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Photo by Senior Airman Marleah MillerPararescuemen, combat controllers and Pararescue Indoctrination Course trainees perform “memorial push-ups” during the memorial unveiling ceremony honoring Staff Sgt. Scott D. Sather Jan. 20 at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Training Annex. Sather, a combat controller, was the fi rst U.S. Air Force combat casualty during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Created by Air Force civil engineers, Sather’s memorial was displayed at Sather Air Base, near Baghdad International Airport, until its arrival here in October 2011. Sather AB has since transitioned from Air Force ownership and now falls under the Department of State as Sather Logistics Hub.

Base unveils memorial for fallen combat controller, P3

Photo by Airman 1st Class Colville McFee

By Donna MilesAmerican Forces Press Service

W ith election activ-ity steadily pick-ing up, defense

offi cials are in the process of issuing regular election-year guidance to remind military and Defense Department civil-ians that they’re subject to rules regulating their involve-ment in political activities.

This issue – one the de-partment regularly addresses during election periods – came to light earlier this week after an Army Reserve soldier in uniform appeared endorsing a political candidate.

Several sets of rules help to protect the integrity of the political process, DOD offi cials said. DOD Directive 1344.10 applies to members of the armed forces, whether they serve on active duty, or as members of the reserve com-ponents not on active duty, as National Guard members in a nonfederal status, and military retirees.

In addition, the Hatch Act applies to federal civilian em-ployees, and employees also are subject to widely published DOD guidance that discusses participation in political cam-paigns and elections.

These rules are designed to prevent military members’ or federal civilian employ-ees’ participation in politi-cal activities that imply – or even appear to imply – of-fi cial sponsorship, approval or endorsement, offi cials said. The concern, they explained, is that actual or perceived partisanship could undermine the legitimacy of the military profession and department.

That’s not to imply, how-ever, that military members and civilian employees can’t participate in politics. In fact, DOD has a longstanding policy

of encouraging members to carry out the obligations of citizenship, offi cials said. DOD encourages its military and civilian members to register to vote and vote as they choose, they said. Both groups can sign nominating petitions for candidates and express their personal opinions about candi-dates and issues.

However, offi cials empha-sized, they can do so only if they don’t act as – or aren’t perceived as – representatives of the armed forces in carry-ing out these activities.

Beyond that, the list of dos and don’ts differs depending on whether the employee is a

member of the armed forces, a career civil service employ-ee, a political appointee or a member of the career Senior Executive Service, offi cials said.

Military members, for example, may attend politi-cal meetings or rallies only as spectators and not in uniform. They’re not permitted to make public political speeches, serve in any offi cial capacity in par-tisan groups or participate in partisan political campaigns or conventions.

They also are barred from engaging in any political ac-tivities while in uniform.

A combat engineer assigned

to the 416th Theater Engineer Company potentially violated these rules Jan. 3 when he stepped onto a stage at Ron Paul’s headquarters in Ankeny, Iowa, during the Iowa Caucus to offer a personal endorse-ment. Although he was wear-ing his uniform, the soldier was not in an active status at the time, Army Maj. Angela Wallace, an Army Reserve spokeswoman, confi rmed.

Wallace emphasized that the soldier “stands alone in his opinions regarding his political affi liation and beliefs, and his statements and beliefs in no way refl ect that of the Army Reserve.”

His chain of command is aware of the issue and is con-sidering appropriate disciplin-ary action to take, she said.

Most civilian DOD employ-ees, whose political activities are governed by the Hatch Act, are permitted to be active in and speak before politicalgatherings and serve as of-fi cers of political parties or partisan groups, offi cials said. These activities, however, can-not involve fundraising.

Civilian employees also are permitted to manage cam-paigns, distribute literature, write political articles or serve as a spokesperson for a party or candidate. There are, how-ever, exceptions to this, includ-ing but not limited to Senior Executive Service. While the dos and don’ts concerning political activity may vary, the basic tenets hold true for all DOD employees.

The bottom line, offi cials said, is that they should steer clear of any activity that may be reasonably viewed as directly or indirectly associat-ing DOD or the military with a partisan political activity, or that “is otherwise contrary to the spirit or intent” of the rules described.

PAGE 2 TALESPINNER JANUARY 27, 2012

This newspaper is published by Prime Time Military Newspapers, a private fi rm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive writ-ten contract with Lackland AFB, Texas. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military ser-vices. Contents of the Talespinner are not necessarily the offi cial views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, or the Depart-ment of the Air Force.

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Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Offi ce of the 502nd Air Base Wing. All photos, unless otherwise indicated, are U.S. Air Force photos.

Deadline for submissionsis noon Thursday the week prior

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Joint Base San AntonioLackland

Editorial Staff

BRIG. GEN. THERESA C. CARTER,COMMANDER

OSCAR BALLADARES,DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

JOE BELA, CHIEF,INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS

671-4111

MANAGING EDITOR, VACANT

MIKE JOSEPH,SENIOR WRITER, 671-4357

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PATRICK DESMOND,DESIGN/LAYOUT, 671-5049

commentaryDOD guides political activity

newsJANUARY 27, 2012 TALESPINNER PAGE 3

JBSA-LACKLAND QUARTERLY AWARDS

The Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland fourth-quarter awards ceremony is Tues-day, 3 p.m., at Mitchell Hall.

For more information, contact Tech. Sgt. Latasha America at 210-292-6670.

AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE KICKOFF

The opening ceremony for Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland African American Heritage Month activities is Wednesday, 3 p.m., in the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgi-cal Center auditorium.

The guest speaker is Col. Yolanda D. Bledsoe, 56th Medical Group commander, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.

For more information, call 210-292-5460.

DLIELC INTERNATIONAL FEST

The Defense Language Institute English Language Center’s International Fest is Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Gateway Club. Music from Burkino Faso, origami from Japan and papyrus scrolls from Egypt will be part of the exhibits and displays.

For more information, contact Milissa Stewart at 210-671-2818.

ANNUAL GOSPEL FESTIVAL

The Joint Base San Antonio community is invited to attend the annual African American Heritage Gospel Festival Feb. 4, 6 p.m., at the JBSA-Lackland Gateway Chapel.

Featured performers include the 2012 African American Heritage Choir, the Grace First Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir, the Macedonia Puppet Ministry, the Lackland Chapel Youth Choir, as well other guests.

For more information, call Ethel Willard-Crews at 210-722-3559, or Shirley Jones at 210-671-1750.

AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE LUNCHEON

The Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland African American Heritage luncheon is Feb. 8, 11 a.m., at the Gateway Club. Reserva-tions are due Wednesday.

For more information, contact Belinda Strickland at 210-671-2888.

JBSA ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

The Joint Base San Antonio annual awards ceremony is Feb. 24 at the Gate-way Club.

For more information, contact your unit fi rst sergeant.

NEWS IN BRIEF

By Mike JosephSenior Writer

The family of the fi rst Air Force enlisted combat casualty in Operation Iraqi Freedom unveiled a memorial at the 342nd Training Squadron on the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Train-ing Annex Jan. 20.

Family members of fallen combat con-troller Staff Sgt. Scott Sather uncovered the large concrete pedestal featuring a dark marble top with a white marble star and brass plate attached following a short, solemn ceremony. They were assisted by Col. Patrick Vetter, 37th Training Wing vice commander, and Col. Marc Stratton, Inter-American Air Forces Academy commander.

Sather’s memorial was built by the 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron at Sather Air Base near Baghdad and dedicated on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2009. Sather was attached to the 75th Ranger Regiment, an elite Ranger reconnaissance detachment, from the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, N.C., when he was killed April 8, 2003, in Iraq.

Coordination be-tween several Air Force commands began last February before the memorial was crated for ship-ping in March 2011. The 12,000-pound container was shipped from the Middle East in Sep-tember, arrived in Dallas a month lat-er, and then trucked

to JBSA-Lackland.The memorial was placed next to the

342nd TRS fl agpole to remind squad-ron members of Sather’s legacy of valor, leadership and bravery. Students do push ups in front of the fl agpole in the morning and memorial push-ups at 4 p.m. every weekday after retreat.

Stratton, a former Special Tactics group commander and combat con-trol offi cer who served with Sather, described during the ceremony how the memorial serves as a permenant reminder for trainees of the mission-focused Battlefi eld Airmen culture that

cherishes the Air Force core values.“This memorial will serve as a source

of strength, a symbol of honor, courage and tenacity in facing the enemy,” Strat-ton said. “The Air Force core values of Integrity, Service and Excellence are on display here. The concept for team is built here (at the 342nd TRS).

“And there is the Service Above Self component,” he said. “Your loyalty to the team, your teammates and the mis-sion often trumps your individual needs. Scott epitomized what a teammate was supposed to be.”

Family members at the unveiling included Sather’s widow, Melanie; his mother and step-father, Karin and Lucky Craft; and his father and step-mother, Rodney and Laurie Sather. Spe-cial guests were Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr., commander of Air Education and Training Command, and Lt. Gen. Eric Fiel, commander Air Force Special Op-erations Command.

The family was fl anked by para-rescuemen, combat controllers and pa-rarescue indoctrination course trainees from the 342nd TRS, who concluded the event with memorial push-ups.

Sather Memorial fi nds new home at 342nd TRS

Staff Sgt.Scott Sather

Photo by Senior Airman Marleah MillerMelanie Sather, widow of Staff Sgt. Scott D. Sather, and step-father, Lucky Craft, pay their respects at the unveiling of Sather’s memorial.

TALESPINNER JANUARY 27, 2012

MARE

Photo by Robbin CresswellLead fi refi ghters Kevin Washington and Aaron Ledsome, 802nd Civil Engineer Squadron, aid Senior Airman Ismael Perez, 59th Medical Wing, who is playing the role of an injured pilot during Monday’s major accident response exercise at Joint Base San Antonio-Lack-land. The exercise, which simulated the crash of a C-130 Hercules transport plane, tested the response capabilities of emergency management and support organizations on base.

JANUARY 27, 2012 TALESPINNER PAGE 5

By Robert GoetzJoint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

The recent apprehension of 20 illegal immigrants found in a single-bedroom house near downtown San Antonio il-lustrates that human traffi cking is not just a reality in distant lands.

The problem is so widespread – and so close to home – that Jan. 11 was ob-served in the United States as a day of awareness for the millions of victims of modern slavery, which is tied with the illegal arms trade as the second largest criminal industry in the world, trailing only drug dealing.

The Department of Defense also rec-ognizes the seriousness of human traf-fi cking, mandating annual Traffi cking in Persons Awareness training through the Advanced Distributed Learning Ser-vice.

“It’s been an annual requirement for seven years,” Mance Clark, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Antiterrorism Force Protection offi cer, said. “There’s a real need for training; it makes people aware of the problem.”

The United Nations defi nes human traffi cking as “the recruitment, trans-portation, transfer, harboring or re-ceipt of persons … for the purpose of exploitation.” Traffi ckers use the threat or use of force, abduction, fraud, decep-tion, abuse of power and other means to achieve their goals.

Traffi cking categories include sexual exploitation, forced labor, child soldiers and organ harvesting, and most victims are impoverished women and children who have been kidnapped, tricked, co-erced, forced or sold by their families.

In fact, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, in her address mark-ing the release of the Department of State’s 2011 TIP Report, said human traffi cking “unfortunately hurts women and girls disproportionately.” She said traffi cking “isn’t just a problem of hu-man bondage; it fuels the epidemic of gender-based violence in so many plac-es – here in our country and around the world.”

Clark said military members and ci-vilians can fall victim to human traf-fi ckers or unknowingly contribute to

the criminal activity by patronizing night clubs or strip joints that engage in prostitution or other illegal activities. It’s why military installations maintain a list of establishments that are off-limits to service members.

“People can also get caught up in a raid,” he said. “Just be aware of your surroundings and the activities that are going on. Do your research and watch for the telltale signs.”

Not all girls or young women who are forced into sexual servitude are runaways or kidnap victims from other countries, Clark said. American females may be abducted as well; they are par-ticularly at risk traveling abroad.

Clark said they should have an itiner-ary and maintain awareness at all times, especially in bars; they should also stay in touch with their loved ones.

Victims of human traffi cking aren’t just working in strip clubs or massage parlors.

They may also be working as labor-ers in residential neighborhoods, on construction sites and in agricultural fi elds, Clark said.

Awareness day focuses on widespread human traffi cking



The 37th Training Wing will honor Vietnam War Security Forces veterans Tuesday by commemorating the Tet Offensive’s 44th anniversary.

The commemoration ceremony, followed by an un-veiling of a new Southeast Asia exhibit at the U.S. Air Force Security Forces Museum, will conclude two days of events recognizing the contributions of Viet-nam War Security Forces veterans.

The ceremony begins at 3 p.m. on the basic training drill pad across from the Security Forces Museum. The museum is located on the corner of Carswell Avenue and Femoyer Street on the basic training side of Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

“Every anniversary of this battle is memorable,” said Col. Gregory Reese, 37th Training Group commander. “A small number of Airmen prevented a tactical vic-tory for the Viet Cong had they succeeded in over-running two bases (Tan Son Nhut Air Base and Bien Hoa AB) and Military Assistance Command,Vietnam, headquarters.

“Since we are the home to Air Force Security Forces training and the Security Forces Museum, we should lead the Air Force in observances of this seminal event in the Air Force’s legacy of valor,” Reese said.

Capt. John Hart, 343rd Training Squadron and proj-ect offi cer for the event, said the Tet Offensive helped shape the Security Forces career fi eld.

“What those Airmen went through in order to save and defend those bases created a mind set in our Se-curity Forces culture today to teach our young Airmen those same values,” Hart said.

He said it was important to remember and appre-ciate the Vietnam War veterans because the war’s unpopularity infl uenced how they were treated when they returned home from serving.

“A lot of our (Vietnam) veterans, who willingly gave of themselves, were involved in a war in which they were not thanked for their service when they came home,” said Hart. “Dealing with war itself is hard. But to deal with war, and then come home and not be appreciated for what you’ve done, I believe, could be even harder because you gave all of yourself.

“Like it has been said, ‘All gave some, some gave all,’” he added.

A golf tournament and dinner Monday at the Gate-way Hills golf course kick off the two-day event. At sunrise Tuesday, “The Wall That Heals,” a traveling exhibit featuring a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, opens with a three-day visit across from the museum. The exhibit will be open Tuesday through Thursday, sunrise to sundown.

More than 150 veterans have signed up for guided bus tours of JBSA-Lackland. Nearly 1,000 people, in-cluding Airmen and Security Forces technical training students, are expected to attend the ceremony.

Photo by Robbin CresswellTerri Bedore, U.S. Air Force Security Forces Museum director/curator, and Airmen 1st Class Alejandro Figueroa, Issac McCauley and Laurel Price, all assigned to the 343rd Training Squadron, work on the new Southeast Asia Exhibit Tuesday. The exhibit is dedicated to the history of Security Police deployed in Southeast Asia from 1964-1973.

Reliving Security Police Tet heroics

MONDANN Y Y AA

– 122:30 p.m. Golf tournament, Gateway Hilllls s GolfCourrse

– – 6 p.m. Dinner, Gateway Hills Golf CourseTUUEESDAYAA

– Sunrise-sunset, Vietnam Traveling MemoriialWaall, opens for three days, Carswell Avenue anndFeemoyer Street

– 9 a.m., Base bus tour departs from Carter Haall–– 3 p.m. Commemoration ceremony, Carswell

Avennue and Femoyer Street– 4:4:30 p.m., exhibit opening at U.S. Air Forcece Se-

curity FForces museumTHURSDAYYAA

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Femoyer Street in front of the U.S. Air Force Security Forces museum will be blocked off starting at Carswell Avenue for the Tet Offensive commemoration ceremo-ny Tuesday from 2:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Parking will be available in parking lots north of the museum.

ROADCLOSURE

DSURE

44th Anniversary – Tet Offensive



The U.S. Air Force Security Forces Museum will unveil a new Southeast Asia exhibit Tues-day afternoon following the 37th Training Wing Tet Offensive commemoration ceremony.

The exhibit’s opening was moved up nine months to coincide with the commemoration events, said Terri Bedore, curator and direc-tor of the USAF Security Forces Museum.

“It is part of our strategic plan to update exhibits as both museum exhibition standards and technology change in order to enrich our visitors’ and Depart-ment of Defense students’ experience,” Bedore said.

The new exhibit tells the history of Secu-rity Police deployed in Southeast Asia from 1964-1973 with a special focus on the Tet Of-fensive, Operation SAFESIDE, K-9 sentry dogs, Security Police individuals, enemy forces and weapons, and bases, bunkers and towers.

It includes a full-size model of a time-period bun-ker, an audio recording of live radio chatter taken during the Tet Offensive, a captured weapons dis-play, life-like uniformed fi gures, former military working dog, Wotan, and historical photographs.

Bedore said the 1967-1973 time period initi-ated active defense strategies in training and real-world situations. It also changed the focus of mili-tary dogs from sentry to scout and working dogs.

“These events changed the course of the Security Police/Security Forces career fi eld, and led the way from being ‘Peacekeepers’ of the Cold War and into today’s Air Force as ‘Defenders,’” Bedore said.

New exhibit honorsSecurity Forces vetsin Southeast Asia

44th Anniversary – Tet Offensive


Congratulations to the following 77 Airmen for being selected as honor graduates among 773 Air Force basic military train-ees graduating today:

320th Training SquadronFlight 123Joseph LaceyCameron McCutcheonCass MelinAl RasmussenDamilola WilliamsFlight 124Casey ChaseMichael DeanAustin HolmSean LancasterSergio TorresRyan Vaughan

321st Training Squadron Flight 113Daniel Cordova Jr.Jet RumseyAaron ToblerFlight 114Melissa Franks

Miki MullenDaniela Portillo322nd Training Squadron Flight 117Joseph BuhlmanJoshua ChopekCody FoxWilbert GlayYu LiuBenjamin SternFlight 118Jacob BrenholdtNathan RyanAaron SimonisShawn WelchFlight 125Richard BraunChristian KaegGeoffrey LeClaireJose PolancoFlight 126Justin DonovanJames SpearmanBenjamin Topping323rd Training SquadronFlight 115Colten AlanizMatthew CyrierBenjamin Edwards

Aaron GureckiKyle MerkelRene VerretFlight 116Mark CharlesErnest ClemonsVictor Cuadrado-LopezJoshua CurtrightAkalu ErrenaAndrew HardingCarl PellaDon Snider Jr.Anthony StephensFlight 117Benjamin BlyJose GuerraDrew HerrmannChristopher PostonChristopher Smith-ThomasFlight 128Katelyn EgercicKira EnyartKristen FayDenise HamptonBailey HoltKathleen KeenanKirstin KimballTabetha LongJulia Macintosh

Melissa MaskulkaTory PattersonAlexandria ScottNina M. ThielmannLaneesha Williams

326th Training SquadronFlight 121Jeremy CleekAlexander MuenchMarco SforzaJared ThomasJordan TranFlight 122Jessie JohnsonAmanda NorwitzJamie Ogeda

331st Training SquadronFlight 119Matthew Sebey

Top BMT AirmanKristen Fay, 323rd TRS, Flight 128

Most Physically FitMale AirmenAaron Gurecki, 323rd

TRS, Flight 115Cortiella Karif, 326th TRS, Flight 121Charlie Medina Jr., 321st TRS, Flight 113Sanya Parker, 323rd TRS, Flight 115Female AirmenChelsea Decosta, 326th TRS, Flight 122Melissa Franks, 321st TRS, Flight 114Kristen Fay, 323rd TRS, Flight 128Kristyn Grabendike, 326th TRS, Flight 122Male Flights323rd TRS, Flight 115323rd TRS, Flight 127323rd TRS, Flight 116Female Flights323rd TRS, Flight 128321st TRS, Flight 114326th TRS, Flight 122

Top Academic Flights323rd TRS, Flight 116323rd TRS, Flight 128322nd TRS, Flight 117

BMT HONORS


U.S. Navy photo by Dewite WehrmanMaj. Gen. Leonard Patrick, 2nd Air Force commander, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., and 2nd AF Command Chief Master Sgt. Oscar Mackin, receive a demonstration of a computer program designed to help students learn the different parts of the human skull during a Jan. 18 tour of the Dental Assistant Program at the Medical Education and Training Cam-pus. Located at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, the METC is the Department of Defense’s enlisted medical training center for Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. METC’s mission is to train medics, corpsmen and technicians who support the nation’s military forces.

HI-TECH MED SCHOOL


By Dianne MoffettAir Education and Training Command Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RAN-DOLPH – The demand for fl ying train-ing caused by the United States’ entry into World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor, resulted in the creation of the Air Corps Flying Training Command Jan. 23, 1942.

Today marks Air Education and Training Command’s 70th Anniversary. After several re-designations, the Air Corps Flying Training Command be-came Air Training Command and fi -nally Air Education and Training Com-mand, headquartered at what is now Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph.

Despite changing production goals for trained personnel brought on by the events of WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the end of the Cold War, the Persian Gulf War and the terrorist strike on New York City and the Penta-gon, AETC continues to meet demands for trained and educated Airmen.

Air Education and Training Com-mand recruits, assesses, commissions, educates, and trains Air Force enlisted and offi cer personnel. It provides basic military training, initial and advanced technical training, fl ying training, and professional military and degree-grant-ing professional education.

The command also conducts joint, medical service, readiness and train-ing to build partnerships with foreign air forces.

Training conducted at AETC bases provides the major Air Force com-

mands and combatant commanders with skilled, expert Airmen who are able to perform at the highest level whether they are at home running nu-clear enterprises or overseas fi ghting in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Today, AETC consists of 12 bases and is hosted at four more. The command is home to more than 56,000 active-duty members, 16,000 civilians, and 4,000 Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel. More than 6,000 Airmen from AETC are also deployed around the world in today’s fi ght.

“Major transformations in training and education came to AETC after the Persian Gulf War and 1992 was desig-nated the Year of Training,” said Ann Hussey, an AETC historian.

The plan to create a single and con-sistent education and training structure for offi cer, enlisted and civilian person-nel led to AETCs current designation.

“The year of training revamped the Air Force’s education and training re-quiring all enlisted personnel to attend technical training,” Hussey said, “The goal was to make all Air Force mem-bers mission ready upon arrival at their fi rst duty station.”

The Air Force merged Air University and ATC on July 1, 1993, re-designating the command as AETC. The command gained two numbered Air Forces, the Nineteenth to oversee fl ying training from what was then called Randolph Air Force Base, and the Second to man-age basic and technical training from Keesler AFB, Miss.

The command also converted its training centers to training wings and resumed responsibility for much of the aircrew training mission, freeing the operational commands to focus on warfi ghting.

Hussey said what is most signifi cant

at AETC today is its focus on modern-ization and enhancing the level of edu-cation for all Airmen.

“New advanced weapons systems, such as the C-130J at Little Rock AFB, Ark., the F-22 at Tyndall AFB, Fla., the F-35 at Eglin AFB, Fla., and the CV-22 at Kirtland AFB, N.M., required highly-skilled trainers, pilots and main-tainers,” Hussey said. “Simulator fl y-ing training integrates new technology while maintaining cost effectiveness and affordability.”

Currently, Kirtland AFB, N.M. pro-vides high-fi delity training in HC-130 fl ight simulation, which emulates air-craft handling, refueling, air drops, defensive tactics and emergency pro-cedures for the entire crew.

“Air University offers both in-resi-dence and distance learning opportuni-ties. The Community College of the Air Force offers Airmen online courses that combine military and technical training with accredited courses to receive as-sociate degrees,” she said.

“The fi rst Ph.D. program offered by Air University is through the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies at Maxwell AFB, Ala.”

Throughout its history, AETC, known as the First Command, has been com-mitted to creating innovative training and education programs built on the achievements and hard work of thou-sands of dedicated men and women.

AETC’s foundation for success in the Air Force will continue to advance its programs “to develop America’s Air-men today ... for tomorrow.”

AETC marks 70 years of training, education excellence

U.S. Air Force photoIn 1942, Congress created the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. Members of the WAAC primar-ily fi lled clerical positions, releasing men for combat duty. Pictured above are members of the WAAC contingent to arrive at Randolph Field.


Stay up-to-date during special events and inclement weather.

Call 210-671-NEWS


Texans’ WinterLacklanders escape mild start to 2012By Mike JosephSenior Writer

Judging by the large turnout, “Snow Day” at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland amphitheater Jan. 20 was an overwhelming success.

Expecting a crowd of about 300 Airmen and family members, nearly 1,000 turned out on a warm, sunny afternoon to slide and play in the 48,000 pounds of frozen precipita-tion trucked in for the occasion.

“Our deputy (Eric Weston, dep-uty director, 802nd Force Support Squadron) said it best, ‘Snow sells; people love the snow,’” said Brian Milkovich, Arnold Hall Community Center manager, about the fi rst-time event. Though the event didn’t open until 4 o’clock that day, the line start-

ed forming at about 3:15 p.m. Get-ting to sleigh and play in the snow may have involved a long wait for many parents and their children, but in the end the smiles told the story.

Now the base knows what to ex-pect in the future for what 802nd FSS offi cials hope becomes an an-nual occurrence, Milkovich said.

Snow Day included a bouncing castle and radio controlled race cars for kids to play with, but judging by this year’s interest, “we’re hoping to increase the number of activities at future events,” said Milkovich.

And yes, we can expect much more snow next year, he added.

“People may not have been happy about the 45-minute wait, but by the time they left, they were smiling,” Milkovich said.

Photos by Alan BoedekerAbove: Skylar Oleson, 10, enjoys a ride down the snow slope during Joint Base San Antonio-Lack-land’s Snow Day Jan. 20. Skylar is the daughter of Staff Sgt. Matthew Oleson, 319th Training Squadron. Left: Skyler Slifer, 4, tries his best to quickly build a snowman before the snow melts. Skyler is the son of Lt. Col. Dan Slifer, U.S. Strategic Command.


Percy Lewis, 802nd Force Support Squad-ron, helps a child sleigh down the snow slope during Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland’s Snow Day Jan. 20.

Robert Oliva prepares the snow slope by spraying more than 40,000 pounds of snow on the amphitheatre grounds for Snow Day.


SPOTLIGHT ON MILITARY JUSTICE

• An airman basic from the 343rd Training Squadron was found guilty of stealing from the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Base Exchange. The individual forfeited $733 pay per month for two months, and received 15 days restriction to base, 15 days extra duty, and a reprimand.• An airman basic from the 343rd TRS was found guilty for wrongfully using Spice. The individual forfeited $733 pay, and receive 10 days restriction to base, 10 days extra duty, and a reprimand.• An airman basic from the 343rd TRS was found guilty of underage drinking and wrongfully using Spice. The individual for-feited $733 pay per month for two months, and received 20 days restriction to base, 20 days extra duty, and a reprimand.

• An airman from the 343rd TRS was found guilty of dereliction of duty by failing to show to work on time and providing alcohol to a minor. The individual forfeited $733 pay per month for two months, was reduced in rank to airman basic, and received 15 days restriction to base, 15 days extra duty, and a reprimand.• An airman fi rst class from the 343rd TRS was found guilty of dereliction of duty by leaving charge of quarters. The individual forfeited $864 pay, and received10 days re-striction to base, 10 days extra duty, and a reprimand.• An airman basic from the 344th TRS was found guilty of underage drinking. The in-dividual forfeited $342 pay per month for two months

The 802nd Mission Support Group Offi ce of the Staff Judge Advocate processed the following

judgments on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Jan. 1-15:


Edwards Aquifer Levelin feet above sea level

CURRENT LEVEL = 656.8’

Normal - above 660’Stage I - 660’Stage II - 650’Stage III - 642’Stage IV - 640.5’Stage V - 637’

For water restrictions, visit www.502abw.af.mil

Conservation–Stage IDrought Management

Joint Base San Antonio military installations have reverted back to Stage I water restrictions.

The decision is based on current water levels at the J-17 well, which have remained over 650 feet for more than 30 consecutive days. The J-17 well level as of Jan. 5 was 652.7 feet. Stage 1 water restrictions at all JBSA installations allow for night watering be-tween the hours of 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. Residents can now plant new sod.

Visit www.lackland.af.mil for more news ...

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 3 p.m., Wilford Hall Auditorium

2012 THEME: “Black women in American history and culture”


By Eric M. GrillAir Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs

Submissions for the Air Force As-sistance Fund’s 2012 online video contest should be posted on YouTube by Jan. 31.

The video contest deadline was extended to allow participating U.S. Air Force videographers and eligible YouTube Fans more time to complete their video entries.

“The contest is open to any indi-vidual or team and is not limited to one entry per base,” said William D’Avanzo, Air Force voting action of-fi cer and fundraising chief.

The winning video in each category will be featured on the AFAF YouTube page and played at the 9th Annual Air Force Charity Ball in Springfi eld, Va., on March 24.

The AFAF will also name a 2012 Air Force Aid Society educational grant after the winning teams in recogni-tion of their effort and participation, D’Avanzo said.

“Anybody can submit a video en-try, and we encourage everyone who is interested to participate,” D’Avanzo said.

“Each individual or team may sub-mit one 29-second entry and one 59-second entry.”

Last year, an installation project of-fi cer at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., created a humorous video to educate people on the AFAF and its affi liate charities, D’Avanzo explained.

Offi cials at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, used the video to publicize AFAF, prompting the idea of a video contest.

D’Avanzo hopes the video contest will motivate Airmen and their fami-lies to get more involved in the AFAF campaign.

“Our primary goal is to increase awareness of the four affi liate chari-ties and all they do for our Air Force family,” D’Avanzo said.

Video contest rules and guidelines include:• Videos must be about one or all of the AFAF affi liate charities, the cam-paign itself, or testimonials on how one of the charities helped an indi-vidual or family.• The videos may be humorous, seri-

ous, informational or educational.• Participation eligibility and number of video teams from each base is un-limited.• Each person or team may submit one video in each of the two catego-ries: 29-second and 59-second.• The video must be posted to a YouTube channel and the video link emailed to [email protected] by Jan. 31, 2012. The email must be digitally signed from an af.mil account, and must contain the following statement: “All persons appearing in the video have given permission to be videotaped and for the video to be publicly displayed on YouTube.”• If children are shown in the video, the email contest submission must

also include a signed letter (.doc or .pdf) from the child’s parent or legal guardian stating they give permission for the child to be in the video and for the video to be uploaded and posted to YouTube.• Approved video submissions will be re-posted to www.youtube.com/afas-sistancefund upon receipt.

Jan. 31, videos will be judged by AFAF and affi liate charity represen-tatives for content, cinematography, creativity and number of “views” on the AFAF YouTube channel.

Winning videos will be announced on the AFAF YouTube channel and through public affairs channels the week beginning Feb. 6, 2012.

The AFAF was established as a ven-ue to raise funds for the charitable affi liates that support the Air Force family in need, including active duty, reserve, guard and their dependents, retirees and surviving spouses.

AFAF affi liate charities are Air Force Villages, Air Force Aid Society, General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation and Air Force Enlisted Village.

These organizations provide Air Force people with aid in an emer-gency, with educational support, and with a secure retirement home for Air Force members’ widows or widowers in need of fi nancial assistance.

For more information on the AFAF’s affi liate charities, visit the web site at www.afassistancefund.org.

(Tech. Sgt. Steve Grever contributed to this story).

AFAF’s video entries due on YouTube Jan. 31


TRAVELING VIETNAM VETERANS WALL

A traveling Vietnam Veterans Me-morial Wall, “The Wall That Heals,” will be located near the United States Air Force Security Forces Museum Tuesday through Thursday.

The museum is on the corner of Carswell Avenue and Femoyer Street on the basic military training side of Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Visiting hours are sunrise to sun-down each day.

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

The Asian American Pacifi c Islander Heritage Committee hosts a Chinese new year celebration today, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the BMT Reception Center, Bldg. 7246.

AACA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

African American Cultural As-sociation scholarship applications are available at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Library, the JBSA-Lackland Youth Center, or from AACA members.

Dependents of military active

duty, Guard, Reserve, Department of Defense employees or DOD contrac-tors who are graduating high school seniors can apply.

The application includes writing a 600-800 word essay on “Black Women in American History and Culture.”

Scholarship packages must be mailed to the African American Cul-tural Association, c/o Shirley Jones, 1655 Selfridge Ave., Bldg. 5450, Lackland AFB, TX 78236.

The application deadline is Wednesday, 1 p.m. For details, call 671-1756.

HYPERTENSION EDUCATION CLASS A hypertension education class is

Feb. 6, 12:45-3:30 p.m., at the Wil-ford Hall Ambulatory Surgery Center.

The class is open to anyone interested in learning more about hypertension.

Contact the Nephrology Clinic at 210-292-6868 for more information.

TOBACCO CESSATION CLASSES

The Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Health and Wellness Center begins tobacco cessation classes

Feb. 7, 3-403 p.m., at the center, Bldg. 2513.

Nicotine patches and gum are available.

NEW WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY

A new women’s Bible study, “The Resolution for Women” by Priscilla Shirer, begins Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., at Freedom Chapel.

The study group will meet through the end of May.

For more information, call Free-dom Chapel at 210-671-4208.

BALFOUR BEATTY SCHOLARSHIPS

Applications are available for the Balfour Beatty Communities Foundation academic scholarships for high school and undergraduate programs and students of family housing residents for the 2012-2013 academic year.

For scholarship applications and requirements, visit the website at www.bbcommunitiesfoundation.org. The deadline for submission is April 15.

For more information about the scholarships, contact Claudia Moreno at 210-645-9511.

FLEA MARKET AT WARHAWK

A fl ea market is March 3 at the Warhawk Fitness Center parking lot, 8 a.m. to noon.

Vendor spots are available for $10 or $15 with a table.


SECURITY AND POLICY REVIEW

If you are preparing a speech or document for public release on defense-related subjects, contact the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Public Affairs Offi ce fi rst.

The appropriate authorities must review material relating to the plans, policies, programs or operations of the Department of Defense or U.S. Government before the presentation or publication.

Call the JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs Offi ce at 210-671-2908 for more details.

DEALING WITH THE MEDIA

How would you respond if a news reporter asked you to comment on the Air Force or your job?

Here are some things to know:• Think before you speak.

Contact the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Public Affairs Offi ce fi rst if you are asked to do a media interview and want to do it.

• If you are approached on the street by a reporter, you will be quoted in the newspaper or appear on a newscast answering questions that may prove embarrassing.

• Reporters may also ask for interviews “on line.” Don’t appear to be the Air Force’s spokesperson; make it clear you are giving your personal opinion during an interview.

Don’t try to address Air Force policy issues without fi rst consulting public affairs. Remember, your right of free speech also means you can refuse to speak.

Politely tell the media ‘no,’ or have them contact the JBSA-Lack-land Public Affairs Offi ce.

Your on-screen presence refl ects the image of the Air Force to the public.

If you are interviewed off duty, make sure to project the image your commander would want to see.

If in doubt, call the JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs Offi ce at 210-671-2908.

LOCAL BRIEFS

CHAPEL SERVICESChristianCatholicMonday-Friday:Freedom ChapelDaily Eucharist, 11:30 a.m.

Saturday:Freedom ChapelEucharist, 5:30 p.m.Reconciliation after Eucharist

Sunday:Freedom ChapelReligious Ed., 9 a.m.Eucharist, 11 a.m.Spanish Mass, 8 a.m.

OrthodoxSunday:Airmen Memorial ChapelDivine Liturgy, 9:30 a.m.Religious Ed., 10:45 a.m.ProtestantSaturday:Gateway Chapel

Seventh-Day AdventistService, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.Sunday:Airmen Memorial ChapelLiturgical Service, 8 a.m.Freedom ChapelContemporary Service,9:30 a.m.Gospel Service,12:30 p.m.Children’s Church providedReligious Ed., 11 a.m.Wednesday and Thursday:Bible Study, 6 p.m.

Sunday:Hope Chapel, Bldg. 10338The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints8-10 a.m.

IslamicFriday:Global Ministry Center, Bldg. 7452

Friday:Jummah Prayer, 1:15 to 2:15 p.m.Sunday:Religious Ed., 9-11 a.m.

JewishFriday:Airmen Memorial ChapelSabbath Eve Service,4 p.m.Sunday:Religious Ed., 12:30 p.m.

Wicca1st Wednesday:Freedom Chapel Room 8,San Antonio Military Open Circle, 6 p.m.

BuddistSunday:BMT Reception Center,10 a.m. to noon.

EckankarEvery fi rst, third, fi fth Saturday:Gateway Chapel12:30 to 1:30 p.m.Baha'iEvery fi rst, third, fi fth Sunday:Gateway Chapel11 a.m. to noon

community

FOR MORE DETAILS, CONTACT

Freedom Chapel

671-4208

Gateway Chapel

671-2911

Hope Chapel

671-2941

Air Force Aid Society 671-3722Airman & Family Readiness Center 671-3722Airman’s Attic 671-1780Base Post Offi ce 671-1058Bowling Center 671-2271DEERS 800-538-9552Exceptional Family Member Program 671-3722Family Child Care 671-3376Legal Offi ce 671-3362Library 671-3610Medical Appointment Line 916-9900MPF ID Cards 671-6006Outdoor Recreation 925-5532TRICARE Info 800-444-5445Thrift Shop 671-3600

Lackland Enlisted Spouses’ Club www.lacklandesc.orgLackland Force Support Squadron www.lacklandfss.comLackland ISD www.lacklandisd.netLackland Offi cers’ Spouses’ Club www.lacklandosc.orgLackland Public website www.lackland.af.milMy Air Force Life www.MyAirForceLife.com

KEY FAMILY SUPPORT RESOURCES


JAN. 27BMT FAMILY SEMINAR

The Air Force Basic Military Training Family Seminar is today, noon, in the BMT Reception Center, Bldg. 7246.

The seminar provides information on the Air Force and its benefi ts to family members of graduating Airmen.

SMART CONSUMER CLASS

An “Are You a Smart Consumer?” class is today, 1:30-3 p.m., at the Airman and Family Readiness Center.

For more details, call 210-671-3722.

JAN. 30FAMILY READINESS BRIEFING

A family readiness briefi ng for deploying personnel is Monday,

10:30-11:30 a.m., at the Airman and Family Readiness Center. The briefi ng is for personnel who are deploying, or are going on remote assignments or extended temporary deployments.

For details, call 210-671-3722.

RETURN AND REUNION SEMINAR

A return and reunion seminar is Monday, 2:30-3:30 p.m., at the Air-man and Family Readiness Center.

The seminar is an informal forum for family members who wish to talk about their individual experiences and the stress caused by deployment-related separations. For details, call 210-671-3722.

JAN. 31 AMVET REPRESENTATIVE

An American Veterans National Service Offi cer is available to help

with disability claims Tuesday, 8 a.m. to noon, at the Airman and Family Readiness Center.

For more information about meet-ing with a disability claims offi cer, call 210-699-5087.

PRE-SEPARATION RETIREES’ CLASS

A mandatory counseling class for retiring personnel is Tuesday, 9 a.m. to noon, at the Airman and Family Readiness Center.

Participants will be briefed on

benefi ts and services. For details, call 210-671-3722.

FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT SEMINAR

A “How to Apply for Federal Employment” seminar is Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Airman and Family Readiness Center.

The class teaches participants how to enhance the job-hunting process.


DISABILITY TAP SEMINAR

A disability transition assistance program seminar is Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. to noon, at the Airman and Family Readiness Center.

The seminar for separating or re-tiring personnel provides information on criteria and benefi ts for disabled veterans.


FEB. 1RESUME WRITING CLASS

A class on writing an effective resume is Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Airman and Family Readiness Center.


HEARTS APART MEETING

A Hearts Apart meeting for de-ployed family members is Wednesday, 11 a.m., at Arnold Hall Community Center.


PERFORMING ARTS GROUP MEETING

The Lackland Performing Arts Group meets Wednesday, 6-7 p.m., at Arnold Hall Community Center. “Expressions,” an open microphone forum, follows the meeting from 7-9 p.m.

For more details, call 210-671-2619 or 210-671-2352.

FEB. 2PRE-SEPARATION CLASS

A mandatory counseling class for separating personnel is Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon, at the Airman and Family Readiness Center.

Attendees will be briefed about benefi ts and services.


DISABILITY TAP SEMINAR

A disability transition assistance program seminar is Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to noon, at the Airman and Family Readiness Center.


Monthly MeetingsENLISTED SPOUSES’ CLUB

The Lackland Enlisted Spouses’ Club meets every third Tuesday of the month at the Gateway Club, 6:30-8:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.lacklandesc.org.

OFFICERS’ SPOUSES’ CLUB

The Lackland Offi cers’ Spouses’ Club meets every third Tuesday of the month. For meeting location information, visit www.lacklandosc.org.MILITARY COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN

The Military Council of Catholic Women meets the fi rst Friday of the month, 9:30 a.m., at Freedom Chapel. For more information, call 671-4208.

On the web www.lacklandfss.com

Family Support Events

What’s Happening

JANUARY 27, 2012 TALESPINNER PAGE 19sportsHEALTH FAIR

The Warhawk Fitness Center will host a health fair Feb. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon. The schedule of events is:

Zumba Jam, 9-9:30 a.m.; Fitness Equipment Demo, 9:30-10 a.m.; Women’s Self Defense and TRX suspension training, 10-10:30 a.m.; Sandbell Train-ing Demo, 10:30-11 a.m.; Spin Cycle Demo, 11-11:30 a.m.; Kettlebell Training Demo, 11:30 a.m. to noon.

Groups from preventive den-tistry, the Warhawk Health and Wellness Center, the Outpatient Nutrition Clinic, and the blood bank will pass out informa-tion to all patrons. Prizes will be given for participating in random events.

Contact Brett Cannon at 210-671-2016 for details.

TRACK REPAIRS

The Medina Fitness Center’s track will undergo repairs through Feb. 17. Please use caution when using the track. For more details, call 210-671-4477.

UPCOMING

SCOREBOARDBASKETBALL

Division I W L1.543rd Spt Sq ...........................6 02.FSS .........................................6 03.Crypto Div ..............................4 14.343rd TRS ...............................4 25.772nd ESS ..............................3 36 737th TRG 2 37. Security Forces ......................2 38.59th Med LRS ........................2 39.59th Dental Gp .......................2 410.93rd IS ..................................1 411.802nd LRS .............................1 412.717th MI Bn ..........................0 4

Division II W L1.149th FW ................................5 02.37th TRSS ...............................6 13.D.L.I ........................................4 14.COMM/OSS ...........................4 25.59th Med Ops Gp ..................3 36.NIOC/ Co H ............................3 37. 341st TRS ...............................3 48.668th IOW ..............................2 39.453rd EWS .............................2 410.AFISRA .................................2 411.668th ALIS ............................2 412.JPPSO ..................................2 513.624th OC ..............................1 5

Photo by Deyanira Romo RussellIrby Burnett lands a punch on Jesse Richardson during the Air Force Box Off Tournament at the METC Campus Fitness Center Saturday.

By Steve ElliottJBSA-Fort Sam Houston News Leader

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS – In what Air Force offi cials called a “grand slam” for the fi tness center on the Medical Train-ing and Education Center Campus, the Air Force Box-Off tournament Jan. 20-21 was a big success.

“The Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Ma-rines packed the house,” said Ken Hack, the center’s director.

“All branches of the service were at the event and also included family members, active-duty service members and Depart-ment of Defense civilian employees.”

A total of nine Air Force boxers took part in the two-day competition, with a fi ght card fi lled out by amateurs from San Antonio and South Texas boxing clubs.

There were 10 bouts the fi rst night and 12 the second in a number of weight classes, from 123-pound super feather-weights up to 201-pound heavyweights.

At stake in the fi ghts was the chance to advance to the Armed Forces Boxing Tournament at Camp Pendleton, Calif., which takes place Jan. 28 to Feb. 3.

“This is the competition used to deter-mine who advances,” Hack said. “Box-ers also may advance to represent the Air Force at the USA National Boxing Championship in Colorado Springs, Colo. Weight division winners at the Armed Forces Championship may advance to an annual international military champion-ship, if worthy.”

Selected to compete by Air Force box-ing coaches Tech Sgt. Steve Franco and assistant coach Staff Sgt. Bobby DeLeon, there were open and novice boxers at

the competition. The coaches carefully matched the

contestants, since the military rules state that open boxers (those with at least fi ve bouts) can’t box against novice boxers in regulation bouts.

The fi ghters trained at the Chaparral Fitness Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland at the beginning of January.

“We had 16 days to train and learn all the basics of boxing all over again. We faced some tough opponents, but the hard work is showing and even better, the toughness,” Franco said. “This is a great place to host this event here on Fort Sam Houston. I hope everyone en-joyed it.”

Sanctioned by USA boxing, each

See AIR FORCE BOXING P20


match included three, 3-minute rounds with a doc-tor available to examine each boxer at the con-clusion of each bout, as military boxing follows amateur-boxing rules.

Two women led off the boxing competition Sat-urday, with Sarah Byrd representing Flex Boxing Club and Sarah Rush boxing for Fit Pit.

Rush won the bout. “It was a good fi rst experience for my fi rst fi ght,”

Rush said. “I thought the atmosphere was great.”“I feel good,” said Senior Airman Kent Brinson

who had just won his match. “It’s nice to come out of here with some wins. It has been a hard night for us as a team,” he added.

Brinson is stationed with the 13th Air Support Operation Squadron at Fort Carson, Colo.

In the 201-pound class, he defeated Jas Phipps, who represented Miracle Boxing Club.

While teams have gotten smaller over the past few years, Hack said Air Force boxing is alive and well, despite the rise in popularity in mixed martial arts competitions.

“I know some the boxers have and do train in mixed martial arts,” Hack said. “The Air Force doesn’t have a MMA program, so if they compete in that genre, they do it on their own.”

Hack said the Fitness Center on the METC Cam-pus is uniquely equipped to handle an event like the box-off.

“It’s a state-of-the-art facility that opened in June 2011,” the director said. “During the plan-

ning of the facility, special events like boxing were taken into consideration.

“We have a physical training room that can be used for multiple functions. For this event, it was used for the weigh-ins, physicals and then divided during the fi ghts to hold the red and blue teams,” Hack said. “Instead of purchasing bleachers, we have 12 portable bleachers on wheels that we can conform to events. The upstairs running track can be used for above-the-event seating.”

Hack and his staff are hoping the success of the Air Force Box-Off will increase their chanc-es to hold other services championships in many sports.

“Our next goal is to host DOD-level sports that would attract military competitors from all the ser-vices,” he said. “A step of above this would be to host a Conseil International du Sport Militairetour-nament or championship.

“That would include military from around the world.”

CISM is one of the largest multidisciplinary or-ganizations in the world, which organizes various sporting events for the armed forces of its 133 member countries.

CISM annually organizes more than 20 military world championships for different sports in which all member nations can take part.

“The success of this event showed that joint base events can happen and go well – if not better – when we stand alone,” Hack said. “We’re able to pull resources, manpower and expertise from all three installations in Joint Base San Antonio.”

AIR FORCE BOXING from P19

Photo by Steve BrownKent Brinson stands toe to toe with Jas Phipps in a heavy-weight division bout.

Spartans get vigilant, stay undefeated at 6-0By Jose T. Garza IIISports Editor

The 543rd Support Squadron Spartans got a tad lackadaisical in the second half against 772nd Enter-prise Sourcing Squadron, who made three straight 3s in the beginning of the second half, erasing a 12-point 29-17 fi rst-half defi cit to one, 29-28.

“We got lazy and laid back,” Spartans guard Brandon Hawkins, who was the team’s second high-est scorer with 20 points, said. “We just got carefree as a team and treated the lead at the half like it was nothing.”

Teammate Julian Jones echoed Hawkins assess-ment. “It was a combination of being comfortable and getting tired.”

The Spartans kicked up enough energy to defeat 772nd ESS 59-47 Tuesday in a Division I Intramural Basketball matchup at the Chaparral Fitness Center

to stay undefeated at 6-0.Matthew Radaker scored the Spartans fi rst buck-

et in three minutes. Hawkins scored four straight points to put his squad up 44-36.

The Spartans casual play on offense was far dif-ferent than what was produced in the beginning of the fi rst half, as the squadron jumped from tipoff to score eight straight points to get an early lead.

Hawkins, who scored 9 of his 20 points in the second half, said his job was to pump some life in the team to get back on track.

“I try to bring some extra energy by pushing the ball, and I also try to make sure everyone continues to have fun.”

One teammate who benefi ted from Hawkins en-ergy was Jones, who was 543rd’s leading scorer with 21 points.

“We play good together, and we feed off each oth-er,” he said. “When he plays good, I play good.”

Photo by Alan BoedekerSpartans guard Brandon Hawkins jumps mid-air in hopes of scoring for his squadron.

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