Lung Rescue Team is comprised of medics with extensive training of aeromedical evacuation techniques. The team’s mission is to ensure patients are safely transported to a higher echelon of medical care. See page 9 for more photos INSIDE | Commentary 2 News 3 Community Briefs 14 Sports 17 ONLINE | http://www.JBSA.mil PAGE 2 commentary TALESPINNER November 4, 2016 Joint Base San Antonio- Lackland It’s not a job — it’s a profession Editorial Staff BRIG. GEN. HEATHER PRINGLE 502ND AIR BASE WING/JBSA By Lt. Col. Michael Drost COMMANDER 71st Operations Support Squadron commander Vance Air Force Base, Okla. “A job is a specifi c task with a defi ned TODD G. WHITE 502ND ABW/JBSA beginning and a defi ned end. A profession PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR I frequently take anonymous questions from those in my squadron to encourage is part of you - it helps defi ne who you OSCAR BALLADARES JBSA-LACKLAND Airmen to be as open as possible with are. It is personal and your unique PUBLIC AFFAIRS CHIEF me. Not every Airman feels comfortable addressing the commander in person. individualism contributes to it.” ALAIN M. POLYNICE COMMAND INFORMATION CHIEF I always advertise and encourage feed- back. Sometimes my most honest queries — Lt. Col. Michael Drost SENIOR AIRMAN LYNSIE NICHOLS come from unknown sources. 71st Operations Support Squadron commander SENIOR AIRMAN KRYSTAL WRIGHT PHOTOJOURNALISTS One such query was posed during a mentoring session with our squadron’s JEREMY GERLACH E-3s and E-4s when discussing promo- it’s a profession.” their fi eld and improve their core JOSE T. GARZA III STAFF WRITERS tions. “What do you say to people who A job is a specifi c task with a defi ned competencies. don’t care or don’t want to promote?” beginning and a defi ned end. A profes- As importantly, we will develop their DOROTHY LONAS I assume the words in this question sion is part of you — it helps defi ne who ability to lead the next generation of PAGE DESIGN/ILLUSTRATOR were carefully chosen. Even still, they can you are. It is personal and your unique Airmen. When we promote individuals, it be interpreted several ways. individualism contributes to it. is partly based on their past performance. The question may indicate the person As military professionals, we are given But it is largely based on their ability to Offi ce does not care about his work, or does not jobs to do on a daily basis. There are succeed in the future. 2230 Hughes Ave. JBSA-Lackland, Texas care about promotion. It might be from many tasks required to get the Wing mis- I understand the need for individuals to 78236-5415 an ascending squadron leader who wants sion accomplished. But merely doing those complete tasks on a daily basis. What the (phone) 671-2908 to help motivate a junior enlisted member. tasks does not make you a professional Air Force needs you to do is to take that (fax) 671-2022 The questioner may be a self-motivated and it does not give you a profession. task and make it a part of who you are. Email: [email protected] individual trying their absolute best and The Air Force is in the business of Widen your aperture to more than just a Straight Talk: 671-6397 (NEWS) in that personal pursuit of complete job growing leaders in both our enlisted particular task or job and prove yourself For advertising information: knowledge they are not bothered if they ranks and within our offi cer corps. If the deserving of more responsibility. EN Communities are not recognized in the form of a Air Force was concerned merely about To those merely wanting a job, the Air P.O. Box 2171 San Antonio, TX 78297 promotion. getting a particular task done, we would Force is not the right place. Sure, we will 250-2052 In my opinion, that is perfectly accept- be sacrifi cing our future for the immedi- still require you to do the tasks assigned able. I have confi dence in our leadership ate need of the present. while you are employed, but we are to promote people with strong work For example, in our Radar Approach in the business of making military This newspaper is published by ethics who don’t necessarily see Control, the task could be to get the most professionals. EN Communities, a private fi rm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, promotion as their main goal. aircraft safely airborne and landed in a Those not wanting to promote must under exclusive written contract with I have told many Airmen that I do not single day to meet timeline requirements. understand that they will be replaced by JBSA-Lackland, Texas. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an make decisions for the squadron based on This requires a team of individuals, a new crop of eager Airmen who want authorized publication for members how best I can position myself for promo- expertly trained, focused on a common more than a job. of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Talespinner are not necessarily tion. I am proud of the rank I obtained objective, working in unison, executing a I would hope that as I shake your hand the offi cial views of, or endorsed by, and if I retire an O-5, I would not feel task for which they are uniquely qualifi ed when you leave the service, and thank the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the slighted. Promotion is not my motivation to accomplish. you for time served, you understand that Air Force. for completing a task to the best of my While important on the micro level, this in the civilian world those with jobs are The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or ability. task of meeting timeline requirements is just as replaceable. supplements, does not constitute Another possibility is our anonymous not what the Air Force ultimately needs. A job is a task and to an employer you endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Airman might not actually care about his Our Air Force ultimately needs Airmen are a means to an end. Once that job Force or EN Communities, of the work, is passing time until the current who sign up to grow within the ranks. can be done more cheaply, quickly or products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this enlistment is up, doesn’t want the Airmen not only do any task precisely, you will be replaced. publication shall be made available responsibilities of the next rank, or assigned, but also are the next Airmen A profession is more than a job. Make for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, doesn’t want to put in the effort required in line to lead those under them. In this your military career a part of what national origin, age, marital status, to get promoted. constant quest for leaders, we will pull defi nes you and you will achieve physical handicap, political affi liation, or any other non-merit factor of the To this Airman I say, “This isn’t a job, from those who are technical experts in professional success. purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Offi ce of the 502nd Air Base Wing. All photos, unless otherwise indicated, are U.S. Air Force photos. Deadline for story submissions is noon Wednesday the week prior Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday to publication. November 4, 2016 TALESPINNER news PAGE 3 News in Brief Ordnance disposal master craftsman OPERATION HOME COOKING PHONE LINES ARE OPEN San Antonio area families can invite two Airmen/trainees at Joint Base San Antonio- sacrificed his safety to save lives Lackland to enjoy a holiday meal through “Operation Home Cooking.” This program By Jeremy Gerlach is designed for family participation, not JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs for groups, to ensure everyone wanting to participate can do so. In the sands of Iraq, where hostile Requests can be made from 8 a.m. to explosive devices lurk inches under the 3 p.m. weekdays by calling call 671-5453, surface, every step an explosive ordi- 671-5454 or 671-3701. Reservations are nance disposal master craftsman takes required to host Airmen/trainees. The phone could be their last. lines will remain open until Nov. 23 or In the fourth installment of the until all eligible Airmen/trainees have been Airman Heritage Museum’ Enlisted requested, whichever occurs first. Anyone Character Development series, retired who calls after the total number of Airmen/ Senior Master Sgt. Paul Horton told an trainees is reached may be placed on a audience of Airmen that EOD master waiting list. craftsmen only have one question to ask Families within the San Antonio metro- themselves: “How many people can I politan area may invite two Airmen/trainees save before I go? How much more can as a “general request.” To make a “by name I give?” request,” you must be an immediate family Horton’s speech, held at Joint member and live in the San Antonio metro- Base San Antonio Lackland Pfingston politan area.