A publication of the 502nd Air Base Wing – Joint Base San Antonio
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH
No. 12 • MARCH 27, 2015
PAGE 4
INSIDE ... FIGHTING SEXUAL ASSAULT, P6 ... FSS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS, P9-12 ... WATCH OUT FOR SKUNKS, P16
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WINGSPREAD
COMMENTARY
ON THE COVER
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
Rosie the Riveter and me
By Staff Sgt. Alexandra Longfellow
509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
As we recognize Women's History
Month this March, I am struck by the
thought that heroes and role models do
not have to be one single person but, in
fact, can be several people. For me, this
truth is especially relevant.
During World War II, many women
opted to take on male dominated trades
to support their families while their
husbands fought in the war. This was
a stark change from an era in which
women typically held a position as
housewives.
It was during this time that "Rosie the
Riveter" was born. In 1942, Veronica
Foster, who had in the previous year
become the face of Canadian women
in the war effort as "Ronnie the Bren
Gun Girl," donned the red bandana
and rolled up her sleeves for Canada's
neighbors to the south.
"Rosie the Riveter," as she was known
in the U.S., was soon the iconic image
of women entering the workplace and
taking up industrial jobs in support of
their nation.
Originally, it was meant to represent
the millions of women employed at shipyards and manufacturing plants who
were developing the nation's military
arsenal and assembling war supplies.
The poster itself evolved into a multidimensional inspiration.
Shortly thereafter, Redd Evans and
John Jacob Loeb wrote a song in tribute
to Rosie, which became very popular.
"All the day long,
Where rain or shine
She's part of the assembly line.
She's making history,
Working for victory
Rosie the Riveter"
Even today, Rosie's signature expression and inherent strength are an
“I pushed myself hard in high school. During those years,
we learned my mother had brain cancer, while my
father's health would go from bad to worse. I needed to
learn to support myself in any and every way possible.
I needed to be independent. I applied myself at school,
extra-curricular activities and several different jobs.”
inspiration to millions of Americans,
myself included.
I first learned about Rosie when I was
seven. My mom handed me a magazine
to look through and I saw the bright yellow and blue background overlaid with
a girl showing her muscles. I was so
intrigued by the girl in the red polka-dot
bandana.
From that moment on, I constantly
asked my parents who she was, what
she did and why she did it. I wanted to
be exactly like her when I grew up.
I pushed myself hard in high school.
During those years, we learned my
mother had brain cancer, while my
father's health would go from bad to
worse. I needed to learn to support
myself in any and every way possible. I
needed to be independent. I applied myself at school, extra-curricular activities
and several different jobs.
My parents signed the papers for
me to enter the Air Force at the age
of 17. Three weeks after I graduated
high school, I was on a plane headed
to San Antonio, Texas, for basic military training.
Although I do not get my hands
dirty on an assembly line every day
the way Rosie did, I still pull my hair
back tight and use my hands to get
the job done for our military and to
provide for my family.
Every time I felt I could not do something, whether in BMT or at my duty
station, I remembered the millions of
women who rose above and conquered
Check us out on . . .
• Facebook: Joint Base San Antonio, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston,
Lackland JBSA and JBSA-Randolph
• Twitter: @JBSA_Ofﬁcial, @JBSAFSH, @JBSALackland and
@JBSARandolph • YouTube: Joint Base San Antonio
MARCH 27, 2015
what others thought they could not.
My mother passed away while
I was at my first duty station and
shortly after that my father passed.
During those times, I kept a positive
attitude. I needed to; it was who I
was and who I needed to be.
I had a can-do attitude and knew I
was not alone. Thinking of Rosie helped
me get back up on my feet and continue
to do good things with my life and become a better Airman, a better me.
I am a single mother of two children,
full-time student and a military career
woman. I give 100 percent in every aspect in my life. I am a real life Rosie.
I have a tattoo of Rosie on my right
arm as a symbol of how I became
who I am today. Rosie taught me that
all people, not just women, can do
anything they want as long as they
set their mind to it – and history
shows that.
World War II represented a major
turning point for women as they eagerly
supported the war effort. The long-term
significance of the change brought about
by the war provided the foundation for
the contemporary women's movement.
Although women have made tremendous progress during the past 50 years,
Rosie the Riveter still stands as a beacon
of inspiration and determination.
The "We Can Do It" poster means so
much to women in America – a symbol
that illustrates both a proud legacy and
the challenges they will continue to face
and conquer in the future.
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Thomas Collins
(left), former Vietnam War POW, speaks
with Capt. Benjamin Peacock, 99th Flying
Training Squadron pilot training student,
during the 560th Flying Training Squadron
Artifact Dedication ceremony and open
house Friday at Joint Base San AntonioRandolph. For the complete story, see
page 4. Photo by Johnny Saldivar
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph
Editorial Staff
Brig. Gen. Bob LaBrutta
502nd Air Base Wing/JBSA Commander
Todd G. White
502nd ABW/JBSA Public Affairs Director
Marilyn C. Holliday
JBSA-Randolph Public Affairs Chief
Airman 1st Class Alexandria Slade
Editor
Airman 1st Class Stormy Archer
Maricris Moore
Robert Goetz, David DeKunder
Staff Writers
Maggie Armstrong
Graphic Designer
Wingspread Office
1150 5th Street East
JBSA-Randolph, Texas 78150
Phone: (210) 652-4410
Wingspread email
[email protected]
Wingspread Advertisement Office
EN Communities
P.O. Box 2171
San Antonio, Texas 78297
(210) 250-2440
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 Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. This commercial enterprise Air Force
newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the
U.S. military services. Contents of the Wingspread 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 nonmerit
factor of the purchaser, user or patron.
Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the
Public Affairs Office of JBSA-Randolph. All photos, unless
otherwise indicated, are U.S. Air Force photos.
The deadline for submissions is noon Wednesday the
week prior to publication. All submissions can be emailed
to [email protected].
MARCH 27, 2015
WINGSPREAD
Interactive Customer Evaluation
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 http://ice.disa.mil.
Air Force COOL program kicks off
The Community College of the Air Force officially launched the Air Force
Credentialing Opportunities On-Line program March 16. Air Force COOL is a
pathway for enlisted Airmen to earn industry recognized professional certifications and licenses to enhance their active-duty work and to prepare them as
they transition to the civilian job market after they leave the service. CCAF
manages the program, which is similar to the Army and Navy’s programs.
Found on the Air Force Portal, Air Force COOL has a credential mapping of
642 professional certifications and licenses for 190 enlisted Air Force specialty
codes. The credentials are at the national and state levels and from industry.
Complete Air Force COOL program details, application procedures, eligibility
requirements and AFSC listings are located on the Air Force Portal .
PAGE 3
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WINGSPREAD
MARCH 27, 2015
NEWS
560th FTS honors POWs during 42nd Freedom Flyer Reunion
By Airman 1st Class Alexandria Slade
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs
Members of the 560th Flying Training
Squadron hosted the 42nd Freedom Flyer
Reunion and 18th Annual POW/MIA Symposium
Friday at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph to honor
all POWs held captive during the Vietnam War.
The annual event included tours, a wreath-laying
ceremony, a missing man formation flyover and a
symposium. Col. Matthew Isler, 12th Flying Training Wing commander, and Lt. Col. Orson Swindle,
former POW, were featured as guest speakers during the wreath-laying event at the foot of JBSARandolph’s Missing Man Monument.
“Today we look back to honor the service and celebrate those who came home,” Isler said. “We pause to
remember those who did not return, those 1,636 Airmen who remain unaccounted for in Southeast Asia.”
Swindle, who was held in captivity for seven years af-
ter his F-8E aircraft was shot down over North Vietnam
Nov. 11, 1966, spoke of the importance of the sacrifices
made by his comrades who did not come home, and
the duty of current service members in honoring that
sacrifice through their actions.
“The [POWs and MIA members] are extraordinary
people who were caught in extraordinary circumstances and turbulent times,” Swindle said. “We all
benefited by their presence, their demeanor, their
courage, their integrity, all of these wonderful attributes we attribute to great leaders. They were more
than just being a pilot or an aircrew man or an infantry officer. They were leaders. They lead. They set
the example. And to you, our younger generation, I
would say to you because you stand on their shoulders … earn this. Don’t let them down.”
Following the wreath-laying ceremony, individuals
had the opportunity to hear six former POWs share
experiences from captivity and lessons in perseverance
during the 18th Annual POW/MIA Symposium in the
Retired Air Force Col. Mike
Brazelton (left), former Vietnam
War POW, and Maj. Joe Elam,
560th Flying Training
Squadron evaluator pilot,
display the Freedom
Flight photo of the first
POW Flight of Four
during the 560th Flying
Training Squadron Artifact Dedication ceremony
and open house Friday at
JBSA-Randolph.
Photo by Melissa Peterson
Members of Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph community attend the wreath-laying ceremony
at the Missing Man Monument during the 42nd Freedom Flyer Reunion Friday at JBSA-Randolph. Hosted by the 560th Flying Training Squadron members, the squadron was originally
given the task to retrain more than 150 POWs returning to flying status.
Photo by Johnny Saldivar
Photo by Harold China
Retired Col. Ronald E. Byrne (left) speaks with Col. Matthew Isler, 12th Flying Training Wing
commander, at the 42nd Freedom Flyer Reunion Friday at JBSA-Randolph.
JBSA-Randolph Fleenor Auditorium.
Speakers included retired Navy Cmdr. Everett
Alvarez Jr., the first American aviator to be shot
down over North Vietnam and retired Air Force
Col. Carlyle Harris, who introduced the tap code
to fellow POWs during captivity to facilitate secret
communication between prisoners.
Retired Gen. Charles Boyd, Vietnam War combat pilot and former POW, was in attendance for this year’s
events and expressed that the Freedom Flyers’ legacy
serves as inspiration for today’s Airmen.
“I think they understand the commitment that warriors make to their country and we’re living symbols
of that,” Boyd said. “These guys are growing in their
profession. But to have some symbols of the older fellows who served in the different era, in different wars,
I think is valuable to them.”
The reunion began when members of the 560th Flying Training Squadron were given the task to retrain
more than 150 POWs returning to flying status.
Photo by Melissa Peterson
Col. Matthew Isler (right),
12th FTW commander,
and retired Col. Gary
Baber salute the wreath
Friday during the wreathlaying ceremony.
MARCH 27, 2015
WINGSPREAD
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph
Chapel Easter Schedule
Catholic Holy Week Services
Penance Service: March 25 at 7 p.m., Religious Activity Center (building 975)
Palm Sunday: March 28, 5:30 p.m., Chapel One
March 29, 8:30 a.m., RAC (building 975)
and 11:30 a.m., Chapel One
Triduum
Holy Thursday: April 2, 5:30 p.m., Chapel One
with Eucharistic Adoration until midnight
Good Friday: April 3, 5:30 p.m., Chapel One
Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil, April 4, 8:30 p.m., Chapel One
Easter Sunday: April 5, 8:30 a.m. RAC (building 975)
and 11:30 a.m., Chapel One
Protestant Holy Week Services
Palm Sunday: March 29, 8:15 a.m., Chapel 1
and 11 a.m., RAC (building 975)
Good Friday: April 3, 3 p.m., Chapel One
Easter Sunday: April 5, 8:15 a.m., Chapel 1
and 11 a.m., RAC (building 975)
PAGE 5
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WINGSPREAD
MARCH 27, 2015
‘Respect The Red Line:’ Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention, Response training released
By Karen Izdepski
JBSA Sexual Assault Prevention and Response
Advocate Programs Director
The Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program recently released the new Air Force
requirements for annual SAPR training.
The Air Force’s goal for fiscal year 2015 SAPR training is to generate increased peer-to-peer, commanderto-unit, and sexual assault response coordinator-to-military member engagement on the topic of sexual assault
prevention throughout the year.
To foster change, the annual training format has been
modified with the intent to generate continuous dialogue
about sexual assault prevention and response within the
Air Force community.
To that end, Air Force SAPR has developed a curriculum titled “Respect the Red Line.” Fiscal year 2015 SAPR
training has two components which must be completed
by Sept. 30 – a large group module and three small
group modules.
The large group module is led by SAPR-trained personnel and is about 90 minutes. The small group modules (10-15 Airmen per session) are unit led and are
about 20 to 30 minutes each.
These small group modules are led by unit facilitators selected by the unit commander. At least two of
the three (minimum) modules must include “Male Vic-
timization” and “How to Talk to a Survivor.” There are
10 optional topics such as “Rape Culture,” “Bystander
Intervention,” “Neurobiology of Trauma,” and “Successful Convictions,” to name a few, that a unit may
choose from to complete the minimum of three total
small group modules.
A schedule for the large group modules and register
can be found by using the Share Point sites listed below.
All JBSA locations will offer these large group modules
for the remainder of the fiscal year. Unit facilitators of
the small group modules can also find training materials
on these sites, along with other supportive materials.
Annual training is mandatory for all Air Force military members, Department of Defense civilians and
non-appropriated fund employees. DOD contractors are
highly encouraged to attend.
Individuals who are uncomfortable receiving SAPR
training may work with their unit training managers and their local SAPR advocacy center to complete
training or to request a waiver. SAPR advocacy centers
can be reached by calling 671-7273 at JBSA-Lackland,
808-8990 at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston or 652-4386 at
JBSA-Randolph.
To register for the Air Force SAPR large group modules and to find Air Force SAPR small group module
curriculums, visit https://jbsa.eis.aetc.af.mil/SAPR/jbsarnd_sapr_trng/default.aspx for JBSA-Randolph; https://
jbsa.eis.aetc.af.mil/SAPR/jbsa-fsh_sapr_trng/default.
Courtesy graphic
aspx for JBSA-Fort Sam Houston; and https://jbsa.eis.
aetc.af.mil/SAPR/jbsa-lak_sapr_trng/default.aspx for
JBSA-Lackland.
MARCH 27, 2015
WINGSPREAD
PAGE 7
iMatter site gives AETC Airmen voice to share innovations
By Capt. Jennifer Richard
Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
Air Education and Training Command launched the
iMatter website March 23, giving all command Total
Force Airmen access to an AETC-specific tool for sharing innovations and improvement ideas.
The concept took hold based on Gen. Robin Rand,
AETC commander, hearing ideas directly from Airmen
during his command site visits.
"Air Education and Training Command has great Airmen doing great things every day," Rand said. "I want
every Airman in the command to know they have a
voice to me – 24/7. In addition to my AETC Commander
Facebook page and the AETC public website, iMatter
helps accomplish this goal by offering a venue to post
innovative suggestions or ideas."
iMatter allows AETC Airmen to post their suggestions
for improving processes and procedures as well as their
ideas on how to improve the command. Airmen provide their inputs via a simple, online form. Then, each
submission is reviewed by the AETC Innovation and
Transformation Office, which oversees the command's
Air Force Smart Operations program. According to rules
of engagement posted on the iMatter site, posts must
be respectful and well-researched and not complaints
or personal opinions.
"No idea is off limits," Charles Wyatt said, master
process owner for the AETC Air Force
Smart Operations program, "but this
is not the Inspector General Complaint System."
Once an idea is submitted, the ITO
sends the idea to the appropriate functional area of responsibility to consider. Depending on the response
from the functional, the ITO staff
may see if there is an opportunity
to apply their AFSO skills in ways
such as conducting additional research or holding an AFSO event.
For each idea, the exact process
differs depending on the scope of the
recommendation or problem.
"We really do try, as much as reasonably
possible, to implement submitters' ideas, and we'd
like to get the entire process – from beginning to end
– completed as quickly as possible," Wyatt said. "And
just about every step of the way, as a suggestion moves
along the path, the submitter gets notified and informed
about the status of the idea."
With iMatter now live, AETC leadership is looking to
Airmen at all levels to begin using the site and submitting
their ideas. AETC will conduct a cost-benefit analysis of
iMatter around the July-August timeframe to measure
the site's impact, according to Maj. Alan Haedge, chief
of command policy and special programs
for AETC, so now is the time for Airmen to make their voices heard.
"Think about the power that
62,000 Airmen across AETC can
have," Haedge said. "There are tons
of folks out there with great, innovative ideas; hopefully they'll take
the time to put those ideas on the
iMatter site. Commercial entities
such as USAA and Starbucks actually use similar tools and have
had great success. In fact, USAA
has generated over 500 patents
since 2010 with their respective innovation program."
"This program is intended to help complement
existing Air Force programs and to focus on AETCspecific areas of innovation," Haedge said.
To start using iMatter, Airmen can visit the site, https://
app10-eis.aetc.af.mil/imatter/SitePages/home.aspx, and
access a variety of resources, including an iMatter User’s
Guide and instructional videos. Each iMatter site visitor
must use his/her Common Access Card (CAC) and select
the non-email CAC certificate in order to access the site.
For non-CAC users or to find out more, contact the AETC
Innovation and Transformation Office at AETC.AFSO21.
[email protected].
PAGE 8
WINGSPREAD
MARCH 27, 2015
Air Force taking applications for summer jobs
By Janis El Shabazz
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
The Air Force will hire hundreds of students and others through the summer hire program which kicked
off March 13. There are 300-plus positions available
locally throughout Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph,
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, JBSA-Lackland and even a
few at Canyon Lake.
Participation in the program varies from base to base,
but all listings will be posted at https://www.usajobs.gov/.
The summer hire program will end Sept. 25.
Clerical, lifeguard, recreation aid, computer clerk,
general laborer positions and more are available.
Most summer hire positions are open to people eligible
for the Pathways Summer Intern Program, but some
may be open to Veteran Recruitment Appointment,
30 percent or more disabled veterans, reinstatement,
military spouse and disability-eligible applicants or to
the general public.
"Program participants will gain valuable real world
experiences and job skills that can make landing that
first permanent job much easier," said Robbie Brown,
AFPC Civilian Force Integration Directorate.
Student applicants must be enrolled in an accredited
high school or enrolled/accepted for enrollment as degree-seeking students, taking at least a half-time course
load in an accredited technical, vocational, two- or four-
year college or university, or graduate or
professional school. All Pathways summer
interns will be required to complete a Pathways participant agreement.
VRA applicants must be disabled veterans or veterans who served on active
duty in the armed forces during a war,
or in a campaign or expedition for which
a campaign badge has been authorized,
or veterans who – while serving on active
duty – participated in a United States military
operation for which an armed forces service medal
was awarded, or a recently separated veteran.
To qualify under the veterans' 30 percent disabled
hiring authority, individuals must have served in the
military, be able to produce proof of service and disability (DD Form, Certificate of Release or Discharge from
Active Duty, 214 Member 4 copy and Veterans Affairs
Disability Rating), and have a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more.
Announcement Info:
• Clerical – GS-0399-01/05 – Job Announcement
Number: SUM-AFPC-1356764-EAT
This position is being re-announced. Applicants who
applied under announcement SUM-AFPC-1351423-LJD
must reapply
• Student Trainee (Lead Recreation Aid Lifeguard),
GS-0199-04 – Job Announcement Number: SUM-AFPC-
1356209-LAP
• Student Trainee (Lifeguard), GS0199-02/04 – Job Announcement Number: SUM-AFPC-1357435-LAP
This vacancy is being re-announced.
Candidates who applied for Announcement # SUM-AFPC-1349696-LJD must
self-nominate for this Announcement in
order to receive consideration
• Laborer – Summer Hire, WG-350101/04 – Job Announcement Number: SUMAFPC-1356909-EAT
This position is being re-announced. Applicants who
applied under announcement SUM-AFPC-1348133-LJD
must reapply
Job seekers should call 800-525-0102 (if hearing impaired, call TTY/TTD 800-382-0893) for more information. Applicants located outside the U.S. will first dial
a toll-free AT&T direct access number for the country
they are in, then 800-525-0102. When the phone system
answers, press 2 for civilian employees, then follow the
prompts. For a list of the AT&T toll free access numbers,
go to http://www.usa.att.com/traveler/index.jsp.
For more information about Air Force personnel programs go to myPers at https://mypers.af.mil.
Individuals who do not have a myPers account can
request one at http://www.retirees.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-120510-068.pdf.
MARCH 27, 2015
WINGSPREAD
PAGE 13
JBSA facility manager training
Joint Base San Antonio facility manager training is scheduled for
the following dates and places:
• JBSA Fort Sam Houston- 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, building 4197, civil
engineer training room
• JBSA-Lackland- 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, building 7356, auditorium at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy Training Center
• JBSA-Randolph- 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Fleenor Auditorium
The training is for all primary and alternate facility managers who require initial and annual refresher training. If
unable to attend the training session at their location, facility
managers are asked to attend one of the other sessions. This
is an annual requirement.
Facility managers are asked to bring an updated letter of designation signed by the appointing official to the training session.
For more information, call 671-3485.
Parenting order legal clinic available
A parenting order legal clinic takes place noon to 2 p.m. today at
the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Military & Family Readiness
Center. Judge Advocate General Corps and Texas Attorney General
staff will answer questions, but cannot represent or give legal
advice. Attendees are encouraged to bring any prior court orders to
the clinic. For more information, call 652-6781.
502nd Air Base Wing Commander’s Calls
Brig. Gen. Bob LaBrutta, 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base
San Antonio commander, will hold a series of commander’s calls
at JBSA locations. The ﬁrst is at 10 a.m. today at the Bob Hope
Theater at JBSA-Lackland. The next is at 1 p.m. Monday at the
JBSA-Randolph Fleenor Auditorium. The final commander’s call is
at 10 a.m. April 3 at the Evans Theater at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston.
JBSA Easter egg hunt
Joint Base San Antonio youth ages 2-10 are invited to an Easter
egg hunt from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the JBSA-Fort Sam
Houston Pershing Ball Park. Children ages 2 and younger start off
the festivities with other age-appropriate groups following every 10
minutes. All participants receive candy and each age bracket has
a chance to win prizes. For more information, call 221-3502.
Washington Circle changes
Drivers are advised to slow down for the next 60 days as
they enter Washington Circle. Crews will be pulling up the
bushes located in the center of the circle. Work is expected
to begin Saturday. For more information about the grounds
maintenance, call 214-1239.
PAGE 14
MARCH 27, 2015
WINGSPREAD
Famaganza celebrates military child, showcases community resources
By Robert Goetz
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs
One of Joint Base San AntonioRandolph’s longest-running annual
events is just two weeks away.
Now in its 19th year, the 502nd
Force Support Squadron’s Famaganza
is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 11
at the JBSA-Randolph Youth Programs
complex, buildings 584 and 585. A free
family event open to all Department
of Defense cardholders, Famaganza
features entertainment, food and information booths.
“Famaganza celebrates the Month
of the Military Child,” Andrea Black,
502nd FSS youth programs coordinator, said.
The event also showcases JBSARandolph’s community resources,
she said.
“People don’t realize all the resources they have here,” Black said.
“It’s a great way to touch so many
people at one time.”
Booths on Youth Programs’ grounds
and inside building 585 will provide
information about JBSA-Randolph’s
resources, including helping agencies
such as the Military & Family Readiness Center, Military and Family Life
counselors, the Family Advocacy Office and Mental Health Flight and the
JBSA-Randolph Chapel, as well as the
dental clinic and pediatrics, the Boy
Scouts, the Toastmasters, the 902nd
Security Forces Squadron and JBSARandolph Fire Emergency Services.
Information booths will also fea-
“People don’t realize all the resources they
have here. It’s a great way to touch so many
people at one time.”
Andrea Black
502nd Force Support Squadron youth programs coordinator
ture demonstrations, giveaways and
activities for children.
Youth Programs’ Keystone Club, an
organization that builds leaders, will
focus on bullying awareness and prevention at its booth, Black said.
“The Keystone Club has a huge
presence in the community,” she said,
noting that club members engaging in
activities such as visiting the elderly
at an assisted living center and feeding the homeless.
Another returning attraction is
San Antonio Dusty Paws, a nonprofit, foster-based rescue organization
that will offer shelter dogs for adop-
tion, Black said.
“Last year we had Dusty Paws for
the first time,” she said. “They had six
adoptions, and this year they’ll have
an 18-foot trailer with even more
dogs up for adoption.”
Famaganza is entertaining as well
as educational.
The outside stage will feature entertainment by former Youth Programs
You Got Talent Family and Teen Talent Contest winner Katryna Marttala
and singing partner Zander Herrera,
who will perform songs from Disney
movies; a presentation by Youth Programs’ 2015 Youth of the Year Rianna
Jackson; and dance, gymnastics and
karate demonstrations.
The 902nd SFS will present a military working dog demonstration and
a weapons display.
Interactive activities will include
a petting zoo, a rock-climbing wall,
bungee trampolines, a hamster ball
drag race track, a dual bungee run, a
joust pit and a basketball shoot-out.
The event will also feature a book
sale by Youth Programs’ Parent Advisory Council.
For more information or to volunteer, call Black at 652-3298 or email
her at [email protected].
MARCH 27, 2015
WINGSPREAD
PAGE 15
Scalding injuries can happen at any age
By Ricardo Campos
Joint Base San Antonio Fire Emergency Services
Fire Prevention Office
His name was Manual Amador, a
bright, young, active and handsome child.
He was the son of my wife’s grandmother and grandfather. Being the first-born
child of the family, he was the apple of
everyone’s eye.
During the early 1900s, washing
clothes was done in a hot iron pot outside
and the clothes were hung to dry on a
string across two trees or poles. My wife’s
grandmother was hanging the clothes
when she heard a horrific cry coming
from the direction of the boiling pot.
The worst-case scenario caught her
eye as her son had fallen into the boiling pot. She frantically rushed to him
and cradled him. At the same time,
her husband ran over and immediately
grabbed his son from the arms of his
wife. The frantic couple ran more than
two miles to the nearest country doctor. Unfortunately, the child passed
away the next day.
A scalding injury can happen at any
age. Children, older adults and people
with disabilities are especially at risk. Hot
liquids from bath water, hot coffee and
even microwaved soup can cause devastating injuries. Scald burns are the second-leading cause of all burn injuries.
According to the National Fire Prevention Association, there were 70,800
scalding non-fire burn injuries reported
to hospital emergency rooms in 2012, up
from 68,700 in 2011.
The National Scald Prevention Steering Committee notes that children are at
particularly high risk for burn injuries
due to their immature motor and cognitive skills, inability to self-rescue and dependence on adults for supervision and
danger-avoidance interventions. Older
adults are similarly more vulnerable due
to decreased reaction time, impaired mobility and effects of pre-existing health
conditions.
The NFPA provides the following safety
tips to prevent scalding injuries:
• Teach children that hot things can
burn. Install anti-scald devices on tub
faucets and shower heads.
• Always supervise a child in or near
a bathtub.
• Test the water at the faucet. It should
be less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, or
38 degrees Celsius.
• Before placing a child in the bath
or getting in the bath yourself, test the
water.
• Test the water by moving your hand,
wrist and forearm through the water. The
water should feel warm – not hot – to
the touch.
• Place hot liquids and food in the center of a table or toward the back of a
counter.
• Have a “kid-free zone” of at least
three feet around the stove and areas
where hot food or drink is prepared
or carried.
• Open microwaved food slowly, away
from the face.
• Never hold a child while you are
cooking, drinking a hot liquid or carrying hot foods or liquids.
• Never heat a baby bottle in a microwave oven. Heat baby bottles in warm
water from the faucet.
• Allow microwaved food to cool before
eating.
• Choose prepackaged soups whose
containers have a wide base or, to avoid
the possibility of a spill, pour the soup into
a traditional bowl after heating.
Scald treatment:
• Treat a burn right away.
Courtesy graphic
• Cool the burn with cool water for
three to five minutes.
• Cover the burn with a clean, dry
cloth.
• Get medical help if needed.
NFPA safety officials also warn that
prepackaged microwavable soups are a
frequent cause of scald burn injuries (especially noodle soups) because they can
easily tip over, pouring hot liquid (and
noodles) on the person.
Officials at the NSPSC said hot water
will burn skin at temperatures much
lower than its boiling point of 212 degrees Fahrenheit or 100 degrees Celsius. It only takes 2 seconds of exposure
to 148 degrees Fahrenheit/64 degrees
Celsius water to cause a burn serious
enough to require surgery. They recommend that water heaters be set at 120
degrees Fahrenheit/48 degrees Celsius,
or just below the medium setting. A safe
bathing temperature is 100 degrees
Fahrenheit.
To learn more about scalding prevention, visit the NFPA website at
http://www.nfpa.org/education or the
National Scald Prevention Steering
Committee website at http://www/
flashsplash.org or call the local fire
prevention offices at Joint Base San
Antonio-Fort Sam Houston at 2212727; at 671-2921 for JBSA-Lackland
and at 652-6915 for JBSA-Randolph.
PAGE 16
MARCH 27, 2015
WINGSPREAD
Spring brings increased skunk population for JBSA-Randolph
By David DeKunder
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs
Sightings of skunks at Joint Base San
Antonio locations are likely to increase
with the coming of spring, with installation residents and personnel being
urged to take precautions if they should
encounter the foul smelling animals.
With breeding season underway,
skunks will be roaming the grounds of
JBSA installations looking for a mate
and digging dens underneath buildings
and houses on base.
Miguel Amador, pest management
supervisor with the 502nd Civil Engineering Squadron at Joint Base San
Antonio-Randolph, said there is one
thing base residents and personnel
should adhere to if they see or smell
the foul odor of a skunk.
“Avoid the skunks,” he said. “Just
leave them alone.”
Amador said JBSA location residents
and their pets should stay as far away
from skunks as possible, since the animals can shoot a foul spray if they feel
threatened or startled. The odor from the
spray can go at least 10 feet in the air,
getting on people and pets.
Also, he said, skunks can be carriers
of the rabies disease. The Texas Department of Health says that in recent years
skunks made up 60 percent of reported
animal rabies cases in Texas.
Instead, Amador said, JBSA members who see or suspect a skunk is
on base should let pest management
employees take care of it. To report
a skunk sighting at JBSA-Randolph,
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and JBSALackland, call the 502nd CES customer service line at 671-5555.
Allison Cook, Randolph Family Housing community director, said JBSARandolph residents can report skunk
sightings at their housing unit to the
Family Housing office at 659-9061.
Amador said each year the pest
management section responds to 40 45 calls of reported sightings of skunks
at JBSA-Randolph.
When a skunk sighting is reported,
Amador said pest management technicians will set up traps to catch the
animal. If a skunk is caught in a trap,
the animal is humanely taken and relocated.
According to the website Habitat
Tracker, skunks are nocturnal animals
who go out from dusk to dawn looking
“Skunks can go back and forth at will between the south side flight line and the main base
looking for a meal. Anytime something is spilled overnight anywhere, it will attract
wildlife. It is imperative that sanitation be practiced 100 percent of the time to reduce the
occurrences of exposure to the animals in the area. If there is something on the ground,
skunks will not hesitate to explore their options for a free meal.”
MIguel Amador
502nd Civil Engineer Squadron pest management supervisor
Al Salazar, 502nd Civil Engineer
Squadron pest management
technician, sets up a small-animal
trap March 17 on Joint Base San
Antonio-Randolph.
Photo by Johnny Saldivar
for food, while sleeping in their dens
during the daytime. During the summer
months, in May and June, when the babies are born, Amador said the mother
skunks will be out in the daytime searching for food for their babies.
Amador said the areas of JBSARandolph where the most calls for
skunk sightings or possible presence
of skunks comes from is building 100
and the south flight line. But, he said
there are reports of skunks throughout JBSA-Randolph.
Skunks go to locations with lights,
Amador said, which both building 100
and the south flight line have. He said
lights attract bugs that skunks like to
feed on.
“Skunks can go back and forth at
will between the south side flight line
and the main base looking for a meal,”
Amador said.
Amador said JBSA-Randolph residents and employees should check to
make sure trash is put in dumpsters and
receptacles, and not left out.
“Anytime something is spilled overnight anywhere, it will attract wildlife,”
he said. “It is imperative that sanitation
be practiced 100 percent of the time to
reduce the occurrences of exposure to
the animals in the area.
“If there is something on the ground,
skunks will not hesitate to explore
their options for a free meal,” Amador explained.
Also, residents should not allow their
pets to run freely. Keep pets on a leash
and in fenced areas of homes. Pet owners
should take these measures to reduce the
risk of pets encountering a skunk, which
could expose a pet to rabies, a bite or a
spraying.
If a pet is sprayed, Amador suggests
pet owners visit a veterinarian, a pet supply store or the humane society website
at http://www.humanesociety.org for resources on removing skunk odor.
MARCH 27, 2015
PAGE 17
WINGSPREAD
Women's History Month: Remembering past, looking toward future
By Senior Airman Matthew Lotz
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs, Aviano Air Base, Italy
During the 1900s, answering phone calls, maintaining
records and providing minor health care were some of
few roles women who served in the military were permitted to fill. Jobs left open because men left for war,
gave women the opportunity to step up and volunteer
on the home front.
A century later, women across the Department of
Defense carry responsibilities from maintaining multimillion-dollar aircraft, leading troops through battlefields and serving in higher leadership positions.
Women's History Month honors the hard work and
contributions made in the past and present.
"Those women paved the way for me to be able
to serve as a United States Air Force firefighter,"
said Senior Airman Chelsea Westfall, a 31st Civil
Engineer firefighter. "Because of them, I can come
to work and feel like I belong. Women are no longer
seen as the outsiders."
Knowing the efforts of women in the past allow for
today's women to prevail and make their own history,
not defined by their gender.
"We celebrate Women's History Month to remember
the struggles women went through to get the equalities
we have today," said Chief Master Sgt. Dorothy Olson,
the 31st Operations Group chief. "We have achieved
Courtesy graphic
what our ancestors worked so hard for."
Today, in the U.S. military, there aren't many jobs
women cannot volunteer for. Serving as a testament
to this, John McHugh, the secretary of the Army, announced that women, for the first time, will be eligible
to participate in U.S. Army Ranger School.
JBSA Sexual Assault
Prevention, Response
To report a sexual assault, call the 24/7 Joint
Base San Antonio Sexual Assault Prevention and
Response Hotline at 808-7272 or the Department
of Defense Safe Helpline at 877-995-5247.
"Physically, there may be things that women might not
be able to do," Olson said. "But technically or academically, we are the same. The Air Force offers everyone
the same opportunities. That's the best part about being
in the military – no one has to worry about whether or
not a woman will be able to accomplish a task."
Individuals like Col. Linda McTague, the first female
fighter squadron commander and the Honorable Sheila
Widnall, the first female appointed secretary of the Air
Force, have led by example and proven women can perform in non-traditional jobs.
Technical careers, equal pay and voting rights were
merely dreams for women in the past, but now those
dreams are constitutional rights.
"If you're a technical sergeant, you get paid as a
technical sergeant. If you want to make chief master
sergeant during your career, with hard work, you are
eligible to make chief," Olson said.
According to the Air Force Personnel Center, more
than 58,000 women serve in the U.S. Air Force. They
have the opportunity to ensure the empowerment given
to them is carried on to the next generation.
"In an ideal world, people wouldn't focus on our gender, rather how we can be better together," Westfall said.
"We go through the same training as men. If I'm wearing
a duty badge on my uniform, you should know without hesitation that I belong. We are strong women who
fought to be here and we aren't going anywhere."