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Show July 22. 1993 F ighter Country Page 3 New Arrival New logistics group commamdeir hails 38th by SrA. Bob Crenshaw Editor, Fighter Country With a few weeks of experience as the new 388th Logistics Group commander under his belt, Lt. CoL Herbert B. Scherbinske had many good words about the wing and the way we do business. Scherbinske said he had placed Hill AFB on his "dreamsheet" years ago and was very happy about being here, especially being a member of the 388th Fighter Wing. "I love it here," he said. "This is a good organization. The history of the 388th, especially for the last few years, has made the wing famous around the world for the things they have done. I'm just glad to be part of it." Although this is Scherbinske's first with opportunity for F-is novice no he an operational unit," to the world of aircraft maintenance. Entering the Air Force in 1971 as a second lieutenant and completing the aircraft maintenance officers' course at Chanute AFB, 111., the colonel volunteered for an assignment to Southeast Asia and subsequently served "hands-experien- llm, miM--- f H I Davis-Month- an 16 - winners The 388th Fighter Wing announced the April to June quarterly award winners for the wing's outstanding airman, noncommissioned officer and senior NCO, July 2, as well as announcing the company grade officer of the quarter July 8. The winners are: A1C MarkD. Renninger, SSgt. Brandon S. Lindsay, MSgt. Shane C. Rice and Capt. Michael D. Goldfein. Congratulations to all the winners. Company Grade Officer of the Quarter Capt Michael D. Goldfein 1961 Wiesbaden AB, Germany I Job: Chief of Wing Flight Safety Organization: 42 st Fighter Squadron Time in Air Force: ce maintenance officer. Since those early beginnings, Scherbinske has been assigned to almost every major command as a maintenance officer in a variety of positions, from squadron maintenance officer to a headquarters staff position at U.S. Air Forces in Europe. Most recently, he was the Deputy Commander, 355th Logistics AFB, Ariz. Group, While not having the experience of working at a unit level with the F-previously, Scherbinske said this posed no great problem. "At my level, I don't need to know how to fix the jet," he said. "We've got people out there who know how to do that. My job is more leadership and management. That doesn't change much. There's new terminology and new names for things that you have to learn when you switch from one weapons system to another, but that's not a real big deal." As far as filling that leadership position, the colonel stated he firmly believed in quality and that would show through in his style. "Quality is the big push in the Air Force and the world, and I subscribe to that wholeheartedly," Scherbinske said. "If there is one part of that I think I subscribe to more than any other, it is the idea of empowerment of the people. "I firmly believe if you give the guy or girl out there that's doing the job the opportunity to take something and do it better, they're going to come up with it," he said. Scherbinske also felt the 388th had a strong grasp on this concept and that "many innovative things are going on around here." He emphasized the Gold Flag program as being one of the best. He also stated the "GI ingenuity" will do nothing but better the wing. "I think GIs are the greatest people in the world," he said. "The Air Force selects them that way and trains them, and if we encourage that (ingenuity) in them, I think we're going to go a long way. If I were to dictate everything they're doing, it wouldn't work, because as I said earlier, I can't fix an airplane. But, there's a lot of folks out there that know how, and they certainly have some great ideas on how to do it "We need to listen to our neonle. If we trv to do what they propose to do, help them with their ideas, and get them approved, we're only going to get better and better and that goes for the whole Air Force." quarterly award Born: Sept 17, Hometown: XNV ..'3 1 9 years Family: Wife 16 . Wing selects Carole (Expecting first child) the Air Force is unlike anything "The camraderie in found in any other organization in the world. The people are of a higher quality and the feelings shared are like a family's." If - A Lt. Col. Herbert B. Scherbinske The reorganization was also an item Scherbinske felt was for the better. When he stepped on the flightline of Ubon Royal Thai Airfield, Thailand, in the later years of the Vietnam conflict, the organization of the fighter wings was close to the same as it is now, he said. "We've come full circle in my career, as far as the organization of fighter wings,' ' the colonel said. "It has both good and bad points in it "One of the obvious good points is out on the flightline getting the flightline fixers and pilots working together, making a tighter, close-kn- it organization," he said. "Besides, the way the organization was previously set up, upon deployment the maintenance officer worked for the flying squadron commander anyway." Scherbinske pointed out that one drawback with the new reorganization of fighter wings, from a logistics commander's viewpoint, is the possibility of variations among the different fighter squadrons. "We need to keep an eye on the standardization among the squadrons," he said. "Now we have three separate entities dealing by themselves, and you run the risk of them going in different directions. That's where the logistics commander, by the book, is tasked for the quality of aircraft maintenance and the quality of the training the people receive. "It's hard to get used to," he continued. "With the old system, the deputy commander for maintenance had the responsibility for all the people who worked underneath him. Now the LG commander has the responsibility, or accountability depending on who you talk to, but half the folks don't work for me. "It's more of an advisory capacity, rather than directional," Scherbinske concluded. "It's hard to get used to, especially for someone who's been around like me. But, we'll make it work because we have good people. It wouldn't have worked the old way if it wasn't for good people, and that still holds true with the new system." Scherbinske will pin the rank of colonel on the first of August, a goal he set almost 20 years ago. "About the time I made captain, I had a decision to make stay in or get out ana join tne tsoise ANG," he said. "I got to thinking about it and said, You know, I'm still having run. When it stops being fun, I need to get out.' Well, 22 years later, I m still - - here." Senior NCO of the Quarter MSgt Shane C. Rice Born: May 6, 959 1 Hometown: Starling, Colo. Job: Airplane general flight chief v Organization: 4th Fighter Squadron Time in Air Force: 16 years - Janet Family: Wife ft AV was unavailable for comment as he Is on a temporary duty assignment to Nellis AFB, Nev. MSgt Mice NCO of the Quarter SSgt Brandon Bom: Oct S. 18, rlfSHpJMNIB Lindsay 1967 Hometown: Elkins. W.Va. Job: Aircraft armament systems technician Organization: 388th Operations Group Time in Air Force: 7 years Family: Wife Marjorle1 - It ' Son Tyler of my success should go to my wife and son as they ore my Inspiration. The sum of my success is attributed to the 388th Weapons Standardization Flight that Is laden with great senior NCO and NCO leadership. I'm only following the "Much example they set Airman of the Quarter A I C Mark D. Renninger Bom: May 9. 1970 Hometown: Allentown, Pi. Job: Aircraft armament support team member Organization: 388th Maintenance Squadron Time in Air Force: 2 Years - Family: Wife Sherry " owe a lot to rr.y supervisor who helped me win the award. I work in a great shop, fd hate to work someplace where fd dread getting up in the morning.' |