INSIDE AIDING NEPAL, P2 37TH TRW COMMANDER PINS ON …extras.mysanantonio.com/_CreativeServices/_militaryPubs/... · 2015-05-20 · in Kathmandu, Nepal, just moments before a magnitude-7.8

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH No. 20 • MAY 22, 2015

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

INSIDE ... AIDING NEPAL, P2 ... 37TH TRW COMMANDER PINS ON STAR, P6 ... JBSA CRIMES, P16

PAGES 10-11

MAY 22, 2015PAGE 2 WINGSPREAD

COMMENTARY

Members of the 39th Flying Training Squadron are hoisted up to a UH-60 Blackhawk May 7 at Canyon Lake, Texas, during a helicopter search and rescue training event. For the complete story, see pages 10-11.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Stormy Archer

ON THE COVER

Joint Base San Antonio-RandolphEditorial Staff

Brig. Gen. Bob LaBrutta502nd Air Base Wing/JBSA Commander

Todd G. White502nd ABW/JBSA Public Affairs Chief

Marilyn C. Holliday502nd ABW Community Engagement Section Chief

Airman 1st Class Alexandria SladePhotojournalist journeyman

Airman 1st Class Stormy ArcherPhotojournalist journeyman

Robert Goetz, David DeKunderStaff Writers

Maggie ArmstrongGraphic Designer

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By Maj. Gregory Kantz374th Airlift WingYokota Air Base, Japan

(Editor's note: The following is a fi rst-person account by a C-130H Hercules aircrew member who landed in Kathmandu, Nepal, just moments before a magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck the country April 25.)

We were tasked with taking an 11-man special forces team from Kadena Air Base, Japan, to Kathmandu, Nepal, for a training exercise. After be-ing cleared by air traffi c control, we landed uneventfully.

Moments after touching down, we cleared the runway and immediately felt the aircraft begin shaking and rocking. Our initial inclination was that we may have blown a tire, which seemed odd as we were no longer taxiing. Looking across the ramp, we saw six large airliners with their wings swinging wildly and scores of people running away from the aircraft and out of buildings onto the ramp. People were abandoning their vehicles as well as running off stairs that were con-nected to aircraft.

It became evident the rocking wasn't something going on soley to our aircraft or due to strong winds. Looking up at the horizon, dust clouds began popping up all around the bowl-shaped airfi eld and the city surround-ing it. That's when we realized there had been an earthquake.

Immediately following the earthquake, the airport shut down for a couple of hours while Nepalese offi cials tried to assess whether it was safe to resume normal operations. Though I couldn't be positive, I was sure several airliners, which had been waiting to land, had to divert due to the shutdown.

After we got our aircraft parked and shut down, we spent a couple hours on the ground inside the plane before we could get transportation for our passengers. We ended up driving through downtown and saw some wreckage along the way. The U.S. embassy team was still trying to assess the full scale of the situa-tion with the limited communications

capabilities they had at that time.The hotel we stayed in that night

was full of tourists in the lobby and the rooms were covered with broken glass from the lights and showers. Water leaked into the rooms from the walls and ceilings, but it was still a welcome place to settle for the night. We swept the glass off our beds onto the fl oor so we could get some sleep, expecting to leave the next day as planned.

That night there were several more aftershocks, with a large one around 5 a.m., which ended up be-ing 5.6a. Some aircrew members on the sixth fl oor reported many more aftershocks throughout the night. In the morning, we awoke to the news that staying at the hotel was no lon-ger viable due to structural damage.

The embassy brought us in to spend the next night there. The embassy had opened its doors not only to Depart-ment of Defense and State Department employees and families, but also to any American civilians who happened to be travelling there. It had become a safe haven for Americans waiting to leave

Nepal as the airport was crowded with hundreds of people sleeping in make-shift tents that covered the grounds outside the packed terminal.

The city continued to experience tremors that drove many out of build-ings. Throngs of people lingered outside and on the streets, afraid to go back into their homes for fear they were structurally unsound after the quakes. Later trips to the airport revealed a city riddled with pockets of devastation caused by the earthquakes.

At the ambassador's request, we spent about 50 hours on the ground so we could provide evacuations, if required, while they continued to track down Americans throughout the country. The Marine guards at the embassy shared a portion of their offi ce space with us so we could have adequate crew rest. Most of the embassy workers had pulled their families into their cubicle ar-eas to sleep and the American civil-ians had some sleeping bags strewn about where they could fi nd space.

Yokota aircrew recounts Nepal earthquake

Courtesy photoMembers of the U.S. Air Force view the destruction in Nepal firsthand April 25 follow-ing the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that damaged many parts of the country.

SERVICE BEFORE SELF

See EARTHQUAKE P8

WINGSPREADMAY 22, 2015 PAGE 3


NEWS

By Senior Airman Krystal JeffersJoint Base San Antonio-Lackland Public Affairs

A Prisoner of War Medal was posthumously awarded to a World War II navigator May 12 in San Antonio for his time as a captive from 1944 to 1945.

Gen. Robin Rand, commander of Air Education and Training Command, presented the medal to retired Lt. Col. Timothy Skvarenina, the son of then-Army Air Corps Lt. Stephen Martin Skvarenina, on behalf of his deceased father.

“This is a long overdue medal that was earned more than 71 years ago,” Rand said during the ceremony. “It was earned in hostile skies over Germans in an occupied France. It’s a medal earned after subsequent captivity in deplorable conditions in a Swiss prisoner of war camp. It was his fi rst – and last – fl ying mission.”

“It means quite a bit to the family to have my father honored,” Timothy said. “He never considered himself a hero. He saw a job that needed to be done, went to get it done and got shot down.”

Skvarenina’s time in the war or as a POW wasn’t a story he shared with his friends or family.

“He never really talked about his experience,” Timo-thy said. “He never talked about the details. We learned a lot more in the last year about what he went through than we ever knew while he was alive.”

Skvarenina was born Oct. 2, 1921, in Chicago. In January 1943, he reported to San Antonio as an avia-tion cadet where he trained as a navigator before be-ing assigned March 2, 1944, to the B-24 Liberator with the 702nd Squadron, 445th Heavy Bomb Group, 8th Air Force at Royal Air Force Tibenham, England.

“He was trained to operate this mighty aircraft and, though only briefl y, he operated it well,” Rand said. “On his fi rst combat sortie aboard the B-24 lovingly called ‘Pistol Packin’ Mama,’ his newly learned skills were put to the test. When two of the aircraft’s four engines failed, the pilot turned to Steven to help determine the wounded plane’s exact location. Without hesitation, Ste-ven provided the necessary information for the pilot to make the decision to land in supposedly neutral Swit-zerland in order to save the crew.”

The aircraft was 250 miles from England and 60 miles from Switzerland and had fallen out of formation. They were then engaged by Swiss fi ghters and directed to Dubendorf Field, Switzerland, where they were one of 16 aircraft to land. They were immediately captured upon landing and turned over to Nazi sympathizers.

“Lt. Skvarenina never gave up,” Rand said. “Despite being forced to live in deplorable conditions, he had the courage to defy his captors by repeatedly escaping and costing his captors time, manpower and frustration with every attempt.”

He fi rst attempted to escape Oct. 6, 1944, but was caught and sent to the Wauwilermoos prison camp that was run by Nazi sympathizers and had deplorable con-ditions. The prison camp was known as “a hell hole”

for captives. They slept on lice-infested straw, were malnourished and had virtually no hygiene facilities or access to health care.

Skvarenina was later released to Davos where he tried to escape a second time Dec. 2, 1944, but was captured again and sent to Les Diablerets prison camp before being released back to Davos Feb. 9, 1945. Six days later, 482 Airmen, including Skvarenina, were re-patriated as part of a prisoner exchange.

“By continuing to resist, despite the fact that each time he was caught, the conditions he was forced to endure were worsened. He truly served with honor while captured,” Rand said. “There is no singular defi nition for hero, but the one I’ve adopted is that a hero is someone who in the face of danger displays courage and puts service before self for the greater good of humanity.”

The POW Medal was originally authorized in 1985 providing that the person was a captive of an enemy combatant, excluding Wauwilermoos captives.

On Nov. 29, 1989, the legislation was changed to in-clude those who were captured “by foreign armed forces that are hostile to the United States, under circumstanc-es which the Secretary concerned fi nds to have been comparable to those under which persons have gener-ally been held captive by enemy armed forces during periods of armed confl ict.”

Timothy started seeking recognition for his father 15 years ago. He wasn’t the only one.

Army Maj. Dwight Mears, the grandson of Lt. George Mears, a World War II bomber pilot and Wauwilermoos POW, also began his own mission for recognition for his grandfather and the other POWs in 2000.

He reviewed U.S. and Swiss documents, which showed that 169 Americans who were captured while attempt-ing to escape Switzerland were sent to Wauwilermoos. Through the efforts of himself and others, the legislation was amended to include “comparable to those circum-stances under which persons have generally been held captive by enemy armed forces during periods of armed confl ict” and 143 Airmen were recognized in 2013.

Upon seeing the news, Timothy did research online and discovered a photo with a CBS news article that included his father. With the assistance of Mears and others, Skvarenina’s identity, along with his relation to Timothy, was verifi ed so the family could be presented with the medal.

“It’s been a very long time coming,” Timothy said. “It’s been 71 years since he was a prisoner and 15 years since I have been asking for him to be recognized. It was incredible to fi nally receive the medal.”

Timothy plans to place the medal in a display case that included his father’s other medals, his own medals and his grandfather’s medals.

World War II POW honored after 71 years

Photo by Johnny SaldivarGen. Robin Rand, commander of Air Education and Training Command, presents the Prisoner of War Medal to retired Air Force Lt. Col. Timothy Skvarenina during a ceremony honoring his late father, 1st Lt. Stephen Skvarenina, May 12 at The Resort at Hill Country Retreat in San Antonio.



Gen. Robin Rand (left), commander of Air Education and Training Command, looks on as Brig. Gen. Trent H. Edwards, 37th Training Wing commander, has his new rank pinned on by his wife, Vanessa, and his son, Dylan, during his promotion cer-emony May 15 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Members of the 37th TRW and the Joint Base San Antonio community attended the ceremony to celebrate Ed-wards’ promotion to the rank of brigadier general, which is effective today.

Photo by Johnny Saldivar

37th Training Wing commander pins on star



Due to the influx of international aid and at the request of the airfield man-ager, we left Kathmandu to make ramp space available. We assumed alert status in Thailand, ready to respond for any evacuation mission that should arise.

On April 29, we were alerted to bring a team from the III Marine Expedition-ary Force and the Contingency Response Group that had arrived from Kadena that morning to evaluate the area and determine what further assets would be required.

We loaded up 22 passengers, three pallets and as much gas as we could safely carry, given our cargo load. As we approached Kathmandu, we were requested to hold for traffic and told to anticipate a 1½ to 2-hour delay, as there were several aircraft in front of us. Since we were limited in fuel at that point, we made regular updates to air traffic control advising them of our time left to emergency fuel, which would

have caused us to divert to India with the assessment team.

Fortunately, they were able to give us priority to land. Flying the descent into the airfield with night vision goggles, we noticed the airfield momentarily lost lighting a couple of times, as did a good portion of the city to the south.

We landed and got the team out. We spent more than four hours on the ground getting fuel and trying to work out our air traffic control clearance. We eventually got our duty day waiver approved and were able to fly back to Thailand through the night.

Needless to say, it was an experience I will never forget. As a world leader, the U.S. has a great responsibility to help those in need, particularly when they are devastated by natural disasters like these. As U.S. service members, we are forever grateful for the opportu-nity to serve our country and partners abroad, however and whenever we can.

EARTHQUAKE from P2

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By Cheryl PellerinDepartment of Defense News

The commander of U.S. Northern Command has elevated the force pro-tection level for all Defense Department facilities in the continental United States, but not because of a specifi c threat, Pen-tagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said May 8 in Washington, D.C.

Force protection condition levels, or FPCON levels, range from Alpha, which applies when an increased general and unpredictable terrorist threat exists against personnel or facilities, to Delta, which applies in an immediate area where a terrorist attack has occurred or is imminent.

NORTHCOM raised the force protec-tion level at all DoD facilities nationwide from Alpha to Bravo May 8. Bravo applies when an increased or more predictable threat of terrorist activity exists.

“I won't go into the specifi cs of what that means because it is information that a potential adversary could use against us,” Warren said.

But in general, he added, at DOD posts, camps and stations, the elevated FPCON level means more comprehensive checking of those entering the facilities, heightened awareness of personnel at the facilities, and in some circumstances, more security personnel on duty at the facilities.

“As far as what the American public can expect to see,” Warren said, “broadly speaking there won't be a change, but in specifi c areas there could be longer lines as personnel enter posts, camps and sta-tions around the nation and this could have traffi c implications.”

At NORTHCOM in Colorado Springs, Colo., spokesman Air Force Master Sgt. Chuck Marsh said that raising the base-line force protection condition “was a prudent measure to remind installation

commanders at all levels within our area of responsibility to ensure increased vigi-lance in safeguarding our DOD person-nel, installations and facilities.”

The raised FPCON level is in ad-dition to random drills or exercises performed at all DOD facilities, Marsh added, “and they’re all a means to insure that we effectively execute our force protection mission.”

The FPCON level was raised at this time because of a general environment of heightened threats, he said.

“This is the new normal,” Marsh said, “so we're going to be doing random se-curity protection measures … to be able to best execute the safety and security of our people and our facilities.”

According to NORTHCOM, the com-mander last raised the FPCON level from Alpha to Bravo in 2011 in preparation for the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

At the Pentagon, Warren said, the FP-CON level has been at Alpha but “with selected measures from Bravo in effect. Now it’s Bravo.”

This is an acknowledgement, Warren added, that “right now we believe the threat level nationwide has increased.”

According to NORTHCOM, the poten-tial for another attack is always possible and implementing random force protec-tion measures is one way to minimize the likelihood of an attack on an installation or service members.

“Some of you can see for yourselves – you can look at Twitter or at other social media sites and see threats,” Warren said.

“We have a little bit more capability than you do so we see a little bit more than you do. Some of [the threats] are international, some are domestic … but it’s an overall increase in the en-vironment,” he said.

Force protection level boosted at DOD facilities nationwide

By Robert GoetzJoint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

One of the Air Force’s most over-looked but important duties belongs to the active-duty members and ci-vilians who ensure that the service’s facilities remain in tip-top condition.

These are the facility managers, who are entrusted with the care of the Air Force’s capital assets and are tasked with numerous responsibilities, from estab-lishing rules for the opening and closing of buildings to establishing procedures to notify customer service when emergency repairs are necessary.

“The facility manager program is a commander- and director-driven pro-gram that’s on the operations side of civil engineering,” Monica Trevino, 502nd Civil Engineer Squadron Fa-cility Manager Program coordinator, said. “Their primary job is to be the focal point for any minor construc-tion, minor repairs and discrepancies for real property.”

According to Air Force Pamphlet 32-1125, which governs facility man-agement, facility managers are ex-pected to make minor repairs, such as plunging stopped-up sinks or toi-lets, repairing small holes in drywall, gluing loose wallpaper and changing light bulbs lower than 10 feet.

Other tasks include inspecting janitorial service work, inspecting as-signed buildings or facilities and real property installed equipment, check-ing the overall condition of the prop-erty, reporting any damage to real property and controlling pests.

“Facility managers should also be physically identifying issues that are reported to them to ensure they are legitimate,” Trevino said.

While anyone at Joint Base San Antonio can call the 502nd CES customer service number at JBSA-Lackland, 671-5555, for emergency situations, only facility managers are authorized to place other ser-vice calls. Each location has its own maintenance staff, including car-penters, plumbers and electricians, to handle issues that cannot be ad-dressed by facility managers.

Trevino said every facility should have a primary facility manager and an alternate facility manager. She also said facility management is an addi-tional duty for most facility managers, but a full-time job for others.

Eric Bowden, 67th Cyberspace Wing civil engineer, is an additional-duty fa-cility manager, but is responsible for three buildings at JBSA-Lackland. He said his biggest issues “tend to be re-lated to personnel response time.

“Occupants expect immediate fa-cility remedies, but an immediate remedy may not be available due to a shortage of civil engineer mainte-nance personnel, a lack of replace-ment parts, expired or obligated maintenance contracts or after-hours requests,” Bowden said.

Daily issues he encounters include power fl uctuations and tripped circuit breakers, heating and cooling prob-

lems, lighting, unfi lled potholes in the parking lot, broken paper towel hold-ers and plumbing problems.

Richard Montemayor, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston facility/dorm manager, is re-sponsible for two military dorms.

“As a full-time facility/dorm manager, I oversee bachelor housing assignments to ensure check-in and check-out pro-cedures are performed for all tenants,”

Facility managers play pivotal role in upkeep of JBSA’s buildings

See MANAGERS P15

Photo by Harold ChinaPaul Wiatrek (left), 502nd Civil Engineer Squadron facility manager, assists Doug Line, 502nd CES alternate facility manager, with replacing light bulbs in Hangar 62 May 8 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph.

MAY 22, 2015PAGE 10 WINGSPREAD WINGSPREADMAY 22, 2015 PAGE 11

By Airman 1st Class Alexandria SladeJoint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

M embers of the 39th Flying Training Squadron atJoint Base San Antonio-Randolph refreshed theirknowledge on life-saving procedures with in-

dividuals from Texas Task Force 1, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Army National Guard during a Helicopter Search and Rescue Technician Recur-rent Hoist Training May 7 at Canyon Lake.

The training, which takes place once each year to keep 39th FTS members up to date on water survival practices, offered different lessons for each group while creating part-nership and camaraderie among all involved.

“This is a true joint training event,” said Lt. Col David Partain, 39th FTS commander. “We have the Army National Guard, Texas Task Force 1 and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department here and they are all getting valuable training. These are the people that pick people off rooftops during a hurricane or fl ood. Typically they would train with just them-selves, but this gives them a much more realistic search and rescue training environment; and give us a very realistic water survival environment as well.”

After a safety brief on all the equipment and practices involved in the training, 39th FTS members were transported by boat into the middle of the open waters of Canyon Lake and placed into the water in small groups to await a team composed of two Texas ARNG UH-60 Blackhawk pilots, a hoist technician and a TX-TF1 diver to hover and lift them into the aircraft.

Two tools were used to do so, depending on the choice of those being rescued. Swimmers could either be lifted using a

strop harness, which fastened directly around the member’s body or using a basket.

The event also gave 39th FTS members a rare chance to gather together and build camaraderie within the unit.

“We have instructor pilots that support four squadrons at JBSA-Randolph,” said Partain. “So we spend most of our work days separated from each other and don’t get a chance to interact very often. The real benefi t for me as a com-mander is seeing everyone get together, build a fellowship and get to know one another across the lines of all the dif-ferent aircraft we fl y.”

The event also provided an opportunity for local state agencies to become familiar with helicopter search and res-cue procedures.

Dwayne Havis, lieutenant game warden in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department aviation division, said that the event provided a fi rsthand view of what he and his team are striving to be able to do by next year.

“We just got our new aircraft in December,” Havis said. “We have experience doing search and rescue, but haven’t gotten to use the hoist with the new helicopter yet. We are here to learn how to do things the right way from the profes-sionals, and we are looking forward to being out here with them again next year.”

For the ARNG teams supporting the event from the air, it was their fi rst time training with the 39th FTS, though the unit practices water rescue seven to nine times each year.

“These opportunities ensure that we are ready to support or respond to real world emergencies such as fl ood relief or rescue situations where we have to lift someone out of a setting where we are unable to land the aircraft,” Chief War-rant Offi cer Two Blake Arrington, ARNG Uh-60 Blackhawk pilot, said. “For me, this training is one more opportunity for me to gain experience in something diffi cult like hoist training so that I can become an instructor pilot and pass on the knowledge.”

39th FTS members train with local agencies for future emergencies

Above: Members of the 39th Flying Training Squadron are briefed on proper water survival practices before a helicopter search and rescue training event May 7 at Canyon Lake.Left: A UH-60 Blackhawk takes off May 7 at Canyon Lake during a he-licopter search and rescue training event to sharpen water rescue and survival skills and techniques.

Photos by Airman 1st Class Stormy ArcherPhotos by Airman 1st Class Stormy Archer

Three instructor pilots from the 39th Flying Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph take part in a helicopter search and res-cue training event May 7 at Canyon Lake to sharpen water rescue and survival skills and techniques.

A rescue swimmer is lowered to the water during a helicopter search and rescue training event May 7 at Canyon Lake. After reaching the pilots in the water, the rescue swimmer would secure the pilots to be hoisted up to the helicopter by a ‘strop’ harness or rescue basket.

“This is a true joint training event. We have the Army National Guard, Texas Task Force 1 and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department here, and they are all getting valuable training. These are the people that pick people off rooftops

during a hurricane or fl ood. Typically they would train with just themselves, but this gives them a much more realistic search and rescue training envi-ronment; and give us a very realistic water survival environment as well.”

Lt. Col David Partain39th Flying Training Squadron commander


LEAD scholarships The Leaders of Enlisted Airman Development council offers four scholarship opportunities to help overcome education expenses such as tuition, fees and books. Scholarships in the amount of $250 are awarded quarterly. To be eligible, an applicant must be an enlisted member or a family member of an en-listed member of Joint Base San Antonio. Ap-plicants must be seeking degrees from higher learning institutions. Essays will be submitted through June 12 and will be awarded for the Fall semester of 2015. For more information, call 671-8138.

Airman Heritage Museum The hours of operation for the U.S. Air Force Airman Heritage Museum and Enlisted Char-acter Development Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland are:• Monday-Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.• Wednesday: Closed• Thursday: 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.• Friday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.• Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Dining facility renovation The Rendezvous Dining Facility will close for renovations June 1-Nov. 15. During the renovation period, the Kendrick Club will be the designated venue for all meal-card customers. Meals will be served at the fol-lowing times: Breakfast: Monday-Friday: 6:30-8 a.m.Lunch: Monday-Friday: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Dinner: Monday-Sunday and holidays: 5-6:30 p.m.Brunch: Saturday, Sunday and holidays: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For questions, call 652-4404/2555.

TRICARE briefi ngs Individuals with benefi ciary questions regard-ing TRICARE are invited to attend briefi ngs avail-able noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays at the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph base exchange pharmacy. TRICARE briefi ngs for individuals 65 years old and beyond will be held the fi rst Thursday of every month from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the JBSA-Randolph medical clinic conference room with no advance sign up required. For more information, call 502-318-5216.


By Robert GoetzJoint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

Less than six weeks after an ex-hibit devoted to the accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen opened at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Airman Heritage Museum, several members of that barrier-breaking Army Air Corps unit will be honored at JBSA-Randolph.

The Tuskegee Airmen Tribute, June 11-12, will celebrate the legacy of the fi rst all-black unit in the Army Air Corps, which distin-guished itself during World War II with more than 15,500 sorties and 1,500 missions in Eu-rope and North Africa and earned numerous combat awards.

During the fi rst day of the tribute, four of the documented original Tuskegee Airmen, also known as DOTAs, will ride in two two-ship T-1A Jayhawk formations fl own by 99th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilots. The ori-entation fl ights will culminate in a “fi ni-fl ight”-type celebration.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be able to fl y some of the DOTAs, celebrate their service and honor them for all they’ve accomplished in blazing a trail for serving their nation’s military,” Lt. Col. Oliver Johnson, 99th FTS commander, said. “They were the pioneers in integrating the armed forces. It’s one of the greatest American stories – what they over-came and what they accomplished.”

Celebration at JBSA-Randolph pays tribute to Tuskegee Airmen

See TRIBUTE P14

By Travis KilpackJoint Base San Antonio-Lackland Ground Safety Manager

Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of the summer recreation period and the be-ginning of the Critical Days of Summer Campaign that runs through Labor Day.

Many of you will be spending time in the outdoors, dusting off the winter cobwebs from your boats, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and camping gear, or simply spending time at home with family and friends.

This long weekend gives us a time to relax away from our fast-paced opera-tions tempo and also to pay our respects to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifi ce for the free-dom we enjoy.

During last year’s Critical Days of Summer campaign, the Air Force mourned the loss of 16 members. As in the past, motor vehicle fatalities – not enemy forces – ac-counted for most of our losses. Five died in four-wheeled vehicle mishaps and another three lost their lives in mo-torcycle mishaps.

Some of the factors in these mishaps included speed-ing, alcohol and not using seat belts – all of which are unacceptable risks and easily correctable.

Let’s not forget the water-related mishaps which have historically taken their toll on military members as well. Two individuals lost their lives in water-related mishaps

during last year’s Critical Days of Summer.

As we enter this long weekend and summer period,

we encourage everyone to re-member that choices matter, re-

gardless of what activities you and your family will be participating in. Including risk management in your

planning decisions can help mitigate as much risk as possible in summer activities.

A risk assessment doesn’t have to take an act of Con-gress. It can be done on the fl y, anywhere, anytime, any-place, by anyone. Simply ask yourself: What am I doing? What can go wrong? Could I hurt myself or someone else? What actions can I take to reduce or eliminate the danger?

The Wingman concept is another effective way to help avoid mishaps. This involves watching each other’s backs to prevent injury or loss of life.

If you see a hazard, report it or fi x it, if you see some-one starting to do something that makes the hairs on your neck stand up or your gut knots up, please don’t look away. Be a good Wingman and take action to pre-

vent a serious incident from occurring. The bottom line is your “action” or “lack of action” can make the differ-ence in the eventual outcome of a situation.

Throughout the summer, you can expect to be re-minded of key safety tips through commander’s calls, base publications, etc. Pay attention to the warnings and reminders such as the ones we are recommending for the extended weekend.

They may seem simple but we are reminded that they continue to be major factors in fatal mishaps:

• Wear seatbelts at all times.• Remain alert while at the wheel and plan rest

breaks at frequent intervals. • Have a plan; don’t speed in an effort to arrive early.

Better to arrive late than not arrive at all.• Don’t drink and drive.• Anticipate the unexpected and be ready to react.• Wear proper safety equipment when participating in

water related activities or other high risk activities.Remember, personal safety is the responsibility of

each individual and is a vital part of all activities. The person you see in the mirror each day is the person that can make a difference.

Think safe; act safe; be safe and enjoy the time off.

Manage risk during Memorial Day weekend CRITICAL DAYS OF SUMMER CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF WITH SAFETY REMINDER

“As we enter this long weekend and summer period, we encourage everyone to remember that choices matter, regardless of what activities you

and your family will be participating in.”


The 99th FTS traces its lineage back to the 99th Pursuit Squadron and 99th Fighter Squadron, the first of four African-American fighter squadrons in World War II whose aircrews and support teams were based at Tuskegee Institute and Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama.

“It’s also appropriate to honor them at a time we’re celebrating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II,” Johnson said. “America’s greatest generation is quickly fading away and we have the honor of flying them.”

A post-flight celebration and social open to the JBSA community, at 4 p.m. June 12 at the Parr Club, will highlight the second day of the tribute. The event will feature musical entertainment, comments by 12th Flying Training Wing leaders, an introduction of the Tuskegee Airmen who are present and a pre-sentation of gifts to them. Members of the audience will have an opportunity to mingle with the Tuskegee Airmen and listen to their stories.

“One of our goals for the celebration is to create a World War II-era setting with period-appropriate music and Airmen dressed in uniforms of that period,” Lt. Col. Spencer Burkhalter, 99th FTS chief of training, said.

Graphic displays focusing on the Tuskegee Airman experience and the Tuskegee Airmen on hand for the event, as well as tables filled with memorabilia, will add

to the atmosphere of the celebration.“We want our Airmen to get involved in their history

and hear their stories so it will add to their pride,” Bur-khalter said. “We’re trying to increase people’s aware-ness of the Tuskegee Airmen. We want people to know that they were not only pilots, but members of other career fields as well.”

The 99th FTS honored some of the surviving Tuskegee Airmen with breakfasts from 2009 to 2012 and is co-spon-soring this year’s tribute with the San Antonio Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc., an organization that preserves their legacy and seeks to inspire young people through education. The 99th FTS’ headquarters in Hangar 12 is filled with photographs and other mementos that cel-ebrate the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Johnson said the Tuskegee Airmen were pio-neers and heroes.

“Not only did they defeat Nazism in Europe, but they also defeated racism and discrimination back home in the United States,” he said. “They led the way to the integration of our nation's military when President Truman signed Executive Order 9981 abolishing racial discrimination after World War II. Every American regardless of race, color, reli-gion or national origin owes the Tuskegee Airmen a huge debt of gratitude for the battles they fought for freedom and equality in the U.S.”

TRIBUTE from P13

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JBSA Sexual Assault Prevention, Response

To report a sexual assault, call the 24/7 Joint Base San Antonio Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Hotline at 808-7272 or the Depart-ment of Defense Safe Helpline at 877-995-5247.

he said. “Additionally, on a daily basis it is necessary to schedule and coordinate the maintenance and repairs of these two infrastructures and to include follow-up inspections to ensure that the reported discrepancies are corrected in a safe and timely manner.”

Paul Wiatrek, 502nd CES structural maintenance and repair team supervi-sor, said the problems he encounters as the primary facility manager at JBSA-Randolph’s Hangar 62 include spills, stopped-up toilets, as well as damaged walls and ceiling tiles. He said some of his frequent duties are replacing light bulbs and changing out locks and keys.

Wiatrek said the challenges he faces are “trying to keep everyone happy, trying to get the supplies needed to fix things and trying to keep up the appearance of the inside and outside of my hangar.”

Bowden said time is his only chal-lenge.

“A facility manager is invaluable to the day-to-day operation of facilities, facility systems and related real prop-erty installed equipment,” he said. “It is, however, an additional duty and

something is always broken. The time to evaluate a problem and find the solution, whether it’s replacing light bulbs or coordinating with civil engi-neering to install additional fire sprin-kler heads, is always a challenge.”

Trevino said priorities vary at all of JBSA’s facilities because “each building is different, and each location is differ-ent,” and the level of commitment from facility managers also varies.

“Some facility managers are extremely proactive,” she said. “You can tell by the condition of the facility.”

To help facility managers protect JBSA’s more than 2,000 facilities, which represent initial investments of more than $5 billion, each location offers training on a regular basis, Trevino said.

Training sessions were conducted re-cently at three locations – March 31 at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, April 1 at JBSA-Lackland and April 15 at JBSA-Randolph – but she said JBSA is moving toward quarterly training sessions at rotating lo-cations. Facility managers would be able to go to any location for training.

The facility manager program may also offer virtual training in the near future, Trevino said.

MANAGERS from P9


Joint Base San Antonio Judge Advocate General

The Joint Base San Antonio Judge Advocate General completed four Air Force courts-martial in the months of February and March. The results of a court-martial are not fi nal until the clemency and/or appeals process is completed.

All courts-martial are open to the public and upcom-ing courts-martial can be viewed at the U.S Air Force Judge Advocate Generals website at http://www.afjag.af.mil/docket/index.asp.

• Capt. Edward Hudson from the 342nd Training Squadron at JBSA-Lackland was tried by a general court-martial consisting of offi cer members on March 23-27 at JBSA-Randolph. Hudson pled not guilty to one charge and specifi cation of committing an indecent act on a minor in violation of Article 134, Uniform Code of Military Justice. He was found guilty of the charge and specifi cation and sentenced to a dismissal and three years confi nement.

• Airman 1st Class Dominic Hunter from the 802nd Security Forces Squadron at JBSA-Lackland was tried by a special court-martial consisting of a military judge March 13 at JBSA-Lackland. Pursuant to a pre-trial agreement, Hunter pled guilty to one charge and 19 specifi cations of larceny in violation of Article 121, UCMJ, for stealing another Airman’s government travel card and making unauthorized purchases. He was sen-tenced to confi nement for two months, to perform hard labor without confi nement for three months, reduction to E-1 and to forfeit $600 pay per month for fi ve months. Pursuant to the terms of the pre-trial agreement, no confi nement in excess of 45 days, and no hard labor without confi nement of 30 days will be approved by the convening authority.

• Airman 1st Class Nelson Enos from the 902nd SFS at JBSA-Randolph was tried by summary court-martial March 12 at JBSA-Randolph. Pursuant to a pre-trial agreement, he pled guilty to one charge and specifi cation of underage drinking in violation of Article 92, UCMJ, one charge and specifi cation of driving while intoxicated in violation of Article 111, UCMJ, and one charge and specifi cation of wrongful use of Xanax in violation of Article 112a, UCMJ. Enos was sentenced to 21 days confi nement and reduc-tion to E-1.

• Airman 1st Class Tyler Ogden from the 902nd SFS at JBSA-Randolph was tried by summary court-martial March 18 at JBSA-Randolph. Pursuant to a pre-trial agreement, he pled guilty to one charge and specifi cation of underage drinking in violation of Article 92, UCMJ, one charge and two specifi cations of wrongfully using marijuana on multiple occasions and of using Xanax in violation of Article 112a, UCMJ. Ogden was sentenced to 24 days confi nement, restriction to JBSA-Randolph for four days, reduction to E-1 and forfeiture of $250.

U.S. Army South completed two courts-martial in March:

• Spc. Michael Rhoades from the 470th Military Intel-ligence Brigade at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston was tried by general court-martial consisting of judge alone March

30-31 at JBSA-Lackland. In a companion case to U.S. vs. Spc. Avery Mose, Rhoades was charged with six specifi cations of assault, consummated by battery and assault, resulting in grievous bodily harm, as well as an additional charge with three specifi cations for fail-ure to report. The charges and specifi cations were based on law enforcement investigation into reports that on or about July 26, 2014, Rhoades and Mose assaulted an Airman at a local Veterans of Foreign Wars post which resulted in the Airman receiving severe head injuries. After considering evidence and argument from both the government and defense, the military judge found Rhoades guilty of assault resulting in grievous bodily harm, but not guilty of assault consummated by battery or failure to report. The military judge sentenced Rhoades to 18 months confi nement, reduction to E-1, total forfeiture of pay and a bad conduct discharge.

• Mose from the 470th MIB at JBSA-Fort Sam Hous-ton was tried by general court-martial consisting of judge alone March 23-24 at JBSA-Lackland. Mose was charged with six specifi cations of assault, consummated by battery and assault resulting in grievous bodily harm. The military judge found Mose guilty of only assault con-summated by battery, but not guilty of assault resulting in grievous bodily harm. The military judge sentenced Mose to seven days confi nement and reduction to E-2.

From February to March, JBSA Air Force command-ers administered 58 non-judicial punishment actions un-der Article 15 of the UCMJ.

The punishments imposed refl ect the commander’s determination of an appropriate punishment after con-sidering the circumstances of the offense and the of-fender’s record. Offi cers may not be reduced in rank as a punishment. A suspended punishment does not take effect unless the offender engages in additional miscon-duct or fails to satisfy the conditions of the suspension.

The suspension period usually lasts for six months un-less a lesser amount is specifi ed.

JBSA-Fort Sam Houston (12):The Article 15 actions include, but are not lim-

ited to:• Larceny – An airman basic stole from another Air-

man and received 14 days restriction to base and extra duty, forfeiture of $360 and a reprimand.

• Disrespect to non-commissioned offi cer – An air-man fi rst class used insulting language to an NCO and received a reduction to airman and a reprimand.

• Dereliction – A senior airman attempted to enter base with a loaded fi rearm with an open container of al-cohol in the vehicle without current auto insurance. The senior airman received a suspended reduction to airman fi rst class, 30 days extra duty, forfeiture of $1,027 and a reprimand.

• Failure to go and false offi cial statement – A senior airman missed an appointment and lied to an NCO about it and received a suspended reduction to airman fi rst class, 14 days extra duty and forfeiture of $466.

• Dereliction, failure to go, going from place of duty – A technical sergeant failed to go to work on time on two occasions, left her place of duty early without au-thorization and brought her child to work and received a suspended reduction to staff sergeant, forfeiture of $1,562 per month for two months and a reprimand.

• Damage to military property and dereliction – An airman fi rst class damaged their common access card and was caught drinking underage and received a re-duction to airman and a reprimand.

• Driving under the infl uence and use of marijuana – An airman fi rst class used marijuana and operated a vehicle while impaired by alcohol and received a reduc-tion to airman basic and a reprimand.

Courts-martial, crimes, punishment at Joint Base San Antonio

See JBSA JAG P17

Courtesy graphic


• Indecent language and sexual harassment – A se-nior airman used indecent language to and about fel-low airmen and sexually harassed other Airmen and received a suspended reduction to airman fi rst class, forfeiture of $1,027 and a reprimand.

JBSA-Lackland (44):The Article 15 actions include, but are not limited to:• Dereliction – A technical sergeant left the country

without authorization and altered leave dates upon re-turning to duty and received a reduction to staff ser-geant, suspended forfeitures of $1,562 pay per month for two months and a reprimand.

• Urinating in canteen – An airman fi rst class urinated in another airman’s canteen while the other airman was asleep and received a suspended reduction to airman basic, forfeiture of $773 and a reprimand.

• Dereliction – A technical sergeant failed to properly inventory property for which the technical sergeant was accountable and received a suspended 30 days of extra duty, suspended forfeiture of $1,782 and a reprimand.

• Use of marijuana – An airman basic tested posi-tive for marijuana and received 14 days restriction to JBSA-Lackland and extra duty, forfeiture of $733 pay per month for two months and a reprimand.

• Use of marijuana – An airman basic tested posi-tive for marijuana and received 45 days restriction to JBSA-Lackland and extra duty, forfeiture of $773 pay per month for two months and a reprimand.

• Use of marijuana – An airman fi rst class tested posi-tive for marijuana and received 30 days restriction to

JBSA-Lackland and a reprimand.• Use of marijuana – A senior airman tested positive

for marijuana and received a reduction to airman basic and a reprimand.

• Assault – An airman fi rst class shoved another air-man to the ground on multiple occasions and received a suspended reduction to airman, 30 days restriction to JBSA-Lackland, forfeiture of $867 and a reprimand.

• Assault – An airman fi rst class pretended to stab another airman in the neck and received 30 days re-striction to JBSA-Lackland and extra duty, forfeiture of $773 pay per month for two months with one month suspended and a reprimand.

• Dereliction – An airman fi rst class made racially derogatory comments to another Airman and received a reduction to airman, a suspended reduction to airman basic, 30 days restriction to JBSA-Lackland and extra duty and a reprimand.

• Use of oxazepam – A staff sergeant tested positive for oxazepam without a prescription and received a sus-pended reduction to senior airman, forfeiture of $1,225 and a reprimand.

• Drunk on duty and dereliction – An airman basic failed to report for accountability and was consuming alcohol while on charge to quarters duty and received forfeiture of $715 pay per month for two months and a reprimand.

• Dereliction, false offi cial statement, underage drink-ing – An airman fi rst class possessed and consumed alcohol while underage and lied about providing alcohol

to minors. The airman fi rst class received a reduction to airman, a suspended reduction to airman basic, fi ve days extra duty, forfeiture of $773 pay per month for two months with one month suspended and a reprimand.

• Dereliction – Seven airmen fi rst class drank alcohol off base while in student status and visited an off-base hotel without authorization and each received reductions to airman, forfeiture of $867 pay and reprimands.

• Larceny – An airman fi rst class stole candy from the Army and Air Force Exchange Service and received a suspended forfeiture of $50 pay per month for two months and a reprimand.

• Damage to property and dereliction – An airman fi rst class caused damage by ramming his head into the wall of his commander’s offi ce and received a reduction to airman, suspended forfeiture of $867 pay per month for two months and a reprimand.

• Sleeping on duty – An airman fi rst class was found sleeping on duty and received a suspended reduction to airman basic and a reprimand.

JBSA – Randolph (2):The Article 15 actions include:• Larceny – A master sergeant stole multiple items from

AAFES and received a reduction to technical sergeant, suspended forfeitures of $1,817 and a reprimand.

• Dereliction – A senior airman made unauthorized personal purchases on a government travel card and received a reduction to airman fi rst class, 45 days extra duty, 25 days restriction to JBSA-Randolph and a reprimand.

JBSA JAG from P16

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