are we there yet? - san antonio...

F R I D AY, J A N U A R Y 2 3 , 2 0 0 9

G AT E W AY T O T H E A I R F O R C E • L A C K L A N D A I R F O R C E B A S E , T E X A S • w w w. l a c k l a n d . a f . m i l • V o l . 6 7 N o . 0 3

BACK TO WORK: LACKLAND AMPUTEE RETURNS TO THE DESERT PAGE 14

ARE WE THERE YET?

Photo by Alan BoedekerAir Force basic military trainees low crawl during Basic Expeditionary Airmen Skills and Training. At the BEAST site, trainees face a series of increasingly difficultexercise events under simulated, realistic combat conditions. Trainees hone war skills such as basic self-defense, integrated base defense, self aid and buddy careand improvised explosive device recognition and response.

By Jim GaramoneAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – As PresidentBarack Obama called on Americans towork together to overcome the crisesfacing the nation, he urged them notto forget the military membersdefending the nation overseas in hisinaugural address Tuesday on theNational Mall.

“As we consider the road thatunfolds before us, we remember with humblegratitude those brave Americans who, at this veryhour, patrol far-off deserts and distant moun-

tains,” Obama said shortly after taking theoath of office.

On the west side of the Capitol, between 1and 2 million people gathered to watch theinaugural address of the 44th president.

Obama ticked off the challenges facing theUnited States.

“Our nation is at war against a far-reach-ing network of violence and hatred,” thepresident said. “Our economy is badly weak-ened, a consequence of greed and irresponsi-bility on the part of some, but also our collec-

tive failure to make hard choices and prepare thenation for a new age.”

Americans have lost their homes, their jobs,

and their businesses, and health care is too costly,he said. Schools are failing too many, and theAmerican energy policy plays into the hands ofthe nation’s enemies.

“These are the indicators of crisis, subject todata and statistics,” he said.

These are disturbing, but more disturbing is asapping of confidence and the fear that with thisdecline the next generation must lower its sights,he said.

“Today I say to you that the challenges we faceare real,” the president said. “They are serious,and they are many. They will not be met easily or

PresidentObama

Obama urges Americans to work together

See OBAMA P17

TALESPINNERPAGE 2 JANUARY 23, 2009

Last November, Americansmade history by electing thefirst African American to thehighest office in the country:President of the UnitedStates.

On Tuesday, the militaryhonored our newCommander in Chief,President Barack Obama.More than 5,000 service-members marched in forma-tions, military bands andcolor guards, and served in

salute batteries and honorcordons, for the 56th presi-dential inaugural parade andswearing-in ceremony.

The Armed ForcesInaugural Committee, madeup of 750 joint military mem-bers, has been hard at workbehind the scenes since April2008.

The committee forms upevery four years to coordi-nate ceremonial support forthe inauguration.

Here are some interestingfacts about military involve-ment in presidential inaugu-rations:• The U.S. military has par-ticipated in the presidentialinauguration since April 30,1789, when Army soldiersand Revolutionary War veter-ans escorted PresidentWashington to his ceremonyin New York City.• AFIC was established in theearly 1950s. The first inaugu-

ration AFIC supported wasPresident Eisenhower in1953. The parade lasted fivehours and remains thelongest inauguration paradeto date.• Nearly 9,000 military par-ticipated in PresidentEisenhower’s parade, andmore than 15,000 took partin President Kennedy’s in1961.• Only two inaugural paradeshave ever been cancelled: In

1945, President FranklinRoosevelt’s fourth inauguralparade was cancelled due towartime expenses, and in1985, President Reagan’s sec-ond parade was cancelleddue to weather.

For more informationabout the Armed ForcesInaugural Committee, visitwww.afic.northcom.mil. –military participation in the56th presidential inaugura-tion.

Airman’s roll callMilitary participation in the 56th presidential inauguration

The Air Education and Training CommandSpecial Duty Briefing Team visited LacklandWednesday to cover all aspects of Air Forcespecial duty opportunities. Air Force memberswho may have missed the team’s visit can stillapply for an AETC special duty assignment.

For more information about recruiter oppor-tunities, visit www.rs.af.mil or call 565-0584.

For military training instructor information,call 652-1018.

Visit the 2nd Air Force Web site on the AirForce Portal for more information about mili-

tary training leader special duty opportunities.If interested in an assignment as a profes-

sional military education instructor or technicaltraining instructor duty, contact the Lacklandmilitary personnel flight for application proce-dures.

AETC special duty assignment opportunities available

Floods, Snowstorms, Cyclones, Tornados, Monsoons? OH MY!Don’t Fret, Here Are Some Ways To Find Out Working Hours During Inclement Weather And/Or Emergencies:

• Listen To Local Television And Radio Stations • Call 671-NEWS • Check Gate Marquees • Check Public Web site www.lackland.af.mil• ON BASE ONLY – Tune Into Channel 21, Commander’s Access Channel • Have Up-To-Date Information On Your Recall Roster

SELFRIDGE EAST GATE TO REOPEN

The Selfridge East Gate will reopenMonday. Currently, the outbound lanes of thegate are closed and the inbound lanes havebeen reduced to one inbound and one out-bound lane.

For more information, contact MichaelScoville at 671-9698.

CONSTRUCTION AT BERQUIST GATE BEGINS

Construction will begin Tuesday at theBerquist Gate with traffic flow on a reducedlevel.

The outbound lanes of the gate will beclosed and the inbound lanes will bereduced to one inbound and one outboundlane.

For more information, contact MichaelScoville at 671-9698.

AWARDS CEREMONIES

The Team Lackland fourth quarterawards ceremony will be held Feb. 5 in theGateway Club beginning at 11:30 a.m., andthe annual Team Lackland awards ceremonyis scheduled for Feb. 27 in the Gateway Cubat 6 p.m.

Fourth quarter awards ceremony for the37th Training Wing will be held Thursday at3 p.m. in the Gateway Club, and the 37thTRW annual awards ceremony will be Jan.30 in the Gateway Club at 6 p.m.

CLINIC HOURS REDUCED

The Lackland Veterinary TreatmentFacility will reduce service hours beginningin February.

Limited appointments can be made forvaccination and preventive medicine only.

For more information, call the clinic at671-3631.

SINGERS NEEDED

The African American HeritageCommittee is seeking singers for its annualgospel concert to be held Jan. 31.

Rehearsal dates are at 5 p.m. in theGateway Chapel main sanctuary on the fol-lowing dates: today and Jan. 30. ContactMaster Sgt. Michelle Morgan at 292-2993 orShirley Jones at 671-2854 for more informa-tion.

SINGLE PARENT SUPPORT GROUP

The next Single Parent Support Groupmeeting is Feb. 10 at 11:30 a.m. at theAirman and Family Readiness Flight, Bldg.1242.

The group offers a way for single parentsto form a social network.

For more information, call the AFRF at671-3722.

PAGE 3TALESPINNERJANUARY 23, 2009

NewsBRIEFS

VCSAF VISIT

Photo by Alan BoedekerGen. William M. Fraser III, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, examines the body scanner print out of an image oftrainee Jeremee Johnson, 324th Training Squadron. The scanner determines the proper clothing and shoe size for basictrainees. While on base, General Fraser administered the Oath of Enlistment to basic training graudates and served asthe reviewing official for the BMT parade.

By Shannon Carabajal37th Training Wing Public Affairs

A Defense task force visited Lackland Jan. 13-15 aspart of a worldwide assessment to gather information fora congressional report on sexual assault responsein the military and look at best practices totake away and share with other militaryinstallations.

The Defense Task Force on SexualAssault in the Military Services gath-ered feedback on Lackland’s preven-tion and response of sexual assaultand gave victims or witnesses of sex-ual assault an opportunity to meetindividually with a member of theTask Force.

Dr. Louis Iasiello, DTFSAMS co-chair,said the visit went very well. “We think(Lackland) is doing a terrific job in a verydifficult area,” he said. Dr. Iasiello specificallyapplauded the work being done by Lackland’s SexualAssault Prevention and Outreach program. “Lacklandhas a dynamic (SAPO) program doing outstanding out-reach.”

Dr. Iasiello praised several aspects of Lackland’s out-

reach efforts, including the mentoring program for tech-nical training students, the training program for basicmilitary trainees and the partnership between Lackland,law enforcement and the local community.

“The Defense Task Force’s visit provides first respon-ders and military leaders at Lackland an opportu-

nity to hear how our sexual assault responseprocedures and prevention efforts are

working. Through focus groups, wewere able to hear how our very ownmilitary members thought Lacklandwas doing in regards to the issue ofsexual assault. The feedback fromthe Task Force and Lackland person-nel will significantly contribute to ourfuture efforts in both sexual assault

response procedures and prevention,”said Dr. Charlotte Moerbe, the director

of Lackland’s SAPO.The Task Force is made up of 12 mem-

bers appointed by the Secretary of Defense. Sixmembers are senior military personnel from the

Department of Defense and six members represent sub-ject matter experts from outside the DoD with a demon-

Task force lauds Lackland response,services for sexual assault victims

See RESPONSE P19


COMMENTARY

Editorial staffBRIG. GEN. LEN PATRICK,37TH TRAINING WING COMMANDER

KIRK FRADY,DIRECTOR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS

JOE BELA,CHIEF OF INTERNAL

COMMUNICATIONS, 671-4111

SHANNON CARABAJAL,MANAGING EDITOR, 671-1786

MIKE JOSEPH,STAFF WRITER, 671-4357

PATRICK DESMOND,SPORTS EDITOR/STAFF WRITER,671-5049

PAUL NOVAK,DESIGN/LAYOUT, 671-0478

Office:1701 Kenly Ave. Suite 102Lackland AFB, Texas 78236-5103(210) 671-1786;(fax) 671-2022E-mail: [email protected]’s AccessChannel: Team Lackland CableTV 21Straight Talk: 671-7469 (NEWS)For advertising information:Prime Time Military Newspapers2203 S. HackberrySan Antonio, Texas 78210(210) 534-8848(fax) 534-7134

This newspaper is publishedby Prime Time MilitaryNewspapers, a private firm in noway connected with the U.S. AirForce, under exclusive writtencontract with Lackland AFB, Texas.This commercial enterprise AirForce newspaper is an authorizedpublication for members of theU.S. military services. Contents ofthe Talespinner are not necessarilythe official views of, or endorsedby, the U.S. government, theDepartment of Defense, or theDepartment of the Air Force.

The appearance of advertisingin this publication, includinginserts or supplements, does notconstitute endorsement by theDepartment of Defense, theDepartment of the Air Force orPrime Time Military Newspapers,of the products or servicesadvertised.

Everything advertised in thispublication shall be made availablefor purchase, use or patronagewithout regard to race, color,religion, sex, national origin, age,marital status, physical handicap,political affiliation, or any othernonmerit factor of the purchaser,user or patron.

Editorial content is edited,prepared and provided by thePublic Affairs Office of the 37thTraining Wing. All photos, unlessotherwise indicated, are U.S. AirForce photos.

Deadline for submissions isnoon Thursday the week priorto publication.

By Gen. Stephen LorenzCommander, Air Education and TrainingCommand

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE -- Last week, our nation wasinspired by the actions of a bravepilot - an everyday American whoreminded us of who we are andwho we can be.

It just so happens that the pilotof U.S. Airways Flight 1549,Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger, is aclassmate of mine. We both graduatedfrom the Air Force Academy in 1973.When I saw his picture on the news, Iimmediately looked him up in our 1973yearbook, and there he was, lookingsharp in his cadet uniform.

Sullenberger learned how to fly in ourAir Force, and he served out his seven-year commitment as an officer and pilot.He then began a 29-year career as anairline pilot and safety expert. When youthrow in his time as a cadet, he hadmore than 40 years of training, educa-tion and experience to prepare him forthe challenge he would face last week.

He prepared himself well. Like all AirForce pilots, Sullenberger spent hun-dreds of hours studying emergency pro-cedures and practicing them in simula-tors.

He obviously continued this practiceas he transitioned to the airlines. Onedefinition of integrity is doing the rightthing when no one else is looking, and

Sullenberger made himself abetter pilot by studying andpracticing when no one elsewas paying a lot of attention.His foundation of knowledgeand skill was strong becausehe put in the time and effortrequired to build it.

But preparation wasn'tenough. When faced with a cri-sis, Sullenberger had to exe-cute. He didn't panic. Instead

he focused on what he had to do to savehis plane and his passengers. Ditching alarge aircraft is an incredibly difficultthing to do, and Sullenberger was able todo it safely. He executed his responsibili-ties with excellence.

Once the aircraft stopped in the coldwaters of the Hudson, Sullenberger con-tinued to care for his passengers andcrew. New York Mayor Bloombergdescribed how Sullenberger walked theaisle of the airplane twice to make sureeveryone was out. In doing so, he putservice to others before his own personalsafety. In the middle of incredible stressand strain, Sully chose to do the rightthing.

In media parlance, the story of Flight1549 had "legs." Even as the historicinauguration approached, peopleremained fascinated with the incident,hanging on every detail as recounted bythe passengers, ferrymen and rescuespecialists. Perhaps this can be explainedby the sheer drama of the crash and the

fact that it happened in our largest city.I think there is something deeper

here, however. I believe that, in the faceof all the negative news we have enduredin recent months, we are looking for ahero - or in this case, a "Sully" - who willdo the right thing in the face of adversity.Americans love heroes, especially ordi-nary people who do extraordinary things,because one of our core ideals is thateveryday people can make a difference.

On a very cold day in New York, Sullymade a difference. He did it by livingaccording to our core values of integrity,service and excellence.

We didn't invent the core values in theAir Force. They came from the Americanpeople that we serve.

Although the headlines may be filledwith stories of fraud, greed and waste, itis important to remember that there aremillions of Americans who choose to liveby these values.

Whether it is the teacher who choosesto stay after class to help a troubled stu-dent or the policeman who chases thethief into the dark alley, many Americanschoose to live according to integrity, serv-ice and excellence.

The story of "Sully" Sullenbergerreminds us of this. In these challengingtimes, it's good to remember what makesour country great.

To Sully, my old classmate: Thanks forlanding Flight 1549, walking down theaisle twice and setting an example for usall.

Lorenz on LeadershipDoing the right thing

Gen. StephenLorenz

To submit anAction Line, e-mailthe 37th TrainingWing at actionline@lackland. af.mil.

For concernsregarding the WilfordHall Medical Center,contact the WilfordHall Action Line at292-4567, or e-mail

[email protected] 37th Training Wing Action Line

is your direct communication line tothe 37th Training Wing commander.

It is an avenue to resolve issues ifyou have been unable to resolve themthrough the responsible agency oryour chain of command, or providefeedback.

It also allows you to recognize out-standing people and units.

Items of general interest may beprinted in the Lackland Talespinner.

If you leave your name and tele-phone number, or e-mail address,you’ll receive a reply.

Including your contact informationwill also give us a chance to get moreinformation, if needed, to solve theproblem.

Anonymous inquiries will not bepublished.

COMMANDER’S ACTION LINE

Brig. Gen.Len Patrick

To report Fraud, Waste & Abuse matters or if you have a concern andare unsure if you should file a complaint, contact the 37 TRW/IG Office at 671-3347

or e-mail to [email protected].

TALESPINNERJANUARY 23, 2009

Photo by Robbin Cresswell Newly promoted Maj. Gen. Darren McDew, director of Public Affairsfor the office of the Secretary of the Air Force, makes commentsduring Lackland's Martin Luther King Day luncheon Jan. 16.

By Patrick DesmondStaff Writer

Team Lackland gathered around candle-lit tables to celebrate the life and works ofDr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the“Revisting the Dream” commemorativeluncheon at the Mitchell Hall ballroomJan. 16.

Keynote speaker Maj. Gen. DarrenMcDew, director of Public Affairs for theOffice of the Secretary of the Air Force, ledthe gathering by applying “I Have aDream” to America’s current social cli-mate.

Mirroring the late civil rights activist,the general began his speech, “I have adream, today,” and then offered a recom-mendation.

He said, “To keep Dr. King’s dreamalive, we must breathe new meaning into‘I Have a Dream,’ so that together as freepeople, Americans, we can realize a deep-er and more profound dimension of thedream.”

This dimension encouraged people tostrive for greatness in their everyday lives.General McDew reiterated Dr. King’swords, “not everyone can be famous buteveryone can be great, because greatnessis determined by your service.”

“I believe it’s high time we took Dr.King’s dream to the next level by doing our

life’s work to the best of our abilities,”General McDew said. “Our greatness isdetermined by our service.”

The general exemplified the statementciting a chance meeting he had with aLackland worker named Jerry, a man whotakes pride in his job well.

“You and I may never be called to be Dr.King or Jackie Robinson or Rosa Parks,but it is important for us to always do ourbest,” he said. “Our fellow citizens willalways remember with gratitude andrespect. Those are the things that stay thesame, that are priceless.”

General McDew traced the civil rightsleader’s dream to the historic inaugurationof President Barack Obama.

“His election demonstrates that we havein fact moved closer to realizing Dr. King’sdreams,” General McDew said. “BarackObama reminds us that society has trulychanged in remarkable ways. Here wehave a man, elected to the highest office inthis nation, the most powerful nation onthe planet in spite of the color of his skinand truly because of the content of hischaracter.”

With the inauguration of PresidentObama and Dr. King’s birthday, the generalreminded the audience “we must remem-ber there is no Black America, White

Lackland revisits MLK under new light

See MLK P8


Congratulations to the fol-lowing 59 Airmen for beingselected as honor graduatesamong 777 trainees gradu-ating today.

320th Training SquadronFlight 131Christopher BoltonLarry GlazebrooksFlight 132Sybil FranklinElizabeth GardnerLisa GlynnMaelyn McIntoshAnna Picken

322nd Training SquadronFlight 121Michael TomlinsonFlight 122Jordan LewisFiliberto SalazarKevin Skiles

Mitchell SmithEsteven Tamez

323rd Training SquadronFlight 123Ronald MeltonBenjamin SeversonThomas TaylorFlight 124Jose GoitiaLamarcus GraysonHarold HammJordan MetzgerRichard MixonBenjamin ThompsonFlight 127Jacob PeckMachek SherepaFlight 128Justin CreechLoren GereckeBryce HavenookKerwin JohnsonStuart Lunsford

Sergio Valencia Del ToroBrandon Woodard

324th Training SquadronFlight 135Jason BravardJustin CondonEric HathawayStephen LesageDavid SilvaRobert SmithFlight 136Samantha JudgeLindsay SweeneyStephanie Walker

326th Training SquadronFlight 129Brian GalbreathThomas JonesWilliam KeeleyLuke SeekinsNathaniel WingFlight 130

Jacquelyn MeritJerica MorganTiffany Santiago

331st Training SquadronFlight 125Stephen TrittenFlight 126Nicole NelsonFlight 133Ryan CopeEric EvansChristopher FoxDavid GreeneDavid OwenRyan RothFlight 134Jacob RutterVictor SanchezZane Teeters

Top BMT AirmanAnna Picken, 320th TRS,Flight 132

Most Physically FitMale AirmenPeter Velazquez, 320th TRS,Flight 131Andre Stevenson, 323rdTRS, Flight 123Female AirmenMelissa Pascua, 324th TRS,Flight 136Stephanie Walker, 324thTRS, Flight 136

Top PT FlightsMale Flights323rd TRS, Flight 124323rd TRS, Flight 128Female Flights324th TRS, Flight 136326th TRS, Flight 130

Top Academic Flights326th TRS, Flight 129326th TRS, Flight 130

BMT HONORS

By Staff Sgt. Kristine DreyerAir Force ISR Agency Public Affairs

The Air Force Intelligence, Surveillanceand Reconnaissance Agency named their2009 Ambassadors during a ceremony heldJan. 12 in the B.A. Larger Auditorium.

Tech. Sgt. Terry Esparza, Air Force ISRAgency, NCO in charge of site integration,and Staff Sgt. Nicholas Officer, Air Force ISRAgency, executive communications, accept-ed their positions and sashes from Col. JonKimminau, Air Force ISR Agency, acting vicecommander, and Ginny Koziol, wife of Maj.Gen. Craig Koziol, Air Force ISR Agencycommander.

“I am honored to have the opportunity torepresent the Air Force and the agency,”said Sergeant Officer, “and I look forward tolearning more about the traditions of Fiestaand communicating our mission to the SanAntonio community.”

The AF ISR Agency Ambassadors wereselected by a five-person board composed ofan NCO, two Senior NCOs, an officer andcivilian. In addition to the board, nomineeswere required to submit an applicationalong with a biographical sketch and lettersof recommendation.

“We were looking for someone who hasthe total package,” said Wayne Amann, AirForce ISR Agency Public Affairs, chief ofcommunity relations. “In addition to pos-sessing the communication skills, personali-ty, and professional and cultural knowledge,they need to be someone who we can beproud that they are representing theAgency.”

Both ambassadors will take part inFiesta, a 10-day annual multicultural eventheld in San Antonio. During Fiesta, they will

join other ambassadors from Brooks City-Base, Lackland AFB, Randolph AFB, FortSam Houston, the Navy and the MarineCorps will attend more than 50 parades andevents while educating the community abouttheir unit and service.

“I look forward to meeting members ofthe San Antonio community and lettingthem know we are here to support them justas much as they support us. It is a partner-ship,” said Sergeant Terry Esparza.

Although many of their duties will takeplace in April during Fiesta, SergeantEsparza and Sergeant Officer will continueto serve as Ambassador until December.They will participate in parades held in SanAntonio and its surrounding communities.

AF ISR Agency names ambassadors

Courtesy Photo Tech. Sgt. Terry Esparza, Air Force ISR Agency, NCOin charge of site integration, and Staff Sgt. NicholasOfficer, Air Force ISR Agency, executive communica-tions are the 2009 AF ISR Agency ambassadors.

Congratulations to the following recipients of theLackland Chief's Look Sharp Award, received inrecognition of their outstanding performance, appear-ance and dedication.

Staff Sgt. William Rowsey, 449th Air Support GroupAirman Derek Simms, 323rd Training Squadron

Airmen earnchief ’s recognition

Love your job inthe Air Force?

Want to share your personal experiencesin the military with others? The Lackland

Speakers’ Bureau wants YOU! Call671-5066 or 671-2907 for more details.


By Mike JosephStaff Writer

Most healthy adults are eligible todonate blood, though there are a few rea-sons some may be deferred temporarilyor permanently.

In general, blood donors must weigh atleast 110 pounds, be 17 or older and ingood health and well hydrated. Donorsmust have also eaten something prior todonating. Donors may give blood every 57days and platelets every five days.

Deployed Airmen to Iraq andAfghanistan generally have 12 monthsdeferral upon return. Deferral for deploy-ment to other parts of the world dependson the country and length of service.

Family members, veterans and basecontractors who meet the requirementsare eligible to give blood at the Lacklandcenter.

The 12-month deferral also applies to

other restrict ions. These includeacupuncture, piercings, skin branding,tattoos or permanent make-up. There areexceptions in those cases, which shouldbe discussed with the blood donor centeralong with medications and medical con-ditions.

More information about donating bloodand complete restrictions are available onthe Armed Services Blood Program Website http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil.

The Lackland center is part of theASBP that supplies blood, platelets andplasma to all branches of the militaryaround the world. Lackland is one of 19centers in the continental United Statesand the No. 1 supplier to Iraq andAfghanistan.

In addition to supporting overseas mili-tary, Lackland also services Wilford HallMedical Center, the VeteransAdministration hospital and Brooke ArmyMedical Center locally.

By Mike JosephStaff Writer

Protecting the networkand computer security arethe primary reasons for arecent Air Force-wide man-date from Air Force NetworkOper-ations.

“Our network is underconstant attack,” saidTechnical Sgt. ValenciaHarrison, computer securityNCOIC at the Lackland WingInformation AssuranceOffice. “The ultimate goal isto support the war fighter, toinsure and protect the net-work.”

A Nov. 13, 2008, directivefrom AFNETOPS prohibitsthe use of memory sticks,flash media and thumbdrives on network comput-ers.

It was also mandated thatnetwork PCs be powered on24/7 for constant patching,and e-mails must now havea digital signature andencryption.

Sergeant Harrison saidthe intent was to assureinformation protection anddisrupt or contain malicioussoftware and viruses.

“We’re not trying to makeanybody’s job harder,” shesaid. “This doesn’t stop ordetour anyone’s mission. It’sjust the cost of doing busi-ness in a technological age.”

Education about securityis the key for all persons onthe network. SergeantHarrison said organizationalinformation assurance offi-cers are important personsto know.

“Know who the IAO is foryour organization,” she said.“If there are questions orconcerns, you can go direct-ly to that person.

“Right now these items(removable devices) are pro-hibited. If you see someoneusing one, challenge the per-son and call their IAO.”

Sergeant Harrison also

Most eligible to donate blood Network security vitalto Air Force mission

Lackland Blood Donor CenterOpen House, blood drive – 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hot dog and hamburger lunch – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.Recognition ceremony – Noon

See SECURITY P19


Lackland Tax CenterBldg. 1000 on Kenly Avenue

Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–12 p.m. & 1–3 p.m.Closed Fridays

Appointments necessary for everyone exceptbasic trainees and technical school students,which are seen on a walk-in basis.To make an appointment call 671-5812.

America, Latino America or Asian America. There is aUnited States of America. It is our collective responsi-bility to claim the birth right of our own world, thenwe can see the ‘I Have a Dream’ through the mind’seye of Dr. King.”

Weaving personal history with events of the 1950’sand ’60’s such as the Montgomery bus boycott and theMarch on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, GeneralMcDew explained how one pastor’s vision affected hisown life growing up in the military, as he laterbecame the Virgina Military Institute’s first African-American captain of the regimental commander ofCorps of Cadets.

“I have now risen to the rank of major generalbecause of God’s mercy and grace, and the struggle ofmany civil rights champions like Dr. King and becauseof my fellow Airmen of all races,” he said.

Standing at the end of the chandeliered room,General McDew was a model for success learned fromMartin Luther King and other role models in his life.

“Dr. King understood that concepts like freedomand equality were the keys to unlock the door,” hesaid, “but it was up to each individual to determinewhether or not that door would open to reveal a smallcramped closet or a grand magnificent ballroom.”

Capitulating the time and era during Martin LutherKing’s life, a slideshow featuring influential figuressuch as Rosa Parks was accompanied by the audio of“I Have a Dream,” while Staff Sgt. Elsie Lengyon per-formed the national anthem and Tops in Blue sanghymns during the lunch.

Closing the ceremony, Chaplain (Maj.) MarvinWilliams led Team Lackland in the singing of JamesWeldon Johnson’s hymn “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,”followed by a benediction given by Chaplain (Lt. Col.)Michael Butler.

MLK from P5


SNAPSHOTS OF THE SYMPOSIUM

Photos by Robbin CresswellCol. Amy Bachelor, 59th Inpatient Operations Group commander, says hello toXxaria at the Air Education and Training Command symposium Jan. 15 at theHenry B. Gonzales Convention Center. Xxaria's handler is Staff Sgt. Joseph Brown,341st Training Squadron. The symposium gave Airmen an opportunity to see andinteract with demonstrations of the next generation of warfighting technology.

Airmen from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., visit the Lackland Airman andFamily Readiness booth at the Air Education and Training Command symposiumJan. 15. The Symposium included five discussion tracks, and the Air ForceAssociation Expo with the latest demonstrations of technology by the nation'sleading defense contractors.

Stay up-to-date during special events and rough skies. Call 671-NEWS


By Sue Campbell59th Medical Wing Public Affairs

According to the Centers for Disease Control,two-thirds of all Americans are overweight orobese. Thanks to a resource sharing agreementbetween the Nix Health Care System and the 59thMedical Wing, Wilford Hall Medical Center doctorsare providing increased services to bariatricpatients.

An agreement was initially implemented in2007, allowing Wilford Hall providers to performsurgeries in Nix operating rooms, using Nix equip-ment and support staff. In December 2008 theagreement was modified to include bariatric sur-geries.

“The Nix hospital is a Center of Excellence forbariatric surgery,” said Maj. (Dr.) Richard Peterson,chief of the Wilford Hall Bariatric Clinic. “Theymeet requirements established by the AmericanSociety for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery whichsets certain benchmarks, such as high volume ofsurgeries, a dedicated bariatric unit and special-ized equipment, such as large-sized CT scans andbeds.”

In December, Wilford Hall doctors performed sixbariatric surgeries at the Nix hospital in downtownSan Antonio.

For individuals who have been unable to achievesignificant weight loss through diet modificationsand exercise programs alone, bariatric surgerymay help to attain a more healthy body weight.Gastric bypass surgery has been performed in theU.S. for about 40 years. Laparoscopic gastricbypass surgery has been performed since 1993.

“We usually see a patient after they have beenthrough six months of supervised weight lossthrough a physician or dietitian,” said Maj. (Dr.)Joshua Alley, WHMC bariatric surgeon. “Their bodymass index must be at least 40, or 35 to 40 with anobesity-related health problem, such as Type 2 dia-betes, hypertension, or sleep apnea.”

Wilford Hall offers three types of laparoscopic

bariatric surgery for military dependents andretired military members.

Laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery, commonlyknown as stomach stapling, creates a small,thumb-sized pouch from the upper stomach,accompanied by bypass of the remaining stomach.

Agreement expands beneficiaries’ access to bariatric surgery

Courtesy Photo Bariatric surgeons Maj. (Dr.) Joshua Alley (center) and Maj. (Dr.) Richard Peterson (left) perform laparoscopic gastricbypass surgery at the NIX hospital on Dec. 15. A resource sharing agreement, established in December 2008, allowsWilford Hall Medical Center doctors to perform bariatric surgeries at the downtown San Antonio hospital.

See SURGERY P19


By Patrick DesmondStaff Writer

The only gunsmith shop in the Air Force, tuckedaway in a bunker-like building on Lackland’sTraining Annex, has been quietly arming Airmenwith refurbished small arms for little more thanhalf a century.

Celebrating fifty years in 2008, the shop focuseson the transfer of Marine and Army M16a2 assaultrifles into the hands of Airmen.

A variant of the first Colt rifle used during theVietnam War, the design of the M16a2 is identicalto the M16a4 currently used by Army and MarineCorp infantry with the exception of a removablecarrying handle and a mounting rail.

Currently averaging 546 M16a2s monthly, 15gunsmiths, five civilians and 10 Airmen man thedisassembly stations and metalworking machinesthat fill the concrete hive’s pristine and well-lit inte-rior.

“We rebuild, refit or repair what the local gunshops can’t do,” shop superintendent Master Sgt.Brian Seveyka, 342nd Training Squadron, said. “Ifthe numbers are too large, they are sent here.Specialized weapons are also sent here. We arecurrently in the middle of the M16 kit rebuild proj-ect.”

The gunsmiths take apart the rifles to locate andmake repairs, then reassemble them to refinish theexterior and test fire the arms. Returning the gunsto a standard condition, irregular modificationssuch as identification tags riveted to rifle stocks areremoved in the process.

“We take them apart, rebuild them and ship therifles out to (units) still in need of A2s. There areunits that still have the original M16s,” SergeantSevekya said. “We are the only place the Air Forcehas to send small arms weapons.”

Replacing the ring of a hammer forging steelfrom a hearth, the shop sounds the whirl andvibrato of efficient, precise and speedy equipment.Along with standard machines, such as a bench topdrill press, machining lave, and mill, workers usean automated, computer numerical controlmachine to shape metal parts to fit modificationsand fabricate custom tools needed for rebuildingprojects.

The steel gun parts are taken to a bluing tank toundergo a chemical process, creating a protectivefinish from rust and corrosion and resulting in adark appearance.

“Bluing is rusting the gun,” Sergeant Seveykasaid. “It’s actually making rust, but its made insuch a small, thin coat that it hardens the surfaceof the metal to protect it from further corrosion.”

Special projects like general officers’ 9mm hand-guns undergo an extensive bluing process and arepolished to a mirror finish, sometimes taking twoweeks to complete one pistol.

Besides M16s and the general officer handguns,the shop produces a variety of weapons includingcombat arms instructors’ teaching tools, refur-bished WWII issue M1 Garand rifles, squad auto-matic weapons and 40 mm grenade launchers.

“We work with all small weapon systems the AirForce has,” Sergeant Seveyka said.

In 2009, the gunsmiths are continuing to rebuildM16s, expecting production to reach 7,000 assaultrifles while work begins on rebuilding M107 .50-caliber long-range sniper rifles.

A former combat arms instructor for ten yearsat Lackland, Sergeant Seveyka feels comfortable inhis role at the gunsmith shop, although having justaccepted his position in late 2008.

“Combat arms instructors already know how todo what the gun shop does, but the gun shop doesit on a larger scale,” the superintendent said. “Ihave worked with these people over the years so Iknow the history and I know what to do.”

Employment at the shop is a regular assignmentin the combat arms career field, and Airmen arecross-trained upon arrival at the shop.

“It’s interesting working here,” Tech. Sgt.Brandon Kuretza, 575 Combat SustainmentSquadron, said. “I am not classically trained on themachines so I am learning a lot about a career fieldI have never been a part of before.”

A storied history, the shop opened in 1958 andsupported Lackland’s competitive shooting team,working on weapons for sharpshooters that wouldnot only represent the Air Force but the UnitedStates at Olympic shooting events.

Now in its 51st year, the gunsmith shop is cur-rently under the command of the 787th CombatSustainment Group at Warner Robins Air LogisticsCenter, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., while the 37thMission Support Squadron handles the shop’sadministration work.

Shop celebrates 50 years of arming Airmen

Photos by Alan BoedekerAirman 1st Class Jeremiah Jackson mills a gas carrier key staking fixture for the M16A2 at the Lackland gunsmith shop.

Tech. Sgt. Les Huddleston assembles the lower receiver on an M16A2 rifle at the Lackland gunsmith shop.


By William BradnerAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (AFNS) – A Disneyvacation just got more affordable formilitary members and their families.

With the “Disney’s Armed ForcesSalute” offer, active and retired mili-tary personnel, including active mem-bers of the Coast Guard and activatedmembers of the National Guard orReserve, can enjoy complimentary,multiday admission into Disney’s U.S.theme parks, and additional specialticket offers for family members andfriends.

At the Walt Disney World Resort inFlorida, from Jan. 4 to Dec. 23, eachactive or retired member of the U.S.military may obtain one free five-day“Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” ticketwith “Park Hopper” and water parkoptions. The ticket is valid for fivedays of admission into the four WaltDisney World theme parks, plus atotal of five visits to a choice of aDisney water park, DisneyQuest

Indoor Interactive Theme Park orcertain other attractions.

During this offer period, active orretired U.S. military personnel alsomay make a one-time purchase up tofive “Disney’s Armed Forces SaluteCompanion” tickets – good for fivedays – for $99 each, plus tax, for fam-ily members or friends. Although thisticket for family members and friendsdoes not include either the ParkHopper or Water Park Fun and Moreoptions, it can be upgraded to addeither such option, or both, for anadditional $25, plus tax, per option.All tickets and options are nontrans-ferable and must be used by Dec. 23.

A similar offer is in place at WaltDisney Land in California. More infor-mation is available at installationITT/ITR offices.

“For so many of the men andwomen who serve in our U.S. mili-tary, time together with their familiesis cause enough for celebration,” saidJay Rasulo, chairman of Walt DisneyParks and Resorts. “We are grateful

for their service and hope ‘Disney’sArmed Forces Salute’ will allow ourtroops to create wonderful, magicalmemories with their family andfriends.”

Shades of Green, a resort hotel onWalt Disney World Resort in Orlando,Fla., is open exclusively to service-members, retirees, defense civilians,and their families. It is a safe havenfor military families whether they’rereintegrating after an overseasdeployment, having one last familyfling before mom or dad deploys, orsimply getting away for a weekend.

The resort manager, Brian Japak,is a retired Soldier, and his son hassurvived two roadside-bomb attackswhile serving in Iraq.

“I have great empathy for the fam-ilies who we serve here,” he said.

Mr. Japak said the staff makesevery effort to ensure the guests arepampered Disney style – with just atouch of home through the tax-freeArmy and Air Force ExchangeService shoppette and a Mickey

Mouse statue decked out in red, whiteand blue. Security at the hotel com-plies with standard base force protec-tion regulations, ensuring the troopsand families can sleep soundly andnot worry about their personal safety.

Shades of Green is an ArmedForces Recreation Center hotel runby the Army’s Family and Morale,Welfare and Recreation Commandbased in Alexandria, Va.

The command’s mission is to pro-vide military members and their fam-ilies with the same quality of life theyare sworn to protect. Rates are set ona sliding scale, based on rank; andwith no shareholders to answer to orprofits to be made, the rates are keptlow.

AFRCs offer four other world-classdestinations for families, includingEdelweiss Lodge and Resort inGarmisch, Germany, Dragon HillLodge in Seoul, South Korea, the HaleKoa Hotel in Honolulu, and the CapeHenry Inn and Beach Club at FortStorey, Va.

Disney offers affordable vacations for servicemembers

By Tech. Sgt. Denise Johnson380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) – The walls of thesand-colored structures echoed an off-beatsound through the still Christmas Eve morning atthis air base in Southwest Asia. A steady one-tworeverberated through the blanket of fog. It is arunner, one would assume, but the sound wasnot exactly the recurring beat one might expectfor an approaching runner.

A man materialized out of the fog, obscuredby the haze. As the runner got closer, one couldsee the Air Force physical training uniform, thelithe physique and the military hairstyle.

The visual clues depicted a typical deployed

Airman. Then the missing pieces fell into place.Looking down at the Airman’s leg you see the

metal extension below the knee. The opposingsounds now make sense. He’s missing a leg.

Tech. Sgt. Christopher Ramakka, flight chieffor the 380th Expeditionary Civil EngineerExplosive Ordnance Flight, is an amputee. Thisdeployment is his debut back in the war zoneafter stepping on a landmine in AfghanistanJune 17, 2005.

“I’ve been trying to get to where the Air Forcewould deploy me ever since I got hurt,” SergeantRamakka said. “I didn’t see much point in stay-ing in if I couldn’t deploy.”

It took three years of intense physical therapy,multiple surgeries and dogged determination,

but Sergeant Ramakka is exactly where he sethis sights to be.

“His presence is an inspiration to every mili-tary member,” said Brig. Gen. H. D. Polumbo Jr.,the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing commander.

Sergeant Ramakka remembered that fatefulday as his wife waited at home for a call fromher husband to wish her a happy birthday.Instead of birthday wishes, however, SonjaRamakka heard the news she hoped to neverhear.

The explosive ordnance disposal staff ser-geant went on a weapons-clearing operation tosupport the Afghan army. The operation involved


Photos by Tech. Sgt. Denise JohnsonSOUTHWEST ASIA – Single shoes and prosthetics line Tech. Sgt. Christopher Ramakka's bed in his dormitory room. Sergeant Ramakka, reflected in the mirror, the flight chieffrom the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Explosive Ordnance Flight, reads over some draft paperwork after work. He is serving his debut deployment after losing his lowerleft leg when he stepped on a mine in Afghanistan more than three years ago. He also lost the tips of two fingers and suffered further damage to his hands and right leg.

Lackland amputee returns to Southwest Asia

See AMPUTEE P15

searching for and collecting unidentifiedexplosive ordnance.

“We were basically doing a sweep,checking things for booby traps and lookingfor anything large enough to be used tomake an effective (improvised explosivedevice),” he said.

What was supposed to be a routine dayin a relatively safe area turned out to be anear-death experience.

“We were recovering a weapons cache.The area was supposed to be cleared ofmines,” he said. “The area was being usedby the Afghan army, which is a good indica-tor the area is clear, and it wasn’t far out-side (Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan), whichis also a good indicator.”

Maj. Matthew Conlan accompanied theEOD team to get an idea of what their jobentailed.

“I was explaining something to him and Ipivoted on my foot to discard an item I hadpicked up. I remember the whole thing; itwas like slow motion. There was completesilence except a ringing, like in the movies,”Sergeant Ramakka said.

Sergeant Ramakka said he was standingon a slightly-graded footpath. Although thefootpaths had probably been cleared ofmines, the mine likely shifted from its origi-nal location due to rain and weather andthen the dirt hardened over it.

“The soil gets like concrete over there,”he said. “When I pivoted, I put a lot ofweight on my foot and that probably causedthe detonation. My first thought was thatthe major stepped on a mine or IED. Ithought he killed me. To be honest, I could-n’t believe it was I who stepped on it.”

Sergeant Ramakka said he spent the nextseveral seconds, though it seemed like min-utes, assessing himself and his surround-ings.

“My hands hurt really badly and themajor was on the ground yelling. It lookedlike he was bleeding a lot. It wasn’t untillater I realized a lot of that was my blood,”he recalled. “I thought he was about to die.”

The bomb expert’s training kicked in andhe began to assess his injuries.

“I did a lot of processing before I even hitthe ground. I saw the major had a very seri-ous wound to his leg. I checked out myhands and they seemed alright. I was wear-ing flight gloves and they seemed to be inpristine condition. When I flipped them overto look at the back of my hands, that’s whenI hit the ground.”

Once he hit the ground, he was able toget a better look at his hands and he real-ized he had lost the tips of a couple fingers.

“The whole time it was weird; I was kindof OK with it. Don’t get me wrong, I gotblown up and it sucked, but I never reallyfreaked out over it,” Sergeant Ramakkasaid. “I thought, ‘Well, I got other fingers,I’ll be all right.’ I never realized it untilthen, but I guess I’m a glass-half-full kindaguy.”

It didn’t take long he said before he real-ized something wasn’t quite right with hisleft leg. The explosion sheared off the bulkof his lower leg and left nothing but theback of his heel and a diagonal section ofhis calf.

He suffered serious shrapnel wounds inhis right leg and a lot of damage to hishands, but he said aside from getting reallyangry when he realized he lost his leg, hekept his presence of mind.

“That’s when I got angry and startedpunching the ground and using some exple-tives, but then my training kicked in againand I started pulling myself together,”Sergeant Ramakka said. “I was trying to getmy belt off to use as a tourniquet when thefirst help arrived.”

Sergeant Ramakka’s journey fromAfghanistan transported him not only into anew unit, but into an entirely new life aswell.

He was flown to Landstuhl RegionalMedical Center in Germany where surgeonsperformed the first operation to remove thedamaged remnants of his lower left leg. Hethen officially became an amputee.

Two days later he went to Wilford HallMedical Center where he was eventuallytransferred into a patient squadron. Hismind, however, was set on getting back towork at the EOD Preliminary Course taughtjust blocks away.

The trials that accompanied learning towalk on prosthetics and surviving with thehelp of pain medications while trying to getback to normal took their toll sometimes.

The optimism didn’t always win out,Sergeant Ramakka admitted. “I’ve definite-ly had my bad days, but I like to think over-all I’ve done all right. I never really felt tootraumatized. I just wanted to be allowed todo my job like I did before I became ‘spe-cial.’”

Sergeant Ramakka said he fought a longbattle to recover, but he was never alone.

“My family paid the price, too,” he said.When not deployed, he is the EODPreliminary Course chief at Lackland.“They’ve walked the path with me andmade it possible for me to be where I am.”

He said he relies on Sonja and hisdaughters Mackenzie, 12, and Daphne, 2,to keep him grounded and provide a placewhere he’s simply known as Chris or daddy.

“I could never have done this without thesupport of my wife and kids. They help meremember I’m not any more special than Iwas before I blew up,” Sergeant Ramakkasaid.

Staff Sgt. Clayton Allen of the 380thExpeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron saidhe has never met Sergeant Ramakka, buthe has a different perspective on whetheror not the amputee is special.

“Whenever I see that guy running, Ithink, ‘Man, I gotta keep going and pushthrough. If he can find the strength and thefortitude to get out here and run aftereverything he’s been through, so can I.’He’s an inspiration,” Sergeant Allen said.

PAGE 15TALESPINNERJANUARY 23, 2009

Tech. Sgt. Christopher Ramakka, flight chief from the 380thExpeditionary Civil Engineer Explosive Ordnance Flight, goes for anearly-morning run. Sergeant Ramakka is deployed from Lackland.

AMPUTEE from P14


By Athena MartinezDiabetes Prevention Education Specialist

Americans can become healthier bycreating better habits that last a lifetime,versus all the quick fix gimmicks that failby the “waist” side.

This week, Jan. 18-24,is Healthy Weight Weekwhich challenges us tolook at our eatinghabits, activity levelsand other l i festylebehaviors.

Here are a few tipsto lead a healthier life:• Be active every day. Goinside the gas station,rather than paying at thepump. • Go to the park for family time,instead of going out to eat.• Don’t diet. Enjoy the food you eat,but in moderation.• Listen to your body’s signals. It will tellyou when you are hungry. Most impor-

tantly, it will tell you when you are nolonger hungry.• Reduce your stress levels by enjoyingyour life.• Take action. Your health and wellnesslie in your hands.

Volunteers are needed for a researchstudy, “Diabetes and Cardiovascular

Risk Reduction Program for theMilitary Population.”

If you are between the agesof 18 to 62, overweight, and

do not have type 2 diabetes,you may qualify for this

Group Lifestyle BalanceProgram, directed at

controlling weight andimproving physicalactivity levels.

Those interested inthis study should con-

tact Athena Martinez at292-2842.

For more information on HealthyWeight Week, go to www.healthyweightweek.net.

By Sharon AmannLackland Library

It’s been over 30 yearssince viewers were intriguedby the television mini-series“Roots.”

Fascination with familyhistories has not waned.

For most folks with aninterest in genealogy, theproblem is figuring out whereto begin a search and whatsources to trust when utiliz-ing a computer to aide them.

“For people doing familyhistory research, the libraryis a natural place to begin,”said Lenore Shapiro, Directorof the Lackland Library sys-tem.

“With that in mind we’vepartnered with the SanAntonio Genealogical andHistorical Society to present abasic genealogy workshop.”

The “Take the Mystery Outof Your Family History” work-shop will be held at the mainLackland Library Saturday at2 p.m. Valuable informationon tracing family trees will befeatured, plus refreshments.

The workshop coversorganizing and recordingfamily information, how touse census records at thepublic library, and how tolocate and obtain records.Novice researchers can usethe class as a springboard totake other classes with theSan Antonio Genealogical andHistory Society.

“The class will teach trac-ing fundamentals,” Ms.Shapiro added. “It touches onthe essentials, so when youget started on your ownresearch, you’ll know whereto go for the information youneed.”

Climb your family treeat library workshop

Healthy Weight Week encouragesself-examination, better habits


in a short span of time. But know this, America:They will be met.”

In his address, Obama echoed AbrahamLincoln’s first inaugural speech. Just as Lincolnappealed “to the better angels of our nature,”Obama said the time has come “to reaffirm ourenduring spirit, to choose our better history; tocarry forward that precious gift, that noble ideapassed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, andall deserve a chance to pursue their full measureof happiness.”

The president remarked on sacrifice in hismessage. “Greatness is never a given. It must beearned,” he said. “Our journey has never beenone of shortcuts or settling for less. It has notbeen the path for the faint-hearted – for thosewho prefer leisure over work, or seek only thepleasures of riches and fame.”

America is a country of doers and risk-takers.It is an immigrant country where each generationworked hard to provide for the next, he said.

“For us, they packed up their few worldly pos-sessions and traveled across oceans in search of anew life,” Obama said. “For us, they toiled insweatshops and settled the West, endured thelash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.

“For us, they fought and died in places likeConcord and Gettysburg, Normandy and KheSahn,” he continued. “Time and again, these menand women struggled and sacrificed and workedtill their hands were raw so that we might live abetter life. They saw America as bigger than thesum of our individual ambitions, greater than allthe differences of birth or wealth or faction.”

Americans today must continue this journey, hesaid. It is time for hard decisions and a time ofchange. “Our time of standing pat, of protectingnarrow interests and putting off unpleasant deci-sions, that time has surely passed,” he said.“Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dustourselves off, and begin again the work of remak-ing America.”

The president pledged bold and swift action tocreate new jobs and build a foundation forgrowth. He called for infrastructure improve-ments that will allow the United States to competewith all. “All this we can do. All this we will do,”he said.

He said there are many who doubt the scale ofthese changes. “Their memories are short, forthey have forgotten what this country has alreadydone; what free men and women can achievewhen imagination is joined to common purpose,and necessity to courage,” he said.

Obama also addressed changes in security. “Wereject as false the choice between our safety andour ideals,” he said. “Our Founding Fathers –faced with perils that we can scarcely imagine —drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and therights of man, a charter expanded by the blood ofgenerations. Those ideals still light the world, andwe will not give them up for expedience’s sake.”

Obama reached out to the nations of the worldin his speech. He told them that America “is afriend of each nation, and every man, woman andchild who seeks a future of peace and dignity, andthat we are ready to lead once more.”

He promised a prudent use of military power

and a greater role for the American example.“Our security emanates from the justness of

our cause, the force of our example, the temper-ing qualities of humility and restraint,” he said.

The use of these principles will allow Americato develop greater understanding of other nationsand greater cooperation against common threatsfrom them.

“We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to itspeople, and forge a hard-earned peace inAfghanistan,” he said. “With old friends and for-mer foes, we’ll work tirelessly to lessen thenuclear threat, and roll back the specter of awarming planet.”

Obama said Americans will not apologize fortheir way of life, nor waver in its defense. “Andfor those who seek to advance their aims byinducing terror and slaughtering innocents, wesay to you now that our spirit is stronger and can-not be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we willdefeat you,” he said.

In the United States, all languages are spoken,all religions are practiced, and all good people arewelcomed. “And because we have tasted the bit-ter swill of civil war and segregation and emergedfrom that dark chapter stronger and more united,we cannot help but believe that the old hatredsshall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shallsoon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller,our common humanity shall reveal itself and thatAmerica must play its role in ushering in a newera of peace,” he said.

The president spoke to the Muslim world, say-ing America seeks a new way forward, based onmutual interest and respect.

As Americans look to the future, they alsoshould remember to honor the Americans servingoverseas and recall those who have sacrificed inthe past. “They have something to tell us, just as

the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington [NationalCemetery] whisper through the ages,” Obamasaid. “We honor them not only because they areguardians of our liberty, but because they embodythe spirit of service; a willingness to find meaningin something greater than themselves.”

He called on all Americans to shoulder thatburden of service. He said it is the faith and deter-mination of the American people upon which thisnation relies.

While the challenges of this age are new, thevalues which have seen the country through inthe past will best serve the nation, Obama said.“Honesty and hard work, courage and fair play,tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism –these things are old, but these things are true,” hesaid.

America must return to these truths, he said.“What is required of us now is a new era ofresponsibility – a recognition on the part of everyAmerican that we have duties to ourselves, ournation and the world, duties that we do notgrudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm inthe knowledge that there is nothing so satisfyingto the spirit, so defining of our character, than giv-ing our all to a difficult task,” Obama said.

“This is the price and the promise of citizen-ship,” he said. “This is the source of our confi-dence, the knowledge that God calls on us toshape an uncertain destiny.”

If Americans seize this responsibility, then thechallenges will be surmounted, he said.

“Let it be said by our children’s children thatwhen we were tested we refused to let this jour-ney end, that we did not turn back nor did we fal-ter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’sgrace upon us, we carried forth that great gift offreedom and delivered it safely to future genera-tions,” Obama said.

OBAMA from P1

Photos by Army Spc. Daniel HerreraU.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Caleb Green sings the national anthem at the Lincoln Memorial on the NationalMall in Washington, D.C., during the inaugural opening ceremonies. More than 5,000 men and women inuniform provided military ceremonial support to the presidential inauguration, a tradition dating back to GeorgeWashington's 1789 inauguration.


Lackland Conservation Corner

CONSERVEWATER AND

ENERGY!

Install low-flowwater fixtures.

Low-flow showerheadsand faucets can

drastically cut yourutility bills.

On average low flowfixtures can save you

10-16 percent.


strated expertise in the areaof sexual harassment andviolence.

They also visitedRandolph Air Force Baseand Fort Sam Houston dur-ing its visit to San Antonio,using focus groups andinformal interviews to gath-er information.

Results of the study willbe consolidated into areport and submitted to the

Secretary of Defense andthe individual secretaries ofeach branch of the military.Once they have reviewedand evaluated the report, itwill be forwarded to theCommittees on ArmedServices of the Senate andHouse of Representatives.

A final report will beavailable to the public onceall inputs have been made.To view updates on the taskforce and their tour, visitwww.dtic.mil/dtfsams.

RESPONSE from P3

suggested reading all infor-mation provided by theIAO, to ask questions andbe aware of current infor-mation conditions. The cur-rent level is INFOCON 3,with 1 being highest and 5the least restrictive.

She emphasized thatindividuals should not try tobypass the system, thatmalice as well as careless-ness damage the network.

“Risks taken by one are-assumed by all,” saidSergeant Harrison. “Don’tattempt to circumvent thesystem.”

SECURITY from P7

This restricts the volume offood which can be eaten.The surgery normallyrequires two to four weeksof recovery and is approvedby Tricare.

Laparoscopic adjustablegastric banding, commonlyknown as lap-band surgery,creates a small pouch in theupper part of the stomachwith a controlled andadjustable opening, limitingfood intake. Recovery aver-ages one to two weeks andthe surgery is also approvedby Tricare.

Laparoscopic sleeve gas-trectomy, or vertical sleeve

gastrectomy, removesapproximately 85 percent ofthe stomach, leaving a stom-ach with a much smallercapacity. Unlike otherbariatric surgeries, this pro-cedure is not reversible.Recovery averages one totwo weeks, but the surgeryis not approved by Tricare atthis time, so must be per-formed at Wilford Hall.

“We want to spread theword that these bariatricservices are available to ourbeneficiaries,” said Dr.Peterson. “Although surgeryshould be a last resort, it cansignificantly improve anindividual’s overall healthand quality of life.”

SURGERY from P7


CHAPEL SERVICESBaha’iSunday (1st, 3rd, and 5th):Education Classroom, Bldg.5200, Room 108, 11 a.m.

BuddhistSunday:Gateway Chapel, 3 p.m.

CatholicDaily, Monday-Friday:WHMC ChapelMass, 11 a.m.Freedom ChapelMass, 11:30 a.m.

Saturday:Freedom ChapelConfessions, 4:45 p.m.Mass, 5:30 p.m.

Sunday:Freedom ChapelReligious Education, 9 a.m.Mass, 11 a.m.

Hope ChapelHispanic Mass, 9:15 a.m.Gateway ChapelMass, 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.

WHMC ChapelMass, 3 p.m.

The Church ofJesus Christ ofLatter-day SaintsTuesday:Hope ChapelReligious Education, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday:Hope ChapelBible Study (Institute), 6:30p.m.

Sunday:Hope Chapel, 2:30 p.m.

Christian ScienceSunday:Education Classroom, Bldg.5200, Room 108, 8 a.m.

Church of ChristSunday:Arnold Hall, Bldg. 5506, 7:30a.m.

Orthodox ChristianSunday:

Airmen Memorial ChapelDivine Liturgy, 9:30 a.m.Religious Education, 10:45a.m.

EckankarSaturday (1st, 3rd and 5th):Gateway Chapel, 12:30 p.m.

JewishFriday:Airmen Memorial ChapelSabbath Eve Service, 6:00p.m. Sunday:Religious Education, 9:00 a.m.

IslamicFriday:Defense Language InstituteStudent CenterJummah Prayer, 1:30 p.m.Sunday:DLI Student CenterReligious Education, 1 p.m.

ProtestantSunday:Airmen Memorial ChapelLiturgical Service, 8 a.m.

Hope ChapelSpanish Service, 12:45 p.m.Arnold HallLiturgical ReligiousEducation, 9:30 a.m.Freedom ChapelTraditional Service, 9:30 a.m.Children’s Church, 9:30 a.m.,12:30 p.m.Religious Education, 11 a.m.Gospel Service, 12:30 p.m.Wednesday:Bible Study, 6 p.m.

Medina ChapelContemporary Service, 10:30a.m.

Hope Chapel Contemporary Service, 10:45a.m.

Gateway ChapelContemporary Service, 8 a.m.,9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. & 12:30p.m, (12:30 p.m. service is for5th week and BMT graduatesand their families only)

WHMC Chapel

General Service, 1:30 p.m.Friday:The Refuge“Fusion” Contemporary, 6:30p.m. (technical training stu-dents only)

Seventh-day AdventistSaturday:Gateway Chapel, 12:30 p.m.

WiccaSunday:Arnold Hall, information andfellowship 1-3 p.m., open toBMT personnel

Wednesday (1st only): Freedom Chapel, Room 8, SanAntonio Military Open Circle,6 p.m., open to all personnel

For more information, con-tact:Airmen Memorial Chapel/Gateway Chapel 671-2911Hope Chapel 671-2941Medina Chapel 671-3774Freedom Chapel 671-4208The Refuge 671-6023WHMC Chapel 292-7373

COMMUNITY

GENEALOGY SEMINAR SET

The Lackland library is hosting a“Take the Mystery Out of YourHistory” seminar Saturday at 2 p.m.

A representative from the SanAntonio Genealogical and HistoricalSociety will provide an overview ofgenealogy research basics.

For more information, call 671-6609.

PROTESTANT WOMEN TO MEET

Protestant women of the chapelwill meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. inFisher House I.

Contact Marie Scott at 520-2956 or Gloria Riggs at 623-1365for more information.

GROUP SETS MEETINGS

The Lackland Performing ArtsGroup will hold general membershipmeetings Wednesday and Feb. 25 inthe Arnold Hall Community Center.

Starting time for the meetings is6 p.m., and membership in thegroup is free and open to personsinterested in volunteer theater artsopportunities.

For more information, call 671-2619.

NOMINATIONS BEING ACCEPTED

The Alamo City chapter of theAmerican Society of MilitaryComptrollers is accepting nomina-tions for its 2008 annual ASMCawards.

Awards will be presented to indi-viduals and teams for outstandingaccomplishment in the field ofcomptrollership Feb. 13, 2009.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

The Lackland Officers’ SpousesClub is offering scholarships to ser-vicemembers’ dependents pursuinga degree from a two- or four-yearcollege, university or vocationalschool.

Applications are available at theGateway Club cashiers’ cage, thethrift shop, area high school seniorguidance offices, and on LOSC Website at www.lacklandosc.org underinformation and forms.

Submission deadline is Feb. 2. For more information, refer to

the OSC Web site or call KarenRomano, scholarship chairman, at314-1863.

VALENTINE’S THEATER

The Arnold Hall CommunityCenter and the Lackland PerformingArts Group will present the play“Love, Sex and the I.R.S.” onValentine’s weekend.

Performances will be held Feb.13-14 at 7 p.m. each evening in theArnold Hall Ballroom with a socialhour prior at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $10 each andinclude light hors d’oeuvres. CallArnold Hall at 671-2619 to pur-chase tickets or for more informa-tion.

SCIENCE JUDGES SOUGHT

Judges are needed for the JuniorAcademy of Science competitionFeb. 14 at the University of Texas-San Antonio 1604 campus.

Students are evaluated on oraland written presentations in one of12 subjects.

There will be two judges per lec-

ture room with five to 10 students.

SECURITY HILL TECHNOLOGY

EXPOSITION

The winter Security HillTechnology Exposition will be heldJan. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. atthe Kisling Community Center.

The event is hosted by the AirForce Intelligence, Surveillance andReconnaissance Agency.

More than 30 exhibitors willdemonstrate the latest in communi-cations, computer forensics,video/multimedia presentation,enterprise systems management,networking equipment, test andmeasurement, information assur-ance and security, hardware andsoftware.

For more information, contactNatalie Tier at 301-596-8899, ext.227.

To preregister, visitwww.FederalEvents.com, click on“Security Hill,” and choose the gov-ernment/military link.

MENTORS WANTED

The Lackland MentoringProgram and SouthwestIndependent School District areseeking mentors to work with at-risk children in local schools.

The Lackland program partnerswith Valley Hi Elementary, FivePalms Elementary, WestwoodTerrace Elementary, and Lackland

LocalBRIEFS

To see menus forLackland dining

halls, go online towww.lackland.af.mil

and click on the“Services“ link.

See BRIEFS P21


Elementary, Middle and High Schools.Volunteers may select which schoolthey wish to serve.

The primary responsibility of amentor is to focus on academics;however, mentors are encouraged tohelp the child develop analytical andsocial skills.

The Lackland program was enact-ed as part of the 1990 NationalPartnership in Education Act.

People who are interested in theLackland Mentoring Program should

contact Tim Walker at 671-3722.Those interested in mentoring forSouthwest ISD should contact SallySobey at 977-5563.

RESEARCH STUDY

Volunteers are needed for aresearch study, “diabetes and car-diovascular risk reduction programfor the military population.”

Candidates between the ages of18 and 62 who are overweight and donot have Type 2 diabetes, may qualifyfor a group lifestyle balance programdirected at controlling weight and

improving health.Contact Athena Martinez at 292-

2842 for more details.

RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS

The American Red Cross needsvolunteers for positions at Lacklandand at Wilford Hall Medical Center.

Persons interested can visit theRed Cross office in the Airman andFamily Readiness Center, 8 a.m. to4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Contact Henry Roper, militaryservices coordinator, at 671-2152 or844-4225 for more information.

BRIEFS from P20

Do you … have a photographer’s eye?Do you … catch those

candid moments?Let us see your work

and you could be published!E-mail your

Lackland-related photos to:[email protected] shots only please.

GATEWAY THEATERThe Day the Earth Stood Still

The Tale of Despereaux

Nothing Like the Holidays

Four Christmases

Adults – $4. Children – $2.Closed Monday

through Wednesday.

FRIDAYThe Day the Earth Stood Still, 6p.m. (PG-13), starring KeanuReeves and Jennifer Connelly.

SATURDAYThe Tale of Despereaux, noon (G),starring Matthew Broderick andEmma Watson.The Day the Earth Stood Still, 3p.m. (PG-13).Nothing Like the Holidays, 6 p.m.(PG-13), starring John Leguizamoand Debra Messing.

SUNDAYThe Tale of Despereaux, noon (G).Four Christmases, 3 p.m. (PG-13),starring Reese Witherspoon andJon Facreau.

THURSDAYThe Tale of Despereaux, 4 p.m. (G).

For more information and futuremovie listings, go to www.aafes.com/ems/conus/lackland.htm.


SPORTS

SCOREBOARD

American W L

1. 433rd AW 5 02. Medical Operations 4 03. 737th TRG 4 14. Medical LRS 3 15. 690th ALIS 3 16. 93rd IS 3 27. 543rd Spts Sq 2 28. 314th MI Bn 2 29. 37th COMM 2 310. 37th LRS 2 311. DLI 1 5National W L

1. C.E.S. 6 02. Security Forces 4 13. Mission Spt Sq 4 14.149th FW 2 15. 344th TRS 3 26. NIOC 3 27. AFIOC 3 28. 345th TRS 3 39. Clinical Spt Gq 2 210. 37th Medical Gp 1 311. Emergency Med Sq 1 412 CPSG 1 513 Nutritional Medicine 0 7Division I W L

37 CES #2 91 29543rd SPTS 84 36LRS 82 38Allen Tharpe “Hard Luck” 80 40690 NSG #2 76 44Marines 74 4637 CS #1 72 48CPSG 71 49341 TRS Dawg Pound 70 5093 IS #1 68 52453 EWS 68 52C-5 Haulers 64 56CES #1 64 5659 RSQ 64 56345th TRS 62 5837 SVS 62 5859 PSQ 60 6033rd IOS 56 64DLIELC 56 64Allen Tharpe #2 56 64AFNEWS 4 Ever 54 6659 MD IS 52 68NIOC “Swabs” 50 7093 IS #2 50 70DLI Mine’s in the Gutter 48 7237 CS #2 42 78690 NSG #1 42 78AFISR Agency 38 82737 TRG 36 84NASIC 36 84

FUN RUN

The Valentine Fun Run will be held Feb.11, starting at 3:30 p.m. in front of theWarhawk Fitness Center.

MEN’S SOCCER

The Raiders Futbol Club is looking forplayers with college experience or better. TheDivision I team plays in the San AntonioSoccer Association on Sundays with practiceson Mondays and Thursdays.

For more information, contact Raiderscoach Oscar Lupiba at 365-6484.

SUPER BOWL GOLF TOURNAMENT

The third annual Super Bowl Challenge

golf tournament will be held at the GatewayGolf Course Feb. 1.

Registration is limited to 34 teams, threeto four members. Entry fee is $80 per team,due Jan. 28. Door prizes offered will includea flat screen TV. For more information, call671-2401.

LACKLAND SUMO TEAM

Lone Star Sumo is seeking members forthe Lackland sumo team in anticipation oftheir tournament Jan. 31.

Men, women and children are encouragedto join and free lessons are given by three-time U.S. National Sumo medalist MasterSgt. Tom Zabel.

People interested in joining should con-tact Sergeant Zabel at 977-3202.

KIDS FITNESS PROGRAM

Operation Fit Kids offers strength andconditioning classes for children 5 to 17years of age. To register for the program, con-tact the Youth Center at 671-2510 or theWarhawk Fitness Center at 671-2751.

VOLLEYBALL

The men's and women's intramural vol-leyball season begins Feb. 2. Registration isstill open for squadrons to enter. For moreinformation, call the sports office at 671-2725.

PAINTBALL

The Lackland Outdoor Adventure Center isopen Sundays for persons interested in paint-ball matches.

Offering a paintball course, the LacklandOutdoor Adventure Club also rents gun kitsand one bag of paintballs for $20 per person.

For more information, contact the LOAC at925-5532.

SUPER BOWL PARTY

The Lonestar Lounge is hosting a SuperBowl celebration Feb. 1 from 3 to 10 p.m. inthe Gateway Club. The lounge offers music,games and prizes. For more information, call645-7034.

BASKETBALL

BOWLING

BRIEFS

Eagles streak by JacketsBy Patrick DesmondSports Editor

Both Stacey High School varsityteams breezed by district foe the SabinalYellow Jackets with double-digit homewins Tuesday night.

The win pushes the girls varsity teampast .500 at 10-9 overall, while the boysremain perfect against district oppo-nents, improving to 14-5.

The girls varsity team improved to 3-1 in district play, riding the shooting ofStacey point guard Stephanie Glatt andshooting guard Shana Holmes to beatthe Yellow Jackets, 54-38.

“Stephanie came out on fire today,”Stacey coach Amber Greeness said. “Shewas really shooting well and made allthe difference for us today.”

Glatt provided an early spark for theEagles. Normally running Stacey'soffense, she looked more to shoot, total-ing eight first-quarter points with abucket and two big threes, one tying thegame at 12 going into the second period.

A stingy Eagle defense showed up inthe second quarter, holding the YellowJackets to seven points while creatingthree easy buckets. Glatt picked upwhere she left off, scoring the first twobaskets for Stacey in the second andclosing with a transition bank shot asthe Eagles went to the locker room up26-19 at the half.

The Eagles leading scorer on the sea-son, Holmes caught fire after the break,scoring the first six points. Converting asteal into points, she streaked betweentwo defenders on a mid-lane runner andknocked down an outside jumper whileGlatt dropped another three-ball to fin-ish the quarter.

The tandem continued in the finalperiod as Glatt found Brianna Reed,whom passed to Holmes for an openthree beyond the arc. On the next play,Glatt assisted Holmes as she choseinstead to step inside the arc for ajumper. The Eagle defense againclamped down during the final stretch tohold off a late Yellow Jacket rally, takingthe game 52-38.

The Stacey boys varsity teamamassed 27 fourth-quarter points toblow open a seemingly close gameagainst the Yellow Jackets, 72-51.

After streaking out to 17-6 lead

through the first quarter, the Eaglescooled off as the Yellow Jacketsoutscored them in both the second, 15-11, and third quarters, 19-17.

Managing a slim 45-40 edge goinginto the final quarter, the Eagles finishedstrong by exploding for 27 fourth-quar-ter points to lead them to the 21-pointvictory.

The boys varsity team will look toextend their win streak to four on theroad today against George GervinAcademy while the girls travel toD'Hanis for a district rematchTuesday.

Photo by Robbin CresswellStacey shooting guard Shana Holmes jukes a defender during a 54-38 win over SabinalTuesday.


Story and photo by Patrick DesmondSports Editor

Four months ago, Lackland’ssumo expert assembled otherenthusiasts into a weekly Thursdaynight “fight club” at the Korea-America Taekwondo Academy. OnJan. 31, they’ll face off in the first-ever amateur sumo tournament atthe 2009 Asian Festival.

Normally, competion occurswithin the club, but in one weekthey will take on competitors fromCalifornia, New Mexico andHouston in an event downtown atthe Institute of Texan Cultures.

Tom Zabel, 33rd NetworkWarfare Squadron, has been teach-ing the free class and coordinatedthe coming sumo tournament.

“I am not out to make money,”the instructor said. “I just want tobe able to teach people so they canenjoy something that is a lot differ-ent than what you would normallyfind. It's hard to get people out forfree much less if I charge for it.”

The retired Air Force master ser-geant was first introduced toJapan's national sport by a friend.Later, he joined a local Japanesesumo club and eventually competedin U.S. national events.

More than just a sumo club,Zabel provides students access tohis experience in a sport steeped in

custom and tradition as he learnedit while stationed in Osawa, Japan.

More than 21 years later, thethree-time U.S. National medalistteaches students how to be effectivesumo wrestlers and how to performcorrect pre-fight rituals.

Since most in the group are newto the sport, Zabel teaches basicslike proper attire and fightingstance, while also teaching a signa-ture triangle attack, a push thattargets an opponent's chest simul-taneously with the hands and head.

As the training begins, eachwrestler learns how to adorn thetraditional mawashi or loincloth,learning to fold and tuck as if itwere a 48-foot dress tie.

Next, he teaches the pre-fight rit-ual chirichozu, a purification of thering before battle. Wrestlers mirroreach other by first crouching,exchanging nods, clapping theirhands, and then raising their armshorizontally with palms facingupwards before returning theirhands to their knees. Then, much

as boxers touch gloves as a sign ofrespect or readiness, students learnthat placing both fists on the matstarts a match.

Once in the ring, with classmembers sparring, Zabel looks onwhile injecting previous lessons.

Each student goes head-to-headagainst Zabel at the end of class.Enthusiastically, they challengeZabel, often pushing him into thering for multiple, consecutive bouts.

The wrestlers constitute a mix-ture of age groups and motivationas each is looking for something alittle different – from an afterschool activity to an alternative fit-ness program to a remedy foreveryday stress.

Financial analyst by day, JamesOper said the class offers a breakfrom sitting in front of his comput-er.

“It is very difficult, very strenu-ous,” Oper said, “and that is why Istarted to do it. I need to do some-thing active. I need some competi-tion in my life.”

The United States SumoFederation sanctioned tournamentstarts at 1 p.m. with light-, middle-and heavyweight divisions. Zabelwill also lead a demonstration ofthe mawashi prior to the competi-tion.

The Asian Festival’s opening cer-emony begins at 10 a.m.

Brian Hansberry37th TRW/PA

Last week: 4-5Season: 136-86

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Sumo club heads to Asian Fest

Sumo wrestlers ready themselves as instructor Tom Zabel referees at the Korea-America Taekwando Academy. The club will compete at the Asian Festival Jan. 31.

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