KEESLER NEWS Keesler Air Force Base Volume 68, No. 11 Biloxi, Mississippi Thursday, March 22, 2007 Deliver the nation’s best trained, highly motivated expeditionary Airmen INSIDE Afghan generals visit training facilities COMMENTARY By Tech. Sgt. Chuck Marsh ORI in 150 days, 2 Keesler News staff Several key communications TRAINING leaders in the Afghan National AND DUCATION Army toured Keesler Friday in E order to gain an understanding Controlling Iraqi skies, 4 of key areas for their communi- AFIT distance learning, 6 cations training program. Afghan National Army NEWS Maj. Gen. Mehrab Ali, Brig. Gen. Baba Mirza and Col. AND FEATURES Said Farooq Yosuf Zai came Anthrax shots resume, 8 to Keesler on an information gathering tour to learn about Power tool safety, 11 communications equipment in Building ups, downs, 12 use by Airmen as well as the training methods and living Chapel renovations, 13 facilities across the base. General Ali is chief of com- Military justice, 15 munications for the general staff CSAF scope, 16 at the Ministry of Defense, Kabul, Afghanistan, General SPORTS Mirza is director of automation Photo by Adam Bond and Colonel Zai is director of From left, Tech. Sgt. Joseph Carello and Master Sgt. Edward Rush, 338th Training AND RECREATION maintenance operations. Squadron, answer questions from Colonel Zai and General Ali about a multiband Rainy running, 19 U.S. Army Lt. Col. Scot interteam radio. The radio’s small size, software-based structure and interoperability Falcons fly high, 20 MacKenzie, chief of the ANA communications division, and with other military radios make it a valuable asset on the battlefield. Air Force Maj. Martin Rudy, SECTIONS personnel and training men- Major Rudy. “They’re anxious The Afghan soldiers aren’t “The training here is at a Commentary.................2 tor, lead a team of advisers to to adopt new technology and the only ones enthusiastic high level and the facilities General Ali and his staff and anxious to come into the infor- about the future of communica- Training and education.4-7 are also at a high level,” said accompanied the general on mation age with some of the tions in the ANA; the general General Ali. “Everything we News and features.....8-18 his tour. things we’ve taken for granted himself is excited at the oppor- saw here we will take back to Sports and recreation...19-20 “The Afghan soldiers that like computers, internet access tunity to raise the levels of and IM (instant messaging). training, equipment mainte- Afghanistan.” Digest.....................21-23 Colonel MacKenzie, I and oth- ers on our team work with are The enthusiasm they show for nance and the quality of life for Classifieds.............24-28 very anxious to learn,” said that is an inspiration.” his troops to higher standards. Please see Generals, Page 9 Student numbers This week in the Triangle Total students — 3,262 Non-prior service — 1,895 Aerospace control and warning systems, 9:30 a.m. today, Bryan Hall. Temporary duty — 1,198 Information management, 10 a.m. today, Wolfe Hall. Joint service — 113 Combat controllers — 22 Air traffic control-radar, 9 a.m. Monday, Cody Hall. Medical — 34 Ground radio communications, 10 a.m. Monday, Jones Hall. Non-prior service arrivals — 99 Airfield management, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Cody Hall. Guard, Reserve — 699 International — 37 Dragons deployed Command post, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Bryan Hall. — 194 FY07 graduates — 10,895 Communications-computer systems programming, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Thomson Hall. Total since 1942 — 2,248,867 COMMENTARY ACTION LINE ... 377-4357 By Brig. Gen. Paul Capasso 81st Training Wing commander You’re encouraged to work your concerns through your chain of command or to contact an appropriate helping agent. For matters left unresolved, call the commander’s action line for assistance. We welcome any suggestions to help make this a more valu- able and useful tool. You may call the commander’s action line at 377-4357, write to Commander’s Action Line, 81st TRW/PA, Keesler AFB, MS 39534-2603, e-mail 81st TRW Commander’s Action Line (on-base) or [email protected] (off- base). For a personal response, include your name, address and phone number. Items of general interest may appear in this column. Base locator — 377-2890 Library — 377-2181 Base operator — 377-1110 Lodging (reservations) — 377- Base taxi (official use) — 377- 9986 2430 Medical center information — Career assistance adviser — 377-6550 377-3697 Military equal opoortunity — Central medical appointments 377-2759. — 1-800-700-8603 Military pay — 377-7272 Child development center — Pass and registration — 377- 377-2211 3893 Countdown begins for ORI; Civil engineering — 377-5561 Pharmacy (refill call-in) — Civilian personnel — 377-2268 377-6360 Military personnel flight — Satellite pharmacy — 377-9791 377-2276 Public affairs — 377-2783 Keesler Federal Credit Union Red Cross — 377-3030 — 385-5500 here’s how to prepare now Sexual assault prevention and Emergencies — 911 Family campground — 594- res-ponse team — 377-8635 By Brig. Gen. Paul Capasso gency management and force 0543 Law enforcement desk — 377- 81st Training Wing commander Countdown protection scenarios. Most of Airmen and family readiness 3040 us have, at one time or anoth- center — 377-2179 Shoppette, Class Six — 432- Are you ready? This week 2367 checklist er, been through these types Finance — 377-4212 marks the Keesler 150-day 81st Communications Squad- Telephone trouble — 377-2130 warning order for the Air Review the 81st of inspections and know that ron help desk — 377-0066 Traffic management (out- Education and Training Training Wing’s 150-day preparation is very important. Housing — 377-9741 bound) — 377-2446 Command Operational We must be “brilliant in the Identification cards — 377- Traffic management (inbound) checklist and other key Readiness Inspection sched- basics” and continue our 3203 — 377-7813 documents on the Keesler Inspector general — 377-3010 Visitor center — 377-2595 uled to begin Aug. 19. efforts in reviewing our pro- Legal assistance — 377-3510 Youth center — 377-4116 Our goal is simple: to private Web site, https:// cedures and processes, mak- continue our feats of excel- ikafb/81trw/ORI/index.htm. ing sure our paperwork is in lence and to receive an “out- order, getting familiar with standing” ORI rating. private Web site for you to the “Airman’s Manual,” As I reflect over the last visit that not only contains AFMAN 10-100, and ensur- 18 months, there is one com- the checklist, but several ing we are ready to show our mon ingredient that stands other key documents as well, capability to meet mission out — our great people who including links to the ORI requirements to support the work together to achieve preparation handbook and global war on terror. excellence on a daily basis. Air Force “best practices.” The 81st Training Wing’s You continue to set new stan- It also contains links to the journey of excellence is dards across the Air Force ORI reports from two other where it is today because of and I can’t be prouder of bases that have previously your accomplishments. Our been visited by the team. your selfless contributions. upcoming ORI is just one Each of these links provides You have carried the banner more opportunity to tell the a wealth of knowledge we of success not just for your- Keesler story — that you are can use to better our prepara- selves, but also for your fam- the best! tions up to the event and on ilies and our communities. To help us stay on track the day your particular sec- You have stayed focused and and aid us in our ORI prepa- tions are graded. not only believed in yourself, rations, the wing inspector The ORI will validate how but in each other. I look for- general has compiled a 150- well we do our job and test ward to the AETC ORI out- day countdown checklist. our ability to respond to brief and celebrating our con- There is a link on the Keesler deployment readiness, emer- tinued journey of excellence. KEESLER NEWS No. 1 in Air Force, 2004, 1997. No. 1 in AETC, 2004, 1998, 1996; No. 2, 2006, 2003, 2001, 1999, 1997, 1991; No. 3, 2005, 2002, 1995. 81st Training Wing commander Brig. Gen. Paul Capasso If you’ve had too much to drink, Public affairs director call Airmen Against Drunk Driving, Lt. Col. Claudia Foss 377-7283, 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thursdays Editor Perry Jenifer before down Fridays, working Fridays and Saturdays. Staff writers Susan Griggs 2nd Lt. Nick Plante Tech. Sgt. Chuck Marsh For Staff photographer straight talk Kemberly Groue at Keesler, Keesler News on Web: http://www.keesler.af.mil call The Keesler News office is 377-3901. in Room 113, Taylor Logistics Center, Building 4002. The mailing address: 81TRW/ PAIN, Keesler AFB, MS 39534- 2120. Phone: 377-4130, 3163, 3837, 7340. Publication date: Report Thursday. News deadline: noon Monday. Classified adver- tis- sexual ing deadline: see Classified section. Editorial content is edited, prepared, and provid- assaults ed by the 81st TRW Public Affairs Office in compliance with Air Force journalistic to standards. All photographs are Air Force photographs unless otherwise indicated. 377-7278. The Keesler News is pub- lished by Gulf Publishing Co., a private firm in no way con- nected with the Air Force, under an exclusive written contract with the 81st TRW and as an authorized publica- To start, stop, tion for U.S. military service members. Contents aren’t necessarily the official views increase or decrease of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, Department of Defense or Air Force. The appearance of advertising Keesler News delivery, does not constitute endorse- ment by the U.S.