INSIDE U.S. Airmen Partner with Australian Air Force Daisy Grant Staff Writer
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Vol. 76, No. 30 Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. Friday, July 27, 2018 INSIDE U.S. Airmen partner with Australian Air Force Daisy Grant Staff Writer Members of the Royal Australian Air Force 2 Squadron of the 42 Wing visited Tinker Air Force Base July 13 in preparation for the renewal of a partnership program involving the 552nd Air Control Wing. Similar to a program between 2003 and 2008, it will involve the U.S. sending two Tinker Airmen, either pilots or air battle managers, employee to partner with the Australian squadron for wins AF about three years at a time. Australian Airmen will also come to cybersecurity Tinker AFB in a less formal program. contest The program is set up to increase Page 6 interoperability by allowing U.S. air battle A Royal Australian Air Force E-7A “Wedgetail” Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft visited Tinker July managers to better understand the E-7A 13. Wing Commander Mike “Mango” Bowen met with the 552nd Air Control Wing Director of Staff Lt. Col. Brian Air Force “Wedgetail” Airborne Early Warning Donehue to discuss their new exchange program between the two wings. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kelly White) extends and Control System and help Australian parental leave Airmen learn more about the U.S. E-3 AWACS aircraft capabilities. Lt. Col. Brian Donehue, director of staff is working at the tactical level is going to Page 11 To recognize the program’s rebirth, for the 552nd ACW, said it is an incredible grow up and be part of the operation level members of the squadron visited Tinker opportunity for Airmen to learn to better and the strategic level of deployment of Fruit becomes AFB with an E-7 aircraft, allowing communicate and apply battle management these assets. So this is how partnership Tinker Airmen’s members of the 552nd ACW to walk command and control. go-to snack through it. “So what that means is, this air crew that See Australia page 2. Page 11 Summertime safety The 65th Korean War Veteran Col. Robert Henderson Pages 12-13 Armistice Day July 27 takes command of the Universities Kevan Goff-Parker 635th SCOW hold education Staff Writer event Editor’s Note: the information Page 14 below comes from the online archives of The Tinker Take Off, Oklahoma Historical Society and other sources. This summer, today to be exact, marks the 65th anniversary of the National Korean War Veteran Armistice Day in the U.S. While Visit us online at some refer to the Korean War as www.tinker.af.mil the “Forgotten War;” the more than 36,000 Americans who distinguished themselves by giving the ultimate sacrifi ce will always be remembered Lt. Gen. Lee K. Levy II, commander of the Air Force Sustainment by their friends, families and Team Center, passes the guidon to Col. Robert Henderson who as- Tinker. Historical photo from Tinker Take Off archives sumed command of the 635th Supply Chain Operations Wing in a After North Korean troops, backed titled “Frontline Exchange in Korean War.” ceremony held on July 20. (U.S. Air Force photo) Like us on Facebook by the Soviet Union, invaded the www.facebook.com/ Korean peninsula on June 25, 1950, signed an armistice. 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs tinkerairforcebase and although often separated by At the beginning of the Korean thousands of miles across the sea, the War, Tinker AFB quickly ratcheted up SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. – Col. Robert Oklahoma City Air Materiel Area at the maintenance, repair and overhaul Henderson assumed command of the 635th Supply Tinker Air Force Base, U.S. military of engines and other aircraft parts as Chain Operations Wing from Col. David Sanford and our allies were integral partners the warfi ghters’ needs grew. Tinker during a change of command ceremony hosted by Lt. in the war effort. Hostilities fi nally hired nearly double the number of Gen. Lee K. Levy II, Air Force Sustainment Center Follow us on Twitter ended on July 27, 1953 when North @Team_Tinker Korea, China and the United Nations See Armistice page 6. See Henderson page 6. 2 — www.TinkerTakeOff.com — July 27, 2018 A Royal Australian Air Force E-7A “Wedgetail” Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft visited Tinker July 13. (U.S. Air Force photos/Kelly White) “It’s like cross-pollination, we Australia learn (and) exchange tactics from them, they get tactics from us, and continued from page 1 then it is easier to communicate in capacity starts,” Donehue said. the battle space,” Donehue said. “They start it at a young age, He said two Airmen began the Royal Australian they work together and then when program July 16, and there are Air Force Wing they get to be majors, colonels talks of expanding it to include Commander and generals, they know what it naval fl ight offi cers. Michael “Mango” Bowen, right, met feels like to work together.” Wing Commander Michael with the 552nd Donehue said the program will Bowen said he is confi dent in the Air Control Wing benefi t the wing’s priorities of U.S. Airmens’ E-3 experience. Director of Staff people and readiness by providing “It’s hugely benefi cial to Lt. Col. Brian an opportunity for the Airmen to understand each of our respective Donehue, left, to discuss their grow and learn how the Royal capabilities at an operator level new exchange Australian Air Force applies and drive interoperability,” program between command and control skills. Bowen said. the two wings. The Commander’s Action Line serves as a direct link for Tinker personnel to bring questions or concerns to the 72nd Air Base Wing commander’s attention, in the case that a timely resolution of issues through facility management or unit chain of command doesn’t occur. Items of interest to the installation overall will be published in the Tinker Take Off to effect positive change across Tinker and lead to improvements in safety, working conditions, quality of life and a better understand- ing of base programs and processes. Below are some helpful telephone numbers to assist you in trying to resolve an issue. To submit an Action Line, send an email directly to [email protected] and a response should be received in a timely manner. Col. Kenyon K. Bell 72nd Air Base Wing Commander Suicide Prevention Assistance Key Numbers Base Chapel ..............................................734-2111 Base Legal Offi ce ...........................................739-5811 IG Complaints (for appt.) ...............................739-2051 Suicide Prevention - Lifeline .........1-800-273-8255 Base Safety Offi ce ..........................................739-3511 Military Equal Opportunity ............................739-2104 Military Mental Health ............................ 582-6603 Civilian Health Promotion Services ......... 582-6817 Base Restaurants ............................................734-3161 Military Pay ...................................................739-5768 Civil Engineering ...........................................734-3451 Public Affairs .................................................739-2026 Sexual Assault Response Civilian Personnel ..........................................739-3334 Retirement (civilian) ........................... 1-800-525-0102 Sexual Assault 24-hr line ......................... 734-7272 DOD Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline .........800-424-9098 Security Forces ...............................................734-2878 Military Family Life Counselors ............. 432-6311 Equal Employment Offi ce ..............................739-7889 Force Support .................................................734-3566 Domestic Abuse Hotline & Services ........ 256-2825 Fraud, Waste and Abuse .................................739-3922 Alternate Dispute Resolution .........................736-2151 July 27, 2018 — www.TinkerTakeOff.com — 3 Bartoli takes command of the 552nd ACG Ron Mullan ‘Flipper’ Bartoli,” said Weiss. 72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs Weiss praised Setka for a job well done. Col. John Bartoli succeeded Col. “Col. Setka has been a phenomenal Dominic Setka as commander of the leader and commander,” Weiss said. “This 552nd Air Control Group during a outstanding officer gets the big picture, change of command ceremony held July understands how our mission is evolving 13. Col. Geoffrey Weiss, commander and has been a tireless advocate for his of the 552nd Air Control Wing, was the people even as he effortlessly balances presiding officer for the ceremony. innumerable competing priorities.” Weiss noted that the 552nd ACW, Turning his thoughts to Bartoli, Weiss “America’s Wing,” delivers decisive said “in ‘Flipper’ Bartoli we have another command of the air, anytime and brilliant leader coming back to our wing, Col. John Bartoli, new commander of the 552nd Air Control Group, addresses his command for anywhere. ready to lead and inspire the Air Control the first time during a change of command ceremony held July 13 in Bldg. 230, Dock 2. (U.S. Air “We accomplish this not only from Group. He brings a wealth of command Force photo/Ron Mullan) the air but also from the ground with our and control experience and strategic control and reporting centers and with vision to the job every day.” wing has deployed, you’ve dominated the and taken tremendous strides toward the support of a unique and world class Addressing his command for the first air and ensured our ability to maneuver improving the full spectrum readiness control network squadron and support time, Bartoli noted the accomplishments through cyberspace. You are the best in required for us to succeed in future wars,” squadron here at Tinker,” Weiss said. of the group. the world