A PUBLICATION OF THE 502nd AIR BASE WING JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, TEXAS • Vol. 73 No. 14 • APRIL 8, 2016 New Sim center spotlights tools, capabilities Photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma Mark Tuazon, 59th Medical Wing simulations operator, prepares mannequins for the simulation center open house March 4 at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Many of the mannequins bare realistic characteristics and respond in ways that can parallel high-stress medical environments. INSIDE | Commentary 2 News 3 Community Briefs 14 Sports 17 ONLINE | http://www.JBSA.mil PAGE 2 commentary TALESPINNER APRIL 8, 2016 Joint Base San Antonio- Lackland Ordinary heroes do extraordinary things Editorial Staff BRIG. GEN. BOB LABRUTTA By Maj. Christopher Jackson 502ND AIR BASE WING/JBSA 71st Security Forces Squadron commander “My everyday ordinary heroes are the COMMANDER Vance Air Force Base, Okla. people that have signed the dotted line to TODD G. WHITE he musician Dave Grohl, 502ND ABW/JBSA serve this country – the uniformed military PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR leader of the band Foo member, civil servant and the contractor.” Fighters, once said “there OSCAR BAllADARES goes my hero, he’s ordinary.” JBSA-LacKLAND T – Maj. Christopher Jackson PUBLIC AFFAIRS CHIEF While song lyrics can be interpreted in many ways, the words to the Foo 71st Security Forces Squadron commander Fighters’ “My Hero,” in my mind, have SENIOR AIRMAN LYNSIE NICHOLS SENIOR AIRMAN KRYSTAL JEFFERS long payed homage to the ordinary indi- PHOTOJOURNALISTS vidual that does extraordinary things. Freedom. It was a 12-hour firefight of which are ordinary people whom During my time in the military, I have against a force of 300 Taliban fighters you would never expect. My everyday JEREMY GERLACH seen many examples of ordinary people and ended with eight U.S. Forces killed ordinary heroes are the people that JOSE T. GARZA, III who have changed the world for the in action and 22 wounded. have signed the dotted line to serve this STAFF WRITERS better. One of my favorite examples is This particular battle resulted in country – the uniformed military mem- DOROTHY LONAS Medal of Honor recipient Army Staff many decorated combat veterans and ber, civil servant and the contractor. PAGE DESIGN/ILLUSTRATOR Sgt. Ty Carter. is the first, since Mogadishu in 1993, in These heroes endure long tedious hours, Carter joined the Marine Corps in which two soldiers, Carter and Staff Sgt. time away from loved ones and the 1998 where he served as a combat Clinton Romesha, received the Medal of daily grind whether at home or abroad. Office engineer and an intelligence clerk until Honor. Another hero, often overlooked, is the 2230 Hughes Ave. 2002, when he was reduced in rank to Carter was awarded the medal for family member. They serve in a differ- JBSA-Lackland, Texas lance corporal for fighting with another running through enemy fire twice to ent capacity – supporting the long hours 78236-5415 Marine. resupply his comrades who were pinned away at work, the holidays alone and (phone) 671-2908 (fax) 671-2022 Shortly after his reduction in rank, down. Carter’s actions were caught on the quiet moments of agony. Our family Email: [email protected] Carter left the Marine Corps and gave camera by terrorists and eventually fell members support us and what we do Straight Talk: 671-6397 (NEWS) civilian life a try. into the hands of U.S. forces document- because they understand that our ser- He attended Los Medanos Community ing his brave actions that day. vice is more than an eight-hour day. For advertising information: EN Communities College in California. But in 2008, he Carter’s story stands as testament Remember, service is about the men P.O. Box 2171 enlisted in the Army as a cavalry scout that many people do make mistakes and women you serve. It’s not about San Antonio, TX 78297 at Fort Lewis, Wash. in their careers, but not only can they you. It is about the day you may be 250-2052 In May 2009, he deployed to Nuristan recover from those mistakes, they can called to lay down your life for another. Province, Afghanistan, where he en- go on to do incredible things for their When the job gets tough and life gaged in the Battle of Kamdesh at brothers and sisters on the battlefield, brings you down, be a person of action. This newspaper is published by EN Communities, a private firm in no Combat Outpost Keating. including risking their own lives. Be like Ty Carter. Make your life about way connected with the U.S. Air Force, COP Keating was the site of the His story is an inspiration to me be- the people, the mission and the family under exclusive written contract with JBSA-Lackland, Texas. This commercial bloodiest battles of Operation Enduring cause there are heroes among us, many around you. enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Talespinner are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the The Edwards Aquifer: where our water comes from Air Force. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or By Brian Hummel reason many Central Texas cities were which feeds the natural pool in Zilker Park; supplements, does not constitute 502nd Civil Engineer Squadron Pollution prevention manager located where they are and why the and Salado Springs near Salado, Texas. endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air and aquifer recharge specialist Spanish chose to establish San Antonio in Millions of people use the water from Force or EN Communities, of the the early 1700s. these springs each year for drinking, products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this In celebration of Earth Day April 22 Some notable Edwards Aquifer Springs irrigation, swimming and recreation. publication shall be made available and National Environmental Education are (from west to east): Las Moras Springs at The raised pollinator gardens laid out for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, Week April 17-23, this week features Fort Clark in Bracketville; San Pedro Springs on contour near the Cunningham gate on national origin, age, marital status, an exploration about where our water north of downtown San Antonio; San Antonio JBSA-Fort Sam Houston are designed to physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the comes from, as well as how Joint Base Springs located on University of the deeply irrigate the landscape with storm purchaser, user or patron. San Antonio is working to enhance Incarnate Word campus, near Broadway and water runoff. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Office pollinator habitat while reducing its Hildebrand Streets; Comal Springs in New These native wildflower seeds quickly of the 502nd Air Base Wing. All photos, Edwards Aquifer water demand. Braunfels, which are the largest springs in vegetated the exposed soil during cooler, unless otherwise indicated, are U.S. Air Force photos. JBSA and the vast majority of San Texas; San Marcos Springs which has a nice wetter winter months and do not require Deadline for story submissions Antonio pumps its water from the Edwards park and excellent interactive and inter- is noon Wednesday the week prior Aquifer. The aquifer springs are the pretive exhibits; Barton Springs in Austin, See AQUIFER Page 16 to publication. APRIL 8, 2016 TALESPINNER news PAGE 3 News in Brief AFSVA on trend with mystery escape rooms ENLISTED CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT By Carole Chiles Fuller CHAPTER TWO: RESILIENCE AFCEC Public Affairs The Airmen Heritage Museum is hosting the second chapter of the Enlisted Character Master criminal James Moriarty is Development series noon to 3 p.m. April 13 expecting Sherlock Holmes to walk into at the Pfingston Reception Center. Refresh- his parlor. He’s laid a trap, of course, ments will be provided. The guest speaker for the brilliant detective. Unfortunately, will be Master Sgt. Del Toro, who is the first you and your companions have arrived 100 percent disabled Airman to re-enlist, instead. Now you have 60 minutes to and he will share one of the most outsmart Moriarty and escape. The important traits of his character that clock is ticking… enabled him to survive and thrive through Interactive, immersive escape rooms, some of the most challenging situations a such as Moriarty’s Parlor, are gaining human being can endure: resilience. popularity worldwide as entertainment The objective of this seminar is to and team-building experiences. The promote character development through an Air Force Services Activity is offering individual’s stages of awareness, maturity, a choice of six room scenarios to 20 growth and understanding of their men- Air Force installations enterprise-wide tal, ethical and moral qualities and their as part of its Recharge for Resiliency alignment with universal, institutional and initiative. organizational expectations. This is appli- “We’re on trend and on time,” Airman 1st Class Jonathan Brokaw and other Mystery Escape Room participants work on a cable and relevant to enlisted members of all said Sandy Hillard, AFSVA Programs puzzle in DaVinci’s Secret room in Arnold Hall Community Center, Joint Base San Antonio- grades, age groups and service branches. Directorate community and leisure Lackland March 1. Teamwork, communication and collaboration are keys to success in To register, visit https://eis.aetc.af.mil/hq/ho/ branch chief. “Mystery Escape Room this team-building exercise. ECDS_Chapter2/Lists/Registrations/NewForm. concepts/businesses are popping up aspx?CourseID=3&CourseInfo=ECDS%20 across the nation.