149th Fighter Wing commander prepares for final flight

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1 A PUBLICATION OF THE 502nd AIR BASE WING JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, TEXAS Vol. 72 No. 32 AUGUST 14, th Fighter Wing commander prepares for final flight Photo courtesy of the 149th Fighter Wing Col. John F. Kane conducts a preflight inspection of an F-16 fighter jet in preparation for his final flight as an Air Force fighter pilot instructor and 149th Fighter Wing commander, Aug. 6, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Kane Retired from the Air Force Texas Air National Guard Aug. 8 with 30 years of service. See more photos page15 INSIDE News 2 & 3 Community Briefs 14 Sports 16 & 17 ONLINE

2 news PAGE 2 TALESPINNER AUGUST 14, 2015 Spencer reflects on 44-year career Joint Base San Antonio- Lackland Editorial Staff By Tech. Sgt. Chris Powell Airman magazine Editor s Note: (This feature is part of the Through Airmen s Eyes series. These stories focus on individual Airmen, highlighting their Air Force story.) In the early 1970s, America was at a crossroads. The Vietnam War raged on, seemingly with no end in sight, and many Americans felt forced to choose to either support the administration or protest the conflict, which left many families across the nation bitterly divided. In 1970, when U.S. forces launched an invasion into Cambodia to attack North Vietnamese bases, widespread peace protests ignited across America. As protesters flocked to Washington D.C., and veterans spoke out against the war, there was arguably never a more unpopular time for America s youth to join the military. But somehow, in 1971, a young Larry O. Spencer found himself walking into Iverson Mall in Temple Hills, Md. A few months after graduating from Central High School, where he excelled in athletics, in Prince George s County, Spencer caught the attention of many college football coaches. Letters poured into the Spencer mailbox with scholarship offers and the phone continually rang with excited coaches on the other end who described visions of Spencer playing football for their university. Instead, Straight Talk Line Photo by Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr. Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Larry O. Spencer reflects on his 44- year Air Force career at his childhood home in Washington, D.C., July 30. Spencer, who enlisted in the service in 1971 and commissioned as an officer in 1980, will retire Aug. 7. Spencer spurned every offer and opted to play football for a nearby semi-professional football team. As he strolled through the mall, he found himself looking up at the Air Force recruiter s sign. To this day, Spencer can t recall the reason he opened the doors and walked in, but when he walked out a few hours later, he had enlisted in the Air Force. Amongst all of my friends, most of us didn t want to join the military, but it was one of those things that if you re going to join one service, join the Air Force, said Spencer, who will soon retire as the Air Force s vice chief of staff after a 44-year career. For current, automated information during a natural disaster, crisis or emergency, call your local Straight Talk line. JBSA-Fort Sam Houston: JBSA-Lackland: JBSA-Randolph: Understandably, Spencer s parents, Alfonzo and Selma, were shocked when their son broke the news. I had an afro like you wouldn t believe, and I never shaved at all in high school. I fit the part of a hippie, Spencer said. They thought I was a lost cause. Spencer s parents didn t realize it at the time, but the seeds of their son s future success had been planted years before. Spencer s father, Alfonzo, was raised in southwestern Va., about 20 miles south of Appomattox, where he and his siblings worked tirelessly on their father s tobacco farm. As Spencer described it, his father s only escape was to join the military. As soon as he was able, Alfonzo enlisted in the Army, where he was trained as a heavy equipment operator and was assigned to an Army post in Japan before the Korean War. When the war began, Alfonzo deployed to Korea, and one day, while driving a bulldozer to the town of Yechon, Korea, Alfonzo somehow fell underneath the machine. During the fall, his left hand was caught in the gears, causing severe injuries. Alfonzo was stranded for several days before being rescued; his hand became infected, eventually causing gangrene. He fell into a coma and was shipped back to Japan, where he was put in an iron lung and doctors were forced to amputate his injured hand. Unlike many service members at the time, Alfonzo was allowed to remain on active duty and was reassigned to Forest Glenn Annex, near Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and worked with military doctors in prosthetics. During this time, Alfonzo received a rudimentary prosthetic hook that restored some of the abilities he d lost when his hand was amputated. Despite the loss of his hand, Alfonzo didn t let the disability impede him from carrying out his duties as a Soldier and from fixing things around the house. I wish I were as talented as he was, in terms of the things he could do, Spencer said. He was a mechanic, a carpenter, a plumber he could fix anything. It was during this time that Spencer, still a child, first noticed his father s uncompromising work ethic. Alfonzo left the house every morning before sunrise at 5 a.m. to work his Army job, and then headed to the base s NCO club, where he worked a second job, and didn t make it home until well after midnight. There were many days where I never saw him, Spencer said. That work ethic really wore off on me and not by accident. We had to wash cars and cut the grass. He wasn t mean, but he was disciplined. Even though our house was in Southeast Washington and in a tough neighborhood, our house looked good compared to all the other houses there. He taught us to work. See SPENCER Page 12 JBSA Sexual Assault Prevention and Response JBSA SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE 808-SARC (7272) DOD SAFE HELPLINE (877) JBSA CRISIS HOTLINE JBSA DUTY CHAPLAIN Brig. Gen. Bob LaBrutta 502nd Air Base Wing/JBSA Commander Todd G. White 502nd ABW/JBSA Public Affairs Director Oscar Balladares JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs Chief Senior Airman Lynsie Nichols Senior Airman Krystal Jeffers Photojournalist journeyman Jose T. Garza, III Sports/Staff Writer Dorothy Lonas Page Design/Illustrator Office 2230 Hughes Ave. JBSA-Lackland, Texas (phone) (fax) tale.spinner@us.af.mil Straight Talk: (NEWS) For advertising information: EN Communities P.O. Box 2171 San Antonio, TX This newspaper is published by EN Communities, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with JBSA-Lackland, Texas. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Talespinner 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, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or EN Communities, 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 non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Office of the 502nd Air Base Wing. All photos, unless otherwise indicated, are U.S. Air Force photos. Deadline for story submissions is noon Wednesday the week prior to publication.

3 news AUGUST 14, 2015 TALESPINNER PAGE 3 News in Brief afcec urges air force to focus on heat safety Heat-related illness is the leading cause of weather-related fatalities in the United States. To reduce the risk of these illnesses to Airmen and their families, emergency managers at the Air Force Civil Engineer Center are emphasizing the Air Force Be Ready awareness campaign to focus on heat safety. Personnel involved with the Be Ready campaign want to educate Airmen about heat-related terms: heat wave, heat index, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. A heat wave refers to a prolonged period of excessive heat, often combined with excessive humidity, while the heat index is the number in degrees Fahrenheit that tells how hot it feels when relative humidity is added to the air temperature. There are also three levels of heat-related illness that Airmen should be aware of. Heat cramps and heat exhaustion are the body s reactions to water and salt loss through sweat, and are treatable with rest in a cool area and drinking water. Heat stroke is a serious reaction to heat in which the body is no longer able to regulate its temperature by sweating. If emergency treatment is not given, heat stroke can result in death. The key to heat safety, however, is prevention. For more information about heat safety, visit the Air Force Emergency Management website at air force implements restricted endorsement, stratification with july 31 senior master sergeant eprs Restricted senior rater endorsement and stratification for senior NCO enlisted performance reports will be implemented in conjunction with the July 31 senior master sergeant EPR closeout date. Endorsement and stratification restrictions for senior NCOs are part of ongoing Air Force enlisted evaluation and promotion system changes underway since July Announced in June, restrictions will limit the number of endorsements a senior rater may give to their promotion-eligible master sergeant and senior master sergeant populations. Senior raters will be restricted to endorsing only the top 20 percent of their senior master sergeants eligible for promotion to chief master sergeant and the top 10 percent of their master sergeants eligible for See NEWS IN BRIEF Page 9 Air Force Vice Chief of Staff discusses education, innovation By Shannon Collins DOD News, Defense Media Activity Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Larry O. Spencer and Jack Buckley, College Board senior vice president of research, spoke about innovation and education during the Military Child Education Coalition s 17th National Training Seminar July 31, in Washington, D.C. Spencer, who was a military child himself, spoke on the importance of education, especially for those who may be growing up in underprivileged communities. Education a big equalizer I grew up here in southeast D.C. My father was in the Army, and my mother hadn t graduated high school, the general said. I was the oldest of six children, and I didn t understand the importance of education. He said he was focused on football and girls but after graduating high school, he joined the Air Force and began to understand the value of education. Once I got into the Air Force, I started to mature and see how important education and technology was and how crucial it was to our warfighting capability, he said. I started to take any class I could get my hands on. He said he recently went back to his old neighborhood and many of his friends are either in jail or no longer living. He said he may have never left the neighborhood had it not been for the Air Force and for his education. I m not any smarter than they are, but I got my education, and I got to learn, and I got to travel, he said. Education is a big equalizer. It doesn t matter where you come from. It doesn t matter what advantages or disadvantages you have. If you can get your hands on education, it is the equalizer that can put you on the path to achieve anything you want to achieve. Gen. Larry O. Spencer Innovation The general said the Air Force was born in innovation. During his career, he said, he s seen the Air Force evolve from using a low-flying F-4 Phantom to capture a single image to today s remotely piloted aircraft recording and streaming real-time video. He also mentioned the Air Force s fifth-generation fighters and how the Air Force runs satellites that assist the GPS technology people use in their cars. Spencer acknowledged a negative side of innovation; while children are growing up more savvy in computing, social media, and technology, they sometimes lack in personal social skills and in professional development. He said the abbreviated talking on digital platforms has hurt their ability in professional communications. Some of the Facebook and Twitter technique and language, the shorthand and not using full words and sentences when you get into the professional environment, you have to know how to communicate, he said. You have to know how to speak and know how to write a resume. You have to be able to write professional letters. Spencer said he has also found that some military leaders have a tendency to just send s to their people. In my experience, I don t care how old you are or what your background is, nothing substitutes as a leader for getting in front of your people and talking to them faceto-face, letting them see your body language and vice versa and making sure they know exactly where you re coming from and you know exactly where they re coming from, he said. New SATs Buckley, a former Navy nuclear engineer and surface warfare officer, said there s also a core set of skills students need in order to be successful in college. With that in mind, he said the college board is using innovation to redesigning the SAT. Instead of just having students take the SAT in their senior year and assessing what they haven t learned, Buckley said, they can now take a suite of assessments starting in the eighth grade. The tests will provide diagnostic feedback in key areas such as reading and writing, which will inform students whether they are on track, Buckley said. We ve also partnered with Khan Academy, he added. They ve produced a free assessment and made it public last month. We ve had 250,000 people who ve been on and they ve done a million practice questions, practicing new skills in reading, writing and analyzing graphs to explain them. If they re not getting it, they can get real feedback and a personalized plan that can actually help them improve, Buckley said. We re not just coming in and grading them at the end. We re trying to build an infrastructure and figure out where they need help and get them that help.

4 PAGE 4 TALESPINNER AUGUST 14, 2015 Cognitive computers primed to change Air Force acquisition landscape By Maj. Dayan Araujo Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Cognitive thinking machines that can critically analyze and process information accurately and at a rate faster than human capability are the type of meta-advance technologies that science fiction fanatics dream of, and the Air Force is seeking to leverage this innovative technology in the world of acquisitions. Recently, IBM s Watson, a cognitive computer tool that won Jeopardy!, revealed just how transformative and empowering cognitive computers are to industries on a global scale. According to IBM s website, cognitive computers like Watson are able to fast-track lifesaving research, create connections in cold cases, spark creativity, and uncover new insights at an unparalleled pace. Employing this same type of technology, the Air Force hopes to address the challenge of making contracting more accessible to internal and external customers. In a 2006 Government Accountability Office report, the challenge of operating in accordance with complex federal acquisition regulations discourages small and innovative businesses from partnering with the government in emerging markets. By providing an intuitive and critically thinking system that understands the complexities of requirements and flexibility within the Department of Defense contracting statutes, regulations, practices and policies, such hurdles could potentially be eliminated. Dr. Camron Gorguinpour, Director of Transformational Innovation for the United States Air Force, Office of the Assistant Secretary (Acquisitions), is optimistic about the system. Of course this is an initial effort; however, over time I expect these types of tools can help people in the Air Force, government and industry better navigate what is a very complex bureaucracy. The new application would be a benefit to program managers and contracting personnel particularly in regards to automated processes that support warfighting requirements, systems engineering and risk management. Additionally the technology would provide contracting officers with the ability to swiftly answer difficult questions thereby providing more time to effectively focus on creating agreements and other components of acquisitions. Based on the system s underlying algorithms, the Air Force acquisition s cognitive computing system will access a variety of available data sources to minimize error. There are thousands of pages of policies, laws and regulations that affect Air Force acquisitions. We need to create a baseline platform and teach the system how to understand context so that it can answer questions accurately and become a resource that personnel can access, Gorguinpour said. The small business innovative research solicitation for the system is divided into three phases: developing a design that utilizes cognitive computing to provide user answers in natural language questions about the Defense contracting system, evaluating the system and finally, develop a ready-fordeployment application along with several expansion support requirements. Gorguinpour hopes that the cognitive computing system will allow people to be more innovative in the types of acquisitions they pursue. It s our aim to make this technology available to the public and industry so that everyone can have an opportunity to find creative solutions to our most challenging acquisition barriers, he said. Applied Research in Acoustics, LLC, in Washington, D.C., and KalScott Engineering in Lawrence, Kan., were awarded the contract July 31 to create a natural language query system that leverages commercial sector advances in cognitive computing algorithms to provide users insights into Defense contracting statutes, regulations, practices, and policies. An application should be completed by summer 2018.

5 AUGUST 14, 2015 TALESPINNER PAGE 5 59th MDW Airmen ride across Iowa Photo by Tech. Sgt. Oscar Sanchez Air Force cycling team members resume riding after waiting for a freight train during the Registers Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa in Sioux City, Iowa, July 19. RAGBRAI participants traveled nearly 500 miles during the weeklong event beginning in the western side of the state in Sioux City and ending in the Quad Cities in Davenport, Iowa, along the Mississippi River. By Shannon Carabajal 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs Airmen from the 59th Medical Wing joined the Air Force Cycling Team for the 2015 Register s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa July The annual seven-day ride is the oldest, largest and longest bicycle touring event in the world. Covering nearly 500 miles, RAGBRAI was a rewarding challenge for the team, said Master Sgt. Amanda Fitzpatrick, Texas Team lead and 59th Medical Support Group first sergeant. It was a learning experience. There is a lot of behind the scenes work to get our 20-person team to the start and back home. Iowa is beautiful state, but it is not flat, Fitzpatrick explained. RAGBRAI begins along Iowa s western border on the Missouri River and ends along the eastern border on the Mississippi River. The route changes each year and different Iowa communities along the route serve as host communities for overnight stays, according to the event s website. In her first year as the Texas Team lead, Fitzpatrick said the ride is definitely not easy. The hardest part is getting back on the bike seat day after day, but meeting people and helping others along the way makes it all worthwhile. Maj. Andrew Bursaw, 959th Medical Operations Squadron; Master Sgt. Kristen Hess, 59th MDW Inspector General s Office; and Tech. Sgt. Alan Petz, 959th Clinical Support Squadron, also participated in the ride. Airman 1st Class Nathan Carnahan, 959th Medical Operations Squadron, was a member of the support team. Our local team takes the RAGBRAI spirit of helping others and telling the Air Force story to the local riders, Fitzpatrick said. For more about this year s ride, including a glimpse into the day-to-day challenges and triumphs, visit airforcelive.dodlive.mil/2015/07/oneweek-and-500-miles-air-force-cyclingteam-takes-on-ragbrai/

6 PAGE 6 TALESPINNER AUGUST 14, 2015 Military hospital s surgical care ranks among best in nation By Elaine Sanchez BAMC Public Affairs San Antonio Military Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston ranks among the top hospitals in the nation for surgical care, according to a recent report from the American College of Surgeons. SAMMC, an integrated Army and Air Force medical facility, earned an exemplary or average rating in 180 different surgical quality variables, placing the facility in the upper half of hundreds of esteemed hospitals throughout the nation. The report is issued by ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, or NSQIP, a voluntary program that gauges the quality of surgical programs across the nation. The aim is to help surgeons better understand their quality of care compared to similar hospitals with similar patients, according to the program s website. The largest and best hospitals in the U.S. are part of this program and our percentages place us in the top half of those hospitals, said Air Force Col. (Dr.) Joseph Brennan, SAMMC Department of Surgery chief. We are very proud of that, said Brennan, who is assigned to the 959th Medical Group. Personnel from the 959th Medical Group working at SAMMC are part of the 59th Medical Wing headquartered at nearby JBSA-Lackland. They work together with their Army counterparts to provide health care to more than 240,000 beneficiaries in the San Antonio region. U.S. Army photo Surgeons perform a procedure at San Antonio Military Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. SAMMC ranks among the top hospitals in the nation for surgical care, according to a recent report from the American College of Surgeons. Data collection is key to the surgical program s success, Brennan noted. At SAMMC, a surgeon oversees the program and two nurses are dedicated to inputting preoperative through 30-day postoperative data into a secure, webbased platform. ACS analyzes rates of mortality and morbidity, such as pneumonia, surgical site infections, urinary tract infections, sepsis and readmissions. Blinded information is then shared with all participating hospitals, offering a snapshot of how hospitals rank according to surgical outcomes. This data offers priceless insight, noted Army Maj. (Dr.) George Kallingal, surgeon champion NSQIP at SAMMC. NSQIP foremost offers us an internal metric to ensure our surgical quality outcomes continue to progress at SAMMC and sets in motion the process of continual analysis and improvement, he said. SAMMC s surgical outcome data has been increasingly positive over the past three years, Brennan noted, an uptick he attributes directly to SAMMC s care providers and infection control, quality and process improvement teams. As a result of the data, we ve made multiple improvements to our surgical processes, he said, citing efforts to improve operating room preparations and catheter use. And our exceptional staff did a great job pushing initiatives focused on better patient care. While NSQIP provided the framework for analysis, the dedication of SAMMC personnel and their commitment to quality improvement is what fostered meaningful change, Kallingal said. It will continue to be an important tool to provide the framework for improving surgical quality outcomes in the future. The program is an easy sell at SAMMC, added Mariea Shelton, process improvement coordinator. The aim, she said, is to always strive for great outcomes in surgical procedures. With an eye on further improvements, Brennan hopes to add a third NSQIP surgical clinical reviewer soon to enable more data to be inputted and more feedback to be gained. The more numbers we can track, the better off we ll be when it comes to gauging our strengths and weaknesses, he said. While the program is voluntary, the Department of Defense requires all military hospitals to participate in NSQIP. SAMMC has been a voluntary member of the program since Participation in NSQIP means there is a total commitment to deliver the highest quality surgical patient care, said Marilyn McFarland, a NSQIP surgical clinical reviewer. Quality patient care is priority here and it shows, added Laura Van Dyk, surgical clinical reviewer. Brennan praised the hospital s exceptional care, citing recent successes on The Joint Commission reaccreditation survey, Level I trauma center reverification, and a Commission on Cancer silver designation for SAMMC s cancer program. Our focus has always been on providing the best patient care, on what s best for the patient, the colonel said. That emphasis has never wavered. This is just a great organization, from the leadership on down. Connect With Us! JBSA-LACKLAND ON THE SOCIAL NETWORKING SCENE Follow us on Twitter at: JBSALackland Or just go to our website at: and look for social media. Follow us on Facebook at: Lackland-JBSA us at: Lackland.jbsa@ gmail.com

7 AUGUST 14, 2015 TALESPINNER PAGE 7 Selva confirmed as vice chairman of the joint chiefs By Cheryl Pellerin Department of Defense News, Defense Media Activity The Senate recently confirmed Air Force Gen. Paul J. Selva as the 10th vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The nation s secondhighest-ranking military officer is a pilot and most recently was commander of U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. The Senate also confirmed Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. as chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Defense Secretary Ash Carter congratulated both leaders in a July 31 statement. Carter said both men had proved their mettle throughout their careers, from Gen. Dunford s first years as an infantryman to his leadership both in Afghanistan and of the Marine Corps, and from Gen. Selva s early days as a pilot to his leadership of our military s Transportation Command. The secretary added, I know that President [Barack] Obama and I, and our nation s security, will benefit greatly from their sage counsel and strategic perspective gained over years of operational experience. Selva is a command pilot with more than Gen. Paul J. Selva 3,100 hours in the C-5, KC-135A and other aircraft. He earned a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering in 1980 from the U.S. Air Force Academy and later earned master of science degrees in management and human relations and in political science. From October 2008 to October 2011, he served as assistant to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen. Selva expressed his gratitude and that of his wife, Ricki. The two met while attending the Air Force Academy, and Ricki also served in the Air Force. It is truly humbling to represent the men and women who wear the uniform of our nation and our civilian workforce, Selva said. You exemplify the best our country has to offer, and I promise to be a passionate advocate to ensure we remain the best-trained, best-led, best-equipped and most capable military in the world. Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland is on Share your JBSA-Lackland photos with us by tagging

8 PAGE 8 TALESPINNER AUGUST 14, 2015 A successful exercise program: it s all in the specifics By: Military Health System Communications Office Keeping track of your exercise program and staying motivated can be difficult at times. Nonetheless, the American College of Sports Medicine has some suggestions that can help. First, lay out an intentional plan for what kind of exercises you will do, when you will do them, and how long it will take. People who write down goals and keep a record of their progress are more likely to achieve their fitness goals than people who don t. A well-rounded program involves multiple components of fitness, but if you have a goal in mind, assess what your current fitness level is and how far you need to go to reach it, said Patricia Deuster, professor and director of the Consortium for Health and Military Performance at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Also, make sure your goals are realistic, and that your exercise program is enjoyable. The American College of Sports Medicine suggests a program of at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, five days per week, or 20 minutes of more vigorous activity three days a week. A combination of moderate and vigorous activity can also be performed to meet this recommendation. Opportunities to get fit and healthy exist every day, Deuster said. If your daily schedule doesn t allow for a full workout, figure out ways you can get short bursts of activity in. Even these short periods of activity carry many benefits. If you have an extra 10 minutes during lunch, try walking the stairs, or taking a walk with a co-worker. Or consider scheduling a walking meeting. Avoid long periods of sitting by standing up and moving for short periods throughout the day. Standing can boost metabolism and increase circulation. With so many exercise options, there is a form of activity for everyone. An open mind and a sense of adventure can help provide motivation and encourage you to keep fit and healthy. Although it can take several weeks before seeing improvements in strength, endurance and weight loss, don t use the mirror as your measure of progress. Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Tippets Lt. Sonha Gomez, Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Houma, La., engages in weight training at the gym. Embrace the idea that exercise is about more than losing weight and changing your physique, Deuster said. Exercise can help you in many ways. It can help improve physical function, mental health, reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease and lower your blood pressure. In addition, your age doesn t necessarily have to determine the intensity or frequency of an exercise regimen, Deuster said. There are plenty of extremely fit older people who could out run or out lift people half their age. she said. It just depends on you as a person and your fitness goals.

9 AUGUST 14, 2015 TALESPINNER PAGE 9 Congratulations to the following 55 Airmen for being selected as honor graduates among the 551 Air Force basic military trainees who graduated Aug.14: 320th Training Squadron Flight 431 Jacob Cranston Joshua Heaps Lucanus Henk Anthony Martinez Alexander Radeback- Larson Flight 432 Jacob Harrold Anthony Johnson Devin Keilberg Ryan Menear Flight 435 Jacob Velis Flight 436 Jackie Boykin Carmin Williams 321st Training Squadron Flight 437 Michael Circe Ryan Eger Joseph Fromm Michael Rand Joseph Wirick Flight 428 Caleb Prince Matthew Timmons Flight 441 Jeffrey Andrews Timothy Aulner Matthew Block Sean Brown Bryan Fajardo Kennedy Humphrey Lee Jarzembak Jacob King Spencer Pascuzzi Kevin Tan Flight 442 Brandi Clinard Elfie Diltz Rebecca Eldred Moneque English Ambyr Freestone Jina Miller Rachel Pardue Brittany Pickman Katelyn Tountasakis Marjani Williams Lauren Wood 323rd Training Squadron Flight 433 Andres Cabrera Evan Harrison Logan Johns Julian Kelly Samuel Mclean Patrick Robertson Samuel Ward Brian West Flight 434 John Dennis III Alec Edson Nicholas Wolfe Flight 439 Ryan Carney-Mogan Nickolas Heitkamp Paul Lloyd Joshua Rice Top BMT Airman Ryan Carney-Mogan 323rd TRS, Flight 439 Most Physically Fit Female Airmen Moneque English 321st TRS, Flight 442 Tesa Jepsen 321st TRS, Flight 442 Jennifer White 321st TRS, Flight 442 Tiffany Gay 321st TRS, Flight 442 Male Airmen Brandon Padilla 323rd TRS, Flight 439 Jesse Herd 321st TRS, Flight 437 Joseph Weist 320th TRS, Flight 435 Daniel Nathanson 323rd TRS, Flight 439 Female Flights 321st TRS, Flight th TRS, Flight rd TRS, Flight 440 Male Flights 323rd TRS, Flight st TRS, Flight th TRS, Flight th TRS, Flight rd TRS, Flight st TRS, Flight th TRS, Flight st TRS, Flight rd TRS, Flight 434 Top Academic Flights 321st TRS, Flight rd TRS, Flight rd TRS, Flight st TRS, Flight st TRS, Flight rd TRS, Flight th TRS, Flight st TRS, Flight th TRS, Flight th TRS, Flight th TRS, Flight rd TRS, Flight 440 NEWS IN BRIEF from Page 3 promotions to senior master sergeant. This percentage correlates with historical promotion rates for each grade. In addition to endorsements, senior raters have the option to include written stratification in their optional comment or push-line in the final evaluator s comments section on Air Force Form 911, Enlisted Performance Report (master sergeant through senior master sergeant) released July 31. Senior rater endorsement and stratification authorizations are based on the total number of time-in-grade and time-in-service promotioneligible master sergeants and senior master sergeants a senior rater has. Senior raters will no longer be authorized to stratify their promotioneligible senior NCOs based on the joint service population and grade. For example, if a senior rater has 200 senior master sergeants, but only 100 are TIG/TIS promotion eligible, the senior rater may endorse up to 20 of the eligible senior master sergeants by marking the appropriate block on the EPR form. The senior rater can also provide a written stratification in the push-line like my #1 of 100 senior master sergeants if he or she chooses. Senior raters also have the option to endorse a member without including stratification. Only the senior rater may include written stratification on EPRs for senior NCOs he or she endorses. Lower level stratification and stratification by deputy and intermediate evaluators is prohibited, to include lower level stratification on those evaluations endorsed by the senior rater. Additional information on restricted endorsement and stratification, and other changes to the evaluation and promotion systems, are available at Additional information about Air Force personnel programs can also be found on the mypers website. Individuals who do not have a mypers account can request one by following these instructions on air force launches myvector, mentorship resources for airmen The Air Force recently launched an improved and re-branded Career Path Tool, called MyVector, which encourages mentorship between Airmen at all levels. The first step in the success of MyVector is for Airmen to volunteer to be mentors and share their experience and expertise with other Airmen. The reconfigured online platform supporting mentoring has a modern look and feel. These new configurations support not only the traditional by-name request method of requesting a mentor, but also provide a mentor-matching capability based on weighted characteristics identified by the Airman searching for a mentor. MyVector has a real-time mentoring plan, discussion forums, a bullet tracker to document accomplishments, and the ability to dialogue online with your mentor. A resource page is also available to assist both parties with mentoring questions and relationships. Mentorship requires time, effort and dedication. To assist with this process, there is a Mentoring Checklist in Air Force Manual , Air Force Mentoring Program, which outlines how to plan for the different mentoring sessions. For information and to register for an online profile, visit Be Responsible! Seat Belts Save Lives! Buckle Up And Wear Yours! FOSTER a PUPPY The Department of Defense dog breeding program needs families to foster puppies for three months. Potential foster families need: time and patience to raise a puppy from the age of 12 weeks to six months, a stimulating and safe home environment, and a desire to help raise a military working dog. Call

10 PAGE 10 TALESPINNER AUGUST 14, 2015 Has safety been incorporated into your back-to-school preparations? Courtesy photo By Gilbert Resendez 502nd Air Base Wing JBSA-Lackland Safety Office As summer vacations end and parents rush to get school supplies to start their children off on the right foot this coming school year, let s not forgot the most important tool: safety. Parents need to go over basic safety rules with their children every year, whether it will be the first time the children will be allowed to walk home or not. The following are some things parents need to know and consider so their kids may get to school and home safely. Parents should take the time to educate their children about safety, regardless of their age. Although some kids mature faster than others, there is no right age for children to start walking or riding their bicycles to school alone or with a friend. Let your children know drivers and cars are their No. 1 threat on the street. When crossing the street, they should stop on the crosswalk, look to the left, then to the right, and then to the left again before proceeding across the street. If they ride bicycles, children should never ride across a busy intersection. Let them know it is best to get off the bicycle and walk their bikes next to them as they cross the street. Remember, not all intersections have traffic lights and many times, there are no crossing guards at these intersections. As parents, make your children understand the importance of playing it safe and using common sense. A safe route needs to be drawn out, but don t forget that an alternate route is just as important. Talk with your children and develop a simple route. One thing to consider is children will be safer with fewer street crossings and intersections. In addition, make sure they wear the proper bicycle headgear and obey all traffic laws. If your children ride the school bus, some basic rules to follow are: Children must wait for the school bus to come to a complete stop before approaching it from the curb. Never let your children run toward the bus. The bus driver may not see them and this could lead to a tragedy. Tell your children they are to remain seated at all times and keep their hands and heads inside the bus while it is in motion. Today s busses come equipped with seatbelts. Make sure your kids use them, just like they do when they ride in the family car. When the bus comes to a stop, your children should exit the bus in an orderly manner and look for oncoming traffic. Children should also be reminded to be active pedestrians and bike riders by not texting and being preoccupied with modern mobile devices. And an additional safety measure: Children should know their home telephone number, their address and, if possible, a parent s work telephone number. It s also good for children to know the number of a trusted adult who has been designated for notification in case of an emergency. With back-to-school plans, there is no reason why your children can t enjoy another school year safely. Remember: school and safety goes handin-hand.

11 AUGUST 14, 2015 TALESPINNER PAGE 11 LACKLAND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT LIST YEAR OLD PRE-KINDER 1 regular size bath towel labeled with name 1 box Crayola Washable Markers Classic Colors - (broad) 2 24 count box of Crayola crayons 10 Elmers glue sticks (white) 1 bottle of white Elmers liquid glue 1 large box of Kleenex 1 plastic 5x8 school box labeled with name (NOT Tupperware) 1 set of Crayola Watercolor paints (8 colors) labeled with student's name 1 pair blunt Fiskars scissors labeled with name 1 backpack (standard size NO wheels) 1 8-oz bottle of hand sanitizer (GIRLS) 1 disinfecting wipes (BOYS) *NO baby wipes 1 box of Ziploc Bags (snack/boys & quart/girls) KINDERGARTEN 1 set watercolors 2 large boxes of tissues glue sticks 1 backpack 2 16 count Crayola crayons 1 box of quart Ziploc bags (BOYS) 1 box of gallon size Ziploc bags (GIRLS) 2 plastic red pocket folders (NOT paper) 1 package of pencil top erasers 1 8 count Washable Markers Classic colors (broad) 1 pair of metal Fiskars scissors 2-inch 3-ring binder 1 pkg. dividers 10 #2 pencils sharpened 1 small plastic school box 2 8-oz. bottles of hand sanitizer 1 container of disinfecting wipes *NO baby wipes GRADE 1 1 backpack (child size NO wheels) 1 plastic supply box (NO larger than 9x6) 4 plastic pocket folders plain (with brads) (1 red, 1 blue, 2 purple) 4 24 count crayons (1 per 9 weeks) 50 #2 plain pencils (sharpened) (per semester) 1 pair of Fiskars scissors 10 glue sticks small (white only) 4 large pink pearl erasers 2 large boxes of tissues 2 boxes of Ziploc baggies (1 gallon and 1quart) 3 8-oz bottles of hand sanitizer (NO tiny bottles) 2 Lysol disinfecting wipes (NO baby wipes) 1 primary composition book 100-page wide-lined for SFA GRADE 2 20 #2 pencils 1 8-oz bottle hand sanitizer 1 pair of Fiskars scissors 1 24 count crayons 2 large boxes of Kleenex 2 packages wide-ruled notebook paper 2 large pink erasers 1 clear 12-inch ruler (No wooden rulers) 1 small school box 1 box of qallon Ziploc bags (BOYS) 1 box of quart size Ziploc bags (GIRLS) 2 plastic folders w/ pockets 1 yellow & 1 blue 2 spiral notebooks 2 large glue sticks 1 bottle of glue 1 container of disinfecting wipes *NO baby wipes 1 composition book (for SFA) **Please label all items with a permanent marker. Please do not send markers or small pencil sharpeners. GRADE 3 2 boxes of Kleenex 6 plastic plain folders w/ brads and pockets (please no pictures or designs) 2 red, 1 yellow, 1 green, 1 blue, 1 purple 1 pair of Fiskars scissors 2 packages of wide ruled paper 50 #2 pencils (NO mechanical pencils) 3 boxes of 24 count crayons 1 box of 12 count colored pencils 3 composition book 3 large glue sticks or 6 small glue sticks 1 (8x10) zippered pencil pouch 1 plastic rulers 1 pair earbuds (ipad compatable) 1 composition book (for SFA) (GIRLS) 1 8-oz bottle hand sanitizer with pump (BOYS) 1 box of quart size Ziploc bags GRADE 4 2 glue sticks 1 Elmer s glue bottle 2 12 count Crayola colored pencils 2 24 count Crayola Crayons 48 #2 Pencils 2 large boxes of Kleenex 4 70 page wide ruled spiral notebooks (1 red, 1 green, 1 purple, 1 blue) 2 composition books (1 for SFA and 1 for ELA) 1 pair of Fiskars scissors 2 packs of wide-ruled notebook paper 1 2-inch binder 1 pack of dividers 5 solid colored folders with brads and pockets (1 red, 1 blue, 1 green, 1 yellow, and 1 purple) 1 8-oz hand sanitizer 1 Lysol wipes 2 large pink erasers 1 pack of Ziploc bags (quart size/girls & gallon size/boys) 5 jumbo stretchy book covers 1 pack of 3x5 index cards 1 pair of headphones (ipad compatible) 1 soft pencil pouch with 3 holes 1 stylus 1 pencil box (7 1/2 x 4 inches) NO mechanical pencils All items should be replenished as needed. GRADE pack of #2 pencils replenish as needed 1 package of blue/black pens (no gels, colors, or sparkles) 1 pocket folder with brads any color (preferably plastic) 1 plastic accordion-type portfolio (has built-in tabs w/ flap closure) 8-divider min; 12-divider preferred 1 8-oz or larger bottle of hand sanitizer 2 packages of loose-leaf notebook paper (250 sheets) invisible tape on a disposable dispenser replenish as needed 2 package of red pens (10-12) 1-2 dry erase markers 1 whiteboard eraser (wash cloth/old sock works well) 2 large pink erasers page composition notebooks (1 for SFA) 1 green spiral notebook for Science 2 glue sticks Post-it flags for SFA (any color) 1 12 count Crayola colored pencils (preferably erasable) 1 ipad stylus (optional) 1 pair of scissors 1 ruler (customary & metric) 1 container baby wipes (kid friendlier than Lysol wipes) 3 boxes of Kleenex 1 roll of paper towels 1 pair ipad-compatible earbuds replenish as needed 1 standard size plastic supply box GRADE 6 1 pack of #2 pencils (#2 Mechanical Pencils OK with #2 lead replenish as needed 1 pack/any color, of small Post-It flags for SFA 1 backpack (optional) page composition books (1 for SFA) 1 12 or 24 count Crayola colored pencils 1 pair of Earbuds/Earphones for ipad 2 (optional) 1 ipad stylus (optional) 1 pocket folder with brads - any color 1 pocket folder (parent communication) 1 planner/agenda (any color and style) 3 large boxes of Kleenex 1 8-oz or larger bottle of hand sanitizer 1 packages loose-leaf notebook paper 1 pair of scissors 1 glue stick replenish as needed 1 package of Dry Erase Markers/assorted colors/ Quartet brand preferred (available at Wal-Mart) PPCD 1 backpack 1 large bath towel 1 plastic file folder 1 spiral notebook 1 box 8 LARGE crayons 1 box of washable markers 1 set of watercolors 1 bottle white Elmers glue 2 boxes of Kleenex 1 8-oz bottle of hand sanitizer 1 container of disinfecting wipes Extra change of clothes; diapers/wipes (optional)

12 PAGE 12 TALESPINNER AUGUST 14, 2015 SPENCER from Page 2 In fact, Spencer even spent his summers on his grandfather s tobacco farm, where he and his brothers, like their father before them, worked the fields. Instilled with his father s determination, Spencer was on a plane to then-lackland Air Force Base, just a couple days after he broke the news of his enlistment to his unsuspecting parents. Spencer enjoyed his work in the Air Force, but his connection to football wasn t severed when he left his semi-pro team and donned the Air Force uniform. As a young Airman, Spencer played on his squadron s intramural flag football team. During one game, his team was having trouble stopping opposing defensive linemen. When his team huddled up to strategize, one of Spencer s teammates, frustrated with the opposing players, yelled the N-word in a curse-filled tirade. Spencer, one of the only African-American players on the team, was so shocked he did not know how to react. I literally froze and was hurt by that, because I was in the Air Force and you think that stuff doesn t happen here, he said. He will never understand how much that hurt. It cut through me to hear him use that word in that way and almost look through me as if I wasn t even there. Spencer s teammates admonished the player for using the word, and the game s referee, an activeduty NCO, ejected the player from the game and had him report to his first sergeant. The following day, at work and across the base, players on both sides of the ball apologized to Spencer for what had happened including the offending player. That s one of those moments in your life you never forget, Spencer said. As a young buck sergeant with a wife and two children, Spencer was nearing the end of his first enlistment while stationed at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., and struggling with the decision of whether or not to re-enlist. But football wasn t through with him yet. Out of the blue, Spencer crossed paths with Clemson University s head football coach, who offered him a scholarship he could play the sport he loved and receive a college education. I couldn t see myself picking up and going to college with a wife and two kids. I couldn t think of where we were going to live, how we d afford groceries and medical care, he said. I just couldn t see it, so I told him I couldn t do it. But I promised myself that when I came up on my next re-enlistment at eight years, I was going to have a college degree and a plan to get out. Remaining committed to his goal, Spencer dedicated himself to education, and, in 1979, received his Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering technology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Spencer was stationed at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., when the last days of his enlistment were quickly approaching. He was ready to see what life outside of the Air Force offered, when a chief master sergeant presented him with the idea of pursuing officer training school. Spencer said he thought it was a long shot to be accepted into OTS, but despite his doubts, he applied anyway. To his surprise, he was accepted and would soon be returning to a familiar place to become an officer. A year later, in 1980, Spencer was a distinguished graduate from OTS at Lackland Air Force Base and became a comptroller officer. The hard work and determination his father taught him would continue to play a significant part in his life, but the realization years earlier that the Air Force still struggled with racial issues would shape the leader he d become. I have really tried to bend over backwards to make sure everyone is treated appropriately; everyone is mentored the same, everyone gets the same opportunities to progress if they have the talent, drive and initiative, he said. Everywhere I ve gone, I ve tried to have a diverse office because I personally think diversity is strength and results in better decisions and a stronger organization. During more than 30 years as an Air Force officer, Spencer has led the charge in conserving resources and efficient spending at every assignment he s had, from group commander to where he now sits as the Air Force s vice chief of staff. During the three years he s served as the Air Force s second officer in command, Spencer has introduced several initiatives to further cultivate an innovative and cost-saving culture throughout the service. I believe that part of our jobs as leaders is not to just consume resources, but consume them in the most efficient and effective way we can, Spencer said. For a long time, there was a notion that we re warfighters and our job is to fight wars and it doesn t matter how much it costs. I don t agree with that; I don t think they re mutually exclusive. I think you can be a strong warfighter as well as a smart consumer of resources. One such program was the Airmen Powered by Innovation initiative, which charged Airmen to submit cost-saving ideas that could be implemented to save money that could then be used elsewhere. In just one month, May 2013, Airmen submitted more than 11,000 ideas to the program, resulting in millions of dollars in savings. Everywhere I go, Airmen tell me how much money they ve saved and their ideas, he said. Not only have we saved a lot of money, but to watch the ideas flowing in has been incredible. As tirelessly as Spencer has worked at improving the fiscal responsibility in the Air Force, his true passion has been in ensuring Airmen treat each other with dignity and respect. Spencer s memory of that day on the football field when his teammate bellowed the N-word remains as vivid as ever, but while some might let that incident inspire hate, Spencer has turned it into a positive force. In 2013, Spencer introduced Every Airman Counts, an initiative aimed ensuring Airmen treat each other respectfully and at fostering communication between Airmen and senior leaders about preventing sexual assault. You shouldn t look at a person and see them as someone you can take advantage of, but as wingmen and wingwomen and how you help and support each other, Spencer said. Although Spencer will soon retire, his legacy will live on in the form of the Gen. Larry O. Spencer Innovation Award that was unveiled by Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James late June. The award will annually recognize Airmen who come up with creative and efficient ways to save money and time. The award is new, but what s not new is the laser focus on innovation and the passion that Gen. Spencer has brought to us in many ways, James said. Gen. Spencer has put much of his personal time into innovation and efficiency. Today, Spencer s passion is the Air Force and its Airmen, but there are times, occasionally, when he can t help but think back to his first passion football. And even though the thought of donning a Clemson Tiger uniform and racing onto Memorial Stadium s field in front of 81,000 screaming fans is exhilarating, he has no regrets about walking through the Air Force recruiter s door 44 years ago, when so many of America s youth would not do the same.

13 AUGUST 14, 2015 TALESPINNER PAGE 13 Shwedo takes command of 25th AF and Shanahan gets third star By Guido Locati 25th Air Force Public Affairs Photo by William B. Belcher Gen. Herbert J. Hawk Carlisle, commander of Air Combat Command, passes the 25th Air Force flag to Major Gen. Bradford J. B.J. Shwedo during the change of command ceremony Aug. 3. Maj. Gen. Bradford J. B.J. Shwedo, took command of the 25th Air Force Aug. 3 from Maj. Gen. John N. T. Jack Shanahan during a change of command ceremony that Gen. Herbert J. Hawk Carlisle, commander Air Combat Command, officiated here. It is great to be back here in San Antonio, Shwedo said, referencing two previous assignments here as commander of the 67th Network Warfare Group and later as commander of 67th Network Warfare Wing; both of which were part of the Air Intelligence Agency, now 25th Air Force. Shwedo talked about the pride he said he feels at all of the things the Airmen are doing to protect the U.S. from the bad guys. After highlighting several intelligence jobs along Shwedo s career including his background in cyber operations, Carlisle said, I know we have the right man for the job. Before he arrived, Shwedo, a 1987 graduate of the Air Force Academy, was the director of capability and resource integration, U.S. Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Md., where he was responsible for acquiring resources to satisfy the command s requirements. To meet the growing demand for offensive and defensive cyberspace operations, Shwedo led the development and oversight for the Cyber Mission Forces integrated master plan and schedule covering three mission areas: defending the nation in cyberspace, providing support to combatant commands and protecting the Department of Defense information networks. Immediately following the change of command, Carlisle officiated Shanahan s promotion to the rank of lieutenant general. His promotion is in preparation for Shanahan s new role as Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence) for Joint and Coalition Warfighter Support: and director, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Task Force at the Pentagon. During his promotion ceremony, Shanahan made it a point to recognize the men and women of 25th Air Force whose tireless dedication to the mission led to his promotion. Shanahan becomes the fourth consecutive outgoing commander in the 25th Air Force era to attain a third star. Fraud, Waste or Abuse Members of the public, military members, Department of Defense civilian and contractor employees may report suspicious activity concerning fraud, waste or abuse and employee or management misconduct. Report suspected FWA to your local inspector general, the 502nd Air Base Wing IG or the DOD FWA Hotline. 502 ABW/IG FWA Hotline , DOD Hotline , Friday 6 p.m. Minions (3D) (PG) Saturday Noon Minions (3D) (PG) 3 p.m. Terminator Genisys (3D) (PG-13) 6 p.m. Ted 2 (R) Sunday Noon Terminator Genisys (3D) (PG-13) 3 p.m. Minions (3D) (PG) Thursday 4 p.m. Terminator Genisys (3D) (PG-13) FRIDAY THROUGH THURSDAY Movie Line: or View schedules at: Program Note Locate the Day of the Week and Read across for specific show times. We have one movie screen, one movie per show time. Doors open 30 minutes prior to each show time.

14 community PAGE 14 TALESPINNER AUGUST 14, 2015 LOCAL BRIEFS TODAY TROOPS TO TEACHERS Troops to Teachers assists eligible military personnel in pursuit of teaching as a second career in public schools and representatives will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Military & Family Readiness Center. Troops to Teachers provides counseling, referral and placement assistance, identifies required certifications and employment opportunities. For more information, call WEDNESDAYS KARATE CLASSES Karate classes are from 6-7 p.m. for ages 5-12 and from 7-8 p.m. for ages 13 to adult. Sessions consist of 10 classes offered once a week with a $60 session fee. Family groups of three or more will receive a group discount rate of $150 per session fee. The next session is Sept. 9. For more information, call AUG 25 FEDERAL APPLICATION PROCESS Review the federal employment process and careers offered within the Federal government during a class 1-4 p.m. at the Military & Family Readiness Center. Learn about resources that support the Veterans Employment Program, skill translators, resume builders and more. For additional information, call AUG 27 UNDERSTANDING SELF-INJURY The Exceptional Family Member Program support group will focus on understanding self-injury noon to 1:30 p.m. at CAMP, building 3850 with special guest Beth Confer, Clarity Child Guidance Center director of community relations. Review why children and teenagers may engage in this practice and learn about coping strategies, as well as tips for teachers, parents and mental health professionals who work with children that self-injure. For more information, call AUG 28 MENTOR TRAINING A student mentor training class will be held 10 a.m. to Noon at the Military & Family Readiness Center. Volunteer mentors spend time with young people and encourage positive choices, promote high self-esteem and encourage academic achievement. Participants who complete the requirements will be placed within a Southwest Independent School District school. For additional information, call PARENTS NIGHT OUT AUG. 29 This program provides children ages 5 (in kindergarten)-12, activities, games, entertainment and snacks for an enrollment fee of $25 per youth with multiple child discounts or free with Give Parents a Break referral. Program runs from 6:30-10:30 p.m. and late pickup is subject to $5 fee for first five minutes then $3 for every minute after that. For additional information, call INFORMATIONAL SCHOOL LIAISON OFFICE The School Liaison Office assists parents with children in grades K-12. SLO can help with the transition between schools, provide information about local school systems, policies, programs and more. For information, call (210) PERSONAL FINANCIAL READINESS Personal Financial Readiness offers guidance to aid with financial matters such as budgeting, debt reduction, and basic investment planning. Services are designed to address money management issues and range from basic spending plans to long-term investments. For more details, call CAR SEAT CLINIC Family Advocacy is partnering with SafeKids USA to provide a child safety seat clinic at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Fire Station, located at 1910 Kenly Ave., building 2325, Thursday from 9:30 11:30 a.m. Safety seat check ups, installation education and recall checks are included. Only military ID cardholders are eligible and the child must be a dependent. New car seats are provided only if the current seat is outdated or on the recall list. Children must be present and under 4 feet 9 inches or 100 pounds. Only one seat will be replaced per child. Registration is required; and no walk-ins. Provide the following information: child s name and age, weight and height, number of children and make and model of vehicle. To register, call MILITARY FAMILY LIFE COUNSELORS Military and family life counselors help service members, their families, significant others, and Department of Defense civilian staff address issues from deployment and reintegration, marriage and relationships, family issues, communication challenges, stress and anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and daily life issues. Consultations are anonymous, no records are kept. For information, call FITNESS ACCESS Fitness Center after-hours access is available for authorized patrons 18 years and older at the following participating centers: Rambler Fitness Center, Jimmy Brought Fitness Center and the Chaparral Fitness Center. Registration for access is taken at the front desk for those with Department of Defense Common Access Cards. Registration for all other DOD ID cards will begin at a later date. For information, see front desk personnel. CHAPEL SERVICES PROTESTANT WORSHIP SERVICES Freedom Chapel Building 1528 Contemporary Service Sun. 9:30 a.m. Religious Education Sun. 11:00 a.m. Gospel Service Sun. 12:30 p.m. Spanish Service Sun. 3:00 p.m. LITURGICAL SERVICE Airman Memorial Chapel Building 5432 Sun. 8:00 a.m CHURCH OF CHRIST New BMT Reception Center Building 6330 Sun. 7:30 a.m. (Rm. 175) SEVENTH - DAY ADVENTIST Gateway Chapel Building 6300 Sat. 12:30 p.m. CHRISTIAN SCIENCE New BMT Reception Center Building 6330 Sun. 7:30 a.m. (Rm. 112) ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN Airmen Memorial Chapel Building 5432 Sun. 9:30 a.m. WICCA New BMT Reception Center Building 6330 Sun. 9:00 11:00 (Auditorium) Freedom Chapel Building 1528 Wicca Open Circle 1st Tues. 6 7 p.m. REFUGE STUDENT CENTER Building 9122 (Tech Training & TDY Students) Wednesday 6 8 p.m. Thursday 6 8 p.m. Friday 6 11 p.m. Saturday 12 9 p.m. Sunday 11 5 p.m. JEWISH Airmen Memorial Chapel Building 5432 Sabbath & Kiddush Fri. 4:30 p.m. Religious Education Sun. 1:30 p.m. ROMAN CATHOLIC Freedom Chapel Building 1528 Religious Education Sun. 9:00 a.m. Mass Sat. 5:00 p.m. Sun. 11:00 a.m. Reconciliation Sat. 4:00 4:45 p.m. Daily Mass Mon., Tues. & Thur. 11:30 a.m. Note: Reconciliation(s) may be scheduled by appointment ISLAMIC Global Ministry Center Building 7452 Jumu'ah Prayer Fri. 1:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. BUDDIST New BMT Reception Center Building 6330 Sun. 10 a.m. (Rm. 175) ECKANKAR Gateway Chapel Building st, 3rd, and 5th Saturdays 12:30 p.m. BAHA'I Gateway Chapel Building st, 3rd, and 5th Sun. 11:00 a.m. THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Gateway Chapel Building 6300 Religious Education Tues. 6:30 p.m. LDS Institute Thurs. 6:30 p.m. LDS Service Sun. 1:00 p.m. For more details, contact Freedom Chapel Gateway Chapel JBSA-LACKLAND KEY FAMILY SUPPORT RESOURCES Air Force Aid Society Airman & Family Readiness Center Airman s Attic American Red Cross Base Post Office Bowling Center DEERS Exceptional Family Member Program Family Child Care Legal Office Library Medical Appointment Line MPF ID Cards Outdoor Recreation TRICARE Info Thrift Shop Enlisted Spouses Club Force Support Squadron Lackland ISD Officers Spouses Club JBSA Public website My Air Force Life

15 AUGUST 14, 2015 TALESPINNER PAGE th Training Wing commander retires Photos courtesy of the 149th Fighter Wing Col. John F. Kane and Master Sgt. Mitchell Olivo conduct a preflight inspection of an F-16 fighter jet in preparation for Kane s final flight as an Air Force fighter pilot instructor and 149th Fighter Wing commander Aug. 6, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. JBSA-Lackland Gate Hours Luke West Inbound & Outbound 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday - Friday Outbound Only 3:30-5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday Luke East 24 hours/inbound & outbound Growden 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Daily One of the best things about ICE is that people can let service providers know when they do a great job, not just for poor service. It takes five minutes or less to submit a comment at Valley Hi 24 hours/inbound & outbound Medina Training Annex 24 hours/inbound & outbound Selfridge West Inbound & Outbound 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday - Friday Outbound Only 3:30-5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday Selfridge East Inbound & Outbound 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday - Friday Outbound Only 3:30-5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday Security Hill 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday Friday Straight Talk Line For current, automated information during a natural disaster, crisis or emergency, call your local Straight Talk line. JBSA-Fort Sam Houston: JBSA-Lackland: JBSA-Randolph:

16 sports PAGE 16 TALESPINNER AUGUST 14, 2015 Upcoming rambler 120 team challenge Joint Base San Antonio s premiere adventure race, the Rambler 120 Team Challenge, is coming to the JBSA Recreation Park at Canyon Lake Sept. 19. Assemble a team and start training for the 22-mile bike race through the Texas Hill Country, sixmile run across Canyon Lake dam and two-mile raft event along the shoreline. The registration fee is $120 for Xtreme teams and $180 for Relay teams. Interested participants can register and pay online at com/adventure-racing/ canyon-lake-tx/2015-rambler- 120-team-challenge. first steps soccer First Steps is an instructional development program with parental participation with their children at all times. Register children ages 3-5 at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Youth Center Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parents must have current immunization records and completed physical forms at registration. Cost is $35 and is due at registration. Sessions are held Monday through Thursday at the track located behind Lackland Elementary School. For more information, call or bowlers appreciation The Skylark Bowling Center will show appreciation to all bowlers Saturday with $1 hot dogs, $1 small fries and $1 sodas. Shoe rental is not included in the special. core cutup class The Gateway Fitness Center offers core fitness training from beginner to advanced levels. For details, call Technical sergeant qualifies for World Powerlifting Championships Photos by Senior Airman Justin Wright Tech. Sgt. Crystal Schiller, 733rd Training Squadron air transportation craftsman, performs a 303-pound squat during a powerlifting competition qualifier in San Antonio July 25. Powerlifting competitions consist of squatting, bench pressing and deadlifting and the weight is totaled up for qualification. By Jose T. Garza III JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs A technical sergeant earned first place honors in the 148-pound Women s Open Raw Division at the 2015 Jill Mills Alamo Classic July 25 in San Antonio. Tech. Sgt. Crystal Schiller, 733rd Training Squadron air transportation craftsman, squatted 303 pounds, deadlifted 303 pounds and benched 193 pounds for a total of 799 pounds to win her division. As a result, the New Braunfels native qualified for the International Powerlifting League World Powerlifting Championships scheduled Nov in Las Vegas. I want to compete against the best in the world this sport has to offer, she said. I can hope for the best and do what I can. Perhaps no one was more proud of Schiller s performance than her mother, Kathie Cielencki, who was in attendance. Crystal showed her dedication, desire and drive to succeed by training so hard, Cielencki said. Master Sgt. Jesse Lopez, 733rd TRS air transportation craftsman and Schiller s supervisor, was also proud of her. Schiller gave it 100 percent, and she showed that both men and women can conquer powerlifting, he said. Schiller said she was shocked that she won her division despite enduring nagging wrist injuries from two months ago. She added that an ankle injury also set her back during the IPL World qualifier in The sergeant was determined to not let injuries hinder her from qualifying two consecutive years in a row. Schiller said she wore a brace after a month hiatus to resume training. I didn t want to wait another year to qualify, she said. I look back at where See POWERLIFTER Page 17

17 sports AUGUST 14, 2015 TALESPINNER PAGE 17 Tech. Sgt. Crystal Schiller, 733rd Training Squadron air transportation craftsman, wraps her knees before the squat portion of a powerlifting competition qualifier in San Antonio July 25. Squatting and deadlifting extreme weight puts stress on the knee joints and can cause injury if not properly prepared. Josh McKinnis helps put chalk on the shoulders of Tech. Sgt. Crystal Schiller, 733rd Training Squadron air transportation craftsman, before the squat portion of a powerlifting competition qualifier in San Antonio, July 25. Chalk helps keep the bar from slipping during squatting and to keep a grip during bench pressing and deadlifting. POWERLIFTER from Page 16 I've been and think about where I can be if I continue pushing myself. I have to have goals in mind and strive for them the best I can. To ensure she was in the best shape possible, Schiller said her eating regimen consisted of mostly chicken, and she incorporated cardio to coincide with her strength workout routine. She will continue to be mindful of her eating habits and not deviate from her workout routine, Schiller added. I have to continue doing what I am doing but push even harder on my workouts, she continued. Schiller revealed in a recent article she would like to inspire women in the military through her accomplishments in powerlifting. She hopes to continue being an inspiration. I would like to be a role model because I want people to do the best they can regardless of what they compete in, Schiller said. Being strong is awesome. Many women label themselves as strong independent women so why not prove it. Schiller said it would be an honor to continue representing the Air Force at world competitions. I am psyched about it, she said. I ll represent the Air Force as best as I can and make some people proud. Lopez will be proud of Schiller regardless if she wins or lose. She will give it 100 percent because she is very competitive, he said. If she wins though, I ll give her a day off.