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RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE 65th Year • No. 37 • SEPTEMBER 16, 2011

INSIDE ... AF MEDIC EARNS BRONZE STAR, P3 ... 9/11 REMEMBERED, P4 ... KEY SPOUSES FORGE BONDS, P7 ... AF MARATHON, P13

A publication of the 502nd Air Base Wing – Joint Base San Antonio

PAGE 8

SEPTEMBER 16, 2011PAGE 2 WINGSPREAD

By Chief Master Sgt. Arlene MurrayTexas Cryptologic Center senior enlisted leader

Family. When I think of the word family, vivid images come to mind. I see images of my personal family and my Air Force family. I hope by putting my thoughts on paper, many of you will learn from my lesson and put your own family back on your “to do” list.

Plainly, I lost focus on the reason I’m proud to serve in the Air Force: the people.

Not long ago, while assigned over-seas, I became a compulsive “worka-holic.” I came in early and stayed late, I put in extra hours on the weekends and I went above and beyond, not be-cause I had to, but because I wanted to be everything to everybody.

Ultimately, this led to neglect on two fronts: my professional and personal life. Professionally, I failed to empower the Airmen I vowed to mentor and groom.

I wanted to do everything my-self. I lost an opportunity to grow and develop future leaders in our Air Force. I neglected the men and women I’d come to know as my family. By doing it all myself, I hadn’t created any learning op-portunities for my Airmen. I hadn’t provided them with challenges that would teach them to be successful.

Personally, the long hours at work led to missed Parent-Teacher Association meetings, parent-teach-er conferences, basketball games and date nights with my husband. I missed so much that when I did show up, everyone would act like they were seeing snow in July. I’d take the jokes in jest and vow to change my actions over and over again. I made so many unfulfilled promises to myself that I wouldn’t do it again that, ultimately, I couldn’t take myself seriously any-more.

The only good thing I can think of that came out of this was my hus-band’s cooking now tastes like one of the Iron Chefs. He had too many nights of practice by himself that his food now tastes pretty good.

I know I’m touching on a very sensi-tive subject and I’m probably sharing

much more than many of you are com-fortable hearing. But as I tell the people that know me, “there’s no shame in my game,” if my mistakes make people better, I’ll share them.

For all of you reading this ar-ticle, please take a moment today to reflect on your family. Take con-trol of your time and guard what you’re spending your time on. If it doesn’t involve your family, then maybe you need to shift your focus. You can always make another dol-lar, but you can’t get back one day that’s gone. Spend the time you need to cherish your family, your Air Force family and your immedi-ate family.

Author and journalist Gail Buck-ley once said, “Family faces are magic mirrors looking at people who belong to us; we see the past, present and future.”

COMMENTARY

This newspaper is published by Prime Time Military News-papers, a private fi rm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Randolph AFB, Texas. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. 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 Department of the Air Force.

The appearance of advertising in this publication, includ-ing inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or Prime Time Military Newspapers, of the products or services advertised.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affi liation, or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron.

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.

The deadline for submissions is noon Thursday the week prior to publication. All submissions can be emailed to [email protected]. For more information, call the Wingspread offi ce at 652-4410.

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502nd Air Base WingOperating Location Bravo

Editorial StaffBrig. Gen. Theresa Carter

CommanderMarilyn Holliday

Chief of Public AffairsAirman 1st Class Alexis Siekert

EditorAirman 1st Class Precious Yett

Robert Goetz, Alex SalinasStaff Writers

Maggie ArmstrongGraphic Designer

Glenn Canales, 571st Aircraft Main-tenance Squadron Operating Location A, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, uses heat shrink on the electrical system as part of a modifi cation to a T-38 Talon aircraft at Randolph Aug. 30. For more coverage of the 571st Aircraft Maintenance Squad-ron Operating Location A, see page 8. Photo by Rich McFadden

Family takes top priority for balanced life"Take control of your time and guard what you’re spending your time on. If it doesn’t involve your family, then maybe you need to shift your focus."

ON THE COVER

Graphic by Tommy Brown

WINGSPREADSEPTEMBER 16, 2011 PAGE 3

By Staff Sgt. Robert Barnett59th Medical Wing Public Affairs

Chief Master Sgt. John Balmer, 359th Medical Group superintendent, was awarded the Bronze Star medal Sept. 1. Col. Althea Miller, 359th MDG commander, presented the award to Balmer for his service at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Deployed from Nov. 26, 2009, to Nov. 25, 2010, Balmer performed exceptionally meritorious ser-vice while engaged in ground combat operations against the enemy as the senior enlisted leader for Task Force Medical East and as the 455th Expeditionary Medical Group superintendent.

His leadership role gave him responsibility over more than 1,200 enlisted soldiers, airmen and sailors, Jordanians, Egyptians, Koreans and other coalition partners operating at more than 70 locations supporting a population at risk of more than 70,000 personnel in regional com-mands East, North, South and Capitol. His work was paramount in maintaining the highest stan-dards of care for a 140 percent increase in trau-ma cases and a 262 percent increase in patient movement through the Contingency Aeromedi-cal Staging Facility.

During Balmer’s deployment, Task Force Medical East treated more than 3,350 admitted

patients, an increase of 240 percent; more than 2,000 surgeries for an increase of 175 percent; and more than 5,600 surgical hours performed, adding an additional increase of 166 percent from 2009. Despite increasing threats and sig-nificant personal risk, Balmer insisted on regular battlefield circulation, examining key operation issues and affecting positive change.

He also led the creation of a robust pool of trauma-trained medics while bringing ambu-lance response to a level never seen in a wartime area of responsibility.

He oversaw the integration of emergency room and evacuation personnel, producing a cohesive team while increasing the number of fully trained emergency room trauma medics by 250 percent from 12 to 30.

He was hand-selected by the 455th Air Expe-ditionary Wing commander to perform duties as the 455th command chief, the Army equivalent of a brigade-level command sergeant major, for three weeks.

“I was truly honored to present Chief Balm-er with his Bronze Star medal,” Miller said. “His commitment to the Air Force mission and our people is exemplary. He is an incredible role model and mentor for our entire staff, so I was doubly pleased to have them witness the presentation.”

Air Force medic earns Bronze Star medal

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Erica Buckley Col. Althea Miller (left), 359th Medical Group commander, presents the Bronze Star to Chief Master Sgt. John Balmer, 359th Medical Group superintendant, Sept. 1 at the Randolph Clinic.

By Robert Goetz502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

Randolph Air Force Base has long honored the sacrifices of the Freedom Flyers, the Air Force pilots who endured the horrors of prisoner-of-war camps like the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” during the Vietnam War.

Today, the 12th Flying Training Wing and the rest of the base community will pay tribute to all Americans who suf-fered as POWs in distant lands and those who are still missing in action during the National POW/MIA Recognition Day Cer-emony at 5:15 p.m. at the Missing Man Monument on Washington Circle.

“National POW/MIA Recognition Day is an opportunity to acknowledge and reflect on the unique sacrifices POWs, MIAs and their families have made for our country,” Lt. Col. Mark Lewis, event spokesman, said.

The ceremony will feature a wreath-laying ceremony, a missing man flyby and remarks by Col. Richard Murphy, 12th FTW commander. Several former POWs will be in attendance.

Traffic will be rerouted around Wash-ington Circle beginning at 4 p.m., so de-lays and road closures are expected.

Lewis said organizations on base that have a National League of POW/MIA Families POW/MIA flag may fly the banner that day. The flag, a sym-bol of national commitment to Amer-ican POWs and MIAs, may be flown on five other days, according to Con-gressional mandate – Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Inde-pendence Day and Veterans Day.

The commitment is evidenced by an ongoing effort by Department of Defense specialists to search for-eign battlefields and burial sites, interview witnesses and search na-

tional and international archives for information about those missing from World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War and other conflicts.

POW/MIA Recognition Day, which is traditionally observed on the third Friday in September each year, was created by Congressional resolution in July 1979 and is proclaimed by the president each year. Observances are conducted on military installations and ships at sea and at state capitols, schools and veterans’ facilities.

Lewis said it is important for Amer-icans to observe National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

“The incredible sacrifices made by POWs, MIAs and their families deserve special recognition,” he said. “POW/MIA Recognition Day is our opportu-nity to honor their service to our nation and to let the world know we have not forgotten.”

Base ceremony highlights POW/MIA Recognition Day


NEWS

By Alex Salinas502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

On Sept. 11, 2001, many fathers, mothers, sons, daugh-

ters, brothers and sisters were lost. A decade later, America remembered its fallen brethren and heroes.

Sept. 9 at the Randolph Base Theater, Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Charles Baldwin, retired Chief of Chaplains, who was in the Pentagon when one of the hijacked commercial airplanes hit the building, spoke on behalf of Randolph’s commemoration, “The Stones Cry Out…Again: A Ten Year Commemoration of 9/11.”

Other Air Force chaplains joined Baldwin and Brig. Gen. Theresa Carter, 502nd Air Base Wing commander, in words of solemnity.

“We still remember that he-roes stood tall on that day and the days and years to follow, to save and protect lives,” Carter said.

Carter also gave historical per-spective to the event’s theme.

“In ancient India, hero stones were chiseled in honor of warriors who sacrificed their lives to protect their community or region,” she said.

In this act of collective re-membrance, coming from all who attended the commemora-tion, reverence for the Divinity

was a powerful, and emotional, component of the program.

Chaplain (Capt.) Jason Kim, 502nd ABW Operating Lo-cation B Protestant chaplain, recognized and highlighted a positive outcome of 9/11: compassion.

“The American Dream is alive and well because of your blessings and because of the brave men and women who serve and protect us,” Kim said in his invocation.

And it was focus on the blessings rather than the curses of 9/11 that sparked reverence in Chaplain (Col.) Cherri Wheeler, Air Education and Training Command command chaplain.

“Every generation has a defining moment,” she said, citing the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in Dallas as defin-ing moments for past generations. “9/11 is my generation’s defining moment. It rekindled a patriotism not experienced in this nation in over 30 years.”

Baldwin, who became a first responder chaplain caring for the wounded at the Pentagon, shared the Biblical story of Joshua leading the Israelites to the Promised Land, crossing the Jordan River and hav-ing one member from each of the 12 tribes collect a stone from the river and stack them on the other side as a memorial for humanity, as a memorial for

Randolph hosts 9/11 commemoration ceremony

By Ron RogersSan Antonio Joint Program Office

San Antonio has successfully met the 2005 Base Re-alignment and Closure mandate.

Lt. Gen. Douglas H. Owens, Air Education and Train-ing Command vice commander, called efforts to meet the mandate a “job well done” during the final Execu-tive Integration Oversight Board meeting Sept. 7. The board has been meeting for more than five years to monitor progress on BRAC 2005 actions.

“Although it was a complex overall undertaking, with a significant amount of construction, 160 construction projects, we have accomplished the statutory require-ment before Sept. 15 and, in some cases, well before Sept. 15,” CEM Maxwell, San Antonio Joint Program Office deputy director, said.

Maxwell has been a key leader in the successful ac-complishment of BRAC 2005 in San Antonio.

“No community was more impacted in terms of numbers, than was San Antonio,” he said. “We have a significant number of government employees, both military and civil service, whose positions were moved as a result of these BRAC recommendations. The total number of positions either moved into, out of, or within S.A., was more than 21,000.”

San Antonio meets BRAC 2005 deadline

Photo illustration by Chris GraythenSee BRAC P10

See 9/11 P10

Photo by Don LindseyThe Randolph Honor Guard folds the flag while taps is played during the 9/11 Tenth Commemoration ceremony Sept. 9 at the base theater.


Randolph stages CFC

kickoff

Senior leaders gather at Randolph Air Force Base to sign pledge forms during the Joint Base San Antonio Randolph Combined Federal Cam-paign Kickoff Breakfast Wednes-day at the Parr O'Club. Signing from left to right are: Col. Richard Murphy, 12th Flying Training Wing commander; Col. Kimberly Toney, Air Force Recruiting Service vice commander; Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr., Air Education and Training Com-mand commander; Maj. Gen. Mark Solo, 19th Air Force commander; Michelle Lowe Solis, Air Force Per-sonnel Center civilian force integra-tion director; and Army Col. Robert Bridgford, 502nd Air Base Wing vice commander. The CFC runs through Oct. 28 and Randolph’s goal is to raise $1,122,923.Photo by Joel Martinez


The Air Force’s 2011 Critical Days of Summer cam-paign wrapped up Labor Day weekend, and for more than 25 years, the campaigns have aimed to increase safety awareness from Memorial Day to Labor Day, when more Airmen are involved in summer-related mishaps than any other time of the year.

In this year’s CDOS, the Air Force lost 18 Airmen in off-duty accidents. Seven fatalities occurred in two-wheeled pri-vate motor vehicles, another seven occurred in four-wheeled PMVs, three in sports and recreation, and one fatality was labeled as miscellaneous, as a result from a fall.

Of the 18 fatalities, two involved Airmen from Air Education and Training Command bases and both happened during Labor Day weekend. Last year, AETC experienced a mishap-free summer and the Air Force suffered two less fatalities compared to this year.

The Air Force will have to focus on off-duty safety protocol for Airmen in preparation for next summer, Tech. Sgt. Dave Roller, 502nd Air Base Wing Operating Location B NCO in charge of ground safety, said.

While Roller believed an accomplishment of this year’s campaign was zero on-duty fatalities, he also believed off-duty Airmen do not practice safety as well as they should.

Discretion is the solution, said Roller. “Most of our fatalities this year were behavior-based, due

to bad decisions,” he said. “Risk awareness can only take us so far if we don’t use it.”

Linda Howlett, 502nd ABW ground safety manag-er, made Roller’s assertion a consensus for Randolph safety personnel.

“Ever since I’ve been tracking CDOS data, it seems the only thing that changes are the names,” Howlett said, refer-ring to poor decision-making as a common element to many accidents throughout the years. “We don’t see different types of accidents; they are the same every year. People are going to make mistakes, but you don’t want a first mistake, or any mistake, to be your last one.”

Howlett’s statement pointed out an area of concern.

Fourteen out of 18 accidents happened on motor vehicles, and half of the motor vehicle accidents occurred on motor-cycles, where less than 10 percent of the Air Force popula-tion owns motorcycles.

In other words, the smaller motorcycle-riding population seems to be at a higher risk of accident, and death, than other vehicle owners, evidenced in this year’s campaign.

Whether the data reflected a bad year or a fluke, follow-ing safety on motorcycles must be absolute.

“Motorcycles are so unforgiving and any little error on them can end your life,” Howlett said, and the dangers are magnified for those who do not wear the proper gear.

Roller described how to better address the target au-dience, Airmen between the ages of 18 and 25, who are especially prone to making poor safety decisions.

“Peer-to-peer instruction is a great way for Airmen to use the Wingman concept,” Roller said. “Supervisors should also be involved in their safety, relaying to their people how valuable they are to the mission.”

The lack of rainfall this summer may have saved drivers from slick roads, but Howlett advised any degree of wetness on the oil-based asphalt roads makes conditions extremely dangerous, especially for motorcycle riders.

It seems even after 25 years of CDOS, the goal is still the same.

“Keep safety awareness high, because people become complacent,” Howlett said.

CDOS wraps up; motor vehicle safety still major concern“Most of our fatalities this year were behavior-based, due to bad decisions. Risk

awareness can only take us so far if we don’t use it.”

Tech. Sgt. Dave Roller502nd Air Base Wing Operating Location B NCO in charge of ground safety


Base BRIEFSTMO closure The Traffic Management Office will be closed Sept. 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. due to an official function. For emer-gencies, call 830-214-4882.

Lane and road closures• The West Gate outbound lane will be closed Saturday

and Sunday for a communications upgrade. Motorists should exit Randolph through the Main Gate. For more information, call 652-5700 or the law enforcement desk at 652-5012.

• Deployment of denial barriers will cause intermittent road closures at the East and South Gates through Sept. 26 and at the West Gate and clinic parking lot entrances from noon Monday through Sept. 26. Deployments will take place predominantly 9-11 a.m., 1-3 p.m. and after 6 p.m. Flagmen will direct traffic as needed.

• Fifth Street West on the west side of Bldg. 499 between C Street West and Northwest Drive will be closed to traffic Oct. 1-16. Traffic will be detoured to Northwest Drive and C Street West.

• New B Street west of Harmon Drive to the base exchange parking lot will be open westbound only and the street west of Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union from the commissary to the BX parking lot will be open southbound only Sept. 26-Oct. 17 due to construction.

Traffic from the BX parking lot to Harmon Drive, from the commissary parking lot to Harmon Drive and from Harmon Drive to RBFCU will need to detour through Washington Circle during this time.

POW/MIA wreath-laying ceremonyThe 12th Flying Training Wing will hold a wreath-laying

ceremony today at 5:15 p.m. at Bldg. 100 in honor of National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Traffic will be rerouted around Washington Circle beginning at 4 p.m. Delays and road closures are expected.

Influenza immunizationsThe Randolph immunization clinic is open to active-duty

members and TRICARE beneficiaries. All active-duty and reserve component personnel are required to receive im-munization against influenza; those who are located on an installation with a medical treatment facility must receive their vaccine through the MTF.

TRICARE beneficiaries who receive influenza and/or pneu-mococcal vaccines at a TRICARE retail network pharmacy should provide the MTF with documentation of vaccina-tions by scanning and emailing the immunization record to [email protected], taking a copy to the immunization clinic or faxing a copy to 652-3111. Those who fax their immunization record should call 652-3279 to confirm receipt of the fax.

Immunization clinic hours are 7:30-11:45 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 8:30-11:45 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Call 652-3279 for updates on the influenza campaign.

• CATHOLICMonday-Friday

11:30 a.m. - Bldg. 975Saturday

5:30 p.m. - Bldg. 975Sunday

8:30 a.m. - Bldg. 97511:30 a.m. - Bldg. 975

ConfessionSaturday

4:30 p.m. - Bldg. 975

• PROTESTANTTraditional

SundayService

8:15 a.m. - Base theater

ContemporarySunday Service

11 a.m. - Base theater

Randolph Chapel Schedule

NOW SHOWING atthe Randolph Theater

"Cowboys & Aliens" (PG-13)Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia WildeToday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 6 p.m.

$4.50 for adults – $2.25 for children 11 and younger

"The Change Up" (R)Ryan Reynolds, Jason Bateman

Sunday at 3 p.m.

To submit a sports or news brief for publication in the Wingspread, email all information to

[email protected].

By Maj. James Rodriguez902nd Mission Support Group judge advocate

Parents of children with special needs due to disabili-ties should be aware that federal law provides their chil-dren with rights to early intervention services and a free, appropriate public education. Military families have ad-ditional challenges related to frequent permanent change of station moves.

Disabilities include mental retardation; hearing, speech, language or visual impairments; serious emotional distur-bance; orthopedic impairments; autism; traumatic brain injury; and other health impairments or specific learning disabilities. Definitions and additional examples and are given in federal statutes and regulations.

Federal law requires that children with disabilities receive free, appropriate public education between the ages of 3 and 21. This includes development of an Indi-vidual Education Program tailored to the child’s specific needs. The IEP should be based on a “least restrictive environment” concept, meaning that to the maximum ex-tent practical, disabled children should be educated with children who are not disabled.

Though the school system is responsible for preparing and implementing the IEP, it must be based on peer-re-viewed research and parents have the right to meaning-

ful participation in the process. In Texas, parents who disagree with a school system’s determination may first file a complaint through the Texas Education Agency and then consider filing suit in state or federal court.

Parents should plan ahead when considering a move. When a child with an existing IEP transfers to a new school district, the child must be provided with free, ap-propriate public education by the new district, including services comparable to the previously implemented IEP.

When contemplating a move over the summer, parents should ensure an IEP is implemented before the end of

the school year, especially if they want to amend a prior IEP to include additional services. If the new school dis-trict wants to change the IEP, parents can send a written “stay put” demand to the school.

Under federal law, while an IEP is re-evaluated while under a “stay put” demand, the school has an obligation to maintain the current educational placement for the student. A practical consideration when planning a move is to move to a community that already provides services comparable to those in the system parents are leaving.

Children under the age of 3 who are suspected of hav-ing a disability are entitled to a free evaluation and may be eligible for free early intervention services. Once par-ents request such evaluation in writing, schools have 60 days to conduct the evaluation.

These programs differ from state to state. Eligibility requirements vary, and some states pay for EIS, while others require parents to pay some or all of the costs.

In Texas, Early Childhood Intervention Services, also called “Child Find,” are administered by the Texas De-partment of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services and are provided through local schools and other agencies.

Parents of a special-needs child concerned about ob-taining appropriate services from a local school system are encouraged to schedule a legal assistance appoint-ment at the base legal office.

Special-needs children have rights under lawParents of a special needs

child concerned about obtaining appropriate services from a local school system, are encouraged to schedule a legal assistance appointment at the

base legal office.


By Pam FergusonAir Education and Training Command

As defense dollars become more constrained, the Air Force has au-thorized the use of the voluntary separation programs as a way to limit civilian funding to Department of Defense’s fiscal 2010 levels.

Most civilian personnel sections throughout Air Education and Training Command will survey eligible civilian employees beginning in September to determine how many eligible civilian employees are interested in applying for Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay or early retirement under the Volun-tary Early Retirement Authority.

VSIP is a management tool, not an em-ployee entitlement, that helps minimize the number of involuntary separations. Eligible employees must be serving on an appointment without time limitation. If approved for VSIP, employees commit to voluntarily separate from service by re-tirement or resignation on the designated date. Additional eligibility requirements apply. The amount of VSIP is equivalent

to the amount the employee would be enti-tled to as severance pay, up to a maximum of $25,000 before taxes and deductions.

VERA may be used alone or in con-junction with VSIP. Employees must be serving on an appointment with-out time limitation and meet age and service requirements: age 50 with 20 years of creditable service or any age with 25 years of creditable service.

Employees under the Civil Service Retirement System who retire under VERA will incur a 2 percent reduction in their annuity for each year under age 55. There is no age reduction for employees covered by the Federal Em-ployees Retirement System.

Employees interested in voluntary sep-aration should prepare now by obtaining retirement estimates. Most employees can obtain retirement estimates from the web-based Employee Benefits Informa-tion System or the Benefits and Entitle-ments Service Team automated phone system. Employees can obtain as many retirement estimates from either system as they like.

Employees requiring a counselor-pre-

pared estimate will receive only one es-timate every three years; however, there are exceptions.

For example, if BEST prepared an op-tional retirement estimate and the em-ployee is now being offered a VERA, BEST will prepare the second estimate within the three-year period. Due to retirement-related workload, BEST will provide em-ployees their retirement estimate within the expected response date if the employ-ee indicates to the benefits counselor that he or she is in receipt of a VERA and/or VSIP survey and has a short window of opportunity to reply.

Firefighters, air traffic controllers, law enforcement officers and retired military members who are combin-ing their military and civilian service should use EBIS instead of BEST to obtain their estimates. Details for accessing the phone system can be found on the Air Force Personnel Cen-ter website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil/app/home, keyword search 5828. Instructions for using EBIS can be found using keyword search 4872. Detailed information on obtaining re-

tirement estimates is located using keyword search 5092.

Some employees will need to ask BEST to prepare their estimate because esti-mates obtained through EBIS may not be accurate due to their service history. Employees who need to obtain counselor-prepared estimates include:

• those with part-time service;• non-appropriated fund service;• rehired CSRS employees who took a

contribution refund that will not be re-paid;

• rehired FERS employees who took a contribution refund;

• employees with post-56 military ser-vice who have not made a deposit;

• employees with temporary service for which a deposit will not be paid (including FERS employees with post Dec. 31, 1988 temporary service); and

• employees considering a deferred re-tirement.

For additional information, please email questions to the Randolph VERA/VSIP pro-gram office email box at Randolph VERA/VSIP Program Office at 902fss.civilian [email protected].

Surveys to gauge interest in civilian voluntary separation programs


Deployments are a time of stress – for deployed mem-bers and the families they leave behind.

Resources are available for the families of de-ployed members, helping to ease their anxiety, but one program differs from other military family support efforts in a special way.

The Key Spouse Program offers spouses of deployed Airmen a peer-to-peer relation-ship with a volunteer, typically the spouse of an active-duty or retired service member, who gives them a direct line of communication to unit leadership and helps them cope with the challenges of deployments and remote tours.

“Key Spouse is a commander’s program,” John Koztecki, 902nd Force Support Squadron community readiness consultant, said. “Commanders and first ser-geants initiate it in their units as they see fit. The primary aim of the key spouse is to not only be a link between the deployed member’s spouse and leadership, but to be there for the spouse to talk to.”

The Air Force tested several programs similar to Key Spouse at five bases from 1996 to 1998 and encouraged voluntary implementation of the concept as part of the family support outreach program in 1999. Randolph established the Key Spouse Pro-gram in 2007, responding to an issue identified in

the base’s 2006 community needs assessment. Koztecki described a key spouse as “someone who

cares about other spouses and families and can relate to them.” The key spouse works primarily with the spouse

of the absent Airman, he said, but “is there for all family members.”

“When military members deploy, their families deploy with them as well because

their hearts are with them,” he said.A person interested in serving as a key spouse

should first contact the commander or first sergeant of a unit, Koztecki said.

“The commander or first sergeant will interview the prospective key spouse,” he said. “After the key spouse is appointed, that’s when we come in.”

Key spouses receive their initial and continuing train-ing at the Airman and Family Readiness Center. Initial training, a six-hour commitment, is conducted quarterly and involves six modules that help prepare key spouses for their role. Continuing training sessions, also part of a quarterly schedule, last two hours.

During initial training, members of the A&FRC pro-fessional staff – specialists in family readiness, finan-cial management and other resource areas – and other subject-matter experts from Randolph guide novice key spouses through the modules that address topics from understanding personalities and the makeup of the key spouse team to learning about the Air Force’s resources and supporting the family during deployment.

Koztecki said the qualities that define a key spouse include “a drive and desire to help families and being a good listener.”

By the time the assignment begins, a key spouse should possess knowledge that will help families adjust to deploy-ments and remote tours.

“A key spouse should be aware of all the resources available to family members and know how the com-mander can provide assistance,” Koztecki said. “A key spouse is a resource for leadership.”

Rosie Valdez, key spouse for the 902nd Security Forces Squadron, said the volunteer assignment has given her the opportunity to “give back to the Air Force.”

“When I first got married, people were always helping me,” she said. “They were always going the extra mile for me,”

Valdez, who was and Air Force spouse for 23 years, volunteered for programs similar to Key Spouse at air bases in Italy and Germany starting in 1999. She moved to San Antonio in 2008 and became a volunteer at the

Key spouses forge special bond with families of deployed Airmen

See KEY SPOUSE P10

SEPTEMBER 16, 2011PAGE 8 WINGSPREAD WINGSPREADSEPTEMBER 16, 2011 PAGE 9


The heat waves of summer gave Randolph Air Force Base its best shot, but the hardworking people of the 571st Aircraft Maintenance Squad-ron Operating Location A, under the 309th Main-tenance Wing at Hill AFB, Utah, who repair and modify the T-38 aircraft, are still standing strong.

The ability of Jay Gregson, 571st AMXS OL-A T-38 depot maintenance director, and his unit to re-main standing is quite an accomplishment, con-sidering the magnitude of the workload and re-sponsibility they undertook almost a year ago.

Previously, Lear Sigler Inc., a contractor fi eld team, handled all T-38 major repairs and modifi cations, but stopped operations Oct. 1, 2010, following a decision to be transfer operations to the govern-ment. In June 2010, Gregson was hired and then deployed to Randolph on behalf of the 571st AMXS to stand up the T-38 depot as a government facil-ity operated under Air Force Materiel Command.

Hangars, budgeting issues and hiring per-sonnel were just a few of the challenges for Gregson when he came on board.

“We had a lot of work to complete,” Greg-

son said. “However, this is very much like a busi-ness. My job is to make sure I take care of my people, attain the proper resources to fi x aircraft safely and make sure everything runs smoothly.”

“We built a team of folks who have a can-do atti-tude and they are making it happen,” Gregson added.

Despite the heat and long hours it took to reno-vate the hangars and inventory hundreds of thou-sands of parts, tools, furniture and equipment, hard work helped operations run smoothly.

Gregson was able to obtain $8 million of funding from the 309th Maintenance Wing for facility renovations, tools, communications, training and other factors. The biggest project was the construction effort. Hangars 75 and 76 and renovating part of the 12th Maintenance Directorate, Bldg. 241, while continuing to operate and produce aircraft.

Additionally, sections of Bldg. 241 were also completely gutted and cleaned to be used as a backshop for T-38 maintenance and techni-cian training in the near future, Gregson said.

Ultimately, this will provide a safe and pro-ductive environment for his workers.

“The renovation process started in Janu-ary and will end in December,” Gregson said.

He also extended thanks toward the community.“The entire Randolph AFB community and JSR Inc.,

our contractor for renovations, have been awesome and we would not be successful without them,” he said.

Part of Gregson’s resume includes 23 years in the Air Force helping build wartime ground zero bases in the United Arab Emirates and Kandahar, Afghani-stan, and bedding down new F-16s in Chile. His hands-on approach contributes to his unit’s work ethic.

“I love what I do and I love being in-volved,” he said. “I dig it.”

Abel Diaz, 571st AMXS production supervisor, is one of a team of 72 people who work on T-38s. He said the average years of experience working on aircraft among the team is 21 years, and with his 34 years of experience, he attests to doing a job he loves.

“If you’re not used to it, you can get awe-struck sometimes,” he said. “It’s not a one-man job; we work as a team.”

“One team, one fi ght” was Gregson’s mantra for the unit. And as a team, individuals in the unit are responsible

for different modifi cations and aspects of T-38 repairs. Ruben Diaz, 571st AMXS structural me-

chanic, who began work as an aircraft techni-cian in 1980, described his day-to-day outlook.

“It’s challenging, yet fulfi lling,” Diaz said. “But at the end of the day, it’s rewarding to see our work achieved, especially when the T-38s fl y off.”

Rick Davis, 571st AMXS nondestructive inspection mechanic, said “many people, including politicians, busi-ness people, civilians and pilots, walk by the hangars and are impressed” by the work his team is able to ac-complish, and that is what makes his job worthwhile.

Since opening doors for business March 1, Greg-son and his team have completed work on 56 T-38s, all of which have been produced on sched-ule. With fi ve different production lines, which include major inspections, modifi cations/de-mod-ifi cations and crash recovery, his unit is slated to complete almost 30,000 hours of work. By fi scal 2014, Gregson said he plans to increase his over-all workload to 300,000 work hours, and wants to increase his workforce to over 200 strong.

On the many hours it takes to complete the job, Richard Chaplin, 571st AMXS aircraft general mechanic, who has completed 43 years of service in his craft, said the job re-quires patience and integrity, but still keeps him on his toes.

“The task may seem repetitive, but when I open the aircraft, different concerns arise,” he said. “I never know what I will fi nd, and that’s what makes my work a unique experience every day.”

It is this accumulated experience that earns the 571st a welcomed, important and reli-able spot on the team at Randolph.

Steve Lara (left) and Richard Lejuene, 571st Air-craft Maintenance Squadron Operating Location A, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, complete a fi rewall installation as part of a modifi cation to a T-38 Talon aircraft Aug. 30. The squadron, an operat-ing location out of Hill Air Force Base, Utah, performs depot-level maintenance on T-38s Air Force-wide.Photos by Rich McFadden

T-38 Talon aircraft from (left to right) Randolph Air Force Base, Colum-

bus AFB, Ohio, and Beal AFB, Calif., wait their turn to undergo major

modifi cations at the depot-level maintenance facility on Randolph Air

Force Base Aug. 30.

(Left to right) Jim Herwig, Michael Biggs, Bill Sousa and Mathew Zaionez, 571st Aircraft Main-tenance Squadron Operating Location A, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, perform fi nal operational checks to complete a depot-level modifi cation to a T-38 Talon aircraft on Randolph Aug. 30.


son said. “However, this is very much like a busi-ness. My job is to make sure I take care of my people, attain the proper resources to fi x aircraft

our contractor for renovations, have been awesome and we would not be successful without them,” he said.

Part of Gregson’s resume includes 23 years in the

Rick Davis, 571st AMXS nondestructive inspection mechanic, said “many people, including politicians, busi-ness people, civilians and pilots, walk by the hangars

tenance Squadron Operating Location A, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, perform fi nal operational checks to complete a depot-level modifi cation to a T-38 Talon aircraft on Randolph Aug. 30.


Eleven senior Airmen graduated from the Joint Base San Antonio Airman Leadership School at a ceremony Sept. 7 at the Gateway Club, Lackland Air Force Base.

The Airmen successfully completed 24 academic du-ty-days consisting of 192 hours of classroom instruction in Supervisory Communicator, Supervisor of Airman, Military Professional and Expeditionary Airman.

Three of these Airmen were presented special awards during the ceremony.

Senior Airman Christina Johnson, 395th Aero-space Medicine Squadron, earned the John L. Levi-tow Award while Senior Airman Stephanie Adams, Air Education and Training Command, received the Academic Achievement Award. The Commandant Award winner was Senior Airman Telesheia Ward, Air Force Personnel Center.

Other graduates were:Senior Airman Marcos Davis359th Medical Operations Squadron

Senior Airman Teresa Fidermutz902nd Contracting Squadron Senior Airman Terry George 902nd Security Forces SquadronSenior Airman Steven Hansen902nd SFSSenior Airman Samantha HarrisonAir Force Personnel CenterSenior Airman Joanna LopezAFPC Senior Airman Justin Rankin 902nd SFSSenior Airman Leaisha Rose 359th MDOSThe guest speaker for the ceremony

was retired Chief Master Sergeant Emil-io Serano, a former 12th Flying Training Wing senior enlisted adviser. The ALS is affiliated with the Commu-nity College of the Air Force through Enlisted Profes-

sional Military Education. The graduates are awarded 10 semester hours toward a Community College of the Air Force degree.

Eleven graduate from Gaylor Airman Leadership School

Senior AirmanChristina Johnson

John L. Levitow Award

Senior AirmanStephanie Adams

AcademicAchievement Award

Senior AirmanTelesheia Ward

Commandant Award

those lost and those to come, for future generations.

Baldwin said the memo-rial the Israelites built 3,000 years ago is symbolic toward memorials the U.S. and na-tions around the world have constructed for the purpose of remembrance.

“We honor those who, with their lives, have marked the price of freedom,” he said. “The stones cry out, again.”

Baldwin shared an anecdote about what he remembers see-ing shortly after the attack on the Pentagon, citing two instances of bravery that struck his memory.

“A beautiful female second

lieutenant ran up to me and said, ‘Chaplain, what can I do to help?’” he said. “I saw her throughout the day setting up cots and carrying water bottles to the injured.”

“The other person was an Air Force two-star general,” Baldwin said. “He rolled up his blue sleeves and carried litters (to the injured).”

Baldwin continued and said the two-star general ran to the front of a volunteer line to re-enter the Pentagon to look for survivors. Just then, the Old Guard, Arling-ton National Cemetery’s honor guard, arrived to perform the search and rescue. The two-star general then continued to help care for the wounded.

Bravery and unity persevered

over terror and tragedy. Baldwin shared a poignant

moment with the audience, de-scribing his reaction to a ques-tion from a newscaster shortly after 9/11.

The question asked to him was, “Where was God on Sept. 11?”

His answer, without spiritual falter, was a challenge to those who challenged God’s presence that fateful morning.

“He was very present for duty,” Baldwin said. “He brought com-fort to the injured, gave strength to the rescue workers, healed the wounded bodies and mend-ed the broken hearts. When His children died, He wept. We could not have made it through the day without Him.”

BRAC 2005 became law Nov. 9, 2005, and required all ac-tions be completed by Sep. 15, 2011. Of the approximately 200 BRAC recommendations enact-ed into law, San Antonio bases were impacted by 19. This is more than any other city in the US. Every military installation in San Antonio is feeling the impact of BRAC 2005.

Maxwell said everyone in-volved in BRAC 2005 in San Antonio has significant brag-ging rights.

“When you drive through Fort Sam Houston, Randolph Air Force Base, Camp Bullis or Lackland AFB, these work-ers helped shape the ability of our military to produce corps-men and medics, to take care of the wounded, to train doctors, as well as conduct valuable re-search,” he said. “We are now doing business in much better facilities, in more efficient ways, and I think that everyone, not just me, deserves to hold their head up and look back on this period with significant pride.”

Randolph Air Force Base has been greatly affected by BRAC.

BRAC brought Randolph into Joint Base San Antonio. In addition, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals train-

ing for instructor pilots was relocated here while under-graduate navigator training was relocated to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.

Another action that im-pacted the base was the relo-cation of numerous locations to Randolph for the transac-tional function of Air Force Personnel Center.

The strong relationship be-tween the U.S. military and the city of San Antonio in “Military City, U.S.A.” was instrumental in meeting the BRAC deadline on time, Maxwell said.

“The city of San Antonio has been our wingman and our bat-tle buddy throughout this whole process,” he said. “The city was quick early on in the BRAC pro-cess, to understand what it was all about.”

In the future, whenever there is a call for a medic on the battlefield, that medic will have received training in San Antonio. Maxwell said while the BRAC deadline was met, there are some projects that will con-tinue after Thursday.

“For example, we are go-ing to put a new access control point at Brooke Army Medical Center with BRAC funding fully supported by the Department of Defense and that project we will see go on,” he said.

A&FRC before joining the Key Spouse Program.“I find satisfaction in being able to help spouses

and their families,” she said. “I like helping out and making sure they’re taken care of while their hus-bands and fathers are gone.”

Valdez said she now serves 14 families, but she noted young wives with no children also require the relationship that key spouses can provide them. She told the story of a young wife from Germany who “needed someone.”

“She got involved and began coming to the de-ployment dinners,” Valdez said, referring to the A&FRC’s monthly Waiting Families Dinner for the families of deployed Airmen. “That helped her. It got her to know more about the military.”

Valdez said she regularly calls spouses and sees

them and their families at the deployment dinners and at events on special occasions such as Christmas and Easter.

“You end up with a special bond because you’ve been there,” she said.

Valdez said commanders and first sergeants are also important links in the chain of support.

“My commander is very committed,” she said of Maj. Robert Ford, 902nd SFS commander. “He’s there every time for the dinners. That means a lot.”

Valdez said she encourages spouses to join the program.

“There’s always a need for new spouses,” she said. “It’s a pleasure to be able to help.”

For more information on the Key Spouse Pro-gram, call the A&FRC at 652-5321.

KEY SPOUSE from P7

9/11 from P4BRAC from P4



A month-long showcase of the rich history, tra-ditions and contributions of Hispanic-Americans is under way at Randolph.

National Hispanic Heritage Month, which began as a week-long observance in 1968, kicked off Thursday at the entrance to the base exchange with a program that fea-tured remarks by Col. Scott Peel, 902nd Mission Support Group commander; a chili cook-off; and Latin music. A Latin social with free dance lessons and hors d’oeuvres is planned from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the Kendrick E’Club.

Maj. Angel Betancourt, Randolph Hispanic Heri-tage Observance Month Committee chairman, said the intent of the month-long celebration is reflected in this year’s theme, “Many Backgrounds, Many Sto-ries … One American Spirit.”

“Our goal is to teach people about all the different Latin influences and cultures we have,” he said. “With all the events we have planned, we are trying to reach the gamut of the base population – from active-duty members to children. We want everyone to participate. It’s exciting to promote the Hispanic culture.”

Capt. Maggie Silva, committee member, said His-panic-Americans, whose roots are in Spain, Mexico and Central and South America, represent a diver-sity of backgrounds.

“There are so many different cultures and traditions,” she said. “Not only do we come from Mexico, but from Puerto Rico, the Domini-can Republic, Cuba, Colombia and many other countries. We want to expose all those traditions.”

Betancourt said two events planned during Hispanic Heri-tage Month are geared to chil-dren: a piñata party from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Ran-dolph Child Development Cen-ter and a storytelling session from 10 to 11 a.m. Sept. 27 at Randolph Elementary School.

A cooking class from noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 29 at the cha-pel annex will showcase Latin dishes such as arroz con pollo, or chicken with rice, he said.

The final events of the month are a 5K fun run at 7:15 a.m. Oct. 5 at Eberle Park and the JBSA Hispanic Heri-tage Month Luncheon featuring the U.S. Army Medi-cal Command Band from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Parr O’Club.

“We are hosting the luncheon this year,” Betan-

court said. “San Antonio City Councilman Ray Lopez will be our guest speaker.”

The national celebration of Hispanic cultures began under President Lyndon Johnson in 1968 and was expanded to one month in 1988, when Ronald Reagan was president. The Latin American countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Hondu-ras, Nicaragua, Mexico and Chile all celebrate their independence days in September.

Silva said planning the Ran-dolph celebration was “a labor of love.”

“We want to make it festive and interesting while pro-moting diversity and cultural awareness,” she said. “That’s important. We don’t all walk and talk the same way. Diver-

sity is part of our upbringing.”Betancourt said diversity is “what makes us

stronger.”“All of us bring something different to the mix,”

he said.

Randolph Hispanic Heritage Month tells ‘many stories’

Graphic courtesy of Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute

Awareness emphasized

Photo by Rich McFadden Tech Sgt. Helen Trota (left) and Airman 1st Class Gilbert Saenz, 359th Medical Oper-ations Squadron, set up the suicide awareness booth in the Randolph Base Exchange Sept. 9. The Mental Health Flight conducted awareness oppportunities during Na-tional Suicide Prevention Week earlier this month. For more information on the base program, call the Mental Health Flight at 652-2448.

Due to the extreme drought conditions in Texas, the greater

San Antonio area is under a burn ban. Area residents and visitors are

reminded to be vigilant in preventing wildfires.

Barbeque grills in use during windy conditions and carelessly discarded cigarette butts are

igniting fires around the state.

The Randolph community is reminded to be careful when

participating in outdoor activities.


902nd Force Support Squadron Briefs


SportsBRIEFS

Hispanic Heritage Month Golf Tournament

The Randolph Hispanic Heritage Month committee is hosting the Randolph Hispanic Heritage Month Golf Tournament today with registration at 11:30 a.m. at the Randolph Oaks Golf Course. To register, email [email protected].

Randolph Oaks Club Championship

Golfers can now sign up for the Randolph Oaks Club Championship held Saturday and Sunday. Tee times are 7-9 a.m. Entry fee is $20 per person plus greens fees and cart.

2011 golf surveyThe Randolph Oaks

Golf Course is asking its customers to take a survey and let them know how to improve customer service. There is a kiosk in the lobby of the facility to take the survey or it can be done in the comfort of your own home by going to the fol-lowing link:

http://ngfsurvey.com/cgi/start.asp?SC=randolphoaks

Customer feedback is important and enables management to make deci-sions concerning improve-ments to the course and operation.

Bike fitnessThe Rambler Fitness

Center hosts bike rides every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Appropriate cycling gear (no mountain bikes) is required. These rides are led by a member of USA Cycling.

Custom club fitting The Randolph Oaks Golf

Course offers a certified custom club fitting pro shop. Call 652-4653 to schedule a personal fitting.

SPORTS – HEALTH – FITNESS

By Airman 1st Class Alexis Siekert502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

After training for months, five of Randolph’s runners are finally setting out to compete in the 15th annual Air Force Marathon at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, this weekend.

Each year’s events are held the third Sat-urday in September in celebration of the Air Force birthday.

All levels of runners from around the world compete in the marathon, wheel-chair race, half-marathon, 10-kilometer and 5-kilometer races and, according to uasfmarathon.com, the official Air Force Marathon website, the races are grow-ing every year, with more than 12,000 participants in 2010. All races for this year are already filled.

Alfred Pena Jr., Air Education and

Training Command capabilities and inte-gration information technology strategic planner, will be the only full-marathon runner from Randolph; however, Debbie Landry, Air Force Personnel Center Air-man Assignments Division chief, Joshua Cates, F-15E electronics weapons as-signment officer fighter porch chief, and David Fain, AETC Fire and Emergency Services functional manager, will be run-ning the half-marathon. Yasheda Lyons, Air Force Recruiting Service program management operations NCO in charge, will be representing Randolph in the 10-kilometer competition.

A base-wide email was sent out with an application to sign up to represent Randolph at the marathon, Rikk Prado, 902nd Force Support Squadron sports manager, said. Once applications were turned in, a small panel picked those who would be on the team.

Typically, AETC sponsors a team, pick-ing the best runners from all its bases; however, they did not chose a team this year, so 902nd FSS was able to send a team to Ohio to compete as well as pro-vide matching warm-ups, he said.

With the Randolph runners competing in different distances, they have been training individually, Cates said.

“Setting a goal – giving you something to train for – keeps you motivated,” he said. “It’s something to get me out of bed in the morning and running.”

The runners left San Antonio Thursday to be ready for the weekend’s events.

Looking ahead to the competition, Landry expressed her optimism, but she was happy just to participate.

“We all get medals if we finish,” she said. “It’s just about getting out there and being a part of it.”

Randolph to run rampant at Air Force marathon

Photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis SiekertFrom left to right: Yasheda Lyons, Air Force Recruiting Service program management operations NCO in charge, David Fain, Air Education and Training Command Fire and Emergency Services functional manager, Debbie Landry, Air Force Personnel Center Airman Assignments Division chief, and Joshua Cates, F-15E electronics weapons assignment officer fighter porch chief, prepare for the Air Force Marathon with a prac-tice run on the track in front of the Ramber Fitness Center during lunch Sept. 7. Not pictured is Alfred Pena Jr., AETC capabilities and integration information technology strategic planner, who will also compete.

Randolph Intramural Flag Football Standings

359th MDG 5-0359th AMDS 3-1902nd CES 2-2AFPC 2-2

561st DET 2 1-3902nd SFS 1-3AFRS 1-4


For complete information on the Randolph Air Force Base Air Show 2011, including featured attractions, civilian base entry and parking, and security requirements, visit www.randolph.af.mil.

JBSA Stage IIISeptember watering schedule

Building number ending in ...

Watering allowed only from 3-8 a.m. and 8-10 p.m.

1 3 5 7 9

0 2 4 6 8

1 3 5 7 9

0 2 4 6 8

1 3 5 7 9

Randolph community connects with base Public Affairs

Want to get in touch with theRandolph Air Force Base

Public Affairs office?Here's how!

Public [email protected]

[email protected]

Straight Talk line652-SHOW (7469)

Multimedia Customer Service652-4226

RAFB Facebook pagewww.facebook.com/pages/Randolph-Air-Force-Base

Call the RAFB Public Affairs office directly at 652-4410.

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