inside pit curriculum change, p3 women's heart...

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH 66th Year • No. 5 • FEBRUARY 3, 2012

INSIDE ... PIT CURRICULUM CHANGE, P3 ... WOMEN'S HEART HEALTH, P6 ... NVGs TAKE SPOTLIGHT, P8 ... AF BOX-OFF, P11

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

FEBRUARY 3, 2012PAGE 2 WINGSPREAD

By Todd ForeAir Force Personnel, Services and Manpower

An Air Force leader’s most impor-tant job is to care for and develop Airmen through a combination of education and experience, but every Airman must also actively seek op-portunities to learn and grow. This agreement between leaders and leaders-to-be is the foundation of the most powerful air force in the world.

Rapidly changing technologies and increasingly complex global condi-tions have changed the way we approach national security. Tomor-row’s leaders must be technologically proficient, highly educated and strate-gic thinkers able to smoothly adapt to their changing world. Education is critical to developing that type of leader.

My job is to make sure you are aware of your educational opportu-nities and to knock down systemic barriers that prevent you from pursu-ing them. Your job is to chase your educational opportunities with the same determination you devote to other aspects of your life.

Opportunities abound for all Airmen, from junior enlisted to command eligible officers, and from student interns to flag officer equivalent civilians. The Air Force is the only service with a fully ac-credited, associate degree-granting college – the Community College of the Air Force. That illustrates how seriously the Air Force takes educa-tion and training.

In addition to comprehensive

enlisted education and training programs, we deliberately and pro-gressively develop our civilian and commissioned members through a series of programs ranging from new employee orientation to Air War College. You can pursue advanced academic degrees, leadership and de-velopment seminars, education with industry and more. The Air Force not only encourages Airmen to pursue such developmental endeavors, it will pay for most, or all of it.

Education is only part of the devel-opment continuum.

Increasingly challenging assign-ments and mission opportunities also help Airmen develop their decision-making and other leadership skills. We vector civilians, officers and some senior enlisted members toward op-portunities that will make them bet-ter leaders.

Some opportunities – like deploy-ment to a combat zone – may seem unendurably onerous, but they will

help you develop greater strategic awareness and leadership ability.

Other less hazardous opportuni-ties – such as being an academic or technical training instructor – are no less critical than combat duties, and the impact you have on Airmen will be evident for generations.

You should not wait to be vectored, though. You should shop for your next growth opportunity to make sure it stretches you and allows you to use your skills and talents in support of our critical missions. If you wait for things to happen to you, you may be waiting a long time.

The sky is not the limit for those of you who choose to push past the barriers. But where your career goes is ultimately up to you. I will knock down barriers and point you toward opportunities, but you must do your part. You must passionately pursue education and experiences that will make you the kind of leader our Air Force needs.

COMMENTARY

This newspaper is published by Prime Time Military News-papers, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Wingspread are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Air Force.

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

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

Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Office of JBSA-Randolph. All photos, unless otherwise indicated, are U.S. Air Force photos.

The deadline for submissions is noon Wednesday the week prior to publication. All submissions can be emailed to [email protected].

Wingspread Office1150 5th Street East

Randolph AFB, Texas 78150Phone: (210) 652-4410

Wingspread [email protected]

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Joint Base San Antonio-RandolphEditorial Staff

Brig. Gen. Theresa CarterCommander

Marilyn HollidayChief of Public Affairs

Senior Airman Precious YettEditor

Airman 1st Class Alexis SiekertRobert Goetz, Alex Salinas

Staff WritersMaggie ArmstrongGraphic Designer

Air Force leaders develop Airmen"Tomorrow’s leaders must be

technologically proficient, highly educated and strategic thinkers able to smoothly adapt to their changing

world. Education is critical to developing that type of leader."

ON THE COVERFrom left: Tiffany Evans, 902nd Civil En-gineer Squadron environmental engineer and exercise evaluation team member, Staff Sgt. Natca Moye, Air Force Per-sonnel Operations Agency Test Team and Requirements NCO in charge, Capt. Landon Phillips, 12th Operations Group chief of instruction, Senior Airman Daniel Kline, 902nd Security Forces Squadron, Randy Simeon, 902nd CES fire services firefighter, and Airman 1st Class Julia Frensley, 359th Dental Squadron dental assistant, represent JBSA-Randolph as the location prepares for its compliance inspection scheduled for Monday through Feb. 10. Photo by Rich McFadden

WINGSPREADFEBRUARY 3, 2012 PAGE 3

By Bekah Clark12th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

Over the last several months, the 12th Operations Group Instruction and Training Division has been improving the quality of instruction for the student instructor pilots, or IPs, going through its programs.

The 12th OG trains basic IPs who will go on to teach at the undergraduate pi-lot training level and upgrading IPs who will remain at Randolph to teach pilot instructor training courses.

The new instruction initiative started with the implementation of the Percep-tion, Decision, Execution construct in the Instructor Pilot Basic course. Here all IPs go through the basics of learning and teaching as they relate to flying.

The construct results in root cause analysis, not just error identification, Capt. Landon Phillips, 12th OG chief of training and instruction, said.

Using the construct, an IP breaks down the sequence of events to discover if the student perceived the error, if they made the correct decision based on that perception and, finally, if they executed the decision correctly.

“Think of it as if you’re teaching your son or daughter to drive,” Phillips said. “They pull out in front of an oncoming car, barely escaping an accident. You ask them if they saw the car, and if they say no then they have a perception is-sue and you remind them to look both ways before entering traffic. If they say yes, that they thought they had enough room to make the turn safely, then

they made the wrong decision. If they said yes, but that they didn’t accelerate quickly enough, then it’s an execution problem.”

Once an IP knows the root cause of an error they’re better equipped to develop a solution, he said.

The construct was adapted from a process used in fighter pilot training and is something instructors have usu-ally unknowingly done, but there’s never been a formalized, defined concept, ac-cording to Col. Andrew Croft, 12th OG commander.

“Now that we’re teaching the process to our IPs as a formal instruction meth-od, rather than the IP eventually and unwittingly using it, the process will be more intentional, allowing us to provide better IPs, ultimately producing a better

pilot or IP,” Croft said. The next phase of the instruction

initiative will be the development of an advanced IP course that will focus on upgrading IPs, according to Phillips.

“The course will focus on the unique challenges of pretending to be a stu-dent pilot in the jet,” he said. “At first glance, it doesn’t seem like it would be difficult to simulate a student pilot making basic errors. But to make spe-cific errors to force the upgrading IP to determine the root cause through the perception, decision or execution method requires thought and prepara-tion. When to ‘take the aircraft’ from the student pilot is also an art form, the instructor must allow for error feedback while at the same time pre-vent an aircraft accident.”

Pilot instructor training course improves Photo by Don Lindsey

Maj. Stephen Manley (left), 559th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, demonstrates flight procedures to 1st Lt. William Dana, 558th FTS instructor candidate.


NEWS

By Robert GoetzJoint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

Natural disasters and catastrophic ac-cidents that directly affect Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph are rare, but main-taining operational capacity in the face of adversity is imperative.

That’s why the work of 902nd Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Manage-ment Flight is so important. They are the team that makes sure the JBSA-Ran-dolph community is ready to successfully respond to any kind of disaster or emer-gency, whether it’s a tornado or flood, an aircraft crash or terrorist attack.

“We train the base populace to be pre-pared – to withstand and recover from a natural disaster, a major accident, a hazmat incident or terrorists’ use of weapons of mass destruction,” Steve Clark, 902nd CES Readiness and Emer-gency Management chief, said. “The bet-ter you plan and prepare, the easier it will be to respond. It will be second nature to recover if something bad happens. It’s about mission continuation, no matter what the contingency.”

Preparing the base community for con-tingencies at home is the peacetime part of the EMF’s two-fold mission, Clark said. They also have a wartime component.

“We train Airmen who are deploying to be able to survive and recover from a variety of attacks,” he said.

Clark said Airmen are taught to “with-stand the effects of conventional warfare and the enemy’s use of weapons of mass destruction.”

“We do this by teaching a course titled ‘Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Survivor Skills Training,’ more commonly known as CBRN Survival Skills training,” he said.

Part of this training is learning how to

wear MOPP, or mission-oriented protec-tive posture, gear, which is used in toxic environments.

Emergency management personnel reach the base community in a num-ber of ways, Clark said. Active-duty personnel new to JBSA-Randolph hear about emergency preparedness during the Right Start briefing at the Airman and Family Readiness Center.

“We’re imbedded in that briefing,” he said.

Much of the flight’s time is spent con-ducting classes – preparing personnel assigned to the base’s Emergency Op-erations Center, Unit Control Center and Exercise Evaluation Team for emergen-cies, Clark said.

“These are the entities that would activate people who sit in the control center,” he said. “They are there to support the incident manager during times of emergency.”

Clark, who compared the EMF’s role to that of the Federal Emergency Man-agement Agency, said the 902nd Secu-rity Forces Squadron, the 359th Medical Group and the 902nd CES Fire Emergen-cy Services are JBSA-Randolph’s first re-sponders, and they typically handle most contingencies on base.

“But when an incident is too large for the first responders to handle, that’s when all the emergency re-sponders are recalled,” he said. “The EOC and UCC are recalled to support the first responders. The EET has a different role – that’s how we evalu-ate our program. We help provide the scenarios and the technical expertise for our base exercises.”

Major incidents directly impacting JB-SA-Randolph are a rarity – the last being the crash of one of the base’s T-38s 60 miles southwest of San Antonio five years

ago. However, JBSA-Randolph provides support, primarily to evacuees, when di-sasters strike the region, such as Hurri-canes Alice and Rita and the wildfire that ravaged Bastrop County last year, Clark said. The base’s Seguin Auxiliary Airfield was used as FEMA’s staging area for the transport of mobile housing units to the Bastrop area.

Most of the JBSA-Randolph commu-nity learn how to respond to emergen-cies, such as natural disasters or active shooter incidents, through the efforts of emergency management representatives at Air Education and Training Command, Air Force Personnel Center, the 902nd Force Support Squadron, the 359th MDG and other major organizations.

“They’re our liaison to each unit,”

Clark said. “That’s one way we feed in-formation to the people in these organi-zations.”

EM representatives prepare personnel through sheltering exercises, evacuation drills and other activities.

Seven personnel are assigned to the EMF, Clark said.

“We’re unique in that we’re one of the few all-civilian flights in Air Force,” he said. “But most of us are retired active duty.”

Clark called the EMF the “what-if people.”

“Because of the way we train and plan for all types of contingencies, anything that directly affected Randolph would be minimized,” he said. “We’re always look-ing at plans and providing training.”

Emergency Management Flight keeps base alert

U.S. Air Force photo illustration

The four risk management principles below are newly revised based upon inputs from the Joint Service RM Working Group.• Accept no unnecessary risk

If not all the hazards are identified, then too much risk is being accepted. • Make decisions at the appropriate level

Those accountable for the success or failure of the mission must be included in the risk-decision process. This establishes

clear accountability. Commanders must ensure subordinates know how much risk they may accept and when they must elevate the decision to a higher level. • Integrate RM into Air Force doctrine and planning

Integrating risk management into planning as early as pos-sible provides the decision-maker the greatest opportunity to apply ORM principles. Usually, it reduces costs and enhances ORM’s overall effectiveness too.

• Apply the process cyclically and continuously The RM process must be continually applied across the full spectrum of military operations, training and day-to-day activities both on-and off-duty. We must continually apply the RM process to assess hazards, develop and implement controls, and provide feedback to Airmen to save lives and preserve combat resources.

Joint Service Operational Risk Management Working Group offers guidelines


Know the risks: Hazardous materials pose health threatProvided by 902nd Civil Engineer Squadron

Many Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph members come into contact with hazardous materials on a regular basis, so it’s important that chemical usage is tracked and people know the risks and how to handle them properly.

Information about these materials’ characteristics and actual and potential hazards can be found on material safety data sheets, which are available on base through the environmental section of the 902nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Hangar 62.

“It is helpful for all people to be knowledgeable about the chemicals they use,” Maria Kio, 902nd Civil Engineer Squadron hazardous materials man-ager, said. “Material safety data sheets have impor-tant information on them.”

An MSDS identifies the manufacturer or distribu-tor of the material with name, address and phone numbers, including one for medical emergencies. Other information includes chemical identity, haz-ardous ingredients, physical and chemical proper-ties, fire and explosion data, reactivity data, health hazards data, exposure limits data, storage and handling, precautions, protective gear usage, spill

control and cleanup and required transportation and disposal procedures.

Kio said it is also important the MSDS be as up to date as possible and specific to the time frame when the product was made.

Material safety data sheets are also available for household products in the consumer marketplace.

“For home environments, having knowledge of the hazards of various cleaners and other home-use chemicals is a good safety precaution,” she said.

“Again, the MSDS is the place to find the recom-mended handling information.”

MSDSs are available from websites and at stores.“If you ask for an MSDS, a clerk can provide it for

you,” she said.The environmental section of the CE office approves

and keeps track of all hazardous materials used at Randolph, from fuels and paints to cleaning agents and refrigerants, maintaining a database called the Enterprise Environmental Safety Occupational Health data system that includes an MSDS for each product. Reporting requirements are part of the process.

“We watch everything that comes on base,” Luis Rosadoayala, 902nd CES hazardous materials inspec-tor, said. “We also try to keep the lowest amount of chemicals on base as possible.”

Rosadoayala said JBSA-Randolph personnel who use hazardous materials are required to use proper per-sonal protective equipment, know the precautions of use and handle the materials properly. All that informa-tion can be found on the MSDS for each product.

Although the terminology and format of material safety data sheets can look daunting because of their technical nature, reading them is definitely worth the effort, he said.

“It is helpful for all people to be knowledgeable about the chemicals they use. Material

safety data sheets have important information on them.”

Maria Kio902nd Civil Engineer Squadron hazardous materials manager

Base BRIEFSChapel staff relocation The Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph chapel staff will be relocated from the Chapel An-nex, Bldg. 103, to the basement of Bldg. 100, through Feb. 13. During this time, there will be no facility reser-vation or usage or equipment check out. All phone numbers will remain the same. For questions or concerns, call 652-6121.

Blood donationThe Air Force Personnel Center is hosting a blood drive Tuesday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The blood drive bus will be parked on the north side of Bldg. 667. For more information, call Master Sgt. Alexander Varner at 565-5551 or Master Sgt. Josue Cantu at 565-3443.

Valentines for Vets The Joint Base San Antonio Randolph Rising 5/6 will collect valentines cards Feb. 6-10 from 3-5 p.m. at the Randolph Youth Center gym. The cards will be taken to the Audie L. Murphy Veterans Hospital Feb. 17 in support of the Na-tional Salute to Veteran Patients program. For more information, contact Staff Sgt. Natca Moye at [email protected].

Healthcare town hallThe Health Care Consumer’s Advisory Council meets Feb. 15, 1-2:30 p.m., in the base theater. The group will meet to discuss clinic programs and services. For details, call 652-6075.

American Red Cross seeks volunteersThe American Red Cross seeks volunteers to serve

the base community at the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Medical Clinic. For more information, call the Red Cross desk at 652-6372 or stop by the resource management office at the clinic (Bldg. 1040, Room 1C301) next to the records section.

AF representatives neededThe Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public

Affairs Office needs volunteers for its speakers’ bureau. JBSA-Randolph members interested in increasing public awareness and understanding of the U.S. Armed Forces, and the mission, policies and programs of the Air Force are encouraged to participate in JBSA-Randolph’s speaker’s bureau.

Volunteers will represent the Air Force at local career days and various community events.Those interested in volunteering can call the JBSA-Randolph Public Affairs Office at 652-4410 or email [email protected].

Tax assistance availableThe Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Tax Center has volunteers to help prepare income taxes during the tax filing season. For assistance, call Lamarr Queen at 652-1040.

'Me to You' program The “Me to You” program was established to mentor at-risk school students on the importance of making good choices early in their lives. Military members who participate share their real-life experiences, before and after joining the military, to educate students on the opportunities and benefits offered by the military. For more information, contact Staff Sgt. Edward Grant at [email protected].

Airfield access training Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph’s airfield is a controlled area, which means anyone who needs access to the airfield is required to complete training, as well as be listed on an entry autho-rization list, unless escorted by someone who already has access. To schedule training and to determine who keeps the access listing for your organization, call Geren Fawver at652-8166.

JBSARandolph Chapel• CATHOLIC

Daily Mass - Monday-Friday11:30 a.m. - Chapel 1

Saturday Mass5:30 p.m. - Chapel 1

Sunday Mass 8:30 a.m. - Chapel 111:30 a.m. - Chapel 1Confession - Saturday4:30 p.m. - Chapel 1

Sunday Religious Education9:45-11 a.m.

Bldg. 208

• PROTESTANTTraditional Sunday Service8:15 a.m. - Base theater

Contemporary Sunday Service

11 a.m. - Base theaterSunday Religious Education

9:30-11:30 a.m.Bldg. 103

For more information,call the Chapel Center at

652-6121 For the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph movie theater schedule, see page 6.


Vehicle control officers and vehicle operators are reminded to complete all daily, weekly and monthly vehicle inspections, serviceability and maintenance inspections using the ap-plicable AF Form 1800, Operator’s Inspection Guide and Trouble Report or AF Form 1807, Op-erator’s Inspection Guide and Trouble Report and perform a vehicle serviceability/functional checks of all assigned vehicles. For more information, contact the 902nd Logistic Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance customer service at 652-8276.

Units are reminded to perform the following items:

• Accomplish tire pressure checks/adjustments and document on the ap-plicable AF Form 1800 or 1807

• Ensure vehicles are clean, includ-ing the interior

• Make sure all major safety discrepancies have been reported to Vehicle Maintenance Customer Service for correction

• Transcribe all deferred main-tenance action to the new AF Form 1800.

Waived items will be recorded on a duplicate AF Form 1800 and kept with the current one.

• Always wear a seat belt when operating a government-owned vehicle

• Do not back up a vehicle without using a spotter

Vehicle maintenance checklist

Storm preparation abates risks, danger

Severe thunderstorms, hurricanes and tornadoes are not an everyday occurrence, but it is crucial to be ready for their often-devastating effects when they do strike.

Advance preparation begins with stocking a portable emergency kit. The American Red Cross recommends these supplies:

• Water – one gallon per person per day, at least a three-day supply

• Food – nonperishable, easy-to-prepare items, at least a three-day supply

• Flashlight• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio • Extra batteries• First aid kit• Medications – a seven- day supply• Multi purpose tool• Sanitation and personal hygiene items• Copies of personal documents (medica-

tion list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, pass-

ports, birth certificates, insurance policies)• Cellphone with chargers• Family and emergency contact informa-

tion• Extra cash• Emergency blanket• Map(s) of the areaAlso consider the needs of all family

members. Suggested items to help meet ad-ditional needs are:

• Medical supplies, such as hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses and syringes

• Baby supplies, including bottles, for-mula, baby food and diapers

• Games and activities for children• Pet supplies, such as collars, leashes,

ID, food, carriers and bowls• Two-way radios• Extra set of car keys and house keys• Manual can opener

Police services receives kudos

Photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis SiekertStaff Sgt. Edward Grant, 902nd Security Forces Squadron police services NCO in charge, was recently recognized by the San Antonio Police Department when Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph was awarded first place in Category 3, the base district category, in respect to the National Night Out celebration, October 2011. Grant ran the program and coordinated with 12 different agencies. There were six awareness booths, more than 40 Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph volunteers and approximately 500 attendees.

NOW SHOWINGat JBSA-Randolph Theater

"We Bought a Zoo" (PG)Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson

Today at 7 p.m., Saturday at 6 p.m.

"The Chipmunks - Chipwrecked" (G)Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler

Saturday at 3 p.m.

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


By Alex SalinasJoint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

Contrary to popular belief, cardiovas-cular disease is the number one cause of death for women in the United States, Capt. Janet Blanchard, 359th Medical Group health care integrator, said. “More women die from heart disease than all cancers combined,” she said.

While cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death for all Ameri-cans, women hold a special place in this year’s National Wear Red Day today, which kicks off a month-long awareness campaign against heart disease.

When identifying risk levels for heart disease, peo-ple have a few criteria they must consider, includ-ing their family history, blood pressure, cholesterol level, smoking and whether or not they have been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.

Blood pressure is especially a cause for concern among women, Blanchard said.

“Ten percent of our female patients have high blood pressure,” she said.

While this percentage is below the national aver-age, it is still significant given patients with hyper-tension are at higher cardiovascular risk overall. Blanchard called high blood pressure the “silent kill-er” because of its tendency to go unnoticed because it is not typically associated with any symptoms.

As such, the base medical group will mail a compilation of health-related articles called the Hypertension Newsletter to all on base who are diagnosed with high blood pressure beginning in February. The newsletter will then be mailed to them quarterly, Blanchard said.

Men and women have the same risk factors for cardiovascular disease, however, women may ex-perience heart disease symptoms differently, Lt. Col. Mark Kolasa, 359th Medical Group chief of medical staff, said.

“Women’s symptoms of heart disease may be less typical than those seen in men; for example the classic symptoms of chest pain can be more subtle and include other symptoms such as short-ness of breath, nausea or even abdominal pain or back pain,” Kolasa said.

Cardiovascular disease typically presents itself about 10 years later than typically seen in the male patient as well, Kolasa said.

The decade delay means that women usually ex-perience heart disease 10 years later than an aver-age man, who may typically first be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease in his 50s and 60s.

“People tend to associate heart disease with men,” Blanchard said.

This gender-specific association paired with de-layed symptoms on average can be problematic for women thinking about heart disease.

The JBSA-Randolph medical group stressed there are multiple ways to improve lifestyle choices, with general awareness a first step toward combating heart disease.

Eating a diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and high-fiber foods is important. Limiting so-dium intake is also an important aspect of a healthy diet, although many people eat enough sodium in one meal to last them an entire day, Blanchard said.

The Mayo Clinic recommends limiting sodium to less than 2,300 milligrams a day – or 1,500 mil-ligrams for those age 51 and older.

“Sodium intake in our diets is high because it makes food taste good, but we should be aware of what we eat, and how much we eat,” Kolasa said.

Exercise is also key in helping prevent heart dis-ease. Performing 150 minutes of moderate exer-cise, or 75 minutes of rigorous exercise, weekly is recommended by the American Heart Association, which can be difficult to accomplish with our busy lifestyles, Blanchard said.

“Exercising the recommended time as well as having a healthy diet can be hard, but it helps to have an exercise buddy to motivate you and a food diary to jot down what you eat,” she said. “Have someone hold you accountable, and use technology such as free websites or apps for in-formation and tools to help track what you do.”

An important risk factor that people should dis-cover is their family history. This can be revealing and allow people to properly and proactively pre-pare against heart disease.

“Know your risk factors and develop healthy hab-its early on to decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease,” Kolasa said. “The majority of folks can control their lifestyle choices.”

The medical group will provide patient educa-tion about heart disease during February in their family health clinic via information tables. The Health and Wellness Center also offers classes to help educate the base population on various beneficial health topics.

Call the medical clinic at 652-6403 or the Health and Wellness Center at 652-2300 for more information. Visit www.GoRedForWomen.org for more information regarding women’s health.

359th MDG highlights women's heart health

“Exercising the recommended time as

well as having a healthy diet can be hard, but it

helps to have anexercise buddy to

motivate you and a food diary to jot down what you eat. Have someone hold you accountable,

and use technology such as free websites or apps

for information and tools to help track what

you do.”

Capt. Janet Blanchard359th Medical Group health care integrator

FEBRUARY 3, 2012PAGE 8 WINGSPREAD WINGSPREADFEBRUARY 3, 2012 PAGE 9

FEATURE

Left to right: Staff Sgt. Sadek Brandford, 27th Special Operations Support Squadron aerospace physiology technician, Staff Sgt. Nazareth Oliver and Senior Airman Clinton Copeland, 18th Aero-space Medicine Squadron, learn to attach night-vision goggles to their helmet during a Night-Vision Goggle Academic Instructor Course held at the Aerospace Physiology building on Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Jan 25.

Second Lt. Michael Vastola, 359th Aerospace Medicine Squadron logistics element officer in charge, aligns his night-vision goggles during a NVG Academic Instructor Course held at the Aero-space Physiology building on Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Jan. 25.

First Lt. Shannon Scannon, 359th Aerospace Medicine Squadron academ-ics and training officer in charge, demonstrates how to align night-vision goggles during an NVG Academic Instructor Course Jan 25.

First Lt. Shannon Scannon, 359th Aerospace Medicine Squadron academics and training officer in charge, explains how to align night-vision goggles during a Night-Vision Goggle Academic Instructor Course held at the Aerospace Physiology building on Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Jan 25.

Photos by Rich McFadden

By Robert GoetzJoint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

Night-vision goggles are an important tool for pilots and ground forces in low-light environments, so it’s vital they learn how to properly use them.

A course at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph provides advanced instruction to Airmen already familiar with NVGs so they can go back to their units and share their knowledge with novice NVG users.

“The Air Force Night-Vision Goggle Academic Instructor Course is required for aircrew flight equipment specialists and anyone who teaches initial NVG training,” 1st Lt. Shan-non Scannon, 359th Aerospace-Medicine Squadron Aero-space Physiology Flight instructor, said. “Students come from every command – they include aircrew members, physiologists, optometrists and flight surgeons.”

The 12-hour course, which is typically offered every other month, is divided into seven instruction blocks – eye physiology in the night environment, technology, focus/ad-justment procedures, NVG demonstrations, operating envi-ronment, misperception and illusions, and human factors, Scannon said.

“In eye physiology, we teach how the eye works in a nighttime environment, requirements for people who wear eyeglasses and other topics,” she said. “In the technology portion, we address physics, chemistry and engineering and how the NVG technology works.”

Course instructors employ several pieces of equipment, including the Hoffman 20/20 Box, which is used to properly adjust a set of NVGs before a mission, and a virtual terrain board, or VTB, which projects an image from a photograph of an actual place onto a screen in a blacked-out classroom. The image can be manipulated to show different stages of nighttime illumination, from total darkness to a full moon.

“For NVGs to be effective devices, there needs to be about 50 percent illumination at night, or the light pro-duced during a quarter moon,” Scannon said. “They’re actually less effective with more light and are not effective in dark environments such as caves. They work best in a high-contrast environment like a forest or jungle, not as well in a desert.”

Scannon said the course uses the latest version of the VTB, which has a wider screen and more information.

“It has more dynamic effects and is more realistic,” she said. “But it’s not a requirement for the course. It shows what an operational environment can be like. It could be a great tool to use in a pre-brief before they fly.”

Scannon, who is one of four instructors, said the course emphasizes the risks involved in using NVGs, or the “human factors,” which include fatigue and spatial disorientation.

“Operators may not know the limiting factors of NVGs, so we want the instructors we train to tell them the dangers of NVGs before they ever step into an aircraft,” she said.

Scannon said teaching the dangers of NVGs is important because knowing its limitations can reduce the rate of ac-cidents partly attributed to their use.

“You need to have an appreciation for how dan-gerous they can be,” she said. “NVGs help paint the picture better, but you should also look with the naked eye. They’re a great device, but you should not over-rely on them.”

Lt. Col. (Dr.) Benjamin Franklin, who took the most recent course last week, called the course “very infor-mative, up to date and expertly presented.”

“The training brought back fond memories of my own aviation experiences piloting rotary wing air-craft,” he said. “It also demonstrated how advanced technologically the NVG is and how the technology is constantly improving.”

Franklin, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Medical Educa-tion and Training Campus director of ophthalmic tech-nician training for the Air Force and Army, said all eye-care providers and technicians should have the opportunity to take this course.

“It stresses visual components of acuity and binocular vision, our fields of expertise, but it also explains how visual acuity and binocular vision is utilized with NVGs, especially how degraded it can become if not properly adjusted before missions,” he said. “You cannot own the night, find, fix, take out the enemy and accomplish your mission if you cannot see them.”

JBSA-Randolph night-vision goggle course teaches merits, limitations

OUT OFTHE DARK

“You cannot own the night, find, fix, take out the enemy and

accomplish your mission if you cannot see them.”

Lt. Col. (Dr.) Benjamin FranklinJoint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Medical Education and Training Campus

director of ophthalmic technician training


902nd Force Support Squadron Briefs


By Steve ElliottJoint Base San Antonio -Fort Sam Houston

In what Air Force officials called a “grand slam” for the fitness center on the Medical Education and Training Cam-pus at Joint Base San Anto-nio-Fort Sam Houston, the Air Force Box-Off Tournament Jan. 20-21 was a big success.

“All branches of service were at the event, including family members, active duty service members and Department of Defense civilian employees,” Ken Hack, the center’s direc-tor, said.

Nine Air Force boxers took part in the two-day competi-tion, with a fight card filled out by amateurs from San Antonio and South Texas boxing clubs.

At stake in the fights was the chance to advance to the Armed Forces Boxing Tour-nament at Camp Pendleton, Calif., which takes place Jan. 28-Feb. 3.

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

Air Force boxing coaches Tech Sgt. Steve Franco and his assistant coach Staff Sgt. Bobby DeLeon carefully matched the contestants, since the mili-tary rules state that open boxers (those with at least five bouts) can’t box against novice boxers in regulation bouts.

The fighters trained at the Chaparral Fitness Center at JBSA-Lackland at the beginning of January.

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

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

“It was a good first experience for my first fight,” Rush said. “I thought the at-mosphere was great.”

Hack and his staff are hoping the success of the Air Force Box-Off will in-crease their chances to hold other ser-vices championships in many sports.

“Our next goal is to host DoD-level sports that would attract military com-petitors from all the services,” he said. “A step of above this would be to host a Conseil International du Sport Mili-taire tournament or championship. That would include military from around the world.”

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

SPORTS - HEALTH - FITNESSSportsBRIEFS

Push the limits Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Family Housing hosts a run/bike/run Saturday at 7 a.m. at Eberle Park. Participants will run a five-kilometer course, bike 10 miles and finish with a mile and a half run.

Youth Sports RegistrationRegistration for the follow-

ing youth sports runs Wednes-day through Feb. 29. All youth must have a current physical, immunizations and a sports registration form on file. The cost is $45 per child.

• T-Ball (co-ed) for youth 5-6 years old (must be 5 years old by March 15)

• Coach Pitch (co-ed) for youth ages 7-8

• Boys' baseball or girls' softball for youth ages 9-18

Li'l Renegades basketball Li'l Renegades is a parent/child program that helps 3- and 4-year-old children build confidence while learning basic basketball skills. Regis-ter at Youth Programs, Bldg. 585, Wednesday through Feb. 29. The cost is $40 per child, and the program runs for six weeks beginning in March.

New Year, New You The Rambler Fitness Center offers a self-monitored program, “New Year, New You,” during normal operating hours. “New Year, New You” cards are available from the staff. The year-long program involves running/walking 70 miles, attending 24 group aerobic classes and biking 36 miles.

Attention bikers The fitness center offers bike rides every Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. A road bike or cyclo-cross bike in good working condition is needed. Appropri-ate cycling attire and gear are required. These rides are led by a member of USA Cycling.

Top Air Force boxers face off at JBSA-FSH

Senior Airman Irby Burnett (right) throws a punch at his opponent during the Air Force Box-Off Tournament at Joint Base San Anto-nio-Fort Sam Houston Jan. 21.

Photo by Deyanira Romo Rossell

Photo by Steve BrownSenior Airman Kent Brinson (left) and Jas Phipps com-pete in the heavyweight division during the Air Force Box-Off tournament at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Jan. 21.


Joint Base San Antonio is currently conducting an energy competition at JBSA-Randolph with the goal of reducing energy consumption.

The chart below tracks the energy inten-sity reduction rankings of units at JBSA-Randolph for the past three months.Can it be

recycled?Numerous materials including used oil, plastic or glass bottles,

used electronics, cardboard, paper, aluminum cans and various other scrap metals can be dropped off at the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Recycle Center. Items are accepted from both the home and workplace.

For more information, visit the JBSA-Randolph Recycle Center, located in Bldg. 1152, or call the JBSA-Randolph Recycle Team at 652-5606 or 652-1160.

Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph communityconnects with base Public Affairs

Want to get in touch with theJoint Base San Antonio-Randolph

Public Affairs offi ce?Here's how!

Public [email protected]

[email protected]

Straight Talk line652-SHOW (7469)

Multimedia Customer Service652-4226

JBSA-Randolph Facebook pagewww.facebook.com/pages/RandolphAirForceBase

Call the JBSA-Randolph Public Affairs offi ce directly at 652-4410.

inside pit curriculum change, p3 women's heart...

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