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Show COMMENTARY 2 flMES January 21, 2010 MES Weekly Since L948 Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Lee Carter... Standard-Examiner publisher Mary Lou Gorny Hilltop Times Editor Lee Anne Hensley Hilltop Times Writer Catherine McNally Hilltop Times Correspondent Deadlines: Editorial and news items are due by noon on the Friday prior to the Thursday print date. To submit news items e-mail hilrtoptimesftstandard.net or. call (801) 625-4273. For Classified Advertising, call (801) 625-4300. For Retail Advertising, call (801) 625-4388. The Hilltop Times is published by Ogden Publishing Corporation, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under, and in compliance with, a Memorandum of Understanding with Hill Air Force Base. The content of the Hilltop Times does not necessarily represent the views of, nor is it endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or Hill Air Force Base (collectively, the Government). 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Maintaining the human weapons system in the "back shops" to provide specialized Air Education and Training Command command chief maintenance beyond ANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Tfexas their expertise. Avi— It all started during a staff meeting onics, fuels, weapons when I was at Elmendorf Air Force and others help with Base, Alaska. Seeing a major I didn't know, I whatever is needed introduced myself. In reply she spoke a sento ensure the perfortence that still echoes in my mind. mance and safety of "Hello chief, I'm Maj. Jennifer Halter, I am the jet. On occasion, a crew chief on the human weapons system," we will even take a jet she said. off the line and send it Puzzled, I asked for clarification and she refor depot-level mainteChief Master Sgt. Tappana plied, "I am a crew chief on the human weapnance, an upgrade of ons system. I maintain the critical emotional its major systems. This guidance system of our most valued asset." allows us to fly our aircraft for 50 years and more. She was our new mental health officer. I realized there are many parallels between I paused to consider her unique point of Airmen and aircraft. I am — we are — comview. Was I a "weapons system?" Did I want to be one? The answer to that question was a plex structures of systems: We require constant and competent maintenance. Who is my quick "yes." crew chief? I believe I am. Basic maintenance In the Air Force we revere our weapons — food, rest, exercise and education — is my systems. When I enlisted there were seldom pictures of people on the walls but there were responsibility. My supervisor, teammates, always pictures of our weapons; aircraft, mis- wingmen and chain of command serve as assistant crew chiefs. Sometimes though, I need siles, satellites, etc. more maintenance than my supervisor and I Afterward, I looked out my window and can provide. This is where the "back shops" pondered the F-15 Eagles on the flightline. play their role in maintaining our human Each is a complex system of systems reweapons system. quiring dedicated and skilled maintenance. Each is assigned a crew chief and assistant Should my spiritual compass go askew, crew chief responsible for ensuring the jet is our chaplains will help me "re-center" it. The always in good repair. No pilot steps to a jet professionals at the dining facility are here to until the crew chiefs prepare it and verify it is ensure I am properly fueled. Should I suffer ready to go. a physical breakdown, the medical group is standing by with specialists for all my physi"Sir/ma'am, the jet is ready," a crew chief cal systems. If I find my thrust-to-weight ratio would say. "All systems are green. If you handle it properly it will take you out and back off and my performance slowing, I can go to and you'll both be ready for tomorrow's mis- the health and wellness center and the fitness center for a fitness tune-up. Just as we have sion." The crew chiefs have access to specialists preventative maintenance for aircraft, we COMMENTARY BY CHIEF MASTER SGT. ROB TAPPANA R also have preventative maintenance pie including routine performance feedback^ proper diet and exercise andpreventative health assessments. We even have depot-levj maintenance. After all, what is professional military education but depot-level maintenance for the leadership guidance module o: the human weapons system? Tbo often, we treat our equipment like tr< sure and our people like labor. We often worlfcour people as hard as we can and then are •£; disappointed when they break down or fail. -"" We don't do it intentionally but it still works out that way. I'd like to serve in an Air Force where our human weapons systems are as revered as our other weapons systems. One where each member works as hard at maintaining themselves and their people as the weapons and processes they are responsible for. One where no Airman is sent on the day's mission until his/her supervisor checks him/ her over and ensures he/she is mission-ready. "Sir/ma'am, I've checked out Airman Snuffy. All systems are green. If you treat her right she'll perform well and be ready for tomorrow's mission when we need her." There is no reason we cannot become more capable as we age. It all boils down to how well we maintain ourselves and our teams. I owe Maj. Halter a great deal. She reshaped how I look at maintaining myself 1 and my team. She was right; we are the Air Force's most valued asset. America provides-' us with her most precious treasure: her sons; and daughters. It is up to us to ensure that each reaches their maximum potential and . provides their best to our mission of defending the nation. I am Chief Master Sgt. Rob Tappana. I am a crew chief on the human weapons system, and so are you. ,..•: 777-7000 action.line.pa@hill.af.mil When you call or send an e- answering questions and solv- Report suspicious activity vi3 the ,,AFOSI EAGLE EYES p[-ogt-arpm,; I> I 7/I mail, your comments will be re-ing i problems,.before calling corded and staffed through the the Action Line. This will help Dial: 777-3056/3057/3058. 7 ( 1 li l agency Y&j36n sible for action. me 'bette?' s^K/e ^6ur interests .' " 'WafcH'- Report -Protect Please give your supervisor Items of basewide interest will Force Protection is Our Business and chain of command'the op- be published in the Hilltop - Everyone is a Sensor portunity to work with you in Times. >>'.:•'. Phone numbers —The base agencies listed can be contacted directly If you have a complaint or a problem with their services: Security Forces..:.i...;..;.::; 24-hr. Crisis Information Force Support Squadron..... Base Restaurants Retirement/Compensation (dvilian) Social Actions Employer Relations Military Pay..:. ,777-3056 Civilian Pay ::.;::il..: 777-6246777-3056 Air Force Suggestion 777-6901 777-4134 program 777-2043 Hill Straight Talk 777-9696 .777-6142 |G Complaints 777-5305 777 VAZ (fof appointment) 777-7129 IG ComPlaints -.—....•777-5361 ,777-1851 (afternoon) ,i ;; :1;.>H ] "•• Fraud, Waste or Abuse 777-5361 Maintenance Y '" Safet office y • 777-3333 (recordinq) ' Safety Office Hotline 586-8300 Loud Noise 1-877-885-9595 Union 777-3257 (complaints) AFOSI Narcotics Hotline 777-1852 75th Medical Group!p ..777-4918 Ciil Eiri7771856 Civil Engineering 777-1856 Family Assistance Center 777-3090 Hill Pride Hotline 777-7433 (when octivoted) ./. .,,. .-' .;-.Public Affairs 777-5333 . • .. . .;.:, Yc •"".:. ^ : Military Housing 825-9392 - -."•' /.: \'::'f ~-^:: ••'*, " Which two teams do you want to see in the Super Bowl this year? Nest Fitnc-ss Tip from lh« Health jnd IVclIncti Center Learn how to avoid portion distortion with a class aimed at keeping you from getting supersized! A lunch and learn Tuesday, Jan. 26, will illustrate what healthy food portions are and help you cut down for a "healthier you" with guest speaker Kammi Hansen, Hearty and Wellness nutritionist 11 a.m. to noon. Call 777-1215 to register! THINK SAFETY Hill's Total 2010 DDis: 3 Hill's Last DUI: Unit Involved: Airmen Against Drinking and Driving provide rides when designated drivers are unavailable. Call 777-11V any time to request a ride. Linda Fisher 75th Force Support Squadron 'JJust because I saw the movie, The Blind Side/I'd like to see the Ravens play in a Super Bowl. I would also like to see the Dallas Cowboys play." Staff Sgt. Stephany Sarkey 419th Fighter Wing "Ideally, I would like to see the Oakland Raiders play. I would like to see them defeat the Denver Broncos." Master Sgt. Jody Edwards 388th Operations Support Squadron "In this Super Bowl, I'd like to see the Vikings piay against the Colts. It would be interesting to see the old guy with all the records take on the new guy who will eventually break all the records." Capt. JR Gibbens 388th OSS "I want to see the Vikings play the Colts in this Super Bowl." |