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Show GOMMENTARY 'Mind the Gap' as Air Force, Hill change 3 Times July 6. 2006 tIMes BY THOMAS LOCKHART 526th ICBM Systems Sustainment As I approach my first year anniversary as the 526th ICBM Systems Sustainment Group leader, I find myself putting pen to paper in an attempt to express personal insights that might be worthwhile and nose a Thomas Lockhart slightly different perspective for those of you who are Team Hill. I always enjoy articles addressing leadership, service, and professionalism, but what I would like to do is enhance these sentiments by "minding the gap" with a bit of my personal conservatism. What does "minding the gap" mean? I heard this phrase for the first time in London while boarding "the tube" - that's "subway" on this side of the pond. "Minding the gap" means to "pay attention," "be cautious" and "be careful" because there is a separation between the platform and the tube entrance. We must "mind the gap" in our journey within the Air Force as we embark on programs such as Air Force Transformation and Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century, at the Ogden Air Logistics Center with wing, group, and squadron restructuring, and at our wings with Wtekiv Sime 1948 Hiittop Times Editorial Staff: 75th ABW Commander Chief. Public Affairs Editor Assistant Editor Beth Young, Mitch Shaw, Airman 1st Class Jenny Chong and Airman 1st Class Clayton Murray .... Staff Col. Scott Chambers Charles Freeman Barbara Fisher Tech. Sgt Crystal Robles Writers . Shannon Smith: .... Page Layout & Air Force Transformation and Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century (AFS021) were influenced greatly by the work performed at the logistics centers and specifically here. At the time that Lean was gaining momentum, I was still back at Wright Patterson AFB. Ohio at Air Force Material Command Headquarters in the transformation office. All three logistics centers showed phenomenal savings by performing Lean and Lean-lik- e events. Good news spread quickly and the AF embraced these practices and ushered in the newer, sexier Air Force version of Lean and dubbed it AFS021. The Air Force is the finest service the world has ever known and as we strive to the future let us "mind the gap" (pay attention) and build on what we have already achieved. Continuous Process Improvement, not starting over, is the building block upon which the Air Force's air and space dominance has begun! As the Ogden Air Logistics Center work forces merge into wing, groups, and squadrons - take heart. This restructuring helps the rest of the Air Force understand the Air Force Material Command structure. Pay attention! The Ogden Air Logistics still boasts the premier experts in repair of the Air Force for the Landing Gear, trainers, etc. "Minding the gap" during such "congenial official standup," indicates that gaps created by change are not insurmountable Group Director Design Deadlines: Editorial and news items, 3 p.m. Friday. For more information, call the editor, Published by Ogden Publishing Corp., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Hill AFB. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Hilltop Times 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 advertisements in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Air Force or Ogden Publishing Corp., of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office staff in Bldg. 152. Call 8 with story ideas or comments, or send to F-1- 6, A-1- 0, 0, as the real commodities are still in placet We need to recognize and pay attention to the strengths which we have alwayg displayed in engineering, contracting, dei pot repair, and item management thus, - I "Managing the Gap" Be filled with hope. One observation I can't overlook is the value of diversity History proves that diversity has made our country, our military and the Air Force great. Pay attention - don't leave room for prejudice to overshadow diversity! "Minding the Gap" means understanding culture and cultural differences. I am not talking so much of racial differences now but thought pattern and behavioral pattern differences that can exist between work groups such as maintainers, sched? ulers and programmers, logisticians and engineers, military and civilian. Pay careful attention as we bring these disparate workforces together. "Minding the gap" in this case would be to bring the best of both worlds - civilian and military to bear to have a well planned and executed organization bringing the goodness from each for the betterment of the whole. Can't wait to test my new "Minding the Gap" theory out on the next Wingman - day! Whether hopping on the tube or trans- forming the Air Force we need to "pay attention," "be cautious," and "be careful " Look to the future, be cognizant of the past and "Mind the Gap." What I feel when I look up at the American Flag and for the freedom that we have each and every day. I feel so much pride for him and what he does and he makes me feel safe. I remember going to a funeral of a family of my dad's. There friend and was an American flag draped over his coffin. The flag reminded me of his BY SHELBY MUEHLENTHALER 5th grader, Tommy's Road Elementary AFB, N.C. (AFPN) When I look at the American flag, I see something beauti ful. I feel so many different things such as honor, patriotism, freedom, pride, safety and thankfulness. I also think of our service members. SEYMOUR-JOHNSO- N er deep patriotism and I feel honor when I look up at the American flag because I am able to live here in America and live freely. We have freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of thought, and I don't have to worry about anyone telling trie how to live. Men and women have fought for our beautiful country for hundreds of years. I can't help but think of those special people when I look at the flag. My dad is one of those special people that I think about because he also fights for America 777-459- ail "hilltop.timeshill.af.mil". Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force photos. mm Hill's Total 200G DUIs: 18 the sacrifices he made. f When I look up at the American flag, I think of everything that has made this country the way it is today honorable, ; patriotic and full of pride. The service members have given the flag meaning by f the every-da- y sacrifices they make. I look up at the American flag and it makes me j proud to be an American. Editor's note: This commentary by Shelby Muehlenthaler, a 5th grade student at Tommy's Road Elementary, and daughter ofLt. Col. Dave Mue hlenthaler at Seymour-Johnso- n AFB, f is from an essay titled "What I Feel J When I Look Up At The American' Flag" which was submitted to the local Elks Lodge for the regional , I Americanism essay contest. Her essay won 1st place in the regional competition for 5th and 6th graders. Her essay ; then went on to the state level competition where she placed) I third in the state. Hill's Last DUI: Unit Involved: Photo by Airman 1st Class Jenny Chong Col. Scott Chambers, 75th Air Base Wing commander, presents Monte Osiek, 75th CES, with the first Airmen Committed to Excellence award. The ACE award is a prestigious award, created by Colonel Chambers, to provide recognition to the most valuable player within with a large coin, with an inscription that reads, 'integrity, service, excellence ... you set the bar.' Airmen Against Drinking and Driving provide rides when designated drivers are unavailable. 1 Call any time to request a ride. the wing. The award recipient is presented 777-111- HILB What was your most memorable summer vacation? HRHI 7 I Master Sgt. Robert Robsrson Capt. Larry Ware 508th Aircraft Sustainment 75th Mission Support Wing Squadron "When I went to Portugal with my wife and son and stayed in a villa for two weeks." ; "Can you ask me in three weeks? That's when my wife and I are going to Maui." Senior Airman Dustln Ballingham 419th Fighter Wing "My first Boy Scout camping trip. I was 12 and I almost burned down the entire Uinta mountain side." I I Mark Weron 84th Combat Sustainment Es SH Edward Takacs 309th Maintenance Wing Wing "I spent two weeks back- packing in Southern Utah. It was incredible." "Ten years ago, I came home from a remote tour in Korea and spent time with my family." 1 I Erlck Dixon 388th Maintenance Operations Squadron "Yellowstone, 2004. 1 was able to enjoy the nature with my family and got to stand 20 feet away from two Royal Elks." |
