A publication of the 502nd Air Base Wing – Joint Base San Antonio RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE 64th Year • No. 35 • SEPTEMBER 3, 2010 PAGE 7 INSIDE ... HIDDEN HEALTH RISKS OF ENERGY DRINKS, P3 ... MASSIVE MIGRATION, P4 ... IT’S A (MILITARY) DOG’S LIFE, P8 ... RAMPING UP FOR RAMBLER, P10 PAGE 2 WINGSPREAD SEPTEMBER 3, 2010 SEPTEMBER 3, 2010 WINGSPREAD PAGE 3 COMMENTARY ON THE COVER NEWS Staff Sgt. Jennifer Swain (right), 359th Dental Squadron, applies simulated wounds to Tech. Sgt. Harold Sanchez- Labor Day safety: a personal priority Rivera, Air Force Manpower Agency, Alcoholic energy drinks pose hidden health risk during the Joint Base San Antonio active shooter exercise Tuesday. For more photos, By Brig. Gen. Leonard Patrick By L.A. Shively think they are not as intoxicated as Sergeant Hampton said the drinks also 502nd Air Base Wing commander see page 7. Photo by Steve White Fort Sam Houston Public Affairs they really are. contain high levels of alcohol. Compared “As wingmen and battle “Just because “Just because you don’t feel to beer, which has a 4 percent alcohol Labor Day is dedicated to the With long hours and physically you don’t feel drunk doesn’t mean that the alco- content, alcoholic energy drinks contain achievements of American workers buddies, let’s work together demanding workloads, service- hol has not impaired your judg- up to 12 percent of alcohol by volume. and the contributions they make to members are increasingly using drunk doesn’t ment and your ability to drive a When you then add high caffeine the strength, prosperity and well- to protect our most valuable WINGSPREAD sports and energy drinks to refuel. mean that the car, or do your job,” Ms. Moss content to alcohol, some people can being of our country. The newest craze to hit the market alcohol has not said. “It just creates a ‘wide- have serious health or other problems, Labor Day weekend also marks resources: our military 502nd Air Base Wing are alcoholic energy drinks, which awake drunk.’ The other danger Ms. Moss said. the end of the 101 Critical Days of members, civilians, and Operating Location Bravo combine the effects of alcohol, a impaired your is the caffeine levels. High levels of According to the National Institute of Summer, a period historically asso- Editorial Staff depressant, and stimulants. judgment and caffeine can cause increased anxi- Health, an energy drink and alcohol com- ciated with increased mishaps. I our families.” Brig. Gen. Leonard Patrick Alcoholic energy drinks carry ety, panic attacks, increased blood bination can produce chronic headaches, encourage each of you to take a Commander names like Tilt, Rock Star 21 and your ability to pressure and insomnia.” impair judgment, create shortness of well-deserved break and recharge 1st Lt. Ryan Ernst Joose and are similar in look, feel drive a car, or According to Staff Sgt. Brandon breath, dizziness, disorientation and can over this Labor Day weekend. Bear Deputy Chief of Public Affairs and price to popular non-alcoholic do your job.” Hampton, the NCO in charge at boost heart rate and blood pressure to in mind we must always exercise dangerous situations quickly. ing of ash or coals at your party loca- Kelly Parsons energy drinks. The difference Alcohol Drug Abuse Prevention and dangerous levels. safety and continuously manage risk. • Keep it cold – Nothing will ruin tion, use an appropriate disposal Editor between non-alcoholic energy Angela Moss Treatment program on Lackland, Sergeant Hampton said alcoholic Prior to this holiday, commanders your party more than sick family and drum or make sure the coals or ash Airman 1st Class Precious Yett drinks and alcoholic energy drinks, Army Substance Abuse the condition is extremely danger- energy drinks can also have a nega- and supervisors have a great oppor- friends. Keep your perishable foods on are thoroughly soaked with water Robert Goetz, Brian McGloin however, is enormous. Program prevention ous and puts people at a higher risk tive impact on a servicemember’s tunity to reinforce the importance of ice. Use disposable cake pans filled with before disposal. Staff Writers Non-alcoholic energy drinks are coordinator for alcohol poisoning. career. Because they contain alcohol, safety. Remind your people about ice and nestle your bowls and dishes in • Plan for the extra traffic – Maggie Armstrong meant to supply mental and physi- The central ingredient in most consuming the drinks can lead to an the significance of including family the ice for a quick and simple outdoor Consider leaving the day before Labor Graphic Designer cal stimulation for a short period of non-alcoholic energy drinks is caf- alcohol-related incident and admin- members in decisions regarding refrigerator. You can never have too Day and staying a day after to avoid the time, while alcoholic energy drinks feine, the same stimulant found in istrative actions including an Article activities. They should ask the who, much ice on hand! extra traffic. If that isn’t possible, get an are consumed for effect. coffee or tea. According to public 15, loss of assignment, confinement, what, when, where and how ques- • The heat is on – Labor Day is con- early start on your day! Wingspread Office “People drink them to help them stay Sam Houston. She explained that fatigue health officials, an average eight-fluid- loss of security clearances and loss tions as they relate to weekend plans sidered the end of summer, but the hot Exercising risk mitigation lets 1150 5th Street East awake longer and drink more,” said is the body’s way of saying one has had ounce energy drink has about 80 mil- of driving privileges. to ensure a comprehensive look has weather of summer in most places still someone know you care! As wing- Randolph AFB, Texas 78150 Angela Moss, an Army Substance Abuse enough to drink. Alcoholic energy drinks ligrams of caffeine, while 16-ounce drinks For more information, contact the been given to safety factors. has not dissipated. Stock lots of drinks men and battle buddies, let’s work Phone: (210) 652-5760 Program prevention coordinator at Fort fool the body and can make the person contain around 150 milligrams. Randolph ADAPT office at 652-2448. Below are a few important tips for and stay away from alcohol and caf- together to protect our most valuable Fax: (210) 652-3142 Wingspread Advertisements consideration: feine, which can dehydrate. resources: our military members, Prime Time Military Newspapers • Kids are No. 1 priority – Ensure an • Don’t get burned – Labor Day is civilians, and our families. 2203 S. Hackberry adult is always watching the young ones a big barbecue holiday. Keep your Enjoy the time off and most of all – San Antonio, Texas 78210 Controlling cholesterol level vital to preventing heart disease – unsupervised children can get into eye on the hot fire. If you are dispos- BE SAFE! Phone: (210) 534-8848 By Robert Goetz cent of it from foods such as meat, poultry, fish, Captain Lupfer said diet – a variety of fruits, veg- Wingspread e-mail 502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs eggs, butter, cheese and whole milk. etables, whole grains, fish and lean protein – and Show of respect [email protected] Cholesterol comes in two forms – LDL (low-density exercise, a minimum of 30 minutes of cardiovascu- Maintaining good health is often a matter of keeping lipoprotein), or bad cholesterol, which forms a thick, lar work three times a week, are important compo- Col. Richard Murphy This paper is published by Prime Time Military Newspapers, a track of numbers. hard substance that can clog blood vessels and block nents in maintaining a healthy cholesterol level and (center), 12th Flying private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under One of the most important numbers people should the flow of blood to the heart or brain, and HDL (high- reducing inflated levels of bad cholesterol. Training Wing commander, exclusive written contract with Randolph AFB, Texas. This com- mercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publica- know is their cholesterol level, because a level that is too density lipoprotein), or good cholesterol, which helps Medications can also play a key role in treatment. and Ranger Russ Whitlock tion for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the high can lead to a heart attack or stroke. the body get rid of LDL cholesterol. Another form of “Medications have proven to be very effective and (left), Lyndon B. Johnston Wingspread are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed During Cholesterol Awareness Month in September, fat in the bloodstream, triglycerides, can also have safe, but there are side effects,” he said. “Muscle National Historical Park by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Air Force. health officials advise people to check their cholesterol adverse effects if their level is too high. pain and liver damage are very rare, but they can superintendent, place a The appearance of advertising in this publication, including level regularly and take steps to reduce it if it is too high. High LDL cholesterol is one of the risk factors be the most serious side effects. That is why the wreath at the grave of inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the “High cholesterol is potentially life-threatening, so for heart disease. Others include diabetes, high condition of the liver must be monitored when a Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, or Prime former President Lyndon Time Military Newspapers of the products or services advertised. controlling it is important,” said Capt. Brian Lupfer, blood pressure (also known as hypertension), patient is on medication.” Baines Johnson Aug.