Phil Speck

123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — “This operation is not being planned with any alternatives. This operation is planned as a victory, and that’s the way it’s going to be. We’re going down there, and we’re throwing everything we have into it, and we’re going to make it a success.”

These were the words of U.S. Army Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower 75 years ago on June 6, 1944, otherwise known as D-Day, an event that changed the tide of World War II and defined the Greatest Generation.

Master Sgt. Jonathan Stanley (left), 123rd Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspection noncommissioned-officer-in-charge, and Senior Airman Hans Larson, 123rd Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance technician, apply an Air Force roundel decal to a 123rd Airlift Wing C-130 Hercules at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Kentucky, May 15. The C-130 will fly in the 75th anniversary of D-Day over Normandy, France, in June. (U.S. Air National Guard photo/Phil Speck)

In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the Kentucky Air National Guard will fly two C-130 Hercules aircraft over Normandy, France through June 8, airdropping scores of U.S. Army paratroopers. The wing had previously supported the 70th anniversary of D-Day back in 2014 by airlifting the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne and joint terminal attack controllers to Europe.

But to Maj. Josh Ketterer and Capt. Nick Reinke, pilots in Kentucky’s 165th Airlift Squadron, simply supporting the 75th anniversary wasn’t enough — they wanted to play a central role this time around.

Reinke recalled how, during the 70th anniversary commemoration, he had the opportunity to walk the beaches and visit the towns that were liberated in 1944. Now he is the lead coordinator and mission commander for the 123rd Airlift Wing’s C-130s and for all of the aircraft flying out of Évreux, France, for the historic reenactment.

“It was a surreal experience in 2014, and that was just getting to be there,” Reinke said. “Now, I’m actually getting to participate in it. It’s certainly a challenging experience with the coordination aspect, but I’m very proud to have this opportunity.”

Though the C-47 was the primary aircraft for troop transport and paratroopers on D-Day, the C-130 is the current military airframe of choice this year — and the Kentucky Air Guard’s C-130s will be the only Air National Guard aircraft participating. The C-130s started performing flyovers for various ceremonies earlier this week and will continue through June 8, and then will be dropping paratroopers along with more than 40 other aircraft on June 9.

For Lt. Col. Randall Hood, commander of Kentucky’s 123rd Operations Support Squadron, World War II has special significance.

“I’m named after my great uncle, who was a B-17 top turret gunner,” Hood said. “He was shot down December 31, 1943, and didn’t make it back. I’ve carried his legacy throughout my entire flying career.”

Hood spoke about the pride he has in being a part of this year’s observance.

“The gargantuan scale of the D-Day invasion and the sacrifice that these guys made back then is hard to fathom. The fact that we will have an opportunity to honor the people who actually did this 75 years ago is very humbling.”

While attending planning conferences for the 75th anniversary, Reinke and Hood saw some of the historic Allied striping that was applied to other aircraft participating this year’s event and decided the Kentucky Air Guard needed to do the same. They talked with wing leadership to see if they could make it happen, and Airmen from the 123rd Maintenance Group stepped up to get it done in a matter of days.

Hood believes the stripes bring authenticity to the experience.

“The stripes just add that little something extra, the weight of what you’re about to be a part of,” he said. “When you carry those stripes, you’re a part of something that is much, much bigger than what you are.”

Black and white stripes were painted on Allied aircraft during World War II to reduce the chance they would be attacked by friendly forces during Operation Overlord, the formal name of the invasion. The stripes in 1944 were mostly painted by Allied troops using brushes and whatever else they could find, because orders to paint them weren’t issued until just a few days before the invasion to keep it a secret from the German Luftwaffe.

“We had to look into the process, see what they looked like and reach out to some other units that had already done it,” said Master Sgt. Jonathan Stanley, the 123rd Maintenance Squadron’s non-destructive inspection non-commissioned officer-in-charge. “Some units were able to paint, and there’s some that used vinyl. So we did some cost and time analysis, to see which way would probably be the best for us and our capabilities right here.”

The Airmen decided painting would take too long, and determined that vinyl decals would be the right course of action. An exception-to-policy letter had to be created, signed off by the wing commander and then sent to the National Guard Bureau. Once approved, the maintainers had to order the materials to complete the project.

After hours of studying the stripes from reference materials, the Kentucky Airmen designed and printed the vinyl decals. Eight members from three different maintenance sections — Structures, Non-Destructive Inspection and Metals — then came together to apply the stripes, stars and a USAF logo. After three days of meticulous work, the aircraft was finished and ready for flight.

“This is probably the biggest vinyl project ever done on these aircraft.” Stanley said.

Senior Master Sgt. Tim Kenney said the effort took a lot of dedication from a small team working under a tight deadline.

“The way these three shops came together as professionals and built on their teammates’ talents makes me proud to be their element leader,” said Kenney, fabrication element leader in the 123rd Maintenance Squadron. “Their can-do attitude and outstanding initiative made it possible to properly honor the brave men and women who took part in the D-Day invasion 75 years ago.”

Maj. James Embry agreed.

“The meticulous efforts displayed by our team of Fabrication Element professionals was nothing short of superb,” said Embry, commander of the 123rd Maintenance Squadron. “With the significance of the upcoming event, every maintainer who had a role in striping the aircraft put maximum effort in ensuring the end product was something that all KYANG members can be proud of.”

In addition to approximately 20 personnel from the Kentucky Air Guard’s 165th Airlift Squadron and 123rd Maintenance Squadron who are deploying for D-Day 75, the wing’s 123rd Contingency Response Group will be providing 12 Airmen for ground support of units flying in the event.

According to Master Sgt. Adam Keller, Mission Planning Cell loadmaster for the 123rd CRG, the unit will provide command and control personnel to send up situational reports to higher headquarters. A communications package also will be deployed to provide satellite communications, Internet connectivity, and radio support for aircraft-to-aircraft and aircraft-to-ground communications. Finally, the unit will provide aerial porters to perform joint inspection of cargo to redeploy all units back to their home stations from Évreux.

“I’m very proud to be part of this momentous reenactment,” Keller said. “We’re very excited to be the only Air Guard contingency response unit on the ground in France, and to honor those who fought and paid the ultimate price 75 years ago.”

More pictures @ www.tinker.af.mil and on Facebook.com/tinkerairforcebase

Photographic coverage of the 2019 Star Spangled Salute Air & Space Show on May 31-June 2, 2019, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. The featured performer for the show is the Blue Angels flying Boeing F/A-18 Hornet aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kelly White)

The Navy Blue Angels perform at the 2019 Star Spangled Salute Air and Space Show at Tinker Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kelly White)

Photographic coverage of the 2019 Star Spangled Salute Air & Space Show on May 31-June 2, 2019, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. The featured performer for the show is the Blue Angels flying Boeing F/A-18 Hornet aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kelly White)

Lauren Gleason

Did you miss the show? Or want to see more?
Visit https://www.dvidshub.net/video/684761/2019-star-spangled-salute-air-and-space-show-part-1 to see the Saturday coverage, or https://www.dvidshub.net/video/684906/2019-star-spangled-salute-air-and-space-show-part-1 for Sunday coverage. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kelly White)

507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

The sounds of jet engines filled the air as the U.S. Navy Blue Angels headlined the 2019 Tinker Air Force Base Star Spangled Salute Air and Space Show June 1-2 in Midwest City, Oklahoma.

This year’s Air Show theme, “Saluting our United States Armed Forces, Past, Present and Future,” honored the men and women who served our country and commemorated the 75th Anniversary of D-Day.

Col. Kenyon Bell, 72nd Air Base Wing commander, welcomed visitors on the first day of the air show by skydiving down to show center after tandem jumping with Master Sgt. George Wild of the U.S. Air Force’s precision parachute team, Wings of Blue.

“We get so much great support from the local community,” said Bell. “It’s just our opportunity to be able to give back in some small way over one weekend.”

Hosted by the 72nd Air Base Wing and sponsors, the event treated a record number of visitors to an exciting weekend of aerial acts, vendor booths, activities for families and static displays.

The air show was broadcast live via Tinker’s Facebook page, reaching an audience of more than 100,000 during the two-day simulcast, according to 72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs.

Photographic coverage of the 2019 Star Spangled Salute Air & Space Show on May 31-June 2, 2019, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. The featured performer for the show is the Blue Angels flying Boeing F/A-18 Hornet aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Greg L. Davis)

Hearkening to the Air Force’s past, several heritage aircraft flew over the air show crowds including the the P-51 Mustang, the A-1 Skyraider, the B-29 Stratofortress and the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17, a high-subsonic fighter aircraft produced in the USSR.

In addition, a Vietnam Combat Search and Rescue demo also showcased the capabilities of the Bell Huey, two Douglas Skyraiders, the De Havilland Caribou and O-2, complete with pyrotechnics.

Maj. Garret Schmitz, commander of the F-16 Viper Demo Team from the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, flew his F-16 alongside the P-51 and the A-1 for a 10 minute heritage flight over the skies of Tinker, a tradition that began in 1997 during the Air Force’s 50th Anniversary.

“Essentially, we are combining the old warbirds with modern aircraft to commemorate the past and the present,” said Schmitz, whose call sign is “Toro.” He is one of two pilots in the Air Force who are qualified to fly heritage flights.

To watch the Tinker Talks podcast interview with the F-16 Viper Demo Team pilot and crew chief, visit https://www.dvidshub.net/audio/58121/tinker-talks-f-16-viper-demonstration-team-commander-and-crew-chief .

A special treat at this year’s show was the addition of the B-29 Superfortress “Doc,” according to Air and Space Show Director Lt. Col. Casey “KC” Hayes. Doc is one of only two remaining B-29s that are still flying today.

“The B-29 Superfortress is deeply rooted in our nation’s airpower history by being the largest and most advanced operational aircraft during World War II and the Korean War era.”

In order to showcase the combat capability of today’s Air Force, Team Tinker’s KC-135 Stratotanker from the 507th Air Refueling Wing, the 552nd

Photographic coverage of the 2019 Star Spangled Salute Air & Space Show on May 31-June 2, 2019, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. The featured performer for the show is the Blue Angels flying Boeing F/A-18 Hornet aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kelly White)

Air Control Wing’s AWACS E-3 Sentry, and a Navy Strategic Communications Wing ONE E-6 Mercury flew over the air show, as well as the B-2 Spirit on Saturday only.

The base took the opportunity during the air show to celebrate the longtime partnership with both the 552nd ACW as well as the 40-year anniversary of the arrival of the Canadian Detachment. Forty-two members of the Royal Canadian Air Force are embedded with seven squadrons of the 552nd ACW and take on various responsibilities with their American partners.

“The 552nd ACW is very grateful for the partnership we have enjoyed over the last 40 years with our Canadian friends and fellow warriors,” said Col. Geoffrey Weiss, commander of the 552nd ACW.

And to highlight the future, the air show featured a new free exhibit, the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math City exhibit, with hands-on activities involving robotics and drones for families and children to enjoy, hosted by community groups, schools, aeronautic and aviation organizations.

Melanne Greenwood, STEM coordinator for Gordon Cooper Technology Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma, highlighted how important it is for educators to get children interested in technology, the earlier the better.

“This year alone there were 81,000 STEM-related jobs in Oklahoma,” Greenwood said. “Students are three times more likely to land jobs right here if they go into a STEM-related field and to also double their wage. So, it’s not just an education issue, it’s an economic issue.”

Also in attendance: Kent Pietsch, flying the “Jelly Belly” Piper Cub, Adam “Shakenbake” Baker, flying the Playful Air Shows’ “Extra 330”, Lt. Col. Justin “Schmed” Lewis flying the FLS Microjet, and Dell Coller, flying the Jack Link’s “Screaming Sasquatch” bi-plane Jet Waco aircraft, capable of flying straight up at maximum speed.

Tinker’s 2019 Star Spangled Salute Air & Space Show reaches Max Capacity two days in a row! Spectators line up to enter a C-17A Globemaster III at the Star Spangled Salute Air & Space Show. The C-17 was on display courtesy of the 97th Air Mobility Wing, Air Education and Training Command, Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kelly White)

Lewis is a local pilot who also serves in the Air National Guard, and on Saturday he surprised his girlfriend, Michelle, upon landing from his aerial act with a marriage proposal. His friend, Adam Baker, used his Extra 330 aircraft to draw a large heart in the sky during the proposal on the runway at Tinker.

It took all of the Airmen at Tinker to stage the two-day celebration, along with more than 500 volunteers to help the show run smoothly.

Although it’s an Air Force event, the Navy Recruiters joined the Air Force Recruiters at the Air show. The Air Force recruiting booth featured a tactical experience, and the Navy recruiting booth featured a Blue Angels Experience.

New this year, a scavenger hunt, where 12 participating visitors who posted hashtagged photos with their favorite exhibit on social media were selected at random to go on an exclusive tour of Tinker.

While the Air Show was free to attend, the Afterburner Chalet offered guests a paid unique experience, complete with an exclusive lounge and private seating with front-row access of the aerial demonstrations.

Base leadership and aerial performers were on hand to sign autographs at the autograph tent located near the Afterburner Chalet.

Static displays rounded out the air show, including the C-17, F-35, E-3, B-1, B-52, KC-135, Navy E-6, MC-12, F-16, B-25, P-51 Miss America, T-6, T-28, PA-28, and the C-182.

Lt. Col. Brad Dvorak accepts command of the 552nd Operations Support Squadron in an official ceremony June  at Tinker Air Force Base. The change of command was presided over by Col. Joshua Conine, Commander of the 552nd Operations Group, while Master Sgt. Nathan Davis, the First Sergeant of the 552nd OSS, served as the guidon bearer. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Ashlyn K. Paulson).

Col. Geoffrey Weiss, 552nd Air Control Wing commander, is showered with champagne and water as he deplanes an E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft following his fini-flight May 31, 2019, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Weiss commanded the largest unit within Air Combat Command. (U.S. Air Force photo/Greg L. Davis)

2nd Lt. Ashlyn K. Paulson

72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Col. Geoffrey Weiss, the Commander of the 552nd Air Control Wing here, had his final Airborne Warning and Control System flight on May 31.

At many military locations, it is typical for commanders to be recognized with a final fight, or a fini-flight, by their unit. This is where a pilot or other aircrew member completes their final mission in their aircraft within their last few days of command.

Members of the 552nd ACW and Weiss’ family were present to celebrate the end of this most noteworthy E-3 Sentry flight for Weiss. This particular AWACS mission was six hours in length.

Weiss has been the Commander of the 552nd ACW since June 2017. He is a Senior Air Battle Manager and has more than 2,400 flight hours. Under his command, the 552nd ACW earned many accolades including the Meritorious Unit Award. The 552nd ACW change of command took place on June 10.

Megan Prather

Staff Writer

The 72nd Air Base Wing’s new Commander Col. Paul Filcek addressed attendees of the 16th Annual Inter Tribal Council Powwow June 8 in Midwest City.

The annual powwow recognizes and honors veterans from Native American tribes in Oklahoma and Filcek highlighted Tinker’s strong interconnection with Native American culture.

“When someone is called to put on the uniform to serve their country, it is a very special and personal call,” Filcek said. “That call comes regardless of the color of our skin or the languages we speak. We are all interconnected by our love of country.”

The 72nd Air Base Wing’s new Commander Col. Paul Filcek gives the welcome speech at the 16th Annual Tinker Inter Tribal Council Pow-Wow on June 8 discussing Tinker’s strong interconnection with Native American culture. (Courtesy photo)

Tinker AFB itself is named after Maj. Gen. Clarence L. Tinker, a native Oklahoman from Pawhuska and part Osage Indian. According to Tinker’s base personnel office, 710 American Indians representing 22 tribes work at the base.

“Despite decades of persecution, and often removal from their ancestral homelands, Native Americans have proudly served in our nation’s armed forces, and in fact have served in every one of our nation’s military conflicts,” Filcek said.

He went on to discuss Native Americans serving as auxiliary troops and scouts through the Revolutionary and Civil War. Around 12,000 Native Americans served in World War I with more than 44,000 American Indians serving in World War II between 1941 and 1945. Additionally, Native American personnel also worked as ‘Code Talkers’ during the wars using Native languages to encode messages so enemy code-breakers couldn’t decipher them.

During the Korean Conflict, 10,000 Native Americans served and three were awarded the Medal of Honor. More than 42,000 Native Americans served in the Vietnam War.

“It is important to note that more than 90% of those service members volunteered,” Filcek said. “Native Americans have provided an outstanding service to our country, and we as a nation owe them our thanks for their unwavering patriotism.”

Tinker’s mutually beneficial partnership with the state of Oklahoma was also discussed as the base is the state’s largest single-site employer with more than 26,000 employees and an economic impact of $5 billion. Tinker also creates an estimated 30,000 indirect jobs for the state, a number that’s expected to rise with the new KC-46 workload.

“We have enjoyed a tremendous interconnected partnership for these 77 years and we hope to continue for at least another 77,” Filcek said.

Megan Prather

Staff Writer

(U.S. Air Force photo/Megan Prather)

Base residents were invited to the Tinker Club recently for a residents-only Town Hall which provided updates on the ongoing improvements being made to base housing as well as the legal options that residents have for damaged property reimbursement.

Members of Tinker Air Force base leadership and leadership from Balfour Beatty Communities were in attendance at the May 22 meeting along with incoming 72nd Air Base Wing Commander Col. Paul Filcek. Outgoing Commander of the 72nd Air Base Wing Col. Kenyon Bell led the meeting, updating residents of the current status of the recent housing issues.

“As we promised, we’re going to do these periodically so we can make sure there’s two-way communications about what’s taking place for Tinker housing. There are some things happening locally as well as across our Air Force and Department of Defense,” Bell said. “We don’t do this alone, this is a partnership. A lot of the conversations have been about where the chain of command is and I want you to know that your chain of command is right here.”

Installation Management Division Chief within Civil Engineering Keith Bueller gave a current update on the status of housing repairs which includes 94% completion of a commander’s review of all base housing and 100% completion of replacing the problematic PEX water lines.

“As of today we’re down to nine issues remaining to be done,” Bueller said. “They’re primarily moisture inspection requests and we’re getting close to finishing that up.”

An outside contractor, Blackmon Mooring, has been hired by BBC for moisture mitigation inspections and remediation and Col. Filcek expressed concerns that residents had of moisture control issues being painted over. To ease resident’s worries, there will now be before, during and after photos taken of all service requests.

Bueller says the Military Housing Office, previously known as HMO, has also approved the hiring of four additional staff members within privatized housing. The Military Housing Office is staffed by government employees who support and advocate on behalf of the military housing residents.

“Those individuals are going to help us with compliance checks in the houses, walk throughs, move ins, move outs and all the things we do on a routine basis with Balfour Beatty.”

Installation Staff Judge Advocate Lt. Col. Amer Mahmud was on hand to answer any legal questions residents may have as well as inform residents of the housing related claims process.

“We have a pretty robust legal office here. Probably the largest in AFMC when it comes to personnel and the mission that we do,” Mahmud said. “One of the things I want to point out, at least for the folks that aren’t familiar with the legal office, is that if you have a military ID card you’re entitled to legal assistance.”

Mahmud also pointed out that the Department of Defense no longer owns the privatized housing that residents live in at Tinker.

“It’s not the DOD that owns these houses, but the interesting overarching issue is the commanders have large equities in the safety, health and welfare of service members and their dependents. So, you have that overarching issue and it drives commander at faultment,” he said. “It needs to be understood that you have more than just one resource out there. You have legal assistance, you have commanders, you have property managers with BBC and you have the HMO folks. There are a lot of people out there who can help navigate these issues that inevitably come up.”

Mahmud went on to discuss the claims process for those who may have had damage done to personal property due to the housing problems.

The first step for residents is to file a claim with BBC in writing requesting a return receipt. Residents should be sure to keep a copy of all correspondence with BBC. If a claim is denied by BBC, they should then file a claim with their renters insurance. If the claim continues to be denied they can file with the Air Force Claims Service Center under the Military Personnel and Civilian Employees Act.

If a resident’s claim is denied by the AFCSC, their next option would be to file a civil lawsuit against BBC. It’s important to note that if residents have already filed a claim against BBC for the damages, they can’t receive compensation from AFCSC until the lawsuit is settled.

To initiate a claim with the AFCSC residents can call 877-754-1212. Required documentation includes an assignment to quarters letter, orders and any Amendments assigning you to the location of the incident, witness statements, civil engineering work order, repair estimates, replacement costs, photographs of the items and damages, insurance declaration letter and BBC denial documentation.

The next residents-only town hall will take place in mid to late July at the Tinker Event Center. For more information on Tinker housing including a Resident Bill of Rights visit tinkerafbhomes.com.

Col. Paul Filcek assumed command of the 72nd Air Base Wing during a formal ceremony at the Tinker Event Center June 7. Air Force Sustainment Center Commander Lt. Gen. Gene Kirkland presided over the ceremonyin which Col. Kenyon Bell bid farewell to the Wildcatters of the 72ABW. Filcek will lead 3,000 Airmen and civilians as the new commander and will be responsible for $5.4 billion in resources and a $311 million operating budget. The 72ABW provides installation support for over 27,000 personnel assigned to the Headquarters Air Force Sustainment Center, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, 552nd Air Control Wing, Navy Strategic Communications Wing ONE, 507th Air Refueling Wing, 448th Supply Chain Management Wing and 45 other associate units including the Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Information Systems Agency, Defense Finance and Accounting Service and the 38th Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kelly White)

Jacob McGuire

Staff Writer

Sometimes change can be hard, but it can also be positive.

On June 7, the 72nd Air Base Wing welcomed incoming Commander Col. Paul Filcek during a Change of Command Ceremony at the Tinker Event Center. Filcek assumed command of the wing from Col. Kenyon Bell.

About 400 people, including friends, family, Tinker civilian and military personnel and community members, filled the event center’s conference room to say goodbye to Bell, who Lt. Gen. Gene Kirkland, commander of the Air Force Sustainment Center, described as a “blessing” for Tinker, while also saluting Filcek.

“Today, we bid farewell to an outstanding commander, and welcome an equally outstanding leader,” Kirkland said of Bell and Filcek, respectively.

Kirkland said Bell, who had one last opportunity to address his wing before relinquishing his command – would redirect all of the credit to his team – and he did just that.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve as your commander,” he said. “This week has been full of several grand commemorations. All of the amazing things that have been accomplished during my time here have nothing to do with me, but more so my team.”

Bell is credited with the implementation of several base projects, including the new air traffic control tower, an Airborne Early Warning and Control simulator facility that is expected to be completed sometime this year, as well as the KC-46A Pegasus campus development.

Bell’s next stop is just about two-and-a-half hours away from Tinker at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, assuming command of the 82nd Training Wing.

“As our family makes the transition to Sheppard AFB, we will miss our family and friends here at Tinker. We are excited about the next adventure and best wishes to you all for boundless success,” he said.

Filcek, formerly Vice Commander of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex prior to taking over the 72nd ABW, followed Bell.

“You could’ve toned it down a little bit,” Filcek said to Bell. “I do not only have to follow the command of an exceptional leader in Bell, but I also have to follow his amazing speech. To be the new commander of a wing that displays world-class values humbles me to the very core. I’m going to spend more than a million minutes gaining your trust.”

Filcek will assume readiness command for $5.4 billion in resources and more than 19 million square feet of facilities that sit on about 5,500 acres. And along with it, support services for 27,000 civilian and military assigned to the base and approximately 2,394 contractors, 18,000 dependents and more than 36,000 military retirees.

By Megan Prather

Staff Writer

Tinker Air Force Base is always looking for ways to provide tangible support to the families of deployed members. Col Eddie Taylor, Vice Commander of the 72nd Air Base Wing, says the new “Deployed Families” dinner is one such way the base is trying to provide that support. Thanks to the Tinker Chapel and the Airman Family Readiness Center this event is taking off and becoming very popular.

This new event takes place quarterly and has a goal of providing the families of deployed Airmen with a sense of community and an opportunity to network with one another.

“We launched our first one back in February which was a great success and so we decided that since its working here we’re going to continue,” Chaplain Capt. Gregory Redden said. “It helps enable connection. We’re big about our families, our Airmen and our community being connected with one another. We want our spouses and deployed members to know that they’re not alone.”  The first two events have averaged about 60 family member attendees.

The event provides spouses with a catered meal and comradery, massages as well as activities for kids and activity boxes for the families provided by the United Service Organization. Redden says that this type of event provides peace of mind to deployed members.

“Our deployed members that are down range know that their spouses and children are being taken care of by the chapel team and by their unit here while they’re deployed,” he said.

The event also gives spouses an opportunity to connect with base leadership as well as leadership within various units.

“It’s an opportunity to connect with the leadership and key spouses, so that there’s still a face to their spouse’s unit while their spouse is deployed. This will also help them feel like they’re not forgotten,” Redden said.

Nakisha Hall is a Key Spouse and Community Readiness Specialist for the Airman and Family Readiness Center. One of her main areas of focus within the A&FRC is the Key Spouses program, another tangible asset to Tinker spouses.

“The Key Spouses are a bridge into the units and the base for spouses,” Hall said. “When a spouse comes to the base there are dozens of online resources, but online resources can be out of date and overwhelming, so having a physical person to go to for help with those things is key.”

Hall says that Key Spouses are also the ones that check on spouses left behind when a member deploys, oftentimes disseminating information about happenings, such as our new Deployed Families Dinner, and encouraging participation.

“When your active duty spouse deploys, sometimes we as spouses feel like the person that is primarily at the base is no longer here so there’s nobody to take care of us. The Key Spouses kick in and they are a reminder to the spouses that they’re just as important as the active duty spouse and that we care about their mental, physical and emotional well-being when they’re gone,” she said.

The A&FRC provides monthly training for Key Spouses to ensure that they have the most updated information about the base community and resources to provide other spouses with.

“I encourage anyone that’s new to a base, whether you’ve been a spouse for five months or ten years, reach out to your unit Key Spouse and see what they have to offer. There’s a place for spouses on base just like there’s a place for the active duty member on the base. Your Key Spouse can help you find out where your place might be, but more than anything it’s a great resource for support. Even when your spouse is deployed you’re a very important part of the military community.”

The next Deployed Families Dinner is slated for September.

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Leslie Long

Strategic Communications Wing ONE Public Affairs

The sixth annual Gardner Tanenbaum Holdings OKC Navy Golf Classic was held June 10 at the Greens Country Club. The golf tournament is just one of many events hosted by OKC Navy Days throughout the year to support local Sailors and their families.

The OKC Navy Golf Classic is different from other golf tournaments as organizers secure sponsors to allow as many as 100 active duty sailors to enjoy a day of golf and Oklahoma City hospitality. This year the tournament hosts included The Greens Country Club, Gardner Tanenbaum Holdings and the 14th Annual OKC Navy Days.

A color Guard from Strategic Ommunications Wing ONE parades the color prior to start of the 6th annual Gardner Tanenbaum Holdings OKC Navy Golf Classic at The Greens Country Club June 10, 2019. OKC Navy Days recognizes the Navy’s presence, investment, and contribution within the community. OKC Navy Days was founded in 2005. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Leslie Long.

“Thanks to the support of many individuals and the corporate community, we have been able host a variety of events for our Navy families the past fourteen years,” said Mike McAuliffe, chairman of OKC Navy Days. “We are honored to say OKC is a Navy town!”

Oklahoma City is home to 1,200 active duty Sailors assigned to the Strategic Communications Wing ONE, Take Charge and Move Out “TACAMO” at Tinker Air Force Base. There are also Navy recruiters and Navy reservists throughout the metropolitan area. The annual economic impact of the United States Navy in our community is estimated to be more than $100 million.

OKC Navy Days was founded in 2005 by community leader Mike McAuliffe. The mission of the program is to recognize the United States Navy’s presence, investment and contributions within our community, as well as providing support for the Sailors and their families stationed in Oklahoma City.

The 2019 OKC Navy Days activities for Sailors and their families included the Oklahoma BBQ Festival, Gardner Tanenbaum Holdings Navy Golf Classic and the OKC Holiday Festival on the Oklahoma River. OKC Navy Days also provides Oklahoma State Fair tickets for Sailor’s children every year.

OKC Navy Days major sponsors include Chickasaw Nation, Gardner Tanenbaum Holdings, The Greens Country Club, Midlands Management, OG&E and MindsEye! Advertising.

72nd Medical Group Commander Col. Jennifer Trinkle presents the guidon of the 72nd Medical Operations Squadron to the new commander, Lt. Col. Colin Burchfield during a formal change of command ceremony June 13. Lt. Col. Randall Stevens relinquished command of the squadron he led for the past two years. The 72nd MDOS provides comprehensive primary care and limited referral and space-available subspecialty care to TRICARE-enrolled patients at the medical group. MDOS is comprised of four flights providing the following services: Family Health, Women’s Health, Pediatrics, Physical Therapy, General Surgery, Orthopedics, Chiropractic, Immunizations, Family Advocacy, Substance Abuse Counseling and Mental Health. They have a combined strength of nearly 150 assigned personnel. Combined, these clinics average more than 161,000 patient visits per year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kelly White)

By Zoe Schlott

Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas — The Department of Defense is asking current residents of military privatized housing to provide feedback on a draft version of a Resident Bill of Rights.

The Air Force is part of a tri-service initiative to create a Resident Bill of Rights that identifies the basic housing rights of service members and their families living in privatized housing.

“Our most important resource is our people. We must protect our people — our Air Force family — by ensuring our privatized housing portfolio provides safe and healthy housing,” said Col. Michael Beach, Air Force Housing program chief. “We value the candid input of our Airmen. This is a real opportunity for them to influence change within the (military housing privatization initiative) program for the better.”

Families living in privatized housing can expect to receive an emailed letter from the Office of the Secretary of Defense which provides instructions on how to complete the survey which is being administered by CEL & Associates, Inc., a third-party consulting firm. CEL will collect resident feedback and analyze the information on behalf of the DOD. All information collected through the survey is confidential. If you are a resident and have not received the emailed letter by June 18, 2019, or you have questions and/or are experiencing technical difficulties, please call the toll-free helpline at (800)-482-6431, or contact CEL & Associates, Inc. via email at BillofRightsFeedback@celassociates.com.

Participation is voluntary, but the Air Force highly encourages its members to take this opportunity to contribute their voices to improving privatized housing experience for service members and their families, Beach said.

The Resident Bill of Rights is one of 60 initiatives the Air Force will complete as part of its aggressive plan to address housing issues, Beach said. In February 2019, Air Force commanders conducted a health and safety review with all residents in Air Force family housing. The Air Force used this feedback and other internal reviews to identify systemic issues and plot an aggressive campaign to overhaul the program.

By Jacob McGuire

Staff Writer

Nearly 90 interns in the Air Force Premier College Intern Program descended upon Tinker Air Force Base last week.

The 10- to 12-week summer program partners college sophomores and juniors with current civilian employees and introduces them to opportunities available within the U.S. Air Force.

Internships are offered at more than 45 locations around the country. Interns visiting Tinker came from bases including Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California; Robins Air Force Base in Houston County, Georgia, and here at Tinker AFB.

Student interns participating in the Air Force’s Premier College Intern Program pause for a photo at the Maj. Charles B. Hall Memorial Air Park after touring Tinker Air Force Base June 13. PCIP is designed to attract high-caliber candidates currently enrolled full time in college or attending vocational or educational institutions who are seeking a career with the Air Force Civilian Service. (Air Force photo by Ron Mullan)

After arriving on base, the interns split up and headed to different areas on base.

They all eventually made their way to Bldg. 3001’s newest addition, the DEATH STAR Computer Lab, which was unveiled in March.

The lab provides Tinker’s engineers and scientists a space to do what they do best – problem solve and find system enhancements, said Bob Wright, the Air Force Sustainment Center policy engineering chief.

“They have the ability to conduct digital support and environmental engineering analysis, all on the computers in this room,” he said.

According to Wright, the lab supports various software including MATLAB, SolidWorks, StressCheck and ReliaSoft.

The group also had the opportunity to tour the rest of Bldg. 3001 and learn about all of its ins and outs, such as the largest-known Scanning Electron Microscope in the world.

The microscope, Germany’s VisiTec Microtechnik GmbH MIRA X, belongs to Tinker’s Metallurgical Analysis Laboratory, and has a 5-foot by 5-foot by 5-foot operating volume, with the capability of examining 60-inch objects.

With this technology, Edith Clemons, of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, said the lab analyzes material properties, to predict how they will perform in their intended operational environment. Lab engineers can also help to determine whether a part can be salvaged and repaired, have its life extended, or if it needs to be condemned.

“[The Metallurgical Lab] is the Air Force’s CSI,” she said.

The group also toured Bldg. 9001, received briefings from the 448th Supply Chain Management Wing and Natural Resources and saw a Military Working Dog demonstration.

For information on future PCIP openings, visit usajobs.gov. Individuals can also learn more about internships and other job opportunities at afciviliancareers.com.

Jacob McGuire

Staff Writer

Moving from base to base can be tough for military families, especially for children. Luckily, there are several services available for families that are new to Tinker Air Force Base to ease the transition.

“We truly believe Air Force Child & Youth Programs have the best child and youth development services in the world,” said 72nd Force Support Squadron Child and Youth Services Flight Chief, Mary Duncan.

Duncan oversees all child and youth development programs at Tinker, including the School Liaison Program. She says the CDC program, which averages about 275 staff members, caters to about 600 children, ranging in age from 6 weeks to 5 years old. The CDC are nationally accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and are recognized locally by Oklahoma Department of Human Services as a Three Star Program.

There are three Child Development Centers on Tinker Air Force Base. CDC East is located in Bldg. 3904 and can be reached by calling 734-4212. CDC West is located at Bldg. 5510 and can be reached at 734-3116. CDC South is located in Bldg. 1101 and can be contacted at 582-9025. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kelly White)

“All of our staff members receive substantial training that far exceeds what many civilian child care programs require,” Duncan said. “I also think it’s important to note that we aren’t just a “day care center”; we focus on developing the whole child, not just caring for them.”

There are three CDCs on base. CDC East is located in Bldg. 3904 and can be reached by calling 734-4212.  CDC West is located at Bldg. 5510 and can be reached at 734-3116. CDC South is located in Bldg. 1101 and can be reached by calling 582-9025.

According to Duncan, there is a waiting list for the CDCs, but she says there is one viable solution: Family Child Care program.

“We’re always looking for professional, passionate individuals to provide child development services from the comfort of their own home,” Duncan said.

Duncan says FCC providers not only have the opportunity to work from home, but could also make approximately $60,000 per year doing so.

For more information on becoming a FCC provider, please contact the FCC Coordinator at 734-7190 or visit tinker.af.mil.

The School Age Program, which is accredited by the Council of Accreditation, offers children supervised educational, social, cultural and recreational programs in a safe and healthy environment, Youth Programs Director Mindy Whittington said.

“We want to provide parents peace of mind,” Whittington said. “We want them to be able to go to work and complete their DOD Mission, and not have to worry about the safety of their children.”

In addition to the School Age Program, Whittington says the Youth Center offers a social program for teens and pre-teens, youth sports for ages 3-18, instructional classes, and summer day camp for the School Age Program and teens.

“We’ve got a lot of exciting activities, events, field trips and camps planned this summer,” she said. “If you are looking for a great place to take your children, come see [our programs] in action.”

The Youth Center is located in Bldg. 5520.

Tinker is also served by Jason Crosby, the base’s School Liaison Officer. Crosby helps incoming families with choosing the right school choice for their children, whether it’s public, private, charter, virtual or home school. He can be reached at 734-3683.

Kimberly Woodruff

72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Imagine someone holds a gun to your head, and then they pull the trigger.

Tech. Sgt. Trevor Brewer, with 72nd Security Forces Squadron at Tinker Air Force Base, doesn’t have to imagine it. He lived it.

On March 2, 2011, a terrorist boarded the bus Brewer was on and placed a gun to his head. He is alive because the gun malfunctioned, but he is left with invisible wounds and copes with post-traumatic stress disorder every day.

“There are days that go by now that I don’t think about it,” said Brewer. “But there are days when it is all I think about. It comes and goes.”

Tech. Sgt. Trevor Brewer

Then-Staff Sgt. Brewer was tasked to deploy to Kandahar, Afghanistan. He and fourteen other members of his team traveled from RAF Lakenheath to Frankfurt International Airport where they boarded a bus to Ramstein, Germany.

After a crew member stepped off the bus for a moment, Brewer heard a popping noise similar to a car running over a rock, but he didn’t think anything of it at the time. The next thing he heard was someone coming on the bus. Thinking it was the crew member returning, Brewer looked up to find a man he had never seen before, wearing a hood over his long black hair. The man raised his arm holding a pistol.

“The gunman yelled, ‘Allahu Akbar’ and shot the bus driver in the head, killing him instantly,” said Brewer. “It didn’t register. I have never seen anything like that in my life and I didn’t think it was real.”

Gunshot after gunshot rang out.

“I could smell the gun powder, and that gave gravity to it all,” Brewer said. “I put my head down. I was waiting for my turn to die.”

The gunshots stopped. Thinking it was over, Brewer sat up and drew the attention of the gunman who was standing nearby. The two locked eyes.

“I saw pure hate in those eyes,” said Brewer.

The man raised the gun to Brewer’s head and again shouted, ‘Allahu Akbar.’ He pulled the trigger. The gun jammed. He pulled the trigger a second time and the gun jammed again.

Then, the gunman turned and fled. Brewer, a trained security forces professional, jumped up to follow him.

Slipping on the blood on the floor, Brewer regained his footing and chased the gunman through the airport yelling for help. He caught up to the gunman, who now had a knife in hand.

“We locked eyes again,” said Brewer. “I tell everyone that the first time we locked eyes I saw hate, but this time I saw fear. I could tell he was a coward.”

German police detained the gunman. Brewer returned to the bus to check on his team.

Two people – Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback and Senior Airman Nicholas Alden – were killed in the attack and two others were injured.

“Airman Cuddeback wasn’t supposed to be on the run that day, but he took it to cover someone else who had an appointment,” Brewer said.

Seeking help

Brewer said he has been in and out of counseling for the past eight years. He is helping others, but he still struggles.

“It is something I’ll deal with the rest of my life,” he said. “I wasn’t thinking of the stigma of asking for help. I would sit at my computer and just stare because the incident was running through my head. When I was at home, I was fearful someone would come finish the job. I would go room to room to clear each room, and the smallest noises would set me off. My heart was constantly racing wherever I was.”

A few weeks after the attack, Brewer couldn’t get it out of his head. With tears in his eyes, he went to his supervisor and said he needed to talk to someone.

“He put me in his car and took me to Mental Health and I underwent counseling for about a year,” said Brewer. “It definitely helped. I don’t know where I’d be today if I didn’t go talk to someone.”

Brewer likes to remind people that the majority of those who seek help return to duty.

“I’d rather someone get the help now that they need and have to take off the uniform and be OK, than wait all those years, take off the uniform and not be OK,” said Brewer. “The sooner you seek help, the better you’ll be over time. If you suppress it over those years, it would affect your career way more than if you went to Mental Health. I’ve seen so many careers ruined because they wouldn’t get help.”

Today Brewer is heavily involved serving as an ambassador for the Wounded Warrior Program.

“The best support is the Wounded Warrior Program,” said Brewer. “I can relate with them in a way I can’t with anyone else. The staff and other warriors are the biggest support network I have. These people have gone through a similar thing.”

Family also keeps Brewer focused. His son, Keegan Zachary – named after Airman Cuddeback – keeps him grounded.

“Also, my parents are a huge support,” he said. “They said God has a plan for me and that is why I’m still here. This incident definitely tested my faith. I was torn with why God let this happen, but it gave me clarity and I have to live my best life for those guys.”

A creative outlet often helps PTSD sufferers cope with the day-to-day. Brewer has many outlets, with music and sports topping the list.

“I’ve played the violin since I was a child,” he said. “I love music and I like to sing karaoke. I found a love for sports like archery, air pistol competitions and seated basketball.”

Brewer is focused on getting his life back together. He is still working and recently learned he was selected for promotion to master sergeant after his first time testing.

Col. Paul G. Filcek, 72nd Air Base Wing commander, delivers the game ball to the field during opening ceremonies of the Oklahoma City Energy soccer game June 22, at Taft Stadium, Oklahoma City. Filcek is the installation commander of Tinker Air Force Base, and was the guest of honor during the team’s military appreciation night. (U.S. Air Force photo/Greg L. Davis)

Photo coverage of the Oklahoma City Energy Soccer Military Appreciation Night at Taft Field June 22, Oklahoma City. (Courtesy photo/Victoria E. Davis)

Marisa Alia-Novobilski

Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — The first thing that Gen. Arnold W. Bunch Jr. placed on his desk when he arrived at the Air Force Materiel Command headquarters was not a nameplate, laptop or a to-do list for his first few days in office.

Rather, it was a clear glass fishbowl containing a single orange goldfish with wide eyes staring out into the space.

“It’s my reminder that as the commander, I live in a ‘fishbowl,’ and everyone is watching everything that I am doing each and every minute of the day,” said Bunch. “It’s a personal tease to remind me that I need to be on my ‘A’ game all of the time, because I am always the commander.”

The small town Tennessee-native and dedicated family man got his start in the Air Force not because of any grand desire to be an Air Force officer. Rather, the service offered him an opportunity to be the first in his family to go to college, and he fell in love with the people, mission and commitment to a greater cause, setting the stage for a lifelong career of service for his country.

“When I got accepted (to the Air Force Academy), my father actually went out and bought a boat with the college money he had saved. That became the family joke – Dad spent all the money on a boat and told me to ‘do good’ because the money was gone. I started a journey that I thought would be just a few years and fell in love. I’ve been very blessed,” said Bunch.

When Bunch assumed command May 31, he began his seventh command tour in a career that spans multiple positions across the AFMC footprint. A graduate of the Air Force Test Pilot School, Bunch conducted developmental testing in the B-2 Spirit and B-52 at the Air Force Test Center early in his career. He also spent time in AFMC positions at the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFMC headquarters, in the program office and has held leadership positions at the squadron, group, wing and center levels.

“I was in AFMC when it was born. I was a test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base and got the opportunity to meet with Gen. (Ronald) William Yates, the first commander of AFMC. I remember him telling us testers that if we wanted to come work in the program office and do something beyond the test world that he would make that happen. And I asked for that, and if you look at my career, I followed along on the path he set out in the acquisition world,” he said.

Bunch’s widespread experience across the AFMC mission set has provided him with a strong appreciation for the breadth and complexity of the critical nature of the command’s work for the Air Force. However, as he settles into the leadership role, he recognizes a need to “get regrounded” on all that is happening across the mission.

“I need to ‘squint with my ears’ as Gen. Goldfein has said,” Bunch said. “What I really want to do is listen to and ensure we are properly positioned to support the National Defense Strategy, and that we’re properly set up to support and drive the delivery of the Air Force we need. To start that, I need to listen and get more informed on everything.”

For Bunch, AFMC plays a critical role in the future Air Force laid out in the NDS, and it is critical that all Airmen across the command understand just how important their day-to-day mission is to the nation’s future.

“If we don’t field, and we don’t acquire, and we don’t sustain, and we don’t make ready, and we don’t advance technology or have a nuclear deterrent and the right infrastructure in place to support the mission across the Air Force, then the Air Force can’t succeed,” he said. “As the Air Force makes decisions on how to grow the force to accomplish what we need to do, we in the Air Force Materiel Command need to come up with options as to how to do that in a timely manner.”

Though Bunch recognizes the need for the command to adapt for the future, his first few weeks as commander have reaffirmed the same observations he made during his early days. He recognizes the professionalism and dedication of AFMC Airmen executing the command mission is the cornerstone of its success.

“The men and women of this command, they are the ones who make things happen. They are the most valuable resource in the whole enterprise. It’s not the technologies. It’s not the facilities. It’s the people,” he said. “They’ve always been committed to this mission, dedicated to the activities that they do and understand that they are pushing critical technologies out into the field to make us successful as an Air Force.”

As he settles into the command position, Bunch, who firmly believes in servant leadership, wants all 80,000 Airmen of AFMC to understand that as they continue to execute their critical mission, to use him as a resource to overcome those obstacles they need to succeed.

“I believe the (leadership) pyramid is inverted. I work for all the Airmen so they can be successful,” said Bunch. “Commander is the most important role we give Air Force officers. You are responsible for the organization and the care and feeding of all of those people, and for ensuring they are successful by creating the right environment to make sure they are able to thrive.”

Just as the command needs a team to succeed, he views his own command as a team effort made possible by the dedication and devotion of his wife and family.

“I can’t put into words how happy Caroline and I are to be part of this team. It is true privilege and honor to be given this opportunity. We are 100% fully committed to make this successful,” he said. “We are thrilled to be here.”

Jacob McGuire

Staff Writer

Maj. Gen. Ronald Place, acting assistant director of healthcare administration, Defense Health Agency, speaking to a town hall at the 72nd Medical Group regarding the upcoming realignment of healthcare from individual service (Air Force) responsibility to the Defense Health Agency June 25 at the Tinker Clinic. The move of healthcare services from individual service responsibility to DHA is expected to be transparent to users with the intent of focusing medical resources to elevate combat readiness for service members. (U.S. Air Force photo/Greg L. Davis)

With the Defense Health Agency in the process of reforming the entire military health system, changes are expected.

“The goal is to have the transformation be transparent for the staff and indivisible for the ones we serve,” said Maj. Gen. Ronald Place, acting assistant director of health care administration for the Defense Health Agency.

Several Tinker Air Force Base commanders, first sergeants, key spouses and other base personnel attended the town hall Tuesday to discuss the transition of medical treatment facilities administrative oversight, to DHA. The event was hosted by the 72nd Medical Group and was held at the Tinker Clinic.

Beginning in less than a week, Place said the Air Force Medical Operations Agency will cease to exist, and in turn; DHA will take on responsibilities for shared services, functions, and activities in the Military Health System, including but not limited to TRICARE health plan, pharmacy programs, medical education, medical research and development, health IT, facility planning, public health, medical logistics, acquisition, budget and resource management.

“This isn’t going to be easy,” Place said.

In fact, Place compared the transformation to a hot Oklahoma summer day, with high winds and the high probability of tornadoes.

“We’re going to take what has been a highly reliable Air Force health system and make it a highly reliable military system,” he said. “At all military bases, whether it’s Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines, the care will be standardized.”

Place’s visit comes a month after a town hall addressing the TRICARE health system. The changes addressed at that town hall included modifications to the new pharmacy queuing system, enrollment options for dependents, capturing money through other health care insurance collections and recruitment for patient focus groups.

And similarly, the questions were plentiful.

“What will this mean for families?” an attendee asked.

Place said ultimately, nothing will change for families.

“The processes will take time,” he said. “In the end, the quality of care will be great for families.”

Col. Jennifer Trinkle, 72nd Medical Group commander, asked Place to address the rumor of a reduction in manpower positions aligned to medical headquarters across the system.

He confirmed the rumor to be true and not DHA led, but said it will improve readiness and overall, focus on the needs of the warfighter.

“A position that is now held by military personnel, could in the future be taken over by a civilian or contractor, and vice versa,” Place said. “I would be hesitant to think the way it is now, is how it will always be.”

The 72nd MDG supports the wartime and in-garrison medical capability of HQ Air Force Sustainment Center, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, the 72nd Air Base Wing, and more than 45 associate units assigned to six major commands, including the largest flying wing in Air Combat Command, the Navy’s Strategic Communications Wing ONE and several Defense agencies. Additionally, the 72nd MDG provides health services for more than 51,000 beneficiaries.

By Megan Prather

Staff Writer

Wingman Day is set aside to promote wellness, resiliency and comradery among squadrons within Tinker.

During a Wingman Day event that took place in the Air Force Sustainment Center Anaconda room on June 21, the installation Community Support Coordinator informed personnel about various programs on base that can assist them through everyday life events. Two of the programs discussed were the Work Life 4 You and True Grit programs.

The Community Support Coordinator, Karen Blackwell, explained that Work Life 4 You provides 24/7 guidance and pre-screened referrals to federal employees and their dependents to nationwide resources to help manage day-to-day responsibilities and life events.

Operations Training and Procedures manager for the Flight Standards Agency, Master Sgt. Timothy Lenker, discusses how he became involved in teaching suicide prevention classes with the Wingman Day audience on June 21 in the Air Force Sustainment Center Anaconda Room. (U.S. Air Force photos/Megan Prather)

These responsibilities and events can range from assistance in finding child or adult care to help in continuing education and career development.

“This program does the research for you, and it not only benefits the member it benefits the government agencies because reduces absenteeism and improves productivity through reduced employee stress,” Blackwell said. “You’re more engaged at work because you know someone’s taking care of it. I think a huge amount of our workforce could use it.”

The opportunity was also used to discuss the Tinker Community Action Team’s True Grit Campaign. The mental health awareness program started in the spring with the intention of helping people identify the strengths they have within themselves, as well as to be encouraged by other Airmen’s stories of pushing onward despite personal hardship.

“When we talk about resiliency skills training we can have good coping mechanisms and all the skills in the world, but sometimes what it boils down to is our spirit to just keep pressing through,” Blackwell said.

The first phase of True Grit challenged Airmen to identify the ‘grit’ within themselves. Blackwell says the factors of having ‘true grit’ include: not letting things go, persisting through difficulties, surviving tough challenges, enjoying self-improvement and having a strong will.

The second phase of the True Grit program gave Airmen an opportunity to share their stories with the base population. 1C8 Operations Training and Procedures Manager for the Flight Standards Agency Master Sgt. Timothy Lenker and Superintendent of Continuous Improvement with the 552nd Maintenance Group Master Sgt. Shawn Cleophas shared their stories for the True Grit campaign, as well as the Wingman Day audience.

Cleophas discussed his experience of going through a divorce, gaining custody of his young son as a single father enlisted in the military and the struggle that comes along with asking for help from those around you.

“The idea of the judgement is almost as significant as the problem itself because now you have to deal with the emotional weight of being judged and not looking as perfect as your professional image is saying.”

He said that getting through that time in his life involved communication with those around him and the conscious decision to persevere.

“We’re human and we go through problems and if you don’t engage and communicate, how do you connect your problems with solutions? You can’t. You’ll isolate yourself,” Cleophas said. “That’s one of the key methods [used] in most warfare. You isolate them and they’ll destroy themselves. Connecting genuinely with others is how you persevere.”

Superintendent of Continuous Improvement with the 552nd Maintenance Group, Master Sgt. Shawn Cleophas, shared his personal account of resiliency while working to gain custody of his young son and subsequently becoming a single military father with the Wingman Day audience. Wingman Day is time set aside for squadrons to promote wellness, resiliency and comradery as well as to connect Airmen with the various helping agencies at Tinker.

Lenker also discussed the importance of connectedness, as well as looking out for one another, as he told the story of his brother’s suicide attempt. Since the incident 15 years ago, Lenker has used his experience to teach suicide prevention classes.

“If we lose our connectedness and we don’t talk to the people around us then we can really get ourselves in a deep hole,” he said. “I challenge you to reach out to those that you know, to make a phone call once a week. As we increase in rank and responsibilities, we can’t lose our connections.”

Contact information for the various base helping agencies were also given to those in attendance. You can find base resources at https://www.tinker.af.mil/About-Us/Tinker-Helps/.

By Megan Prather

Staff Writer

The Air Force Flight Standards Agency held their change of command ceremony on June 26 in the Tinker Event Center welcoming their new commander Col. David B. Woodley.

Assistant deputy chief of staff for Operations at the Pentagon, Maj. Gen.Russell Mack, presided over the ceremony which marked Woodley taking command of the unit from Col. Michael J. Price.

“AFFSA is the Air Force lead for air traffic control and landing systems procurement and sustainment,” Mack said. “It has a $340 billion plus portfolio impacting almost 1,000 basewide and deployable landing systems, without which we could never project combat power.”

Major General Russell Mack, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, presided over the Headquarters Air Force Flight Standards Agency Change of Command Ceremony at the Tinker Event Center June 26. Col. David Woodley assumed command of HQ AFFSA from Col. Michael Price. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kelly White)

Woodley comes to Tinker after serving as the chief directorate of Air and Cyber Operations in the Operational Support Division at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. During his time at Hickam AFB, Woodley oversaw direct and indirect support to warfighters through linkages to Operations Groups, enabling the success of USAF, Joint and Combined Forces in the Pacific area of operations. Woodley has also supported the operational airspace, ranges, standardization and evaluation, weather and aviation support activities.

“I can promise team AFFSA a couple of things: I will be there with you guys when you celebrate your accomplishments and achievements on the good days and I’ll stand by your side when we’re having setbacks and challenges on our bad days,” Woodley said during the ceremony. “I’m ready and I know you guys are ready, so let’s go out there and make history.”

Price will retire from the Air Force and leave command of AFFSA. He and his team enabled global air operations for the joint warfighter by serving as USAF lead command for airfield operations systems and software, providing aviation subject matter experts who protect Department of Defense/USAF equities at aviation forums worldwide and instruction to DOD and international students, and by setting standards in flying and airfield operations.

“AFFSA is an elite unit because we have people who care. We have people who have initiative and drive and try to make the Air Force, DOD and United States better,” Price said. “This has been one of my favorite jobs in the Air Force just because of the people. It’s not about what you’re doing it’s about who you work with, and we have some great people here and I’ve really appreciated it.”