Combined Federal Campaign Surpasses 2M

PAGE 4TALESPINNERDECEMBER 17, 2010Bexar County imposes burn banBexar County isunder a 90-day burnban. According to acounty news release,residents in unincorporated Bexar County areprohibited from outdoorburning except whenauthorized by the BexarCounty Fire Marshal orin the event the ban islifted by the countycommissioners court.The order allowshousehold trash andother domestic waste tobe burned only inenclosures such as burnbarrels with metal wiremesh screens to prevent the spread ofsparks and flames. Aperson violates thisorder if other combustible materials areburned within theenclosure, or burnscombustible materialsoutside of the enclosurewithout authorizationfrom the Fire Marshal.Lackland AFB In-CAMPAIGN from P1Lt. Col. Kara Neuse, 802nd MissionSupport Group deputy commander anda CFC campaign leader, said that evenin this economy, Lacklanders lookedfor a reason to make a CFC contribution.“People really looked at the charities (they gave to) to see if they wereunder the umbrella of the CFC,”Colonel Neuse said. “What’s greatabout Lackland being the Gateway tothe Air Force is we (are able to show)hundreds of new Airmen throughoutthis campaign that from Day One, partof our Air Force culture is givingback.”Master Sgt. R. Monique Slater,802nd MSG CFC leader, found workingthe campaign to be both informativeand enlightening.struction 32-2001, FirePrevention Program,paragraph 1.5, prohibits open burning ofany kind on base,including camp fires,unless coordinated withthe fire chief andapproved by the basecivil engineer.For more information, call the BexarCounty Fire Marshal’soffice at 335-0300 orthe fire preventionoffice at 671-5253.“I hadn’t been involved at this leveland it does give me another insight,”Sergeant Slater said.“People want to give; they just don’tknow who they want to give to. I hadto familiarize myself with the charitiesso I could help people make a decision.”For Tech. Sgt. Ronnson Norris, itwasn’t just about the money that wasraised.“What I found amazing was not onlypeople donating their monies but alsodonating a lot of their time,” saidSergeant Norris, who coordinated thecampaign’s financials. “It was neat tosee the seed being planted and watching it grow.”The three joint base installationscombined to collect more than 4 million in this year’s CFC, almost 10 percent of the national goal.

DECEMBER 17, 2010Airmen earnDiamond SharpCongratulations to the following recipients of theLackland First Sergeants’ Diamond Sharp Awardfor November, received in recognition of their outstanding performance, appearance and dedication:320th Training SquadronTech. Sgt. Samuel Simien343rd Training SquadronTech. Sgt. Latoya Straeter433rd Security Forces SquadronStaff Sgt. Catherine McClainSenior Airman Abby FloresAirman 1st Class Lionel Mills802nd Operations Support SquadronAirman 1st Class Michael Mansfield688th Information Operations WingStaff Sgt. Andray DotsonTALESPINNERPAGE 5

PAGE 6TALESPINNERDECEMBER 17, 2010Photo by Robbin CresswellMaster Sgt. Christy Hayes, Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency, helps Valley Hi Elementary School kindergarten students make a paper chain Dec. 1.Airmen from AFISRA adopted the classroom through the Joint Base San Antonio Adopt-A-School/Classroom Program.Airmen adopt area school classroomsBy Mike JosephStaff WriterAs four Airmen walked through the breezeway atValley Hi Elementary School recently, they passedthree small children.“Are you in the Navy?” asked one of the childrenas they went by.“No, we’re in the Air Force,” Master Sgt. ChristyHayes laughingly replied.The Airmen made their way to Donita Montgomery’s kindergarten class, where they were greeted bythe lively sounds and warm reception of the 5- and 6year-olds in the class. The Air Force Intelligence,Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency Airmenwere making their second class visit as part of theJoint Base San Antonio School Liaison Office’s Adopta-School/Classroom Program.The program’s goal is to foster a better understanding of the community’s school system, and create a sense of personal involvement and interactionfor the military, the schools and the children.“The whole point is to create a bridge between themilitary and the kids,” said Lori Phipps, Lacklandschool liaison officer. “We hope that it grows andcatches on. It’s really making a difference in the kids’lives.”“They are great role models,” Mrs. Montgomerysaid while watching the Airmen help her studentsmake a red, white and green paper chain to hangaround their classroom.“I was so excited (for the classroom to be adopted)because my son-in-law (an Army major) is in Iraqright now,” she said. “It keeps me connected to themilitary.”Senior Master Sgt. Shan Rockwell is one ofAFISRA’s points of contact for the school along withMaster Sgt. Maria Esparza. They plan to make weeklyvisits to the kindergarten class with three or fourAirmen from a pool of more than 30 base volunteers.“It’s a good thing to do,” Sergeant Rockwell said.The Valley Hi kindergarteners were the first classadopted by Lackland. It was quickly followed by theadoption of a fifth grade class at Five PalmsElementary School.Two more classes, one at Scobee Middle Schooland the other at Lackland Elementary School, willsoon join the growing list.“Right now this is a baby; we’re trying to nurtureit,” Ms. Phipps said about the program. “It offers theopportunity not to commit to a set amount of timeevery week.“It can be every week, once a month or every othermonth – whatever is needed that works for both theclass and the Airmen,” she added.Staff Sgt. Jacob Galan, a volunteer from theLackland Airman Leadership School, likes the teamconcept the program presents.“When Ms. Phipps offered the opportunity for anentire facility to adopt a grade level or a classroom, Ithought, that’s different,” Sergeant Galan said.“Instead of doing the individual thing, we could be ateam. It’s awesome. We stress the importance of theteam concept, and let them know we will be back andcontinue to show up as a team. We’re going to do anything we can to help, and that’s what I love about theidea.”He said in addition to stressing the team concept,the Airmen will also emphasize the importance ofstaying in school, getting an education and what itmeans for their future.Sergeant Hayes has been involved in children’scommunity projects before and knows the positiveeffect the Adopt-A-School/Classroom program bringsto the table.“I’ve been doing Read Across America and mentoring,” she said. “The kids appreciate it and they lookup to you.“It’s good to have military people giving back to thekids because then they associate ‘good’ with the military,” she said.

PAGE 8TALESPINNERDECEMBER 17, 2010BMT HONORSCongratulations to the following 73 Airmen for beingselected as honor graduatesamong 739 trainees graduating today:319th Training SquadronFlight M319Michael Holyoak320th Training SquadronFlight 047Andrew BaileyCharles BallouBrent EnoAbraham FishShane JenkinsDominic LukeEllis MillerSean MooreBrandon SangsterLogan ShefelbineJerin ShumwayChristopher ThompsonTyler YocumFlight 048Myron BalasonChristopher ChalmersJustin CovieoJohn DebnamKyle KossuthLuke NelsonMatthew RogersMichael SheldonWilliam SnyderJoseph Wanke321st Training SquadronFlight 041Evan BergCurtis BonhamCody BoyerMichael FryJames HarnageVincent PinkleyFlight 042Joseph McGuireChristopher Peak322nd Training SquadronFlight 043Zachary BartlettRichard BerryCorey BestClive CudjoeIan GrossJeffrey PerkinsDylan SorrellJonathan TerminiFlight 044Aaron Stalzer323rd Training SquadronFlight 049Lee HeerspinkSamuel HowellAdrian RobinsonAaron RogersFlight 050Kaitlin ConwayKristine GrahamVanessa KostaAmy RobinsonSamantha WingfieldJoshua StuderDarian TannisFlight 040Mitchell BonanderDevin CasterCory HelcoJohn LucasFrederick ParrishFlight 045Ryan EberleJohn HarrisLeslie WilsonChristopher Worthington324th Training SquadronFlight 035Brian HeinrichJoshua HicksonFlight 036Caleb Green331st Training SquadronFlight 037Sterling BrisbinTaylor BroderickPeter GibbleRyan LibbyDaniel WichersFlight 038Shujie Yan326th Training SquadronFlight 039Nicholas DrakeDavid HatfieldBryson SchusterMost Physically FitMale AirmenLogan Shefelbine, 320th TRS,Flight 047Charles Ennis, 320th TRS,Flight 047Female AirmenElaine Green, 331st TRS,Flight 038Steffany Chriss, 323rd TRS,Flight 050Male Flights320th TRS, Flight 048320th TRS, Flight 047Female Flights331st TRS, Flight 038323rd TRS, Flight 050Top Academic Flights320th TRS, Flight 048321st TRS, Flight 042Top BMT AirmanChristopher Chalmers, 320thTRS, Flight 048

PAGE 10TALESPINNERDECEMBER 17, 2010Drinking and drivingaccidents preventableBy Tech. Sgt. Roshied White502nd ABW OL-A Safety OfficeHosting a gathering is a fun way tocelebrate the holidays. Because alcohol is a part of many celebrations, it’simportant to understand the risks andtake the steps necessary to mitigatethem and prevent alcohol-related incidents.According to the Department ofMotor Vehicles, even as little as onedrink on an empty stomach canimpair a driver’s ability to drive safely.A blood alcohol content as low as .03percent adversely affects driving ability. A driver with a BAC of .15 is over300 times more likely to be involved ina fatal crash.By following a few simple tips,responsible hosts can ensure the safety of their guests: Before the party starts, assign aresponsible, sober designated driverand give them the car keys. Immediately stop serving alcohol toany guest who is displaying obvioussigns of intoxication. Serve high protein, high carbohydrate foods, which help absorb alcoholat a higher rate than sugary foods. Make sure there are plenty of nonalcoholic beverages available. Make sure drinks are not made withhigh amounts of alcohol. Stop serving alcohol several hoursbefore the party is scheduled to end.In Texas, the consequences fordriving while intoxicated can be deadly. According to the Texas Departmentof Transportation, someone is hurt orkilled in a crash involving alcoholevery 20 minutes.A person is legally intoxicated andmay be arrested and charged withDWI with a .08 BAC. However, a person is also considered intoxicated ifimpaired due to alcohol or other drugsregardless of BAC.Additionally, drivers in Texas canbe charged with child endangermentfor driving while intoxicated if theyare carrying passengers younger than15 years old. DWI with a child passenger is punishable by a fine of up to 10,000, up to two years in jail, andloss of driver’s license for 180 days.In Texas, punishment for DWIvaries depending on the number ofconvictions:First offense a fine up to 2,000; three to 180 days in jail;See DRIVING P11

TALESPINNERDECEMBER 17, 2010DRIVING from P10 loss of driver’s licenseup to a year, and an annual fee of 1,000 or 2,000 forthree years to retain adriver’s license.Second offense a fine up to 4,000; one month to a year injail; loss of driver’s licenseup to two years; annual fee of 1,000, 1,500 or 2,000 forthree years to retain adriver’s license, and after two or more DWIconvictions in five years,driver must install aspecial ignition switchthat prevents the vehiclefrom being operated ifthe driver has beendrinking.Third offense a 10,000 fine; two to 10 years inprison; loss of driver’s licenseup to two years, and an annual fee of 1,000, 1,500, or 2,000 for three years toretain a driver’s license.For more informationabout Texas laws concerning DWI, visit www.txdot.gov/safety/tips/intoxication.htm.Airmen earnHigh MarksCongratulations to the following Airmen for scoring 90 or higher on their Career DevelopmentCourse examination during November:502nd Air Base WingAirman Chad Haley59th Medical WingStaff Sgt. Kinsey BrownSenior Airman Kristina PlunkettStaff Sgt. John WhiteSenior Airman Amber Powell37th Training WingStaff Sgt. Nicholas DavisAirman 1st Class Kaitlyn ThelenPAGE 11

PAGE 12TALESPINNERDECEMBER 17, 2010AIR QUALITY CHECKPhoto by Staff Sgt. Keyonna FennellArmy Staff Sgt. John Flores, left, U.S. Forces - Iraq 789th Medical Detachment preventive health, and Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Rodriguez, 332nd ExpeditionaryAeromedical Squadron public health technician, monitor the air quality at Joint BaseBalad, Iraq, Dec. 10. Sergeant Flores is deployed from Fort Sam Houston; SergeantRodriguez is deployed from Lackland’s 559th Aerospace Medicine Squadron.

TALESPINNERDECEMBER 17, 2010ChapelHoliday ServicesPermanent Party ServicesAll events held at Freedom Chapel unless otherwise noted.For more details, call 671-4208Christmas Eve5 p.m., Catholic Children’s Mass7 p.m., Protestant Candlelight Christmas Service7:15 p.m., Orthodox Service (Airmen Memorial Chapel)9 p.m., Catholic Carol Service9:30 p.m., Catholic Midnight MassChristmas Day9 a.m., Christmas Day MassNew Year’sDec. 31, 5:30 p.m., Vigil Mass Mary Mother of GodDec. 31, 10 p.m., Protestant Watch-night Service and MealJan. 2, 11 a.m., Epiphany MassPAGE 13

PAGE 14TALESPINNERDECEMBER 17, 2010DECEMBER 17, 2010TALESPINNERPAGE 15MTI experience helps chiefexcel in mentoring AfghansStory and photos by Senior Airman Melissa White451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public AffairsChief Master Sgt. Dave Staton talks to an Afghan Security Forces Airman abouthis weapon Dec. 1 at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Chief Staton is the 738thAir Expeditionary Advisory Group superintendent. As the senior enlisted member,he is also the direct mentor to the Kandahar Air Wing’s enlisted leader,Command Sgt. Maj. Mohammad Hassan.KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan –“Hey! What’s going on with your boots?”Airmen in Basic Military Training wouldcringe hearing this from a military traininginstructor. However, when that MTI tradesin his hat and says it to an Afghan Airmanduring a year-long deployment to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, the reaction is alittle different.Instead of gulping with fear, the Afghanacknowledges with a sheepish grin thatChief Master Sgt. Dave Staton is not thereto yell at him; he’s there to help. Lookingdown at the Airman’s boots, the chief, whois the 738th Air Expeditionary AdvisoryGroup superintendent, tells him to see hiscommand sergeant major tomorrow for anew pair of used boots that would havebeen discarded by American forces . butat least this pair wouldn’t have holes andworn out soles.As the 738th AEAG superintendent,Chief Staton helps oversee more than 80Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and civilians in 45different job specialties working shonha bashohna and ooga-pa-ooga, which mean“shoulder-to-shoulder” in the local languages of Dari and Pashtu, with theirAfghan counterparts every day. These people are here as advisors to the more than550 Afghan Airmen who are part of theKandahar Air Wing, teaching them jobskills so they can take full ownership oftheir wing and support the mission bythemselves in the future.“I enjoy seeing the Afghans learn andtake the reins from us,” said the chief whohas been here since January. “Every weekis something else that they learn to do ontheir own. Seeing the Afghans grow into aprofessional military organization is one ofthe most incredible and rewarding thingsI’ve ever witnessed. We are literally working ourselves out of a job here.”Deployed from the 319th TrainingSquadron at Lackland, Chief Staton knowsa little more than the average Airman whenit comes to showing the ropes to others.Having spent more than 10 years and threedifferent tours as an MTI, he said he canrelate how training Airmen is similar tomentoring Afghans.“When you’re training new Airmen,you’re taking them from the known to theunknown, and that can be quite a shock,”said Chief Staton, who was recognized asthe MTI of the Year in 1994 during his firstassignment as an MTI. “So when you’retraining them, you need to find somethingthey know and relate it to what they’re trying to learn . we do the same here withthe Afghans.”Patience is a key characteristic when itcomes to jobs like this, though.“Most people don’t think MTIs are verypatient people, but they really are,” said thechief. “I thought I was patient before I cameout on this deployment, but after almost ayear out here with the Afghans, I’m morepatient than I ever thought was possible.”With more than 22 years of time in service, this, his third deployment, is also unlikeany other opportunity he has had so far inhis career. Last year, he applied for thisdeployment position and three other groupsuperintendent positions throughout theAOR. However, the position at Kandaharwas greatly different from the other assignments because, not only was he assigned toan American unit advising the Afghan AirForce, but he was the senior enlisted member, making him the direct advisor to thetop enlisted Afghan: Command Sgt. Maj.Mohammad Hassan.Advising a senior enlisted Afghan madethis job stand out from the rest, but therewas a major difference between ChiefStaton and his counterpart: Sergeant MajorHassan was only 25 years old when hebecame the senior enlisted member of theKandahar Air Wing in September 2009.The chief was taken aback at first, butwhen he realized the young Afghan’s driveand determination, he knew SergeantMajor Hassan was the right person to helplead Afghanistan into the future.Throughout the past couple of months,the chief has witnessed the Afghan Airmenevolve into a true fighting force, tacklingevery challenge they are faced with on adaily basis.“When I first got here, they couldn’t eventaxi their helicopters, but now they’re flyingthem and doing all the maintenance bythemselves,” he said.“One time in the middle of the night,Sergeant Major Hassan called me up on mycell phone during an attack on their wing.He said, ‘Chief, who is shooting at us? .Chief, what do we do?’ Well, shoot back,”the chief laughed as he recalled the story.No matter how much Chief Staton hastaught the Afghan Airmen in the past year,he has learned from them too.“I’ve learned the true meaning of servicebefore self from these Afghan Airmen,” saidChief Staton, a Gentry, Ark., native. “We’rehere away from our families for about ayear, but a lot of these Afghans don’t get tosee their families either, and they’ve been inthis war for nine years. Sergeant MajorHassan’s family lives on the other side ofthe country and they have to go somewhereelse when he visits because it’s not safe inhis village. Others live only about 30 minutes from here in Kandahar City, but theydon’t get to see their families eitherbecause it just isn’t safe.”With only a month left in his deployment,the chief said he has seen the AfghanAirmen improve by leaps and bounds sincehis arrival. He has left his footprint inAfghanistan and in the heart of the Afghanshe worked with side-by-side.“I’ve worked with many military members before, but the Americans seem likethey really want to help

The Lackland Annex dining facility, Bldg. 124, and the Defender Inn at Camp Bullis will close after lunch Thursday and reopen Jan. 2 at 11 a.m. The Mesquite Inn, Bldg. 10175, will also close after lunch Thursday and reopen Jan. 2 at 6:30 a.m. for break-fast. The Live Oak Inn, Bldg. 10810, will serve meals while the Mesquite Inn is closed.