Hannah Roadconstruction

Houston County onBest Communities listHouston County was named

one of America's PromiseAlliance's 100 Best Communitiesfor Young People presented byING.The national award recognizes

its outstanding and innovativework in addressing the highschool dropout crisis and for itsprograms and services that makeit an excellent place for youth tolive, learn and grow.For more, visit www.robins.af.mil.

September 14, 2012 Vol. 57 No.37

NEWS

YYOUOU CANCAN USEUSE

Shift, policy changes increase traffic flowROBINS PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Changes in the past couple of months toinstallation access proceduresand gate openings, as well aschanges to some organizationalshift schedules, have resulted innew traffic flow patterns ontoRobins, some creating increasedtraffic during normal peak transittimes.A joint traffic study by base

security forces and civil engineers is examin-ing traffic flow at installation gates.The purpose of the study is to identify pat-

terns, trends and peak times for traffic enter-

ing and exiting the installation, and will con-tribute to the base’s ongoing efforts to reducecongestion at the gates.

In the meantime, members ofTeam Robins can contribute toreducing congestion by taking the fol-lowing actions:

�Allowing time for some varia-tion in the time required to enter thebase.

�Providing feedback through theirchain of command for any issues they

encounter.�Considering mass transit options such as

Buses into Robins Daily (BiRD), carpoolsand vanpools.

Page 2

Sept. 11A Day of

RemembrancePage 8

U.S. Air Force photo byMASTER SGT. RODGER PARSONSSenior Airman Tyler Scott, aircraft maintainer, inspects an E-8C Joint STARSduring an operational readiness inspection at Robins Saturday. Airmen fromthe 116th and 461st ACWs showcased their ability to perform assigned tasksin wartime, contingency and force sustainment operations.

Flags on Robins are being flown at half staffthrough Sunday as a mark of respect forAmbassador John Stevens and the otherAmericans who were killed Tuesday in Libya.The flags are also being flown at half staff ontoday and Saturday in honor of and tribute tothe memory of Neil Armstrong.

Robins plays role in record year for arms salesBY JENNY GORDONjenny.gordon.ctr@robins.af.mil

The U.S. in 2011 led the world inarms sales to developing and developednations, making arms transfer agree-ments valued at $66.3 billion. Robinshelped to execute nearly $10 billion aspart of that effort.This was the “highest single-yearagreements total in the history of theU.S. arms export program,” accordingto an Aug. 24 report from theCongressional Research Service.The report noted that the global total

was especially high due to multipleagreements with the Kingdom of SaudiArabia to provide 84 new F-15SAadvanced fighter aircraft, upgrade to itscurrent fleet of 70 F-15S aircraft, aswell as munitions, spare parts, training,maintenance and long-term logisticssupport.A $29.4 billion defense package wassigned by Saudi Arabia in December2011, with the F-15 System ProgramOffice at Robins to benefit from thesale. Of the $29.4 billion package, anestimated $10 billion will be executedfrom here.

Col. Robert Stambaugh, F-15SASecurity Assistance Program Manager,commented earlier in the year that 2012was going to be a very busy time forTeam Robins and the Air Force.He noted that Robins’ role willinclude an estimated 50 contracts thatwill be executed over the next nineyears into early 2021.“The program is progressing well.This will continue a 30-plus year rela-tionship between Robins, the F-15 sys-tem program office, and the RoyalSaudi air force,” noted Stambaugh.“We also expect to finalize the conver-

sion design later this year.”The design will be a major milestone,which will also include a critical designreview on the conversion of 70 F-15SSaudi aircraft to the advanced F-15SAconfiguration.Also playing a major support role areprecision attack, electronic warfare,automatic test equipment and armamentorganizations from Robins.Initial delivery of the first aircraft willbe in 2015, with modification kit instal-lations to be performed in the Kingdomstarting in 2016.

Team beats the clock, meetsgoal of exceeding warfighter,

customer expectationsBY JENNY GORDONjenny.gordon.ctr@robins.af.mil

At the stroke of midnightJuly 16, one of three clocksin the then-Warner RobinsAir Logistics Center MissionControl Room counted downto zero.The clock let the center

know how much time it hadremaining to meet a goal itset for itself, 18 months earli-er, to “consistently exceedwarfighter and customerexpectations.” It was decidedthe best way to measure thatwas by the center’s record ofon-time delivery of aircraft.“That was the most visible

thing people could see. Inorder to really provide thebest support to the customer,(and) create a more positiveimage in the local communi-ty, we have to deliver air-planes on time,” explainedDoug Keene, vice director ofwhat’s now the WarnerRobins Air LogisticsComplex.When the countdown

clock struck zero, 97 percentof aircraft were being deliv-

ered on time. The target thathad been set was 95 percent.At the beginning of fiscal

2011, the on-time deliveryrate stood at 47 percent.“I’ve been around for 25

years, and that is probably thebiggest turnaround I’ve everseen,” said Keene. “Thatshows the power and thespeed you can get as a hori-zontally-integrated team …and I’ve never seen a team assolid as we were this pastyear and a half.“What has been exciting

about the last few weeks, inparticular, is that we have allstayed together,” he added.Indeed, while many of the

sub-organizations of the for-mer center now have differentreporting chains and operatea bit more independently ofone another, senior leaders ofthose activities continue tomeet on a weekly basis inwhat is now the complex.They understand the impor-tance of helping the complexbe successful, but also under-stand how these meetings

� see MCR, 8

BY JENNY GORDONjenny.gordon.ctr@robins.af.mil

The 116th and 461st AirControl wings received an“Excellent” rating during itsrecent Operational Readi-ness Inspection conductedby more than 70 profession-als from Air CombatCommand’s InspectorGeneral Team.“This year’s successful

ORI was the result of a lotof hard work by the entireteam,” said Brig. Gen.William Welsh, 116th ACWcommander. “In preparationwe also had to ensure wemet the requirement to con-tinue to do operations over-seas, while setting ourselves

up for success with thisinspection.”That effort included the

tireless dedication of opera-tions and maintenancegroups, and support person-nel from across the 116thACW, 461st ACW and theArmy’s 138th MilitaryIntelligence Company. Theteam prepared for theinspection for the past yearand a half.There were more than

600 participants in the ORI,with the IG team here Sept.5 through Tuesday.The priority was to test

the ability of Team JSTARSto launch its airplanes on

Team JSTARS rated‘Excellent’ during ORI

courtesy illustrationThe countdown clock in the Mission Control Room in Bldg. 215reached zero on July 16.

U.S. Air Force photo by SUE SAPPSenior Airman Jarred Taylor, allergy/immunization technician, gives Brig. Gen. Cedric George,

Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex commander, his flu shot. The 78th Medical Group immuniza-tion team kicked off the 2012/2013 Influenza Immunization Program Tuesday by giving flu shots tomembers of the senior leadership staff. Team Robins personnel are encouraged to get their flu shotsin an effort to be proactive regarding the upcoming flu season.The immunization clinic in Bldg. 700 has mandatory flu vaccines available for active duty mem-

bers; the deadline is Oct. 1.Expectant mothers should consult with their physicians prior to receivingtheir vaccination.Vaccinations are available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the first

and third Thursday of the month from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and the second and fourth Thursday of themonth from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.For more information, call 497-7921.

A SHOTA SHOTIN THE ARMIN THE ARM

� see ORI, 8

2 � The Robins Rev-Up � September 14, 2012

Page Two

The Military Personnel DataSystem R12 Upgrade is the mostambitious MilPDS project to date.The Air Force Personnel

Center is upgrading both the mainapplication and database to bringthe system to industry standard.The goal is to have the same

look, feel and operation whichpresently exists on the new plat-form.MilPDS is over-customized, 10

years behind industry, and is veryexpensive to maintain. MilPDSbecomes more susceptible tosecurity issues and a largerresource burden all the time.During the past two years,

Oracle has worked with the AirForce to bring MilPDS up toindustry standard on a stable andsecure web-enabled platform.The current system will be

turned off, its data copied andmigrated to the next software ver-sion, and then upgraded to anoth-er version.Hardware will be physically

transported to the DefenseInformation Services Agency inOgden, Utah, loaded to their envi-

ronment, validated and turned on.The migration will occur over

a 23-day period in December;during that time, we will not havean operational personnel data sys-tem until after the migration iscomplete.Some of the other human

resources systems will be avail-able, but will contain November’sdata.The Military Personnel Section

is prepared to provide seamlesspersonnel support and timelyupdate of all records, especiallycritical pay actions before, duringand after the migration.Base-Level Service Delivery

Module POCs should beginpulling rosters (alpha, gains, loss-es, EPR/OPR, etc.) and saving the

rosters in preparation for the tran-sition period.MPS recommends that each

member reviews his or herrecords in virtual MPF and con-tacts the MPS as soon as possiblewith any needed changes orupdates.Members should determine

now if they are going to need per-sonnel support, actions or updatesbetween now and November toeliminate issues from arising.For more information, contact:�Customer Service at 472-

6862 or78mss.a1wpc.cs@robins.af.mil

�Career Development at 472-6863 or78mss.a1wpd.cd@robins.af.mil

�Force ManagementOperations at 472-6861 or78mss.a1wpf.fmo@robins.af.mil

�Personnel SystemsManagement at78mss.a1wps.hrsys@robins.af.mil

�Military Testing at 497-7358;david.lee@robins.af.mil

–78th Manpower andPersonnel Flight

WHAT TO KNOWThe MPS will be providing help-

ful and informative briefings onTuesday at 2 p.m. andWednesday at 9 a.m. at the basetheater. Max participation isencouraged as this is a topic thatwill affect many military members.

Military Personnel Data Systemto undergo upgrade in December

ROAD WORK AHEADHannah Road project repairs drain pipes, bridge

BY JENNY GORDONjenny.gordon.ctr@robins.af.mil

TThe Hannah Roadproject is underwayon the east end of the

base and is slated to takeabout two months to com-plete.Heavy equipment opera-

tors – “Dirt Boyz” from the78th Civil Engineer Group’shorizontal shop – have beenbusy excavating a portion ofthe roadway since it closedAug. 26. This portion of theproject addresses waterdrainage issues, replacingthree pipes under the roadthat have partially collapsed.“This area collects water

from First Street, south ofthe runway and behind thesanitation plant,” saidWilson Jones, 78th CivilEngineer Squadron civilengineer. “As these bigpipes age, we keep a closewatch on them to make surethey don’t fail.”

There will be an estimat-ed 100 to 150 feet of pavingthat will occur to remove theculvert underneath the pave-ment. New polyethylenepipes will be used to replacethe drain pipes once they areremoved.The project’s estimated

completion is Oct. 29.Another part of the proj-

ect is to repair around abridge a little further south

where asphalt surroundingthe bridge has sunk abouttwo inches.Hannah Road serves as a

point that connects the east-ern portion of the base withnearby service areas such asthe golf course and fitnesscenter.Motorists are urged to

exercise caution around thearea and to follow all roadsigns.

U.S. Air Force photo by SUE SAPPMatt Allen uses a loader to remove asphalt along Hannah Road Sept. 7.Hannah Road is currently closed for a major construction project toreplace a damaged drainage culvert and repair the bridge.

U.S. Air Force photos bySUE SAPP

Above, Lt. Gen. C.D.Moore, Air Force LifeCycle Management com-mander, speaks at thebase theater Sept. 5.

Right, audience memberslisten as Moore talksabout Life CycleManagement Center pro-grams. Moore was hereSept. 4 to 5 to visit withthe 78th Air Base Wing,LCMC, and to conduct atownhall meeting.

Life cycle Management

U.S. Air Force photo by EDASPERAWorkers remove partially collapsed drainage pipes from Hannah Road.

ANG, Coast Guardcomplete joint rescue missionCalifornia Air National Guardsmen from the 129thRescue Wing, in a joint mission with the U.S. CoastGuard, successfully completed the rescue of two dis-tressed fishermen aboard a fishing vessel about 1,400miles off the coast of Acapulco, Mexico.On Sept. 2, the Air Force Rescue CoordinationCenter in Florida contacted the 129th Rescue Wingconcerning an injured fisherman aboard the Mirelur,an Ecuadorian fishing vessel. The fisherman wasexperiencing severe abdominal pain and requiredimmediate medical attention beyond the capabilities ofthe fishing vessel's staff.On Sept. 3, an MC-130P Combat Shadow airplaneand two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters from the129th RQW departed Moffett Federal Airfield forMexico. The Combat Shadow flew to the location ofthe Mirelur, and 129th RQW pararescuemen - highlytrained special operations medical personnel - para-chuted into the Pacific Ocean before boarding theMirelur. Once on board, the pararescuemen learnedthat another fisherman required medical treatment andbegan treating both persons.On Sept. 4, the pararescuemen and patients weretransferred from the Mirelur to the Morgenthau, a U.S.Coast Guard cutter sailing toward the coast of Mexico.The patients continued to receive medical treatmentfrom the pararescuemen and Morgenthau's medicalstaff.To read more, visit www.af.mil.

Two firefighting C-130s head homeTwo C-130 Hercules from the Wyoming Air NationalGuard's 153rd Airlift Wing were deactivated Sept. 2,and returned to Wyoming from Boise, Idaho.Leaders of the 153rd Air Expeditionary Group basedin Boise said this season has become the second-highest in MAFFS history for gallons of fire retardantdropped, surpassed only by 1994, when about 5 mil-lion gallons were dropped. So far this season, throughAug. 27, the MAFFS fleet had released more than2,277,971 gallons of fire retardant during 950 drops onfires in 10 states.Four other Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systemunits remain activated. The Air Force ReserveCommand's 302nd Airlift Wing out of ColoradoSprings, Colo., has two C-130s operating out of Boise.The North Carolina and California Air National Guardeach have one C-130 operating out of McClellan AirTanker Base in Sacramento, Calif.To find out more, visit www.af.mil.

Shaw hosts first sergeant symposiumNoncommissioned officers from around the Air Force

gathered at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., for a firstsergeant’s symposium last month.The symposium was attended by 103 NCOs whowere interested in becoming a first sergeant or arecurrently assigned first sergeant tasks as an additionalduty.While there, the attendees learned about the dutiesassociated with the job and got advice from many first

sergeants already wearing the first sergeant diamondon their sleeve.“I wanted to get more information on the duties andresponsibilities of being a first sergeant, and I feel thatI’ve learned a lot while being here,” said Master Sgt.Kate Harris, a native of Freeborn, Minn., currentlyassigned to the 20th Communications Squadron net-work control center.Popular topics discussed were the relationshipsbetween superintendents, commanders and first ser-geants in addition to development and disciplinarianactions for Airmen.The class was designed so that any NCO could ben-efit from the list of topics covered in lectures during theweek.For further details, visit www.acc.af.mil.

AF Expeditionary Centerwraps up wargameApproximately 65 air mobility experts wrapped up par-ticipation in Air Mobility Command's Global MobilityWargame 2012 at the U.S. Air Force ExpeditionaryCenter at Joint Base Mcguire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.Subject-matter experts throughout the Air Force, AMCand many other organizations involved in defense plan-ning conduct GLOMO biannually at the EC.“Hosting GLOMO gives us the opportunity to show-case the center's total-force mobility and logisticsexpertise and further develop many of AMC's futureconcepts,” said Col. Andrew Jillions, ExpeditionaryCenter GLOMO lead.The exercise is AMC's premier wargame which vali-dates the transportation and logistics feasibility plan forUnified Engagement, the chief of staff of the Air Force'smajor operational-level wargame GLOMO officials said.

– compiled by Lanorris Askew

4 � The Robins Rev-Up � September 14, 2012

Senior Airman Bradley Cassidy, a 99th LogisticsReadiness Squadron vehicle operations journeyman,secures a bobtail truck to a loading vehicle during theLogistics Compliance Assessment Program inspec-tion at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

AIR FORCENEW

SFROMAROUNDTH

E

COMMANDERCol. Mitchel Butikofer

HOW TOCONTACT US

Robins Public Affairs620 Ninth Street, Bldg. 905Robins AFB, GA 31098468-2137Fax 468-9597

SUBMISSION GUIDELINESSubmissions must be received by 4 p.m. Wednesday,the week prior to the requested Friday publication.They should be e-mailed tolanorris.askew@ robins.af.mil andvance.janes@robins.af.milSubmissions should be of broad interest to the basepopulace. For information, call Lanorris Askew at 472-0806.

DELIVERYTo report delivery issues, call 472-0802.

The Robins Rev-Up is published by The Telegraph,a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. AirForce, under exclusive written contract with Robins Air

Force Base, Ga.This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is

an authorized publication for members of the U.S. mili-tary services. Contents of the Robins Rev-Up are notnecessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, theU.S. government, Department of Defense, orDepartment of the Air Force.The appearance of advertising, including inserts or

supplements, does not constitute endorsement by theDepartment of Defense, Department of the Air Force,or The Telegraph.Everything advertised in this publication shall be

made available for purchase, use, or patronage withoutregard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age,marital status, physical or mental handicap, politicalaffiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchas-er, user or patron.

EDITORIAL STAFFPUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTORRick Brewer

INTERNAL INFORMATIONCHIEFGeoff Janes

EDITORLanorris Askew

STAFF WRITERSJenny GordonHolly Logan-Arrington

PHOTOGRAPHERSue Sapp

Zero gravityCadet 1st Class HeatherNelson (left), Trey Quiller,Department of Physics, (cen-ter) and 2nd Lt. SamanthaLatch, Class of 2012, (right)watch the deployment of theFalconSAT-7 payload while inzero gravity. The FalconSAT-7payload is the photon sieve, amembrane with billions ofholes that duplicates thefunction of a traditional lens,but folds into a smallerspace. The payload deployswithin two seconds.

courtesy of NASA

Mastering the loadU.S. Air Force photo by STAFF SGT. CHRISTOPHER HUBENTHAL

Perspectives

Robins staff sergeant shares thoughts on educationNever in a million years did I

think I would be in this posi-tion today.

I’m Staff Sgt. Nicholas Jacksonfrom Chattanooga, Tenn., and I wantto share my opinions on why educa-tion is important and inform others onhow I have succeeded in overcomingbarriers to reach my educational goals.I graduated from Brainerd High

School in 2001. On graduation day, Ihad to go back to school to take myfinal exam because I had failed it theweek prior. I didn’t apply myself inhigh school and graduated with a 2.2grade point average.The universities I wanted to enroll

in at the time wouldn’t accept me dueto my low GPA. My twin brother andI joined the Air Force, and wereplaced on a delayed entry program fora year.We arrived at Lackland Air Force

Base, Texas, on June 4, 2002, to beginour journey in the U.S. Air Force.When I joined the Air Force, I said

to myself, “All I want to do is travelthe world; who cares about school?”My twin brother, Nathan, (a staff

sergeant stationed at Mountain Home

Air Force Base, Idaho) pushed me toget my Community College of the AirForce degree. Everything my brotherdid, I did. I graduated with my CCAFdegree in Information Management in2007.Then I applied to become an

Airman Leadership School instructorat Robins followed in 2011 by com-pleting my second CCAF degree inInstructor of Technology and MilitaryScience. The feeling of accomplish-ment I have from completing twoCCAF degrees pushed me to further

my education towards a bachelor’sdegree. I graduated from ColumbiaSouthern University in July with aBachelor of Science degree inInformation Technology. And, nowI’m looking into master’s degree pro-grams.Growing up, my family didn’t have

enough money to send my brother orme to college. Using the resources theAir Force has provided with TuitionAssistance, I’ve been able to completetwo CCAF degrees and a bachelor’sdegree and didn’t have to pay anymoney out of pocket.The Air Force provided me the

opportunity to accomplish some per-sonal and professional goals. Onceagain, I’m just a guy fromChattanooga who thought educationwasn’t important and didn’t appreciateits value, but since joining the AirForce and having my brother encour-age me along the way, my mindset haschanged, and I intend to continuealong my educational journey.

– This commentary was written byStaff Sgt. Nicholas Jackson,

78th Force Support Sqaudron.

Courtesy photoL-R, Senior Airman Terrell Ferguson, Staff Sgt. Nicholas Jackson and Senior Airman MarioBenavidez fold the flag during a recent retreat ceremony. The retreat included representa-tives of multiple organizations on base.

Air Force workers can find help hereFinances & Work-Life Balance Airman & Family Readiness Center 926-1256Health and Wellness Education Health and Wellness Center 327-8480Health Screenings Civilian Health Promotion Services 327-8030Work, Personal or Family Issues Employee Assistance Program (800) 222-0364Work Stress, Psychological Issues Organizational Consulting Office 327-9803Mental Health & Substance Abuse Houston Healthcare 922-4281Unplanned Pregnancy Houston Healthcare 922-4281Suicide Prevention National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-8255Sexual Assault & Victim Advocacy Sexual Assault Response Coordinator 926-2946Crime Victim Advocacy Victim Witness Assistance Program 327-4584

AFMC Wellness Support Center — www.afmcwellness.com

September 14, 2012 � The Robins Rev-Up � 5

Academygraduates

Congratulations to thefollowing graduates ofAirey NCO Academy:Kevin BenedictNicholas BillowMichael Cromer**Matthew Davis*Shaun DuffyJemareius FordJorel FudgeJustin GryppBrandon JacksonZach JordanMiguel LopezDerell MarksRichard MartinezRuben MartinezLaToya Page*Raymond PowellJohnny SeayFrank StoddardRussell TicerCharles WesleyOctavia Williams

* Distinguished graduate** Commandant Award

The Commissary willhost its annual tent salein the parking lot betweenthe commissary and thecar wash from today andSaturday.

The tent sale will openat the same time as thecommissary, but willclose two hours earlier forcleaning and restockingfor the next business day.

The following leader-ship classes are sched-uled for September:

�Gregory Huttner willpresent “Financial man-agement” Wednesdayfrom 2 to 4 p.m. in Bldg.905, Room 139.

�Col. MitchelButikofer will present“Leadership Insight”Sept. 26 from 8 to 10a.m. in Bldg. 905, Room141.

�Carl Unholz willpresent “Diversity” Sept.27 from 9 to 11 a.m. inBldg. 905, Room 141.

The Robins Chapel islooking for a Catholic

music director. App-licants must have experi-ence playing the organand at least four yearsexperience directingCatholic parish choirs.

Applicants must sub-mit to a criminal historybackground check.Resume deadline is Sept.24.

Interviews and skilldemonstrations will beSept. 26. The contractwill be awarded based on“Best Value” to the gov-ernment.

For more information,contact Tech. Sgt. DerekJohnson atderek.johnson@robins.af.mil.

Central GeorgiaMarine Corps LeagueDetachment #1373 willmeet Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. atFlint Energies off Ga.Highway 96, betweenSun Trust Bank andHouston County HighSchool. Bring your DD-214 or retired I.D. cardand $35. A short applica-tion will be provided.

For more information,call John Harmon at 472-0853.

A Prevention andRelationshipEnhancement Programworkshop will be Sept.28 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30p.m. at the Airman &Family Readiness CenterBldg. 794A Preventionand RelationshipEnhancement Programworkshop will be Sept. 28from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30p.m. at the Airman &Family Readiness CenterBldg. 794.

PREP is one of themost comprehensive andwell respected divorce-prevention and marriageenhancing programs inthe world. It is a skillsand principles-buildingcurriculum designed tohelp partners say whatthey need to say, get to

the heart of problems, andincrease their connectionwith each other.

PREP is a preventionprogram designed forcouples who are thinkingabout getting married,newlyweds and for cou-ples who have been mar-ried for a long time.

Register now. Seatingis limited.

For more information,call the Family AdvocacyProgram at 327-8422.

EO refresher trainingfor employees is sched-uled for Oct. 16 and 17 atthe base theater.

EO refresher trainingfor managers is scheduledfor Oct. 23 and 24 at thebase theater.

For more information,call Susan Carey orJeanette Draughorne at497-2131.

Et ceteraTo have a leave recip-

ient listed here, emailLanorris Askew at lanor-ris.askew@ robins.af.mil.Submissions will run fortwo weeks.

To assist in reducingalcohol-related inci-dents, the 78th ForceSupport Squadron isoffering a designateddriver program at theHeritage Club and PizzaDepot.

For groups of two ormore, designated driverswill receive free fountainsoft drinks, fruit juices ornon-alcoholic frozendrinks.

To learn more, call468-2670.

Also, Airmen AgainstDrunk Driving providesrides free of charge to anyRobins DoD ID cardholder. Coverage is fromPerry to Macon.

For a free, anonymousride, call 472-0013.

WE SUPPORT AFSO21

Good grades pay off at theRobins Exchange

According to theMilitary Child EducationCoalition, an estimated 80percent of military con-nected children are forcedto move between six andnine times as they com-plete their K-12 educationand, along with geographi-cal moves, comes changesin educational settings andcurriculums.

With these unique chal-lenges in mind, theArmyand Air Force ExchangeService rewards militarystudents who excel. Infact, school children whoreceive a report card withan overall “B” average orbetter can pick up an arrayof free and discountedproducts through theRobins Exchange’s “YouMade the Grade” pro-gram.

Now in its 12th year,“You Made the Grade”

offers include free meals,magazines and even com-plimentary haircuts, toname a few.

Students “making thegrade” can also registerfor a drawing to win a$2,000, $1,500 or $500Exchange gift card.

“Military students whoexcel in the classroomdespite multiple movesand deploying parentsdeserve to be recognized,”said the RobinsExchange’s general man-ager, Anthony Ventura.

“While good grades aretheir own reward, this pro-gram recognizes the hardwork and dedicationrequired of pupils at thehead of the class.”

To receive a “YouMade the Grade” booklet,eligible students can sim-ply present a valid militaryID and proof of an overall“B” or better average tothe Robins Exchange.Students may receive onecoupon package for everyqualifying report card, butmay enter the gift carddrawing only once pergrading period.

Military families cancontact the RobinsExchange for more infor-mation about the “YouMade the Grade” Programat (478) 923-5536 or 923-5537.

– Courtesy AAFES

Library opening changesBeginning Oct. 1, the new base library

hours will be Monday through Thursdayfrom 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday andSaturday from noon to 5 p.m. Thelibrary will be closed Sundays and feder-al holidays.

The Robins POW/MIACommittee will host a recog-nition ceremony Thursday at3 p.m. in the Museum ofAviation’s Century of FlightHangar.

J.D. Lankford, author of “Walk WithMe” and former World War II POWand Korean War veteran, will be theguest speaker.

For more information, call Tech. Sgt.Justin Laws at 468-5332; Tech. Sgt.

David Marshall at 468-1434;or Dave Cowles at 497-3476.

A24-hour run will also beconducted beginningWednesday at the MuseumofAviation. Groups and

organizations can bid for time slots.Donations optional starting at $1.Donating teams receive priority timeslots. For more information, contactWilbert Terrell atwilbert.terrell@robins.af.mil.

Robins to host POW/MIA events

On the FlyThe Robins Hispanic

Heritage Committee iscelebrating “DiversityUnited, BuildingAmerica’s Future Today.”

That’s the theme ofthis year’s HispanicHeritage Month obser-vance, which begins withan opening ceremonySaturday at the BaseExchange from 11 a.m. to1 p.m.

The month long obser-vance is a national cele-bration which runsSaturday through Oct. 15.Robins will host the fol-lowing events throughoutthe month:

�A picnic is sched-

uled for Sept. 22 at GatorPark from 11:30 a.m. to 4p.m.

POCs are Marisol Sotoat 472-2856 and GopiWeldon, at 862-3382.

�A luncheon will takeplace Sept. 26 at theHeritage Club at 11 a.m.The guest speaker is Col.Kimberly Ramos, Air

Force Reserve Commanddirector of communica-tions and chief informa-tion officer. POC is MaryLou Medina at 468-4936.

�A Hispanic Heritage5-K Fun Run will be atthe Health and WellnessCenter Oct. 5. POC isTech. Sgt. LizbethMartinez at 497- 1777.

�The final event is abanquet Oct. 6 from 6:30p.m. to 1 a.m. at theMuseum of Aviation.

The banquet willinclude Latin music anddancing. POCs are GopiWeldon at 862-3382 orMarisol Soto at 472-2856.

Hispanic Heritage Observance events

6 � The Robins Rev-Up � September 14, 2012

Team Robins members participate in a 5K walk/run at the Museum ofAviation Sept. 7 to help raise awareness about suicide prevention. Theevent was conducted in recognition of National Suicide Awareness Week,which ends today.

Suicide Prevention Week

The 78th MedicalGroup Immunizationsclinic recognizes theimportance of theShingles vaccine and isoffering the vaccine toTricare beneficiaries.

A single dose of thevaccine is available with-out a prescription tomembers 50 years of ageand up. A physician pre-scription will be requiredfor those who areyounger.

Anyone who receivesthe vaccine could experi-ence localized redness,swelling and tendernessat the injection site.

Education is alsoavailable at the immu-

Shinglesvaccinecould cutexposurein half

Med c’smessage

AFMS - Robins - 78th Medical GroupLike us on Facebook!

nizations’ front desk.The staff encouragespatients to consult theirphysician before get-ting the vaccine toensure there is no riskto their health.

According to theCenters for DiseaseControl, “Shingles is apainful localized skinrash, often with blis-ters, caused by thevaricella zoster virus –the same virus thatcauses chickenpox.

Anyone who has

had chickenpox candevelop Shingles. Thevaccine, Zostavax, is asingle dose vaccineproven to reduce expo-sure by 51 percent.

Providers are edu-cating and encouragingpatients to get vacci-nated to lower the riskof getting Shingles,especially in those whoare considered highrisk.

– Courtesy78th Medical Group

WHAT TO KNOWTo find out more about when to schedule a

Shingles vaccine, contact the 78th Medical GroupImmunizations Clinic at 497-7921.

The official birthday of the U.S. Air Force is Sept. 18, 1947.

‘Long Shot’‘Long Shot’ by Harry Paigeby Harry Paige

U.S. Air Force photo by RAYMOND CRAYTON

September 14, 2012 � The Robins Rev-Up � 7

The Houston CountyHealth Department is offer-ing a free flu vaccine onschool campuses for chil-dren between Sept. 25 andNov. 14.Parents of elementary

school children are encour-aged to be present for thevaccination. Any parent iswelcome at the vaccineclinic. Consent forms will besent home.The Houston County Hot

Shots Coalition has beenoffering the flu vaccine onschool campuses since2008. A partnership of theHouston County Board ofEducation, Houston CountyHealth Department, RobinsAir Force Base and privateproviders in Warner Robinsand Perry formed in 2003,the coalition’s purpose is toincrease vaccine aware-ness and rates in school-age children.For more information,

contact Kathryn Shiplett,lead nurse for the HCBOEat 929-7767 orKathyrn.Shiplett@hcbe.net

Elementary SchoolsDavid Perdue PrimarySept. 25; 9 to 11a.m.Linwood ElementarySept. 25; 1 to 3 p.m.Quail Run ElementarySept. 26; 9 to11 a.m.Matt Arthur Elementary

Sept. 26; 1 to 3 p.m.Perry PrimarySept. 27; 9 to11 a.m.Miller ElementarySept. 27; 1 to 3 p.m.Lindsey ElementaryOct. 2; 9 to11 a.m.Pearl Stephens ElementaryOct. 2; 1 to 3 p.m.Westside ElementaryOct. 3; 9 to11 a.m.Parkwood ElementaryOct. 3; 1 to 3 p.m.Lake Joy PrimaryOct. 4; 9 to11 a.m.David Perdue ElementaryOct. 4; 1 to 3 p.m.Kings Chapel ElementaryOct. 16; 9 to11 a.m.Tucker ElementaryOct. 16; 1 to 3 p.m.Morningside ElementaryOct. 17; 9 to11 a.m.Lake Joy ElementaryOct. 17; 1 to 3 p.m.Shirley Hills ElementaryOct. 18; 9 to11 a.m.Russell ElementaryOct. 18; 1 to 3 p.m.Hilltop ElementaryOct. 23; 9 to11 a.m.Bonaire ElementaryOct. 24; 1 to 3 p.m.Northside ElementaryOct. 24; 9 to11 a.m.Centerville ElementaryOct. 24; 1 to 3 p.m.

Eagle Springs ElementaryOct. 25; 9 to11 a.m.Elam Elberta CenterOct. 25; 1 to 3 p.m.Middle SchoolsHuntington MiddleOct. 30; 9 to11 a.m.Thomson MiddleOct. 30; 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.Mossy Creek MiddleOct. 31; 9 to11 a.m.Northside MiddleOct. 31 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.Perry MiddleNov. 1; 9 to11 a.m.Bonaire MiddleNov. 1; 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.Warner Robins MiddleNov. 6; 9 to11 a.m.Feagin Mill MiddleNov. 6; 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.High SchoolsPerry HighNov. 7; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.Veterans HighNov. 7; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.Houston County HighNov. 8; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.Northside HighNov. 8; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.TaborAcademyNov. 8; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.HC Crossroads CenterNov. 13; 1to 2 p.m.Warner Robins HighNov. 13; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.HC Career AcademyNov. 14; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Robins and Mercer University haveformed a new partnership which willinclude a Bachelor of Science inOrganizational Leadership and a Master ofScience in Organizational Leadership.Benefits include 10 percent reduced

tuition rates with waived application fees.Classes for the B.S.in OrganizationalLeadership program beginning Oct. 17 onMercer’s Macon Campus. An informationalsession will be conducted Monday at thefollowing times and locations:Bldg. 905 Room 243 at 8 a.m.Bldg. 43 Room 4 at 9:30 a.m.Bldg. 301 Engineer Conference Room at

11 a.m.We would also like to know your interest

in bringing the program on Robins by par-

ticipating in a quick survey. Access the linkvia the Robins Splash Page Monday.The results will determine if this program

along with a Master of Science inOrganizational Leadership with a concen-tration in Leadership and OrganizationalDevelopment and Change will be offeredon base beginning March 2013.For additional information regarding either

degree program or information session,contact Amanda Bentley atBentley_AD@mercer.edu or 478-301-6554or Laurie Alexander,Laurie.Alexander@robins.af.mil or 497-8591.

– Complex Training Development &Execution Section

Education corner

Robins, Mercer partner on degree offerings

Houston County schools flu vaccinations

8 � The Robins Rev-Up � September 14, 2012

time and on station, meet-ing taskings whileresponding to varioussimulations from inspec-tors.Those included simu-

lated chemical and mortarattacks, small arms fire,crash recovery and sur-vival scenarios.“The objective is to see

how much we can stressthe organization and per-form under that stress,”said Col. Henry Cyr,461st ACW vice com-mander.Cyr also credits the

unique experiencesbrought to the inspectionas part of the JSTARStotal force construct of theGeorgia Air NationalGuard, the Army andACC forces. “When youput all this together, weare better suited torespond to complex situa-tions,” added Cyr. “Weare fortunate to have that

great team. Having thatcomplex organization is infact one of our strengths.”As part of the

“Excellent” grade, overthe summer the IG teamalso evaluated a VirtualFlag exercise, designed toprovide realistic warfight-er training in a simulatedenvironment. The exercisewas hosted by the AirForce Distributed MissionOperations Center, andlinked operational andtactical training of variousweapons systems plat-forms across the armedforces, including theJSTARS platform.Over a 10-year period,

Team JSTARS, an air-borne battle management,command and control,intelligence, surveillanceand reconnaissance plat-form based at Robins, hasexperienced steadydeployments in support ofvarious contingenciesacross the globe.The next Team

JSTARS ORI is scheduledfor 2017.

ORIContinued from 1

Scouts from Troop and Pack220 located on Robins hon-ored the remembrance of the

11th anniversary of 9/11 with asolemn flag retirement ceremony atthe Fire Ring near the Pave Pawsfacility, Bldg. 1400, on Tuesday.Throughout the year, the units col-

lected worn and distressed flags fromboth on base organizations as a well asoff base groups and citizens. The scoutsfeel privileged to retire the flags as aservice to the base and are proud thatthe donors trust them to retire theseflags with the dignity and reverencethey are due.The scouts retired 27American

flags, one Georgia State flag and onechristian flag at the event.They hope that conducting this

special ceremony on Sept. 11encouraged attendees to take anextra moment to reflect on what

makes our country great and tothank all in the armed services forall that they do to keep us free.The Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts

are sponsored on base by theSociety of American MilitaryEngineers Robins Post and the unitshave been charted since 1956 mak-ing them some of the oldest opera-tional scout units in MiddleGeorgia.

– Submitted by Gary Griffin Cox

WHAT TO KNOWTo turn flags in for retirement or to

find out more regarding scouting pro-grams on Robins, feel free to call GriffCox at 478-542-1335 or email Troop220 at rafttroop220@yahoo.com.

A Day of RemembranceA Day of Remembrance

Boy Scouts retire flags in 9/11ceremony

Garrett Cox recounts the events of 9-11 and asks for a moment of silence in remem-brance of that day. Scouts honored the remembrance with a solemn flag retirementceremony at the Fire Ring near the Pave Paws facility.

Scouts from Troop and Pack 220 located on Robins honored the remembrance of the 11th anniversary of9/11 with a solemn flag retirement ceremony at the Fire Ring near the Pave Paws facility. When a flag is soworn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignifiedmanner.

Tyler Muchmeyer, center, tosses red stripes from a retiringflag onto a fire while Anthony Lunger and William Greensalute.

U.S. Air Force photos byMASTER SGT. ROGER PARSONSTop left, Capt. William Martin, right, 116th Air ControlWing judge advocate general, is inspected by ArmyStaff Sgt. Mercadante Oreste, 138th MilitaryIntelligence Company exercise entry point assistant,during an ORI here Sept. 6.

Bottom left, Tech. Sgt. Elliott Wilkins and SeniorAirman Quinn Hansen, 116th Air Control Wing, takecover after a simulated attack.

Above, an Airborne Radar Technician with Team JointSTARS, performs a pre flight inspection at an opera-tor work station aboard an E-8C Joint STARS.

contribute to making their own organi-zations and, ultimately, Robins suc-cessful.For instance, the 78th Air Base

Wing’s ‘job jar’ includes overseeing allinfrastructure across the installation.While, among other things, it main-

tains a central compressed air plant inthe complex, which powers tools forsanding in paint hangars and repairingaircraft, it also ensures the base’s12,001 foot-long runway – the longestin Georgia – is ready for use not onlyby F-15s, C-5s, C-17s and C-130s, but

E8C J-STARS (Joint SurveillanceTarget Attack Radar System) aircraftoperated by the 116th and 461st AirControl wings and Light AttackHelicopters used by Marine LightAttack Helicopter Squadron-773.In fact, the 78th recently oversaw

the replacement of concrete slabs onthe runway. It also oversaw upgradesto the runway’s South Aircraft BarrierArresting System, which acts as a safe-ty net for tailhook-equipped aircraftwhich may need assistance when land-ing.“We provide the infrastructure for

everyone to be able to do their jobs,”said James Willingham, 78th CivilEngineer Group deputy director.

Meanwhile, Defense LogisticsAgency components here perform avariety of missions in support of allbranches of the military. But, theyalso partner directly with numerousorganizations on Robins to ensure theirsupply needs are met.One such component, DLAAviation

Warner Robins, has realized a “29 per-cent reduction in backorders for main-tenance" since early 2011 – a mark itscommander, Col. Daniel Hicks, says isattributable to the teaming of localsenior leaders.“In my fifteen months here, I've

seen professionals meet together tounderstand and then resolve problemsthat would hold us back from being

world class,” he said.“The senior leaders I've worked

with here set a great example that haspermeated the base,” he added.While processes such as high veloc-

ity maintenance have been behindmany of the local improvements,Keene also credits most of the successto teamwork – teamwork he’s confi-dent will prevail here for the forsee-able future.“I’m very optimistic because I think

we have the opportunity to be betterthan we’ve ever been,” he said. “Tobecome world class, you have to bebetter than everyone else, and I knowpeople here want to be that.”

MCRContinued from 1

U.S. Air Force photos by SUE SAPP

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10 � The Robins Rev-Up � September 14, 2012

ROBINSOUTANDABOUT

ON TAPWine TastingToday5:30 p.m.Horizons Event Center$20 for one$35 for twoFor details,call 468-2105.

Keystone MeetingsSaturday,Sept. 22 and 294 p.m.Youth CenterFor details,call 468-2110.

Wild AdventuresSingle AirmanSaturday$35For details,call 468-4001.

Six Flags MilitaryAppreciation DaysSaturday and Sundayand Sept. 22 and 23For details,call 468-2945.

Glow-In-The-DarkBowlingSaturday nights9 to 11 p.m.Bowling Center$10 per personFor details,call 468-2112.

Home BuyingMonday9 to 11 a.m.Bldg. 794For details,call 468-1256.

Bundles for Babies& Passport toParenthoodTuesday8 a.m. to noonBldg. 794

For details,call 468-1256.

Financial BeginningsFirst Term Officers’Wednesday9 to 11 a.m.Bldg. 794For details,call 468-1256.

Golf Course ClosedThursday and Sept. 21Annual Ga InvitationalFor details,call 468-4103.

Pre-SeparationBriefingsSeparateesThursday12:30 to 4 p.m.Bldg. 794For details,call 468-1256.

Teen CouncilMeetingsSept. 223 p.m.Youth CenterFor details,call 468-2110.

Intervieww/ConfidenceSept. 241 to 3 p.m.Bldg. 794For details,call 468-1256.

Credit ManagementSept. 252 to 3 p.m.Bldg. 794For details,call 468-1256.

Pre-SeparationBriefingsRetireesSept. 2712:30 to 4 p.m.

Bldg. 794For details,call 468-1256.

UPCOMINGBoss N’ BuddySept. 214 to 5 p.m.Heritage Club LoungeMembers freeGuests $5For details,call 472-7864.

Navigating USAJobsSept. 279 to 10 a.m.Bldg. 794For details,call 468-1256.

GA National FairOct. 4 – 14Admission $7Child 10 yearsand youngerfree with paying adultRide Sheets $10 at ITTFor details,call 468-2945.

ONGOINGBlue Man GroupOrlandoSpecial Military OfferThrough Oct. 28 at ITTAdult $44Child $29For details,call 468-2945.

Seeking VolunteersWood Hobby ShopFor details,call 468-5282.

StormResurfacer SpecialLimited time onlyFull resurface for $17For details,call 468-2112.

EEVVEENNTTSS AANNDD AACCTTIIVVIITTIIEESS

TURN OFF THE JUICE WHEN NOT IN USE