A PUBLICATION OF THE 502nd AIR BASE WING

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, TEXAS • Vol. 73 No. 1 • JANUARY 8, 2016

MAJCOM commanders visit 24th and 25th Air Force

Photo by Johnny Saldivar Gen. Hawk Carlisle (third from left), commander, and Gen. John E. Hyten (far right), Air Force Space Command commander, are escorted by Maj. Gen. Ed Wilson (second from left), 24th Air Force commander, and Maj. Gen. BJ Shwedo (second from right), 25th Air Force commanderduring a visit to Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland Dec 21, 2015. The MAJCOM commanders received briefi ngs from their respective NumberedAir Force and discuss the continued integration and collaboration between Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and cyber.

INSIDE | Commentary 2 News 3 Community Briefs 14 Sports 17 ONLINE | http://www.JBSA.mil PAGE 2 commentary TALESPINNER JANUARY 8, 2016

Joint Base San Antonio- Lackland Finding strength, resiliency Editorial Staff Brig. Gen. Bob LaBrutta 502nd Air Base Wing/JBSA Commander

Todd G. White 502nd ABW/JBSA through Air Force family Public Affairs Director

By Airman 1st Class Christopher Thornbury and ensured I knew all my options so Oscar Balladares Public Affairs JBSA-Lackland we could take the best course of action. Public Affairs Chief McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. This allowed Emmitt and Kristina to go

to one of the best hospitals in the nation Senior Airman Lynsie Nichols joined the military to provide for for children with severe problems. If he Senior Airman Krystal Jeffers my family, but I never would have had any chance of survival, it would be Photojournalist journeyman I expected the challenges my family there and my leadership made it would face and how we would evolve. possible. Jose T. Garza, III When I enlisted in the Air Force I I was given emergency leave so we Sports/Staff Writer joined another family without intent. could stay at the nearby Ronald This family has been with me ever McDonald House allowing us to be Dorothy Lonas Page Design/Illustrator since, especially during my family’s close to the hospital with the best care darkest tragedy. possible. In the end, the doctors couldn’t Family save our son, but knowing we tried has Office After completing basic military train- made our situation easier to live with. 2230 Hughes Ave. ing and tech school, my family and Air Force family JBSA-Lackland, Texas I made the 303-mile drive from our I received calls, texts and messages 78236-5415 (phone) 671-2908 hometown of Lebanon, Mo, to from many people sending condolences (fax) 671-2022 McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. and asking if there was anything they Email: [email protected] We didn’t know anyone or anything could do. A vast majority of those Straight Talk: 671-6397 (NEWS) about the area before arriving. It was people I had just met within the year only my wife Kristina, my daughter For advertising information: and a half of my enlistment, not in my EN Communities Kierstin, and myself. 24 years before; they were co-workers, P.O. Box 2171 My co-workers welcomed us and mentors, instructors and my leadership. San Antonio, TX 78297 within a few months, I had made It was my Air Force family that really 250-2052 friends at work. We soon found out made the effort to make sure we were that our immediate family was going OK. to grow. We were going to have a baby This newspaper is published by We had the funeral in our hometown, EN Communities, a private firm in no boy, who we decided to name Emmitt so he could be near family. It was a dif- way connected with the U.S. Air Force, Alan Thornbury. under exclusive written contract with ficult day that I wish no parent will ever JBSA-Lackland, Texas. This commercial On Sept. 18, 2015, Emmitt was born. have to go through. enterprise Air Force newspaper is an Hardship authorized publication for members Before the funeral, my brother came of the U.S. military services. Contents We didn’t have the chance to raise Courtesy photo up to me and said, “Your friends are of the Talespinner are not necessarily Emmitt. We’ll never know what kind of the official views of, or endorsed by, Emmitt Alan Thornbury’s headstone, son of here.” As I went to the back of the the U.S. government, the Department man he would become or if he’d have Airman 1st Class Christopher Thornbury, 22nd room, I saw four familiar faces that of Defense, or the Department of the my blue eyes or his mother’s dimples. Air Force. Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs photojournalist, I recognized from base. A chaplain, The appearance of advertising in We won’t be able to take him to ball- who was laid to rest in Lebanon, Mo. Emmitt two co-workers and my fearless leader this publication, including inserts or games or pick him up after a fall. We passed away as a result of deformities caused by supplements, does not constitute traveled the 303 miles to be there for endorsement by the Department of won’t be able to hold and comfort him his condition, Trisomy 18. me and my family. I felt overwhelmed Defense, the Department of the Air when he is upset – because he isn’t with Force or EN Communities, of the with emotion to the point I could barely products or services advertised. us anymore, but he is still with us in when they began talking about how breathe. Everything advertised in this our hearts. publication shall be made available much time we would have with him. It may not be as obvious as time for purchase, use or patronage without His fragile body couldn’t support life They weren’t talking about years or passes, but they are still helping me, regard to race, color, religion, sex, outside his mother’s safe womb. He only national origin, age, marital status, even months, not even days; they were whether they know it or not, just by be- physical handicap, political affiliation, lived a little over an hour but the im- talking about minutes and hours. ing a friend, mentor and always or any other non-merit factor of the pression he left will last forever. purchaser, user or patron. Hearing this hit me harder than a understanding. I don’t know what would Editorial content is edited, prepared We didn’t go in blind though. We speeding train and took me to an have happened without the resources and provided by the Public Affairs Office knew Emmitt was going to face chal- of the 502nd Air Base Wing. All photos, emotion I didn’t know existed. provided to my family by the Air Force unless otherwise indicated, are U.S. Air lenges when the doctors spoke to us Leadership and to my family back at McConnell, Force photos. about his deformities caused by his con- My leadership was incredible. They but I do know that because they picked Deadline for story submissions is noon Wednesday the week prior dition, Trisomy 18. It was gut-wrenching made sure I was at every appointment me up, I can put my best foot forward. to publication. JANUARY 8, 2016 TALESPINNER news PAGE 3 News in Brief Air Force cancels 2016 season of Tops in Blue Air Force officials an- nominations sought for 2016 nounced Dec. 21, 2015 outstanding airmen of the year that Tops in Blue, the Air Force officials are seeking nominations service-unique entertain- for the 2016 12 Outstanding Airmen of the ment program, will cancel Year Award. its 2016 season, allowing There are three categories: Airman, NCO an extended review of the and Senior NCO. Commands and the program. Air Force District of Washington may each Over the last year, sub- nominate one candidate per category to the missions to the Air Force’s Air Force 12 OAY selection board, which will Airmen Powered by select the winners. Innovation program re- Organization and base-level personnel flected recommendations must contact their MAJCOM, forward operat- to cancel Tops in Blue be- ing agency, direct-reporting unit or MAJCOM cause of the required man- equivalent for applicable suspense dates. power and associated cost. Nominations are due to the Air Force Secretary of the Air Force Personnel Center by April 1. Deborah Lee James noted All nominees must be enlisted in the the topic was often a dis- Air Force through Sept. 30. Any nominee cussion during her base all with a projected separation date prior to calls with Airmen. Sept. 30, must take immediate action to Combined with today’s extend or re-enlist in the Air Force. Lo- fiscal realities and resource cal military personnel section officials may constraints, and chang- approve or disapprove extensions for the ing Airmen demographics Photo by Johnny Saldivar purpose of the 12 OAY program. AFPC will and entertainment prefer- Second Lt. Christina A. Muncey, Air Force Band of the West flight commander, leads make the final approval determination for ences, James sought ad- members of “Fiesta in Blue,” a Band of the West ensemble, during a performance at the Fiesta in Blue extension requests sent from the Military ditional feedback from Concert at Trinity University’s Laurie Auditorium in San Antonio April 21, 2015. Personnel Section for 12 OAY nominees. Airmen about the program. Any nominees who extend their enlistment Headquarters Air Force Airman population, the 25- to feedback was extremely consider a wide range of for the 12 OAY award program and are not decided on two methods to 34-year-old age group was important, it was just one options to both entertain selected may cancel their extensions through gather this feedback. the least likely to have a posi- of many factors considered and educate Airmen. Some their local MPS. The first method was to tive opinion of Tops in Blue. as we seek to meet our of those include increased For details, go to https://mypers.af.mil/. attach Tops in Blue ques- In addition to the official core mission requirements use of contracted musical, Individuals who do not have a myPers ac- tions to an internal survey survey, feedback solicited in a time of constrained sports-related, and other count can request one by following the already set to reach 4,674 from the MAJCOMs and resources. The Air Force professional acts in both instructions at http://www.retirees.af.mil/ Airmen. The second was an bases showed 41 percent will continue to support deployed and home station mypers/index.asp. email sent from the deputy recommended divesting, our Airmen and their fami- locations. chief of staff for manpow- while 19 percent of the lies while recognizing their Other options include 2016 vanguard award nominations due jan. 25 er, personnel and services members polled were in entertainment preferences modifying the Tops in Blue The Vanguard Award annually recognizes to the major commands favor of keeping Tops in have changed.” program to include mes- one enlisted member from each of the uni- asking them for Airmen Blue. Around 17 percent “The feedback indicated sages and teaching mo- formed services for an act of heroism that feedback by means of the suggested a modified pro- this was not a cut-and- ments for Airmen that talk results in saving someone’s life or preventing wing commanders and gram and six percent had dry decision,” explained to the real challenges as- serious injury. The act must be a voluntary command chiefs. “other” opinions. Brig. Gen. Lenny Richoux, sociated with military life. action initiated by the nominee and not a The first survey, an in- In consideration of this director of Air Force Tops in Blue’s last 2015 result of directions or orders. It must also ternal communications as- feedback from a wide Services. “There are Air- show will be Jan. 15, at have been a legitimate attempt to save a life sessment group, indicated range of Airmen, the secre- men who enjoyed the , Ill. or prevent serious injury to another person or a wide awareness of Tops in tary and chief of staff of the performance, and we do For a complete schedule group of people. Blue among Airmen. About Air Force made the deci- care about what Airmen of the final shows, visit Each major command, combatant com- half of all Airmen surveyed sion to take a pause in the value. However, consider- https://www.usafservices. mand, field operating agency and direct agreed they would attend a Tops in Blue program to ing a changing demand com/TopsInBlue.aspx#tour. reporting unit may nominate one person. future Tops in Blue event. reassess its mission, venue, for entertainment com- For information about Organizations and base-level personnel must While there is wide- themes and cost. bined with constrained additional morale, welfare contact their MAJCOM, COCOM, FOA or DRU spread awareness among “The decision to pause resources, it is important and recreation events, for applicable suspense dates and nomina- the force, only about 25 and reassess the 2016 that we take a look at Airmen should contact tion process information. percent of all Airmen have Tops in Blue season was a alternatives and ask for a their local MWR facilities For more information visit https://mypers. seen a performance within tough one,” said Lt. Gen. broad base of inputs and or force support squadrons. af.mil. Individuals who do not have a myPers the past five years. Of all the Gina Grosso, director of opinions.” age groups, and represent- manpower, personnel and Richoux said the Air (Source: Secretary of the Air See NEWS IN BRIEF Page 5 ing a third of the overall services. “While Airmen’s Force Services Activity will Force Public Affairs Washington) PAGE 4 TALESPINNER JANUARY 8, 2016

thinking back to what I did yesterday and what I can do better today to help.” Many Airmen think back to their initial encounters with MTIs and remember the chaos, yelling and the Campaign behind the hat constant pushing to get more out of them. Yi passion- ately explained the reasoning behind an instructor’s By Senior Airman William Blankenship, “elevated voice” is that they need to make sure every- 42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs, one is standardized. , Ala. “Nobody here at OTS is out to become the cadet’s friend,” he said. “We are to be their trainers, mentors (This feature is part of the “Through Airmen’s Eyes” and also their guidance counselors, at times. It is that series. These stories focus on individual Airmen, high- foundation to let them know we have business that we lighting their Air Force story.) have to conduct and we need to get to the business and there’s no time to beat around that. But towards During a push to gain military training instructors, Courtesy graphic the end, the MTIs will take a step back and become then-Staff Sgt. Chi Yi found himself donning the under- more of that mentor fi gure and try to make them a the-brim stare that welcomed him to Joint Base San better leader.” Antonio-Lackland years before. themselves and how they march around two-inches Yi’s passion for the development of offi cers stems The former vehicle operations specialist accepted taller because of their pride, it culminates to the best beyond his dedication to his service and his job, as the challenge of molding future Airmen, an ambition feeling in the world.” his eldest son is set to join his father in the Air Force of his since joining the Air Force. Online social media sites pertaining to OTS litter next year. “I was nervous my fi rst day of being an MTI,” said warnings of the high standards expected by Yi, both for “I want these leaders to lead, especially my son in Yi, who has been a MTI for seven years. “But, once I those inbound to commission and for laughter of those the right direction,” Yi said, fi ghting back emotion. “I understood the big reason as to what I’m really doing, already commissioned. His attention to detail, along want them to lead by example, upholding our core it has become the biggest reward.” with cutting eyes peering from underneath his cam- values.” Yi spent over three years shaping newly enlisted paign hat, remains easily recognizable to those who The instructor has overheard jokes from those he Airmen at basic military training before transitioning to have been cordially welcomed into the military by him. has trained before saying, “I bet he makes his kids a new type of molding venture – infl uencing cadets at “Driving to work, especially during early morning do drill,” which he stressed couldn’t be further from the Offi cer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base (indoctrination) phase when we aren’t so friendly here, the truth, despite how humorous he fi nds the thought. Ala. I anticipate what challenges I may face that day. I want “I physically leave the hat in my vehicle when I get “Personally and professionally, this job has had a to be prepared for how to handle those situations,” he home and will not wear it into my house,“ he said. “I tremendous impact on my life,” said the husband and said. “I constantly try to think of a better way to give have to understand that there is work and then there father of two sons. “To see those trainees and the the best training possible for these brand new cadets. is family life. I am just a regular human being, a father cadets at Offi cer Training School, how they conduct Not every class is the same and you have to adjust, and a husband, just like anybody else.”

Friday • 6 p.m. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay • 6 p.m. Spectre (PG-13) – Part 2 (PG-13) Movie Line: 671-3985 or View schedules at: Saturday Sunday https://www.shopmyexchange.com/reel-time-theatres/ • Noon Studio Appreciation Advance Screening – Krampus (PG-13) • Noon Program Note Free Admission – Rated R*. Tickets available at your FRIDAY • 3 p.m. Spectre (PG-13) Locate the Day of the Week and Date and Read across THROUGH local Exchange Food Court. Seating open to non-ticket for specifi c show times. holders 30 minutes prior to showtime. Thursday We have one movie screen, one movie per show time. THURSDAY Doors open 30 minutes prior to each show time. • 3 p.m. Spectre (PG-13) • 4 p.m. Krampus (PG-13)

JANUARY 8, 2016 TALESPINNER PAGE 5 59th Training Group activates, joining largest medical wing

Photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma Maj. Gen. Bart Iddins, 59th Medical Wing commander, gives command of the 59th Training Group to Col. Steven Caberto during an activation ceremony Jan. 4 at Joint Base San Antonio- Fort Sam Houston. The 59th TRG supports military medical service and medical readiness training at the Medical Education and Training Campus for 12,100 students annually and at two operating locations, one detachment and 17 sites around the world. By Shannon Carabajal the USAF’s medical capability and 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs the 59th Training Group has a long history of training the world’s finest The Air Force’s largest medical wing warrior medics. Consequently, the 59th just got larger with its latest addition - Medical Wing is honored to add the the 59th Training Group. The 59th Medi- proud and dedicated Airmen of the 59th cal Wing took command of its seventh Training Group to our team,” said 59th group during an activation ceremony MDW Commander Maj. Gen. Bart Iddins, held Jan. 4 at Joint Base San Antonio- who presided over the event. Fort Sam Houston. Formerly, the 937th TRG part of The new unit joins a consortium of the 37th Training Wing at JBSA- Air Force health care professionals and Lackland, the new 59th TRG continues educators dedicated to the training and to develop, deliver and evaluate medi- medical readiness of warrior medics cal training for 75 medical treatment worldwide. “Training is the bedrock that supports See ACTIVATION Page 12

NEWS IN BRIEF from Page 3 account can request one by following the instructions at http://www.retirees.af.mil.

inter-service physician assistant commissioning program application window open Eligible Airmen interested in biomedical sciences education or commissioning opportunities can now apply for Inter-service Physician Assistant Program. Applicants should be U.S. citizens, meet the minimum commissioning age requirements, meet fitness standards and be medically qualified for worldwide duty. Inter-service Physician Assistant Program application packages must include worksheets, transcripts and SAT reports, which must be emailed to the AFPC Biomedical Sciences Corps Utilization and Education Branch by Jan. 25, 2016. For field requirements and application procedures go to the Air Force Medical Service Knowledge Exchange page at https://kx.afms. mil/afbsceducation. For more information, go to https://mypers.af.mil/. Individuals who do not have a myPers account can request one by following the instructions at http://www.retirees. af.mil/mypers/index.asp. PAGE 6 TALESPINNER JANUARY 8, 2016 19th Air Force commander visits Joint Base San Antonio

Wednesday Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Program The 2016 JBSA-Lackland African American Heritage Committee will host a service to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Freedom Chapel, 2200 Treumper Street from noon to 1 p.m. The service will include a reading of the “I Have A Dream” speech by Dr. Scott. Bradley. Guest speaker will be Chaplain Capt. Lamar Reece, 502 ABW, and music will be provided by Venture Carter. For more information, call 671-3956 or 671-0916.

Maj. Gen. James Hecker, 19th Air Force commander, listens to the 149th Fighter Wing munitions fl ight chief, talk about location limitations during his visit Dec. 10 to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The general took time to stop by several base units and listen to various members brief the commander about their work section.

Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Mindy Bloem respectful and understanding work climate. 149th Fighter Wing Public Affairs The 19th Air Force commander also didn’t shy away from other real issues facing the force today, Maj. Gen. James Hecker, 19th Air Force com- namely, sexual assault, substance abuse and child mander, visited Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland predators. Dec. 10, 2015, to observe the people and progress “The people who do this won’t listen to what of the 149th Fighter Wing. I’m saying, but I’m talking to the 99.9 percent of The 149th FW was number 17 of 19 visits on people who don’t do this,” Hecker said. “If you To advertise in the Talespinner, the general’s schedule before the close of the year. witness this, have the moral courage to step in During his visit, Hecker held an all call where and do something about it because it’s cancer to call 250-2440 for classifi eds he addressed the members of the wing and praised our Air Force.” or contact Michelle Bogue at 250- them for the work they’re doing to support the After Hecker’s presentation, wing members had s F-16 mission. the opportunity to ask questions that ranged from 2052 for retail ad “We couldn’t produce the number of fi ghter transgender issues to the recent terrorist attacks. pilots we produce without you,” Hecker said. He Hecker’s advice on the latter was to stay espe- recognized the diversity and varied skills that Air cially alert to your surroundings. National Guard members bring to the fi ght, but “What we can’t do is let them win,” he said. “If also challenged them on suicide prevention. we hide away in our house and never go out, we Suicides in the Total Force, including civilians, let them win. Be vigilant. Don’t be scared, but just climbed from 85 in 2014 to 105 in 2015. know your surroundings. Be your own guard for “The best leadership advice I’ve ever gotten is you and your family.” One of the best things about ICE is that people can to treat them like your son or daughter ... or like The general concluded saying that the airmen let service providers know when they do a great your brother or sister,” Hecker said. He explained he visits regularly are among the fi nest, and the job, not just for poor service. that by treating people in this way, you’ll always active duty force recognize the Guardsmen’s su- It takes fi ve minutes or less to submit a have someone’s best interest at heart, especially perior performance out in the fi eld and the skills comment at http://ice.disa.mil. in regards to correction, thereby fostering a more they bring to the table. JANUARY 8, 2016 TALESPINNER PAGE 7 INTEGRATION AND COLLABORATION BETWEEN AIR FORCE ISR AND CYBER

Air Force Gen. Hawk Carlisle (left), commander of Air Combat Command, and Gen. John Hyten (center), com- mander of Air Force Space Command, met Dec. 21 with Maj. Gen. Bradford Shwedo (right), 25th Air Force com- mander, and Maj. Gen. Ed Wilson, 24th Air Force com- mander, to discuss the con- tinued integration and col- laboration between Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and cyber. Photo by William Belcher

STRIPES FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE

Staff Sgt. Destinee Avila of the 383th Training Squadron was STEP promoted to technical sergeant during a surprise ceremony December 23, 2015 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, by Brig. Gen. Trent Edwards, 37th. Training Wing commander and Chief Master Sgt. Sharon Fuller, 37th TRW command chief. PAGE 8 TALESPINNER JANUARY 8, 2016 Military Ambassadors chosen for 2016

Military ambassadors from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force Army Staff Sgt. Jacquelyn M. Jones and Coast Guard will represent their Marine Sgts. Dawn P. Casiano and Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Richardson and Thiago M. Alves Staff Sgt. Jacquelyn M. Jones, from Jacksonville, N.C., is assigned as respective services at San Antonio- Sgt. Dawn P. Casiano, from Princeton, Texas, is assigned to the 4th the 5th Brigade Army Music Recruiting Liaison with the 5th Recruiting Reconnaissance Battalion as a supply administrative and logistics NCO. Her Brigade. She proctors auditions, conducts Army music outreach and awareness area community events, includ- responsibilities include ensuring all supply administrative operations are ac- tours and presentations at high schools, universities and music conventions ing nearly 150 activities associated complished to meet all procurement needs for fi ve outlying companies within in the Central and Southwest United States for the U.S. Army Music Program. the battalion. Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Richardson, from Halifax County, Va., is the opera- with Fiesta San Antonio. They also Sgt. Thiago M. Alves, from Recife, Brazil, is assigned to the 4th tions NCO for the 412th Contracting Support Brigade. He directly supports 65 participate in parades and visit local Reconnaissance Battalion. His current job and responsibilities include being a Soldiers and 234 Department of the Army civilians and is the primary liaison personnel clerk, where he is responsible for pay, travel entitlements and admin- between the brigade S3 to one battalion, six contingency contracting teams and schools, nursing homes and retire- istrative issues. He is responsible for training Marines for honor guard duty and six contracting centers. ment facilities throughout the year. acts as a Sergeant of Marines, responsible for the professional development of all junior Marines.

Navy Petty Offi cers 1st Class Kadia Griffi n Air Force Tech. Sgts. Jacqueline I. Crow Coast Guard Petty Offi cers 1st Class Betsy L. Harrell and Kalvin Wilburn and Steven Nowicki and Marco Rivera Petty Offi cer 1st Class Kadia Griffi n, from Hollywood, Fla., is a Navy dental Tech. Sgt. Jacqueline I. Crow from San Antonio is the intelligence NCO in Petty Offi cer 1st Class Betsy L. Harrell, from Lenoir, N.C., is assigned to the assistant program leading petty offi cer and instructor at the Navy Medicine charge at the 149th Fighter Wing’s Operations Support Squadron. She ensures U.S. Coast Guard Recruiting Offi ce San Antonio. She is responsible for processing Education and Training Command at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston. She is responsible the intelligence team maintains the capability to provide timely and accurate qualifi ed applicants into the U.S. Coast Guard. for leading the daily operations of and providing instructional hours to students operational support and fully trained personnel. Crow also develops scenarios Petty Offi cer 1st Class Marco Rivera from Houston is assigned to the Coast for the Navy Dental Assistant Program. for unit training missions and creates threat of the day briefs and mission Guard Cryptologic Unit Texas at the Texas Cryptologic Center at JBSA-Lackland. Petty Offi cer 1st Class Kalvin Wilburn, from Killeen, Texas, is assigned to the planning studies for peacetime. He is an intelligence specialist, performing a wide range of duties associated Navy Information Operations Command Texas at JBSA-Lackland, where he is an Tech. Sgt. Steven Nowicki is assigned to the 341st Training Squadron at with the collection, analysis, processing, and dissemination of intelligence in administration department leading petty offi cer, guiding a team of 12 junior JBSA-Lackland where he is the team chief for the military working dog handler support of Coast Guard operations. personnel in processing the administrative and pay and personnel requirements course. Nowicki guides the instructor team that provides formal training in basic for more than 600 command personnel. MWD principles. Courtesy photos JANUARY 8, 2016 TALESPINNER PAGE 9 Alamo Wing conducts fuel extraction exercise

litter outside the hanger door to wait for emer- gency services to arrive. The Airmen completed the exercise in a re- cord time of 3 minutes and 15 seconds. In a real- world scenario, every second counts. All aircraft maintenance personnel are trained to provide CPR and other basic life saving techniques. “The importance of this training is life and death; people don’t realize how dangerous this job can be,” said Master Sgt. Sandra Flores, 433rd MXS aircraft fuel systems technician. “If somebody hap- pens to go down in one of these tanks, we are the first responders for each other, so there is a lot of training involved. We do this training because we want our people to become proficient and know what to do in a real-world situation.”

Photos by Benjamin Faske Senior Airmen Eric Garcia and Joseph Hargrave, 433rd Maintenance Squadron aircraft fuel systems technicians, secure a manikin to a gurney before transporting it to the hydraulic scissor lift Dec. 17 at Joint Base San Antonio- Lackland. The Airmen completed the exercise in a record time of 3 minutes and 15 seconds.

By Benjamin Faske a small hole beneath the aircraft’s wing. Once in- 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs side, Hargrave makes contact with the downed Airman – a manikin. Three members from the 433rd Airlift Wing’s “Using an actual person is not realistic because Maintenance Squadron took part in an annual fuel they will help themselves out of the tank, so it’s extraction exercise Dec. 17, 2015. not actually dead weight,” said Tech. Sgt. Jason Airmen are graded on extraction protocol, Rachwitz, 433rd MXS aircraft fuel systems techni- execution time, and safety. The scenario begins cian. “It’s totally different with a dummy because when a bull horn simulates an Airman has been we have to actually maneuver the body around to rendered incapacitated due to jet fuel inhalation get it out.” while inside the wing of C-5A Galaxy aircraft. Waiting beneath the wing is Senior Airmen Eric Once the alarm is sounded, a call is immediately Garcia, 433rd MXS aircraft fuel systems techni- Senior Airman Eric Garcia, 433rd Maintenance Squadron placed to the dispatch office of the 502nd Air Base cian. It is his job to take hold of the patient and aircraft fuel systems technician, removes a manikin from Wing emergency services. As the call goes out, the secure him to the gurney. Once the patient is se- the wing of a C-5A Galaxy aircraft during a fuel extraction remaining two Airmen begin the extraction. cured, both Airmen bring the awaiting hydraulic exercise Dec. 17 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The Senior Airman Joseph Hargrave, 433rd MXS scissor lift down to the ground to a waiting Rach- annual exercise is graded for extraction protocol, execution aircraft fuel systems technician, is hoisted through witz. From there, Garcia and Rachwitz carry the time, and safety. PAGE 10 TALESPINNER JANUARY 8, 2016

Photo by Joel Martinez

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH

Photo by Airman 1st Class Justine Rho Military members assigned to the 802nd Security Forces Courtesy photo Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland render a fi - Approximately 100 Airmen assigned to the 737th Training Photo by Benjamin Faske nal salute in honor of Military Working Dog Daysi at the Group participated in the opening ceremony for the Valero Senior Airman Ryan Spray, 433rd Aircraft Maientenance Holland MWD Hospital. Due to an aggressive cancer and Alamo Bowl in San Antonio by holding the U.S. fl ag during Squadron aircraft electrical and environmental specialist, an inoperable malignant tumor, MWD Daysi was euthanized the National Anthem. The Airmen who were participants takes appart an instrument pannel on a C-5 Galaxy at Joint that afternoon. As tradition, a police procession is followed graduated from basic military training that day. Base San Antonio-Lackland. by a fi nal salute to MWDs prior to euthanasia. JANUARY 8, 2016 TALESPINNER PAGE 11

APRIL MAY JUNE

Photos by Johnny Saldivar Photo by Johnny Saldivar Brig. Gen. Trent H. Edwards (left), 37th Training Wing com- Tech Sgt. Jarmaine Thomas, 331st Training Squadron mander, passes the guidon to Col. William Fischer as Chief Photo by Senior Airman Lynsie Nichols military training instructor, marches a new flight of Air- Master Sgt. Richard Sutherland 737th TRG superinten- Air Force basic military trainees from the 737th Training men to inprocessing appointments during their first dent, looks on during the 737th TRG change of command Group and Bugle Corps play a selection during the Air Force day of basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio- ceremony on the Basic Military Training parade grounds at at the Alamo event during Fiesta in San Antonio. Lackland. Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. AUGUST SEPTEMBER JULY

Photo by Benjamin Faske Tech. Sgt. Raymond Rasing and Staff Sgt. Stephen Photo by Johnny Saldivar Souer, 737th Training Support Squadron independent Rambler 120 competitors race down a hill of the 22-mile duty medical technicians, along with AirLIFE medical Photo by Benjamin Faske bike race portion of the annual competition at the Joint personnel, load Tech. Sgt. Michael Gibson onto an await- IAAFA students conduct a simulated hostage rescue Base San Antonio Recreation Park at Canyon Lake. ing helicopter during the AirLIFE training exercise at Joint as part of the aircraft interdiction course at JBSA- Base San Antonio-Lackland. Lackland-Lackland. DECEMBER NOVEMBER OCTOBER

Photo by Senior Airman Keith James U.S. Air Force Airmen applaud Special Tactics Airmen Photo by Johnny Saldivar as they ruck on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Second Lt. Christina A. Muncey, U.S. Air Force Band The march covers over 812 miles before ending at Photo by Airman 1st Class Stormy Archer of the West flight commander and associate con- Hurlburt Field, Fla., in memory of fallen comrades since An A6M3 Zero flies over the crowd at the Joint Base San ductor, conducts members of the USAF Band of Sept. 11, 2001. Each Airman carries a 50-pound ruck Antonio Air Show and Open House during Tora! Tora! Tora! the West during the Holiday in Blue concert at the to bring awareness to the service and sacrifice of Special atFriday JBSA-Randolph. at JBSA-Randolph. Tora! Tora! Tora! Tora! Tora! is Tora! a re-enactment is a re-enact of- Edgewood Independent School District Theatre for the Tactics members. thement surprise of the surpriseattack on attack Pearl onHarbor Pearl Dec. Harbor 7, 1941.Dec. 7, 1941. Performing Arts in San Antonio. PAGE 12 TALESPINNER JANUARY 8, 2016

ACTIVATION from Page 5 facilities and deployment operations worldwide. Located on JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, the group supports mili- tary medical service and medical readiness training at the Medical Education and Training Campus for 12,100 students annually, and at two operating locations, one detachment and 17 sites around the world. The staff also manages 125 acres at the Medical Readiness Training Center located on Camp Bullis in San Antonio. Its partnership with METC affords training for the five uniformed ser- vices and international students. The group awards 24 Air Force specialty codes and 93,037 Community College of the Air Force credit hours annu- ally while maintaining 14 national accreditations. “We’re excited to join the 59th Photos by Staff Sgt. Michael Ellis Medical Wing and become a part Tech. Sgt. Christy Nixon, NCO in charge of the Air Force Dental Assistant training of its great mission,” said 59th TRG program at the Medical Education and Training Campus on Joint Base San Antonio- commander Col. Steven Caberto. Fort Sam Houston, instructs students how to properly give an oral examination “Aligning under the 59th gives us the Dec. 17. Formerly part of the 37th Training Wing, Air Force medical service and opportunity to consolidate Air Force medical readiness training programs are now with the 59th Medical Wing’s newest medical education and training pro- unit – the 59th Training Group. grams under one command. “It makes perfect sense. We expect to achieve efficiencies, improve train- ing and reduce redundancies by shar- ing information across the medical education and training enterprise,” Caberto said. Activating the 59th TRG grows the wing to 7,000 military, civilian and contract personnel and reinforces its status as the Air Force’s premier health care, medical education and research, and readiness wing. The 59th TRG is absorbing a mis- sion that traces its roots to the in- fancy of aerospace medicine in 1917 outside Mineola, N.Y. The chief Sur- geon of the Army’s aviation section, under direction from the U.S. War Department, established a training lab for flight surgeons that officially -be came the School of Aviation Medicine in 1922. The school moved to Brooks Field, Texas, in 1926. After the establishment of the U.S. Air Force as an independent service in September 1947, the service unit- ed many medical training courses at Air Force students carry a training mannequin during a Dec. 17 expeditionary medical Gunter Air Force Base in Montgomery, support system exercise at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis. The exercise tests Ala. In 1966, the group’s medical a student’s ability to quickly respond to an emergency by providing care and evacu- training and readiness mission moved ating casualties in a simulated deployed environment. Technical training students to where it are assigned one of four squadrons in the 59th Training Group. The unit’s partner- remained until moving to JBSA-Fort ship with the Medical Education and Training Campus on JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Sam Houston in 2011. affords training for members of the five uniformed services and international For more information, visit http:// students. The 59th TRG manages 125 acres at the Medical Readiness Training www.59mdw.af.mil. Center on JBSA- Camp Bullis. JANUARY 8, 2016 TALESPINNER PAGE 13 ‘Diving’ promotes healing in 59th MDW’s hyperbaric chamber

By Tech. Sgt. Christopher Carwile 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs

Going diving at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center is helping wounded warriors, diabetics and can- cer patients recover more quickly from their ailments. But the dives are not quite what peo- ple might picture. There is no plunging into deep waters. Instead, members of the 59th Medical Specialties Squadron’s Hyperbaric Medicine Flight use two hyperbaric chambers to treat patients. The treat- ments are called dives because the chamber increases environmental pressure, much like diving in water. Col. Michael Richards (right) and Staff Sgt. Although the flight’s official mission Maribel Cortez, 59th Hyperbaric Medicine is treating aviation decompression Flight, communicate with patients under- sickness, the flight treats patients with going treatment in the multi-place hyper- a variety of ailments–mostly retirees, baric chamber Nov. 18 at the Wilford Hall Veterans Affairs patients and depen- Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint Base San dents of retired military members, Antonio-Lackland. Patients are closely mon- said Col. Michael Richards, Hyperbaric itored during each dive by technicians and doctors, both inside and out of the cham- Medicine Flight commander. Photos by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Carwile “The decrease in altitude chamber ber, to ensure patient safety at all times. Col. Michael Richards (left), 59th Hyperbaric Medicine Flight commander, observes as Richards is the flight commander and use has cut down on the number of al- Staff Sgt. Sherri Jones, 59th HMF hyperbaric medical technician, demonstrates the con- Cortez is a hyperbaric medical technician. titude related decompression sickness trols of the mono-place hyperbaric chamber Nov. 18 at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgi- cases that we have treated,” Richards cal Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Treatments in the chamber help wounded 59th HMF chief. explained. warriors, diabetics and cancer patients recover more quickly from their ailments. Students are required to show that One of two in the Air Force, the they can safely reach a depth of 60 feet facility is the only one in South Texas Foot wounds become problematic time, and treats each patient for about before they can proceed to dive school operating 24 hours a day, seven days for diabetic patients because they can 30 consecutive sessions. Each session training, Diaz said. a week. The flight operates two cham- lose sensation in their feet, unknowing- lasts around 90 minutes, although “We have very few failures, and are bers, a mono-place chamber for treat- ly making wounds worse. Additionally, decompression sickness treatments usually able to teach them how to get ing individual patients and a multi- radiation therapy designed to elimi- can take five to six hours. to depth without injury,” he added. place chamber capable of treating up nate unhealthy cells and tissue in As few as 10 sessions in the cham- The facility will temporarily move to six patients at once. cancer patients can damage healthy ber can help wounded warriors re- to San Antonio’s Southwest General Decompression sickness is only one tissue and bone as well. cover from their injuries more quickly Hospital in March while a new home is of many reasons to treat patients in a “Using the hyperbaric chamber to and move on to the rehabilitation stage being built at Joint Base San Antonio- chamber. Treatable conditions include treat suitable illnesses and injuries sooner because patients “with amputa- Fort Sam Houston. Currently under crush injuries, bone infections, sudden allows us to provide patients with a tions are not able to be fitted for pros- construction, the facility will be located hearing or vision loss and some types 100 percent oxygen environment at a thesis until they heal,” said Richards. adjacent to the San Antonio Military of soft tissue infections. higher pressure. With higher pressure, The hyperbaric medicine flight is Medical Center. It is slated for comple- Doctors tailor treatment plans to we can deliver more oxygen, increas- also a significant part of Air Force tion in August. each patient’s specific needs. Ninety ing oxygenation of the blood and capil- pararescue training. Once the move is complete, the flight percent of patients seen at the facil- lary bed density. This results in faster “We provide the dive qualification will be able to offer inpatient capabili- ity are being treated for diabetic foot healing,” Richards said. test for pararescue students before ties not currently available. For more and lower extremity wounds or dam- The flight typically carries a small they are allowed to move on to dive information about the hyperbaric age caused by radiation therapy. patient load, five or six at any given school,” said Master Sgt. Sandra Diaz, medicine flight, call 292-3483.

JBSA Sexual Assault Prevention and Response For current, automated information during a natural disaster, crisis or emergency, call your local Straight Talk line. JBSA SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE • 808-SARC (7272) Straight •JBSA-Fort Sam Houston: 466-4630 DOD SAFE HELPLINE • (877) 995-5247 •JBSA-Lackland: 671-6397 JBSA CRISIS HOTLINE • 367-1213 Talk Line JBSA DUTY CHAPLAIN • 365-6420 •JBSA-Randolph: 652-7469 PAGE 14 community TALESPINNER JANUARY 8, 2016

TUESDAY newborn through 17 years of age, and values Jan. 20, 10 a.m. to noon JAN. 28 LOCAL BRIEFS how to Buy a house with a chronic illness, disability, at the Military & Family Readiness seminar focuses on adoption Patrons review requirements and developmental delay or health risk Center. Call 671-3722. and foster care SATURDAY learn about available resources to and that reside in either Atascosa, The JBSA-Lackland Military & Bag sale assist with purchasing a house Bandera, Bexar, Blanco, Caldwell, dress for success Family Readiness Center is hosting The Lackland Thrift Shop will 11:30 a.m. to noon. This workshop Comal, Edwards, Frio, Gillespie, Learn what, when, where, and an adoption and foster care seminar have a $5 bag sale from 10 a.m. to is hosted by the Better Business Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, how to wear the right attire when 9 a.m. to noon. Attendees learn how 2 p.m. Regular hours are Tuesday Bureau and held at the Wilford Hall Kerr, Kimble, Medina, Real, Uvalde or networking or interviewing Jan. 20, to get started in adopting a child through Thursday from 10 a.m. to Annex, building 4600. For more Wilson County. Call 671-3722. 1-1:30 p.m. at the Military & Family or becoming a foster parent and 2 p.m. in the One Stop building. information, call (210)671-3722. Readiness Center. For more informa- discover what is required. Topics For additional information, call JAN. 15 tion, call 671-3722. include process length, Texas laws 671-3608. WEDNESDAY Single parent support group and cost, terms and benefi ts, De- investing for your future A brown bag forum for single opm federal application process fense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting WEDNESDAY Debunk the common myths parents to connect with one another Review the Federal employment System and more. This seminar is the enlisted character development associated with investing and learn and share helpful resources and process and careers offered within facilitated in part by M&FRC, Texas series chapter 1, part 2: courage how to begin investing for retirement ways to overcome challenges is the Federal government Jan 20, Adoption Resource Exchange and the Cory Etchberger, son of Medal of while on a budget from 11:30 a.m. slated from, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 1:30-4:40 p.m. at the Military & Department of Family and Protective Honor recipient Chief Master Sgt. to 12:30 p.m. The Air Force Federal This support group meets in Bldg. Family Readiness Center. For more Services. Call 671-3722. Richard L. Etchberger, will share how Credit Union is hosting this work- 4600. Call 292-3543. information, call 671-3722. his father’s character contributed to shop at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory INFORMATIONAL his courage. Surgical Center Annex, bldg. 4600. JAN. 20 JAN. 26 winter jacKets are donated The objective of the seminar is For more information, call 671-3722. resume writing techniQues hearts are linKed The JBSA Libraries’ Winter Jacket to promote character development Patrons will learn which resume Military spouses are invited to Drive ends Jan. 15. Donate jackets through an individual’s stages of THURSDAY formats to use when writing a non- attend the quarterly spouse orienta- to help children and families secure awareness, maturity, growth and any BaBy can’s case management Federal resume, Jan. 20, 8-10 a.m. tion, Heart Link, at the JBSA- winter gear and stay warm. Donation understanding of their mental, ethi- Patrons review available ser- at the Military & Family Readiness Lackland Military & Family drop boxes are at each JBSA Library. cal and moral qualities and vices provided by Any Baby Can, a Center. Call 671-3722. Readiness Center from 8:30 a.m. to All donations go to families in need their alignment with universal, provider of the Texas Department 2:30 p.m. Receive information about around the San Antonio area. For institutional and organizational of State Health Services, Children interview with confidence resources, programs located on JBSA information, call the JBSA-Fort Sam expectations. with Special Health Care Needs Review ways to engage employers and the surrounding area, military Houston Keith. A. Campbell Memorial The luncheon will be at the Program, from 9 a.m. to noon, at by creating a great fi rst impression customs, courtesies, ranks, acronyms Library at 221-4702, JBSA-Lackland Pfi ngston Reception Center at JBSA- the Military & Family Readiness through appropriate attire and a and more. For more information, call Library at 671-2678 and the JBSA- Lackland from noon to 4 p.m. Center. Services are open to children, clear knowledge of shared interest 671-3722. Randolph Library at 652-5578.

JBSA-LACKLAND CHAPEL SERVICES KEY FAMILY SUPPORT RESOURCES —PROTESTANT WORSHIP SERVICES —WICCA Daily Mass Mon., Tues. & Thur. 11:30 a.m. Air Force Aid Society 671-3722 Freedom Chapel – Building 1528 New BMT Reception Center – Building 6330 Note: Reconciliation(s) may be scheduled by appointment Airman & Family Readiness Center 671-3722 Contemporary Service Sun. 9:30 a.m. Sun. 9:00 – 11:00 (Auditorium) —ISLAMIC Airman’s Attic 671-1780 Religious Education Sun. 11:00 a.m. Freedom Chapel – Building 1528 Global Ministry Center – Building 7452 American Red Cross 844-4225 Gospel Service Sun. 12:30 p.m. Wicca Open Circle 1st Tues. 6 – 7 p.m. Jumu'ah Prayer Fri. 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Base Post Offi ce 671-1058 Spanish Service Sun. 3:00 p.m. —BUDDIST Bowling Center 671-2271 LITURGICAL SERVICE —REFUGE STUDENT CENTER New BMT Reception Center – Building 6330 DEERS 800-538-9552 Airman Memorial Chapel – Building 5432 Building 9122 (Tech Training & TDY Students) Sun. 10 a.m. (Rm. 175) Exceptional Family Member Program 671-3722 Sun. 8:00 a.m Wednesday 6 – 8 p.m. Thursday 6 – 8 p.m. —ECKANKAR Family Child Care 671-3376 CHURCH OF CHRIST Friday 6 – 11 p.m. Gateway Chapel – Building 6300 Legal Offi ce 671-3362 New BMT Reception Center – Building 6330 Saturday 12 – 9 p.m. 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturdays 12:30 p.m. Library 671-3610 Sun. 7:30 a.m. (Rm. 175) Sunday 11 – 5 p.m. —BAHA'I Medical Appointment Line 916-9900 SEVENTH - DAY ADVENTIST —JEWISH Gateway Chapel – Building 6300 MPF ID Cards 671-6006 Gateway Chapel – Building 6300 Airmen Memorial Chapel – Building 5432 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sun. 11:00 a.m. Outdoor Recreation 925-5532 Sat. 12:30 p.m. Sabbath & Kiddush Fri. 4:30 p.m. TRICARE Info 800-444-5445 —THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE Religious Education Sun. 1:30 p.m. Thrift Shop 671-3608 New BMT Reception Center – Building 6330 LATTER-DAY SAINTS —ROMAN CATHOLIC Sun. 7:30 a.m. (Rm. 112) Gateway Chapel – Building 6300 Freedom Chapel – Building 1528 Enlisted Spouses’ Club http://www.lacklandesc.org Religious Education Tues. 6:30 p.m. —ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN Religious Education Sun. 9:00 a.m. Force Support Squadron http://www.lacklandfss.com LDS Institute Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Airmen Memorial Chapel – Building 5432 Mass Sat. 5:00 p.m. Sun. 11:00 a.m. Lackland ISD http://www.lacklandisd.net LDS Service Sun. 1:00 p.m. Sun. 9:30 a.m. Reconciliation Sat. 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. Offi cers’ Spouses’ Club http://www.lacklandosc.org JBSA Public website http://www.jbsa.mil For more details, contact Freedom Chapel - 671-4208 • Gateway Chapel - 671-2911 My Air Force Life http://www.MyAirForceLife.com JANUARY 8, 2016 TALESPINNER PAGE 15

Congratulations to the 72 Talon Green Antheus Hebert Desmond Washington 320th TRS, Flight 026 Airmen selected as honor Dakota Hopson Wesley Henderson –Flight 047 –Female Flights graduates among the 723 Air Ryan Kerby Alexander Lawson Dalton Booth 322nd TRS, Flight 034 Force basic military trainees Kongphop Krataikaew John Neff Erick Juarez 321st TRS, Flight 040 who graduated Dec. 24: III Ortiz Logan Obrien Johnathen Zimmer 320th TRS, Flight 028 –Flight 055 Mark Releford –Flight 048 323rd TRS, Flight 032 320th Training Squadron Duane Jongeling Ethan Rentz Rebecca Glogowski –Male Flights –Flight 042 Daniel Laughlin –Flight 052 Lyssa Hill 320th TRS, Flight 027 Timothy Fletcher Jonah Perrine Alicia Boothe Sydney Miller 320th TRS, Flight 025 Shun Ganas Daven Shah Brittany Clark 320th TRS, Flight 026 Michael Hindsman –Flight 056 Kasandra Hershberger Top BMT Airman 321st TRS, Flight 037 Mark Hostetler Jr. Heather Holgate Chazzney Mills Jacob Fravel 322nd TRS, Flight 035 Flight 043 Angeira Linebaugh Breanna Powell 321st TRS, Flight 053 Albert Fontenot IV Courtney Wagner Sherry Rhoden Top Academic Flights Dominick Partlow Emma Sawmiller Most Physically Fit 320th TRS, Flight 027 Douglas Quirie III 322nd Training Squadron Tarra Stott –Female Airmen 320th TRS, Flight 026 –Flight 049 Lauren Williams Billie Moore 323rd TRS, Flight 029 321st Training Squadron Thomas Kappenmacher 323rd TRS, Flight 032 320th TRS, Flight 025 –Flight 053 Chen Liang 323rd Training Squadron Jessica Fanty 321st TRS, Flight 039 Tiheeb Carrington Xavian Mendez –Flight 045 320th TRS, Flight 028 322nd TRS, Flight 036 Jacob Fravel Francisco Menna Jesse Acevedo Ashley Weidenbach 323rd TRS, Flight 030 Julian Hamner Will Solomon Tyler Holmlund 320th TRS, Flight 028 322nd TRS, Flight 035 John Kennedy Spencer Wiesner Kyle Lake –Male Airmen 321st TRS, Flight 037 Mathew Lauer –Flight 050 Christian Potts Michael Stocker 323rd TRS, Flight 031 –Flight 054 Julian Kemper Juan Roncallo 320th TRS, Flight 025 322nd TRS, Flight 033 Pete Ancheta Rhett Long –Flight 046 Richard Newman 321st TRS, Flight 040 John Campbell Christopher Valencia Taylor Dunn 320th TRS, Flight 027 323rd TRS, Flight 032 Gregory Cavalier –Flight 051 James Pack Landon Moore 322nd TRS, Flight 034 Angel Coronado Nehemiah Bryant James Peters 322nd TRS, Flight 035 320th TRS, Flight 028 William Davis Mitchel Evans Braxton Quinlan Angelo Deprimo 321st TRS, Flight 038

Congratulations to the 52 John Lindeman Chun Ko Top BMT Airman 321st TRS, Flight 068 Airmen selected as honor Tyler Ozehowski James Oldham Amber Wester 323rd TRS, Flight 064 graduates among the 525 Air Edward Woolridge Darrian Sommers 331st TRS, Flight 060 –Male Flights Force basic military trainees –Flight 068 Zachary Stevenson 321st TRS, Flight 066 who graduated Dec. 31: Ashley Gutierrez Andrew Tarnutzer Most Physically Fit 331st TRS, Flight 059 In De Betouw Van Der Voort Vladyslav Yakobchuk –Female Airmen 331st TRS, Flight 058 321st Training Squadron Gwendolyn Watkins –Flight 058 Lindsey McKee 331st TRS, Flight 057 –Flight 065 James Doyle 331st TRS, Flight 060 321st TRS, Flight 067 Nathaniel Asato 323rd Training Squadron Austin Garlotte Jennifer Colone 321st TRS, Flight 065 Andrew Coward –Flight 062 Robert Gwinner 331st TRS, Flight 060 323rd TRS, Flight 063 Andrew Dixon Johnathan Barker Michael Hauck Tiffany Ganiere 323rd TRS, Flight 062 Michael Eubanks William Gibson Tyler Herlihy 331st TRS, Flight 060 323rd TRS, Flight 061 Jonathan Golden Mark Havener Kyle Rohlfs Annelise Bertleson Paul Kuper Brendan Hurst –Flight 059 323rd TRS, Flight 064 Top Academic Flights Tai Seay –Flight 063 Mitchell Belch –Male Airmen 321st TRS, Flight 066 –Flight 066 Michael Coppola Jacob Mills Christian Northway 331st TRS, Flight 057 Zachary Brouillard Estevan Dibene Willie Peterson 331st TRS, Flight 057 323rd TRS, Flight 063 Jacob Guy Nicholas Zavodny Cody Stratton Brandan Adams 323rd TRS, Flight 062 Justin Mccartney –Flight 064 –Flight 060 331st TRS, Flight 058 321st TRS, Flight 065 Christian Sharpe Annelise Bertleson Kasey Auerbach Andrew Coward 331st TRS, Flight 058 Ian Simms Kalli Knutelski Jennifer Colone 321st TRS, Flight 065 323rd TRS, Flight 061 Adrian Velazquez Katrina Guerra Cameron Allen 331st TRS, Flight 060 Ronald Zemke 331st Training Squadron Lauren Minyard 331st TRS, Flight 057 331st TRS, Flight 059 –Flight 067 –Flight 057 Amber Wester –Female Flights 321st TRS, Flight 067 Kenneth Berry Cameron Allen 331st TRS, Flight 060 321st TRS, Flight 068 PAGE 16 TALESPINNER JANUARY 8, 2016

Congratulations to the fol- Jesse Peart Caleb Klugherz –Flight 074 320th TRS, Flight 069 lowing 65 Airmen for being Joshua Pravel Matthew Leslie Anthony Pacenski Trever White selected as honor graduates –Flight 072 Zelalem Rey Saeed Said 331st TRS, Flight 073 among the 654 Air Force Gabrielle Anderson Charles Smith Nicholas Shields Mitchell Halbleib basic military trainees who Emily Baird –Flight 078 –Flight 075 320th TRS, Flight 070 graduate today: Kyle Cox Jordan Petro –Female Flights 321st Training Squadron Brewster Curry James Williams 331st TRS, Flight 076 320th Training Squadron –Flight 081 Leonard Espinoza III –Flight 076 321st TRS, Flight 084 –Flight 069 Kyle Aldrich Noah Gustafson Anya-Andrea Brown 323rd TRS, Flight 080 Cole Durand Christian Beserra Paul Morss Amanda Krupa –Male Flights Josue Moreno Arvin Buenrostro Savion Sweeney Kourtney Pace 320th TRS, Flight 070 Cory Shoemaker Grant Hoffman Martin Valencia Kariya Reavis 320th TRS, Flight 069 Ronald Wallwork Adrian Patting –Flight 079 321st TRS, Flight 081 –Flight 070 Glen Simmons Benjamin Cameron Top BMT Airman Nicholas Barrow Christian Trocke John Finn Christian Beserra Top Academic Flights Mitchell Halbleib Zachary Tumas Anthony Lee 321st TRS, Flight 081 320th TRS, Flight 069 Joshua Mcneill –Flight 083 Jakob Powers 321st TRS, Flight 083 Fernando Muniz Nicholas Barnett Noah Still Most Physically Fit 321st TRS, Flight 082 Sebastian Muse Hunter Maggard –Flight 080 –Female Airmen 320th TRS, Flight 071 Samuel Nawrocki Flight 084 Kelsey Hodkin Gabrielle Anderson 323rd TRS, Flight 077 Logan Pilawski Kenyatta Brooks Christine Myers 320th TRS, Flight 072 323rd TRS, Flight 078 Darren Tobyansen Vanessa Escorpiso Kimberly Oneill 320th TRS, Flight 070 –Flight 071 Alexis Fernandez 331st Training Squadron 320th TRS, Flight 072 321st TRS, Flight 081 Colten Blackwood –Flight 073 Hali Conner 331st TRS, Flight 075 Timothy Jennings 323rd Training Squadron Lucas Magruder 331st TRS, Flight 076 331st TRS, Flight 076 Thomas Linden –Flight 077 Tyler Smith –Male Airmen 331st TRS, Flight 073 Nathaniel Myers Stephen Billings Trever White Angel Tercero 331st TRS, Flight 074 Improved TRICARE Online enhances user experience

By Shannon Carabajal download information about medications, allergies, 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs immunization records and lab and radiology results. Benefi ciaries can also use the site to get refi lls on Offi cials with the 59th Medical Wing are encourag- existing prescriptions for themselves and their family ing eligible patients to give TRICARE Online another members, Popham said. look and take advantage of recent upgrades aimed at “Users can request up to 10 refi lls at a time and improving the user experience. check their status,” he explained. TOL, the Department of Defense’s online patient-fo- For active-duty members transitioning out of the cused portal, gives benefi ciaries secure, anytime access military, TOL includes a service separation page with to health care information and services. The portal is medical information and guidance for people pre- open to TRICARE patients, at least 18 years old, receiv- paring to separate from active duty or the reserves. ing care at a military hospital or clinic. The page includes guidance on fi ling a VA disability “The improvements to TOL are great. It’s easier than claim, has access to the Transition Assistance Program ever for our patients to schedule appointments them- portal, and offers steps to assist service members selves without having to call the appointment line. They through the separation process. can also easily refi ll prescriptions and access or print “TOL has really improved over the past year,” Po- select medical documents, saving them a trip to the pham said. “We hope everybody signs up and takes a clinic,” said Maj. Joseph Popham, TRICARE Operations rollment Eligibility Reporting System, or DEERS - can few moments to look around. The site has a lot to offer.” and Patient Administration fl ight commander with the manage appointments and prescription refi lls for other The system is user-friendly and registration takes 59th Medical Support Squadron. family members for whom they’ve been granted access, only a few minutes: The appointment-setting feature includes options according to the TOL website. 1. Go to http://www.tricareonline.com and click “Log for benefi ciaries to make, change and cancel appoint- “An active-duty Airman can grant his spouse the In.” ments; view future and past appointments; and set up ability to book and cancel appointments for the couple 2. Log in with a DOD Self-Service username /pass- email and text message reminders. and their dependent children,” Popham explained. word, DOD common access card, or DFAS myPay cre- Family members over the age of 18 must have their Another feature of TOL online is called Blue Button, dentials. Users without a CAC or myPay account can own TOL account, but authorized family members - a tool giving benefi ciaries easy access to their medi- register for DS logon credentials by clicking “Register.” based on relationships established in the Defense En- cal record information. Patients can review, print or 3. Select a TOL feature to explore. JANUARY 8, 2016 TALESPINNER sports PAGE 17 U.S. Army All-American Bowl showcases best football players

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl elite group of All-Americans for the is the nation’s premier high school 2016 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. All-American game, featuring the The 6-foot, 226-pound defensive best 90 players in a classic East vs. lineman is described as a defender West match-up every January in San with quick feet and a high motor. He Antonio’s Alamodome and broadcast works hard to make a play, even if live on NBC. it is away from his side of the field. Last year’s U.S. Army All-American Jackson anchors the edge with regu- Bowl marked the 15th anniversary larity and he can fire off the snap of the game and drew a crowd of with a quick first step to disrupt plays 35,687. This year’s game takes place before they begin. His speed and at noon Saturday, broadcast live athleticism present major troubles nationally on NBC and live across the for offensive tackles. world to service members deployed “Mark has demonstrated versa- overseas. tility and adaptability both on and Each year, the U.S. Army off the football field,” said Mark S. All-American Bowl provides a glimpse Davis, deputy assistant secretary of into the future of college and pro the Army for marketing. “It is these football. The history and tradition of skills – skills we instill in every Army the U.S. Army All-American Bowl is soldier – that have guided our selec- highlighted by Heisman Trophy win- tion of all of the 2016 U.S. Army ners and NFL MVPs. All-American Bowl players. We are A total of 299 U.S. Army All- pleased to welcome these talented Americans have been selected in the athletes to this year’s elite team and NFL Draft. The Bowl has consistently we congratulate each of them on featured the nation’s most elite foot- their selection.” ball players, providing a launching Jackson Jr. was selected by the pad for college and NFL stars such as U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selec- Andrew Luck (2008), Odell Beckham tion Committee, which consists of Jr. (2011), Jamaal Charles (2005), All American Games, 247Sports and Patrick Peterson (2008), Ezekiel XOS Digital. U.S. Army All-Americans Elliott (2013) and hundreds more. are eligible for the U.S. Army Play- Joining the players in being hon- er of the Year Award, the Anthony ored as Army All-Americans and Muñoz Lineman of the Year Award, performing in the Alamodome will be the American Family Insurance the U.S. Army All-American March- Defensive Player of the Year Award, ing Band, comprised of 125 of the the Pete Dawkins Game MVP Award nation’s finest young musicians who Mark Jackson Jr., of Steele High School and the Felix “Doc” Blanchard and perform during halftime. Glenn Davis Awards. The All-American Bowl excitement Selection as a U.S. Army All- Activities throughout Bowl Week As a result of Jackson being select- gets started every fall when each American is an important and pres- help connect these All-American ed for the U.S. Army All-American U.S. Army All-American player and tigious honor for these athletes and athletes and musicians with Army Bowl, his head coach, Scott Lehnhoff, marching band member is honored musicians. Only the strongest are Soldier Heroes from around the coun- is invited to attend the U.S. Army during a pep rally at their school in chosen to wear the Army colors, and try and provide better understanding Coaches Academy, an elite three-day front of army representatives, class- these young men and women truly of what it takes and what it means learning experience, and participate mates, teammates, family members, embody the characteristics of the to be an Army Strong Soldier and an in Bowl Week activities. school administrators and media. The Army Strong Soldier – demonstrat- All-American. Jackson has committed to attending U.S. Army All-American Selection ing strength through loyalty, duty, San Antonio residents can cheer Texas A&M University after graduation. Tour touches more than 1.5 million respect, selfless service, honor, in- for local product Mark Jackson Jr. of students, athletes, coaches and fami- tegrity, and personal courage on a Byron P. Steele II High School in Cibolo, (Source: U.S. Army All-American lies throughout the 10-week tour. daily basis. as he has been selected to join an Bowl)