volume 3, no. 12 920th rescue wing, patrick afb, fla. december … · 2016. 3. 14. · a store logo...

Volume 3, No. 12 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick AFB, Fla. December 2005

2 Angel’s Wings December 2005

Commander’s Corner

Angel’s Wings

Volume 3, No. 12

Col. Tim TarchickCommander

1st Lt. Cathleen SnowChief of Public Affairs

Master Sgt. Raymond Padgett

Staff Writer

Senior Airman Heather L. Kelly

Editor

This authorized Air Force Reserve news-paper is published for the members of the 920thRescue Wing, Patrick AFB, Fla. Contents ofAngel’s Wings are not necessarily the officialviews of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government,Department of Defense or the Department ofthe Air Force. The editorial content is edited,prepared and provided by the Public AffairsOffice of the 920th Rescue Wing, 740O’Malley Road, building 559, Patrick AFB,FL 32925. (321) 494-0535. The deadline forsubmission is the Friday after the UTA for thenext month’s issue. All photos are the propertyof the U.S. Air Force unless otherwise indicated.

If you’d like to contribute to our magazine,please contact:

[email protected]

I’ve started to clean things outof my office as my time in theAir Force draws nearer to the

end and I prepare to move on. Some of the old things I find to

throw out were left to me fromthose who were here before, somethings are mine… But when I can,I clean a little. I'm trying to leaveit better than I found it.

Just the other day I stumbledonto something I've had for a longtime. Some may have seen it, andI'll share it here…

“It is not the critic who counts,not the man who points out howthe strong man stumbled, orwhere the doer of deeds couldhave done better. The creditbelongs to the man who is actual-ly in the arena, whose face ismarred by dust and sweat andblood, who strives valiantly, whoerrs and comes short again andagain, who knows the greatenthusiasms, the great devotions,and spends himself in a worthycause, who at best knows achieve-ment and who at the worst, if hefails, at least fails while daringgreatly so that his place shallnever be with those cold and timidsouls who know neither victorynor defeat.”

This famous quote fromTheodore Roosevelt causes me tothink about you: The men and

women stationed at Patrick,Davis-Monthan, and Portland. Allof you who work so hard to getready, and stay ready to deploy tocarry out the combat rescue mis-sion that has been assigned to us.

I hope you think a little bitabout what you've done as 2005draws to an end. From the com-bat saves in Afghanistan, to thehope you provided for over a thou-sand people who called Louisianahome, you have been “in thearena.”

I've heard smart folks say thatour units' accomplishments in2005 had never been done before.

I'm not sure, but what I doknow is that if it weren't for those“daring greatly”, we couldn't dowhat we do. From the folks onthe flight line, the back shops,those behind the scenes, the menunder the silk and in the muckcomforting the injured, to the menand women at the controls of thePave Hawks and the Hercs andeven their loved ones and familieswho have sacrificed so much…they are all “in the arena” in mybook, and it feels good knowingit…

So, I will think about you as Imove on… and it feels good!

“In the arena”By Col. Michael Shook943rd Rescue GroupCommander

Col. Michael Shook

“...what I do know is thatif it weren't for those ‘daring greatly’, we

couldn't do what we do.”

Col. Michael Shook943rd Rescue Group

Commander

Photo by Master Sgt. Raymond Padgett

Col. Joseph Trippy, 920thRescue Wing vice com-mander, participates inATSO training during theNovember UTA.

December 2005 Angel’s Wings 3

News

Tis’ the season for safety!Every year during the holiday

season, we plan to have wonder-ful times with family and friends.This time of year can be verystressful.

Normal routines are cast asideas we plunge head first intomaking our plans happen just aswe have envisioned them. Eventhough we have heard about thehorror stories of other's holiday season misfortunes, we tend not todwell on those things. After all, we canonly imagine how great things are going to be for us.

But as thorough as we plan for things to go right,we need to plan for the things that may go wrong.Some of these things may include:

1. While traveling, the car breaks down2. While deep frying the turkey, hot oil spills all overand ignites

3. One of the guests has a littletoo much to drink4. The Christmas tree catches onfire

5. You lose track of one ofthe kids6. You fail to prepare forany one of these thingsand more

While you are making plansthis holiday season, please takea moment to consider and

prepare for all that may go wrong,in addition to all that we hope goes right!

UTA Schedule2006 Don’t miss the

920th Rescue Wing Holiday Party!

When: December 3Where: Chevron Park

Time: 12:00 p.m.Cost: $3 for singles, $5 for families

Dress:Hawaiian shirts and hula skirts

will be the party attire!

Note: Parents bring a gift for your children with theirname on it for Santa to hand out!

January 14,15

February 4,5

March 4,5

April 8,9

May 6,7

June 3,4

July 8,9

August 5,6

September 9,10


News

It's that time of year-shoppingtime! This is the time of yearthat I get to write the annual

“take a little OPSEC home” article. This is the time of year that we

think we have to spend a lot ofmoney that we don't have, be niceto people we really don't care for,and attend functions we wouldrather not. It's the holiday season.

Remember to take a littleOPSEC home for the holidays.

I know you have heard thisbefore, but if folks like me (securi-ty guy) didn't remind you (normalfolks) someone might think wedidn't care. So here goes.

OPSEC is the process wherebyyou protect valuable informationand stuff from the bad guys bynot telegraphing your intentionsand actions.

If you are going to be gone fromyour home, stop paper and maildeliveries. Have someone stop byyour home and pick up windblown trash and other stuff in theyard. If you live in snow country,have someone shovel your walksor atleast

make tracksin it. Letsomeoneknow if UPSor Fed Exmight leavea packageon yourdoorstep.

Whenyou go tothe mallconsidercarryingyour ownshoppingbag. A largebag withouta store logoprinted on theside, will holdall of your littlepurchases and not telegraph tothe bad guy watching for stuff tosteal that you have items from ahigh-end store.

Never ever set your purse down.Use that long shoulder strap. Oryou could do like my wife does,hand it to me.

When you get to your vehicle,put your purchases in the trunkwhere they're not visible. If you

drive a van or SUV, carry adark colored blanket and

throw it over your pur-chases. Then, afterthe holiday don't pileup the empty boxeson the sidewalk forgarbage pick up.The bad guys candrive around and goshopping just fromthe boxes on thesidewalk. Hmm-new computerthere, new tablesaw there, new gunthere, new x boxthere. You get theidea. It's the season for

identity theft. Watch

what you sign. Do as much ofyour business in person as youcan, at least you know who youare dealing with.

Mail bills and catalog orderswith checks in them at the postoffice. Don't leave them in yourmailbox. They are too easy tosteal.

Don't give out your credit cardnumbers over the phone to some-one you never heard of. Considergetting a separate credit card forall phone or internet purchases,one that has a limited dollaramount available or needs a PINor password to use every time. Ipicked that one up from e-Baytraders.

Watch for double swipingclerks; if a credit card receipt hasa carbon, ask for it. If the comput-er prints out an extra copy or onethat the clerk says “that's notright” and does it again, don't letthem drop it in their trash--youget it and you take care of it!

Have a safe and protected holi-day season!

(Article courtesy of Kathy Smith,920th Rescue Wing OPSECManager)

By George PooveyDepartment of Energy OPSECProgram Manager

Take a little OPSEC home for the holidays


News

The National SecurityPersonnel System, which willgo on line soon, will provide a

more performance- and market-based system of hiring, pay andevaluation.

With NSPS, Department ofDefense civilians can influence theamount of money they will receiveby their performance, their value tothe organization and their missionaccomplishment contributions,said Sharon Seymour, the AirForce associate director of person-nel plans and integration for NSPS.

She said NSPS is a positivechange because employees willhave more control over theiradvancement and pay, versusbeing tied to a time-based system.

Currently, a 30-day congres-sional notification period is under-way, which ends in late November.

After the 30-day notificationperiod, the NSPS labor system

becomes effective and DODemployees will fall under the newlabor law.

DOD will request input fromunion representatives regardingthe details of pay banding, staffing,performance management andother aspects of the new system.

This period is called continuingcollaboration and is expected toend in January 2006, Ms. Seymoursaid.

Implementation of the NSPS willthen begin and continue through-out the year.

On-site training for supervisorsand employees is part of the NSPSimplementation plan. By March 2006, the Air Forceexpects 50,000 employees to becovered under the news NSPS, Ms.Seymour said.

“Under the current system,employees receive incremental payraises annually and within-gradepay raises after a certain numberof years,” Ms. Seymour said.

“One of the best things NSPS will

do for the Air Force is allow goodemployees to flourish under thissystem.”

Under NSPS, classification willbe simplified and streamlined andwill include broad groupings ofoccupations based on the nature ofwork, career patterns and marketfactors. These groupings are called“pay bands.”

These pay schedules will replacethe current GS and, eventually, thewage system pay schedule.

“As we move toward implemen-tation, civilians will receive moreinformation about where they fit inthe pay schedules under NSPS,”Ms. Seymour said.

Civilian employees moved underNSPS will not take a pay cut andmost will receive an increase in paywhen the implementation takesplace, she said.

“Many employees will receive apay increase equal to the amountthey have earned towards theirnext within-grade-increase,” Ms.Seymour said.

Civilian personnel system allowsemployees control over advancementBy Master Sgt. Mitch GettleAir Force Print News

Online process simplifies tuition assistance

Airmen are only a few mouse clicks away fromfinancial support for their college education,thanks to the tuition assistance feature on the

Air Force’s virtual education center. Online since early 2003, the center helps active-

duty, Guard and reserve Airmen pursue their off-dutyeducation from a computer.

“It’s a continual process to make [the site] a one-stop shop for an Airman’s educational needs,” saidKendall McAree, the Air Force’s education systemsmanager at the Pentagon. “We’re very excited to beable to now make tuition assistance available online.”

Air Force tuition assistance is a quality of life pro-gram that provides tuition assistance and fees for col-lege courses taken by active duty Airmen during off-duty hours. It’s capped at $250 per semester hour --$166 per quarter hour -- and is one of the most fre-quent reasons Airmen give for enlisting and reenlist-ing in the Air Force, according to the Web site.

Now that all application paperwork is online, Mrs.

McAree hopes more Airmen will take advantage of theprogram.

“Airmen can now access the information anywhereat any time, whether they are at home or deployedsomewhere,” she said.

“With the online signature, all the paperwork canbe routed through the appropriate channels fasterand more efficiently.”

That means Airmen do not visit an education cen-ter, which is good, “because some Airmen are inplaces where there are no education centers,” shesaid.

Along with tuition assistance, Airmen can use theWeb site to check their Community College of the AirForce progress, request transcript and civilian courseconversion tables, distance learning information,DANTES and CLEP test results and more.

The Air Force Virtual Education Center link isavailable through the Air Force Portal atwww.my.af.mil.


News

Air Force Reserve Commandrecruiters launched a full-court press the first week of

October, enlisting 496 people.Many units held mass enlist-ments.

By comparison, recruitersbrought in 9,942 people duringthe recruiting year that endedSept. 30, averaging 191 per week.

They achieved 113 percent oftheir goal, making the commandone of two reserve components inthe Department of Defense tomeet its recruiting target.

AFRC recruited 5,700 prior-service Airmen during the year.Some of them joined because of

active-duty force shaping initia-tives.

More than three-fifths of allrecruits were partially or fullyqualified. This not only saved thecommand training dollars butadded to its skill base and combatreadiness.

“This impressive recruiting yearculminates five straight years ofoverachievement, and yet futuresuccess is not assured,” said Col.Mike Mungavin, director of AFRCRecruiting Service.

Congress lowered the end-strength ceiling this year from76,100 to 74,000, but the com-mand faces future end-strength

jumps and shell-game challengesbecause of Base Realignment andClosure changes.

Next year the end strengthincreases 900 positions, andBRAC changes could realign asmany as 6,000 positions through-out the country.

Another concern is the shrink-ing pool of people with militaryexperience.

In 1991, about 50,000 Airmengot off active duty, and many ofthem joined the Reserve.

AFRC recruiters say that num-ber will dwindle to just over10,000 in the coming years.

(AFRC News Service)

Recruiters sprint into new year

Col. Franklin Dolcater (left), 920th Maintenance Group commander, administers the oath of enlistment to twonew 920th Rescue Wing recruits during the November UTA.


News

Greetings from the new OG commander

Achange in leadership brings with it some appre-hension as to what the new commander'sexpectations are for the future. I wish to share

a few thoughts on what you can expect from me andwhat I expect from you.

To understand me you need to know what moti-vates me: I came into the Air Force over 20 years ago,specifically to be a combat rescue pilot. Saving lives isby far the greatest mission in the Air Force. With thatin mind, you can expect me to keep my eye on themission. This mission requires flexibility and peoplewho can think on their feet, and that ability comesfrom experience gained through realistic training. Youcan expect me to emphasize the demanding trainingrequired to accomplish our mission.

This group has answered the nation's call, time andtime again. You should be extremely proud of yourpast accomplishments, but we also need to looktoward the future.

The Reserves have changed from being a “back upforce” to being a partner with the active duty deployedall over the world. We will continue to need volunteersto deploy for the next Aerospace Expeditionary Force,and while preparing for that, we will be conductingPhase II of our Operational Readiness Inspection.That's a lot to ask of any organization, but we will besuccessful, because of you.

Secondly, you can expect me to take care of you.Interacting with people is the fun part of this job, soexpect to see me and my coffee mug out and about. Isee my job as removing obstacles that prevent youfrom doing what you know needs to be done and pro-viding resources, be it equipment, manpower or fund-ing. I need your help doing that. You are the experts.You all know best what needs to be done and what ittakes to get it done. Don't just identify problems, go tothe next step and recommend a solution. I need you totell me what you need, and I'll go out and fight for it.

Now I'd like to turn to what I expect from each ofyou. This can be captured from the Air Force values,“Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence InAll We Do.”

Integrity: Integrity equals trust. A combat organiza-tion requires each of us to trust each other. I trust eachof you and will back you up until you give me a reasonnot to. Also you need to trust each other to do the rightthing. I expect each of you to act with integrity towardothers and to also be honest with yourself. It meansdoing the right thing, even when no one is watching.Trust, once lost, is often impossible to regain.

Service Before Self: Reservists completely under-stand and are, in my opinion, the epitome of thisvalue. Juggling a civilian job, family and reserve duty,you know when you have achieved the right balancebetween all three of these when they are all equallymad at you! Only someone who truly wants to servethis country could make the sacrifices that each ofyou do; all the weekends, all the temporary duty andlong deployments. It takes a true patriot to answer thecall as you have--selflessly.

Excellence In All We Do: This doesn't mean beingperfect in all you do, but doing your best. It meanssetting the example, and that to me, equates to lead-ership. I expect each of you to set the example. If youare aware of a problem-fix it. If it's not in your powerto fix it, elevate it! It also means taking pride andownership in everything you do and leaving every-thing better than when you found it.

As a long time Florida resident and University ofFlorida graduate, I know how important football ishere and that you must stake your claim on a teamso…Go Gators! I look forward to spending time gettingto know each of you. Stop by anytime for a cup of cof-fee and a chat. If you don't visit me, you can bet I'llvisit you!

Col. Jeffrey Macrander (right) assumed command of the 920th Rescue Wing Operations Group in November.

By Lt. Col. Jeffrey Macrander920th Rescue Wing Operations Group Commander


Feature

AFRC Chaplain visits unit, revisits past

The call from a higher powerled him from civilian life tothe military ministry, but the

call from higher headquarters ledhim from the 920th to Air ForceReserve Command.

Col. Donald Smith, DeputyCommand Chaplain for Air ForceReserve Command, visited the920th Rescue Wing during theNovember UTA.

The colonel and two active dutycounterparts were performing afunctional assistance visit.

“We conduct these visits to seehow well our Reserve chaplainsare prepared to perform theirduties in a deployed environmentand to see how they are providingfor the unit members,” saidColonel Smith.

No stranger to the unit, ColonelSmith served as a chaplain withthe 920th throughout its transi-tion from the 301st RescueSquadron to the 920th RescueGroup.

“It's amazing to see how theunit has grown,” Colonel Smithsaid. “One thing that hasn't

changed though is the pride thatpeople take in the mission andtheir jobs.”

Although the demands ofdeploying at a moments noticeand supporting the rescue mis-sion come with the territory,stress or signs of depression canoften go unnoticed until they

begin affecting work or home life,said Colonel Smith.

“That's why I like to practice a‘ministry of presence’, he said. “Itmeans getting out there and avail-ing yourself to people, especiallyduring UTAs. Whether it's theflight line or the shot line, there isalways an opportunity to be therefor someone,” he explained.

After receiving a brief at the301st Rescue Squadron, thecolonel took a moment to do justthat, walking through the wing'sfacilities and meeting unit mem-bers.

“Even though I am no longerwith the unit, being a Baptistminister I still identify with themission because we are all in the‘saving’ business,” Colonel Smithremarked.

“There is nothing more reward-ing or satisfying to do as to be achaplain in a Reserve rescueunit,” he added.

Chaplains Maj. John Weller and

Capt. Calvin Gittner agreed.“It was both humbling and

rewarding to be able to showColonel Smith the finest rescueunit in the Armed Forces,”Chaplain Gittner said.

“Out of all of the Reserve units,ours was the one chosen to illus-trate the dedication and profes-sionalism of Reserve members tohis active duty counterparts atAFRC,” he said.

While Capt. Gittner and Maj.Weller are both traditionalreservists, both chaplains stressedthat their availability doesn't endwhen they leave the base at theend of UTAs.

“We're here for everyone; eventhose who don't fly planes, don'tfix planes and don't give shots,”Captain Gittner said.

“We hope all 920th memberstake the time to be with their fam-ilies and friends during the holi-days, and if not, the chaplain staffis here for your support.”

Col. Donald Smith (left), Deputy Command Chaplain at Air Force ReserveCommand, and Maj. John Weller (center), 920th Rescue Wing Chaplain,speak with a helicopter maintainer during the colonel’s visit to the wing.

Story and photo by Senior Airman Heather L. Kelly920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs

“Whether it's the flight line orthe shot line, there is alwaysan opportunity to be there for

someone”

Col. Donald SmithDeputy Command Chaplain

AFRC


Feature

MXS Group wins AFRC Effectiveness Award

Photo by Senior Airman Heather L. Kelly

The 920th MaintenanceGroup won the HeadquartersAir Force Reserve Command

Maintenance Effectiveness Awardin the consolidated aircraft main-tenance category for the fourthconsecutive year. The results wereannounced in November.

The yearly award is based onmission accomplishments, effec-tive use of maintenance resources,innovation, management accom-plishments and personnel qualityof life programs.

“Our maintainers providedexceptional support throughouthigh-altitude training, AEFdeployments, Phase I of the ORI,rocket and space shuttle supportand most notably aircraft supportduring Hurricane Rita and Katrinaefforts,” said Col. Tim Tarchick,920th Rescue Wing commander.

“The challenges keep comingand maintenance keeps giving thewing what it needs to get the mis-sion done and done well. I amproud of the recognition they con-tinue to receive and to be associ-ated with such a fine group ofpeople,” added Colonel Tarchick.

Col. Franklin Dolcater, 920thMaintenance Group commander,attributed the award to the profes-sionalism, integrity and safety ofthe group's maintainers.

“Headquarters recognized whatI get a chance to see everyday,”Colonel Dolcater said.

“You look at the stuff that theseguys did and it's absolutely amaz-ing. All we did was take theiraccomplishments and put them inwriting,” he added.

The group advances to the AirForce level competition inDecember. Award winners areexpected to be announced inMarch 2006.

By Master Sgt. RaymondPadgett920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs

920th Maintenance Group maintainers apply their skills to an HH-60GPave Hawk helicopter. The group received the Headquarters Air ForceReserve Command Maintenance Effectiveness Award in the consolidatedaircraft maintenance category in November.


Around The Pattern

Col. Joseph Trippy (left) congratulates Senior Master Sgt. Rene Rubiella(right) for his community achievements during the 2005 Military AffairsCouncil Community Service Awards banquet in November.

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Robert Grande

Above: Master Sgts. Carolyn and James Coxon retiredfrom the Air Force Reserve in November. The 920thRescue Wing wishes them well on their journeys!

Left: A closer look at this aerial photo of a corn mazereveals the outline of a soldier’s helmet, rifle and PurpleHeart medal created in honor of Veterans Day.




Bulletin

BRIEFSMilitary Pay

The following AFSC's are bonus qualified forthe period Oct. 1, 2005 through March 31,2006 at the 920th Rescue Wing:

1A2X1 Loadmaster1C0X2 Avionics Resource Management1T0X1 SERE 1T2X1 Pararescue2A5X2 Helicopter Maintenance2A5X3C Electronic Warfare2A5X4 Survival Equipment2A6X4 Aircraft Fuel Systems2A7X3 Aircraft Structural Maintenance2G0X1 Logistics Plans2R0X1 Maintenance Management

Analysis2R1X1 Maintenance Management

Production3P0X1 Security Forces3S2X1 Education and Training

Payment is based on three or six year enlistment/reenlistment:

Three years $4,000Six years $8,000

--Member must reenlist in a bonus Duty AFSCin effect on the date of reenlistment.

--Member can not have previously received anEnlisted Incentive for reenlistment or retrainingfor service in any Reserve component.

--Member may have no more than 14 yearstotal service (exactly), based on pay date atthe time of reenlistment.

--Member must be a satisfactory participant(cannot have more than four unexcusedabsences) in the Air Force Reserve and hasperformed three consecutive authorized fourperiod UTAs.

Contact your Wing Career Assistance Advisor,Master Sgt. Clay Henry, Building 313, Room102 or call (321) 494-9016 for additional infor-mation.

The Air Force ReserveBonus Program Pays

Extra Cash!The 920th RQW Military Pay office is located onthe second floor of building 559 on O’Malley Road.

Please visit on Saturday of the UTA during nor-mal duty hours, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Riverside Dining FacilityTo obtain the lunch and dinner menu at the

Riverside Dining Facility, call “Dial-a-Menu” at(321) 494-2845.

NASCAR fansMilitary discounts are available through Dec. 15

for the Daytona 500 with savings up to $59 offthe regular admission price.

Three different packages are available: GreatAmerican Race Weekend includes one Superstretch ticket to the Daytona 500 and oneticket to Hershey’s Kissables 300, $103.28/per-son. All-American Offer includes Superstretchseat to the Daytona 500 and a Daytona 500 hat,$102.25. Nextel Fanzine, pre-race pass, $75.Visit ITT in building 415 or call (321) 494-5158for more information.

Col. Tim Tarchick, 920th Rescue Wing Commander, waves to community members during the Satellite BeachFounders Day parade. The event was held during the November UTA weekend.

Photo by Master Sgt. Raymond Padgett

920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs Office740 O’Malley Rd. Bldg. 559Patrick AFB, FL 32925OFFICIAL BUSINESS

volume 3, no. 12 920th rescue wing, patrick afb, fla. december … · 2016. 3. 14. · a store logo...

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