Rated #1 Best Web-Based Publication in the U.S. Air Forces in Europe www.lajes.af.mil Vol. 17, No. 35 September 7, 2012 Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal "6-5... IN THE FIGHT!" Aerospace Ground Equipment: FY 2012 Providing the “power” in Air Power 1030 SORTIES 19,716 LODGED 5.2 M gallons FUEL ISSUED Senior Airman Diamonde Garvin, 65th Operations Support Squadron, Aerospace Ground Equipment journeyman, Don´t drink checks the tubing for leaks on a hydraulic test stand, Sept. 5, 2012, Lajes Field. The AGE shop provides, maintains and drive and inspects equipment necessary to get transitioning aircraft to their destinations safely. (Photo by Lucas Silva) By Tech. Sgt. Chenzira Mallory “Every six months we’re conducting either a phase-1 or call 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs phase-2 inspection on each piece of equipment.” 295 57 LADD The phase-1 inspections consist of looking over the For every plane that transits through Lajes Field, equipment, changing the oil and applying lubrication. The the Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE) crew of the phase-2 inspections are more in-depth. All the panels are Medical Appointment: 65th Operations Support Squadron provides electricity, removed and they perform checks in each compartment; Base: 535-3261 hydraulic pressure and air pressure so the aircraft can be even the wires. Off base: 295-573-261 properly maintained and prepped for launch. Lajes’ ops tempo allows for extra opportunity for hands Emergency: “We have over 20 pieces of equipment ranging from on training for the Airmen in AGE. Base: 911 generators, turbine engines, light-alls, heaters, and “Here at Lajes, I can actually provide one-on-one Off base: 295-571-911 maintenance stands,” said Staff Sgt. Dalton Fleming, training with my Airmen,” said Fleming. “I can set-up 65th OSS, AGE journeyman. “We provide the equipment trouble shooting scenarios and really give them some Weekend necessary to power the aircraft so proper maintenance can ‘hands-on’ training with the equipment.” Weather be conducted.” This team not only provides and maintains equipment Forecast No matter the time of day, the AGE crew is equipped necessary to get transitioning aircraft to their destinations and ready for transitioning aircraft. safely, they take care of each other in the process. Fleming Saturday (a.m. / p.m.) Rainshowers / Partly Cloudy “When a plane lands, transient alert will call us with ensures they are a close-knit shop with tremendous Wind W 10 Kt specific equipment requirements they need to run system camaraderie. N 20 kt operations and we deliver it to the aircraft,” said Fleming. “If we’re not playing sports, we get together and bar-b- HIGH 21C / 69F “Once they’re done with the equipment, we pick-it up and que,” said Fleming. “We also make sure families are taken LOW 17C / 62F run checks to make sure it’s good to go for the next aircraft.” care of during TDY’s or deployments.” Sunday (a.m. / p.m.) According to Fleming, many people believe the AGE 24-hours a day the AGE crew keeps Lajes Field in the Rainshowers / Mostly Cloudy shop only drives around generators all day, but this is far fight. Wind N 15 Kt from the truth. After all, said Fleming, “there’s no air power without N 15 Kt “We perform around 500 inspections per year and ground power.” HIGH 20C / 68F roughly 250 maintenance actions per year,” said Fleming. LOW 15C / 59F Today's Fight—Airmen and Families—Host Nation Relationship—Future Challenges Perspective Strategic Planning for Your Career By Col Lorn Heyne have been developed to help get you started, Commander's Action Line 65th Medical Group commander but let me mention a few keys to accomplish 535-4240 your career plan.* [email protected] Nearly every organization I have been a The right attitude. As with most of life’s part of for the last 20 years have included challenges, your attitude will determine success duties relating to developing an organization or failure. Know that a positive attitude is a very The Commander’s Action Line is strategic plan. Typically, strategic planning is powerful force in accomplishing you goals and your link to the commander for accomplished in ranges from three to five years conversely, a negative attitude is destructive to suggestions, kudos and as a way out and five years and beyond. One to three your ability to succeed. to work problems or issues within years would be tactical planning or planning Set goals. People with goals succeed. the 65th Air for the immediate future. It Make your goals meaningful Base Wing has been my experience that and personal (ownership), for which you strategic plans have been otherwise you won’t be can’t find developed in size from a few inspired or motivated to another pages to many pages long, achieve them. Set your goals solution. outlining broad objectives incrementally and attainable, Your chain to very detailed goals to be eat the elephant one bite at a of command accomplished. time. Your goals will change should always I’m sure you don’t think I am as your life progresses; goal be your first writing this article to discuss setting has to be dynamic and option — but strategic planning of the fluid to achieve success. when that’s Col. Chris Bargery medical group and you would Take action. Obviously, not the an- be correct. This article really there is no point to READY and swer, call or e-mail the Commander’s deals with Career Planning. AIM if there is no FIRE. Very Action Line Developing a “Career Plan” is few people, if any, are capable at 535-4240 or 65abw.actionline@ merely strategic planning for of achieving their goals while lajes.af.mil. the individual. sitting on their derriere. If your Many times people will do career planning goals are your target destination, then action Col. Chris Bargery without even recognizing it. For instance, it plans are your GPS to success. Commander, 65th Air Base Wing was 32 years ago as an Airman First Class, Although I have managed to see my goals when I realized what I wanted to be when I grew to this point realized (with the help of my wife) up. Did I think at that time it was formulating without a written plan, don’t take the gamble. my career plan? No, but that is really what Some of you may have a family or will have it was. I set a long range objective (to make a family in the future; they will be integral to colonel) and milestones to get there (goals). your career decisions. If not your family, find I first started with completing my CCAF, then a mentor or partner to help you develop a plan The 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Bachelors degree, and so on until reaching my and stay motivated to the end. Remember staff prepares all editorial content in the overall objective. that your “career” encompasses more of your Crossroads. I would like to encourage you to develop a time than any other thing you will do. Make The Public Affairs Office (Unit 7710, Career Plan. When you put words on paper, this time count, find joy in your career and take APO, AE 09720) is located in Bldg. they somehow feel more real and you have a pleasure in life. T-100, Room 240. tendency to have more ownership. This process *Sam Sander “achieve-goal-setting-success. Submissions can be e-mailed to is rather simple and there are various methods com” on-line, 2007-2010. [email protected] or faxed to 535- to use. Many books and software products 6326 and are due the Thursday prior to the required publication date. Call 535-6161 for more details. This Air Force funded newspaper is TOPS IN BLUE an authorized weekly publication for members of the U.S. military services 2012 WORLD TOUR overseas. Tops in Blue is the Air Force’s Contents of the Crossroads are not necessarily the official views of, or premier entertainment endorsed by, the U.S. Government, showcase. Tops in Blue has the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. been entertaining Air Force All photographs are Air Force pho- families for more than 50 years. tographs unless otherwise indicated. Tops in Blue is beginning its tour Editorial Staff of Europe with a stop at Lajes Col. Chris Bargery Field. They’ll be performing a Commander, 65th Air Base Wing 1st Lt. Mark Graff show that’s geared towards Editor-in-Chief the entire family. Come join Mr. Eduardo Lima Team Lajes at the Portuguese Community Relations Advisor Staff Sgt. Angelique Smythe Hangar on Sunday, September Editor 9 at 7:30pm. You won’t want Mr. Manuel Martins Layout Designer to miss it! Page 2 • Crossroads • September 7, 2012 Today's Fight—Airmen and Families—Host Nation Relationship—Future Challenges http://www.lajes.af.mil Feature Lajes A&FRC Prepares Expecting Parents By 1st Lt. Mark Graff 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs At the Lajes Field Airman and Family Readiness Center, the conversation was all about babies, Aug. 31. But, despite what you might think, there wasn’t a baby in sight. That’s because about 15 expecting parents attended the Lajes A&FRC’s “Bundles for Babies” program to learn about preparing and caring for their newborns. Attendees receive an Air Force Aid Society- sponsored bundle – or gift bag – filled with items such as blankets and baby clothing. The quarterly program seeks to put expecting moms and dads in touch with information and resources to help them welcome their baby to the world, said Cynthia Burney, Lajes Field A&FRC community readiness consultant.