RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE 64th Year • No. 47 • NOVEMBER 26, 2010

A publication of the 502nd Air Base Wing – Joint Base San Antonio

INSIDE ... BASE KICKS OFF HOLIDAY SEASON, P4 ... HISTORICAL WEEK FOR RANDOLPH, P5 & P8 ... JBSA RUNNERS PARTICIPATE IN LOCAL EVENT, P11

Col. Andrew Croft (left), 12th FlyingTraining Wing Operation’s Groupcommander, and Lt. Col. Robert Orris,563rd Flying Training Squadroncommander, sheath the 563rd FTSguidon at the deactivation ceremony ofthe 562nd and 563rd FTS Nov . 19.Photo by Don Lindsey

Wingspread Office1150 5th Street East

Randolph AFB, Texas 78150Phone: (210) 652-5760

Fax: (210) 652-3142Wingspread Advertisements

Prime Time Military Newspapers2203 S. Hackberry

San Antonio, Texas 78210Phone: (210) 534-8848

Wingspread e-mailnews@randolph.af.mil

This paper is published by Prime Time Military Newspapers, aprivate firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, underexclusive written contract with Randolph AFB, Texas. This com-mercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publica-tion for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of theWingspread are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsedby, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or theDepartment of the Air Force.

The appearance of advertising in this publication, includinginserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by theDepartment of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, or PrimeTime Military Newspapers of the products or services advertised.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made avail-able for purchase, use or patronage without regard to the race,color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical ormental handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factorof the purchaser, user, or patron.

Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the PublicAffairs Division of the 502nd Air Base Wing OL-B in accordancewith local policy and style guidance. All photos, unless otherwiseindicated, are U.S. Air Force photos.

Articles for the newspaper should be submitted by noonThursday the week prior to the desired publication date. Items canbe dropped off on a PC- or Macintosh-formatted disk at theWingspread office in Hangar 6.

Articles for submission may also be sent by e-mail tonews@randolph.af.mil.

For details about submissions, call 652-5760.

ON THE COVER

PAGE 3WINGSPREADNOVEMBER 26, 2010WINGSPREADPAGE 2 NOVEMBER 26, 2010

COMMENTARY

By Chief Master Sgt. Erik Kessler59th Medical Operations Squadron

Fear of the unknown. It’s ascary thought for most andfew take chances, fearingfailure, like a baby bird onthe edge of its nest not sure ifit can fly.

I was that baby birdapproximately four and ahalf years ago. I was a mas-ter sergeant who knew Ineeded to get more involvedin wing and base activitiesto develop myself profes-sionally, but lacked confi-dence to do it. A volunteeropportunity for the baseannual awards ceremonypresented itself, so I decid-ed to take the chance. I wasterrified to take a lead posi-tion on an event with somuch visibility, so my planwas to wait until all com-mittee leads were chosenand then volunteer to helpon one of the teams. Soundfamiliar?

Everything was going asplanned until the ceremonychairman asked for a volun-teer to lead the banquet

committee. A senior mastersergeant sitting across thetable piped up and said,“Kessler and I will do it.”

My heart skipped a beatand a chill shot straightdown my spine. I felt like ababy bird – falling to itsdeath.

I looked at him wide-eyedand softly uttered, “Are youkidding me?” He just lookedback at me and smiled.

After the meeting, I plead-ed with him that I wasn’tready to take on somethingthis big. He again smiled,ignored my whining andproceeded to explain every-thing I needed to do. Hegave me a checklist, a fewpointers and his phone num-ber, then told me if I had anyquestions, to give him a call.Well, I did – several times,and he was always there togive me the answers I need-ed to progress.

Two weeks later, I hadsolicited 15 volunteers andheld my first meeting. Thesenior master sergeant attend-ed but didn’t say a word. Hedidn’t need to because I had it

under control. From thebeginning, the senior mastersergeant didn’t do a thingexcept provide the tools Ineeded to succeed, be avail-able if I had questions, and,most importantly, put his size-12 boot right in the small ofmy back and push me out ofmy nest. He knew my wingswere ready. He just wantedme to see it for myself.

In the end, the banquetwas a great hit and I wasextremely proud of my teamand myself for leading themto success.

Since that event, I’ve notonly led other event commit-tees but also an entire baseTop 3 of more than 900 sen-ior noncommissioned offi-

cers. I know, without ashadow of a doubt, I wouldnot be where I am today ifthat senior master sergeanthadn’t pushed me to exer-cise my wings.

The moral of the story –it’s OK to be scared, to stepout of your comfort zone.It’s normal, but there areliterally hundreds of SNCOson this base who wouldbend over backwards tomentor and guide you. Myhope is there’s one in yourchain of command who,after reading this article,thinks of you while lacingup their boots. Your wingsare ready – exercise them.You’ll be amazed at howhigh you will fly.

Leave ‘nest,’ exercise your wings

502nd Air Base WingOperating Location Bravo

Editorial StaffBrig. Gen. Leonard Patrick

CommanderMarilyn Holliday

Chief of Public AffairsAirman 1st Class Precious Yett

EditorRobert Goetz, Brian McGloin

Airman Alexis SiekertStaff Writers

Maggie ArmstrongGraphic Designer

WINGSPREAD

“From the beginning, the senior mastersergeant didn’t do a thing except providethe tools I needed to succeed, be availableif I had questions, and, most importantly,put his size-12 boot right in the small ofmy back and push me out of my nest.”

MILITARY FAMILY APPRECIATION MONTH

By Brian McGloin502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

The month of November is set aside to honor the fami-lies who stand behind servicemembers.

“We know military members can’t support uswithout a strong family bond,” said Karen Rudolph902nd Force Support Squadron, Airman and FamilyServices Flight chief.

President Barack Obama first proclaimedNovember 2009 as Military Family Month to honorthe families of those serving in the armed forces,and this November is no different.

“We owe each day of security and freedom that weenjoy to the members of our Armed Forces and their fam-ilies. Behind our brave servicemen and women, there arefamily members and loved ones who share in their sacri-fice and provide unending support,” President Obama saidin a proclamation dated Oct. 29. “During Military FamilyMonth, we celebrate the exceptional contributions of ourmilitary families, and we reaffirm our commitments tothese selfless individuals who exemplify the highest princi-ples of our nation.”

Military Family Month was established in 1993 by thearmed services YMCA and was recognized by the gov-ernment every year since, said the ASYMCA’s Web site.

The Web site also said families from military

bases as well as the communities around the basesare encouraged to “honor military families throughprivate actions and public service for the tremen-dous contributions they make in the support of ourservicemembers and our nation.”

The message behind the month is for everyone to do alittle more to support military families, on base and inlocal communities.

“While only a fraction of Americans are in militaryfamilies, all of us share in the responsibility of caring forour military families and veterans, and all sectors of oursociety are better off when we reach out and worktogether to support these patriots,” the president said.“By offering job opportunities and workplace flexibility,businesses and companies can benefit from the unparal-leled dedication and skills of a service member or mili-tary spouse. Through coordination with local communitygroups, individuals and organizations can ensure ourmilitary families have the help they need and deservewhen a loved one is deployed. Even the smallest actionsby neighbors and friends send a large message of pro-found gratitude to the families who risk everything to seeus safe and free.”

Ms. Rudolph said the 902nd FSS has events scheduledthroughout the month of November as well as all year tosupport military families.

In addition to events on Randolph or other military

bases, Americans are encouraged to remember militaryfamilies not only during November, but all year.

“As America asks ever more of military families,they have a right to expect more of us – it is ournational challenge and moral obligation to upholdthat promise. If we hold ourselves to the same highstandard of excellence our military families live byevery day, we will realize the vision of an Americathat supports and engages these heroes now and fordecades to come,” the president said.

National observance expresses gratitude to servicemembersStaff Sgt. Lindsay Crespo

hugs her son, Noah, atthe Month of the Military

Family appreciationdinner Nov. 17.

Courtesy photo

Native gathering

Members of Randolph’sNative American Heritage

Month committeepresented a program to

Randolph ElementarySchool children Nov. 18.The program consisted ofNative American dancing,

music and stories.Courtesy photo

Duty Title: Student traineeHometown:Virginia, Minn.Hobbies:Reading, playing sports and watching moviesPersonal Inspiration:My wife, Victoria, and our daughter, ElizabethGreatest Accomplishment:Graduated from the University of Texas at SanAntonio with a bachelor of business administrationGoals:My main short-term goal is to complete my MBA atUTSA.

Personal Motto:If you can laugh at yourself, you will never cease tobe amused.Pet Peeve:People who talk in movie theaters Commander’s Comments:“Sheldon’s work ethic and ability to grasp complextasks makes him a testament to the Student CareerExperience Program. He has really rolled up hissleeves and jumped into learning contracting here atthe 902nd CONS. He’ll be a valuable asset to thecontracting career field once he graduates from theprogram.”

– Lt. Col. Michael Waggle902nd Contracting Squadron commander

Sheldon Lahti902nd Contracting Squadron

Photo by Steve Thurow

Col. Andrew Croft (left), 12th FlyingTraining Wing Operation’s Groupcommander, and Lt. Col. Robert Orris,563rd Flying Training Squadroncommander, sheath the 563rd FTSguidon at the deactivation ceremony ofthe 562nd and 563rd FTS Nov . 19.Photo by Don Lindsey

Wingspread Office1150 5th Street East

Randolph AFB, Texas 78150Phone: (210) 652-5760

Fax: (210) 652-3142Wingspread Advertisements

Prime Time Military Newspapers2203 S. Hackberry

San Antonio, Texas 78210Phone: (210) 534-8848

Wingspread e-mailnews@randolph.af.mil

This paper is published by Prime Time Military Newspapers, aprivate firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, underexclusive written contract with Randolph AFB, Texas. This com-mercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publica-tion for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of theWingspread are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsedby, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or theDepartment of the Air Force.

The appearance of advertising in this publication, includinginserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by theDepartment of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, or PrimeTime Military Newspapers of the products or services advertised.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made avail-able for purchase, use or patronage without regard to the race,color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical ormental handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factorof the purchaser, user, or patron.

Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the PublicAffairs Division of the 502nd Air Base Wing OL-B in accordancewith local policy and style guidance. All photos, unless otherwiseindicated, are U.S. Air Force photos.

Articles for the newspaper should be submitted by noonThursday the week prior to the desired publication date. Items canbe dropped off on a PC- or Macintosh-formatted disk at theWingspread office in Hangar 6.

Articles for submission may also be sent by e-mail tonews@randolph.af.mil.

For details about submissions, call 652-5760.

ON THE COVER

PAGE 3WINGSPREADNOVEMBER 26, 2010WINGSPREADPAGE 2 NOVEMBER 26, 2010

COMMENTARY

By Chief Master Sgt. Erik Kessler59th Medical Operations Squadron

Fear of the unknown. It’s ascary thought for most andfew take chances, fearingfailure, like a baby bird onthe edge of its nest not sure ifit can fly.

I was that baby birdapproximately four and ahalf years ago. I was a mas-ter sergeant who knew Ineeded to get more involvedin wing and base activitiesto develop myself profes-sionally, but lacked confi-dence to do it. A volunteeropportunity for the baseannual awards ceremonypresented itself, so I decid-ed to take the chance. I wasterrified to take a lead posi-tion on an event with somuch visibility, so my planwas to wait until all com-mittee leads were chosenand then volunteer to helpon one of the teams. Soundfamiliar?

Everything was going asplanned until the ceremonychairman asked for a volun-teer to lead the banquet

committee. A senior mastersergeant sitting across thetable piped up and said,“Kessler and I will do it.”

My heart skipped a beatand a chill shot straightdown my spine. I felt like ababy bird – falling to itsdeath.

I looked at him wide-eyedand softly uttered, “Are youkidding me?” He just lookedback at me and smiled.

After the meeting, I plead-ed with him that I wasn’tready to take on somethingthis big. He again smiled,ignored my whining andproceeded to explain every-thing I needed to do. Hegave me a checklist, a fewpointers and his phone num-ber, then told me if I had anyquestions, to give him a call.Well, I did – several times,and he was always there togive me the answers I need-ed to progress.

Two weeks later, I hadsolicited 15 volunteers andheld my first meeting. Thesenior master sergeant attend-ed but didn’t say a word. Hedidn’t need to because I had it

under control. From thebeginning, the senior mastersergeant didn’t do a thingexcept provide the tools Ineeded to succeed, be avail-able if I had questions, and,most importantly, put his size-12 boot right in the small ofmy back and push me out ofmy nest. He knew my wingswere ready. He just wantedme to see it for myself.

In the end, the banquetwas a great hit and I wasextremely proud of my teamand myself for leading themto success.

Since that event, I’ve notonly led other event commit-tees but also an entire baseTop 3 of more than 900 sen-ior noncommissioned offi-

cers. I know, without ashadow of a doubt, I wouldnot be where I am today ifthat senior master sergeanthadn’t pushed me to exer-cise my wings.

The moral of the story –it’s OK to be scared, to stepout of your comfort zone.It’s normal, but there areliterally hundreds of SNCOson this base who wouldbend over backwards tomentor and guide you. Myhope is there’s one in yourchain of command who,after reading this article,thinks of you while lacingup their boots. Your wingsare ready – exercise them.You’ll be amazed at howhigh you will fly.

Leave ‘nest,’ exercise your wings

502nd Air Base WingOperating Location Bravo

Editorial StaffBrig. Gen. Leonard Patrick

CommanderMarilyn Holliday

Chief of Public AffairsAirman 1st Class Precious Yett

EditorRobert Goetz, Brian McGloin

Airman Alexis SiekertStaff Writers

Maggie ArmstrongGraphic Designer

WINGSPREAD

“From the beginning, the senior mastersergeant didn’t do a thing except providethe tools I needed to succeed, be availableif I had questions, and, most importantly,put his size-12 boot right in the small ofmy back and push me out of my nest.”

MILITARY FAMILY APPRECIATION MONTH

By Brian McGloin502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

The month of November is set aside to honor the fami-lies who stand behind servicemembers.

“We know military members can’t support uswithout a strong family bond,” said Karen Rudolph902nd Force Support Squadron, Airman and FamilyServices Flight chief.

President Barack Obama first proclaimedNovember 2009 as Military Family Month to honorthe families of those serving in the armed forces,and this November is no different.

“We owe each day of security and freedom that weenjoy to the members of our Armed Forces and their fam-ilies. Behind our brave servicemen and women, there arefamily members and loved ones who share in their sacri-fice and provide unending support,” President Obama saidin a proclamation dated Oct. 29. “During Military FamilyMonth, we celebrate the exceptional contributions of ourmilitary families, and we reaffirm our commitments tothese selfless individuals who exemplify the highest princi-ples of our nation.”

Military Family Month was established in 1993 by thearmed services YMCA and was recognized by the gov-ernment every year since, said the ASYMCA’s Web site.

The Web site also said families from military

bases as well as the communities around the basesare encouraged to “honor military families throughprivate actions and public service for the tremen-dous contributions they make in the support of ourservicemembers and our nation.”

The message behind the month is for everyone to do alittle more to support military families, on base and inlocal communities.

“While only a fraction of Americans are in militaryfamilies, all of us share in the responsibility of caring forour military families and veterans, and all sectors of oursociety are better off when we reach out and worktogether to support these patriots,” the president said.“By offering job opportunities and workplace flexibility,businesses and companies can benefit from the unparal-leled dedication and skills of a service member or mili-tary spouse. Through coordination with local communitygroups, individuals and organizations can ensure ourmilitary families have the help they need and deservewhen a loved one is deployed. Even the smallest actionsby neighbors and friends send a large message of pro-found gratitude to the families who risk everything to seeus safe and free.”

Ms. Rudolph said the 902nd FSS has events scheduledthroughout the month of November as well as all year tosupport military families.

In addition to events on Randolph or other military

bases, Americans are encouraged to remember militaryfamilies not only during November, but all year.

“As America asks ever more of military families,they have a right to expect more of us – it is ournational challenge and moral obligation to upholdthat promise. If we hold ourselves to the same highstandard of excellence our military families live byevery day, we will realize the vision of an Americathat supports and engages these heroes now and fordecades to come,” the president said.

National observance expresses gratitude to servicemembersStaff Sgt. Lindsay Crespo

hugs her son, Noah, atthe Month of the Military

Family appreciationdinner Nov. 17.

Courtesy photo

Native gathering

Members of Randolph’sNative American Heritage

Month committeepresented a program to

Randolph ElementarySchool children Nov. 18.The program consisted ofNative American dancing,

music and stories.Courtesy photo

Duty Title: Student traineeHometown:Virginia, Minn.Hobbies:Reading, playing sports and watching moviesPersonal Inspiration:My wife, Victoria, and our daughter, ElizabethGreatest Accomplishment:Graduated from the University of Texas at SanAntonio with a bachelor of business administrationGoals:My main short-term goal is to complete my MBA atUTSA.

Personal Motto:If you can laugh at yourself, you will never cease tobe amused.Pet Peeve:People who talk in movie theaters Commander’s Comments:“Sheldon’s work ethic and ability to grasp complextasks makes him a testament to the Student CareerExperience Program. He has really rolled up hissleeves and jumped into learning contracting here atthe 902nd CONS. He’ll be a valuable asset to thecontracting career field once he graduates from theprogram.”

– Lt. Col. Michael Waggle902nd Contracting Squadron commander

Sheldon Lahti902nd Contracting Squadron

Photo by Steve Thurow

NEWS

By Robert Goetz502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

A Randolph holiday tradition continues next week, butwith a few changes.

The annual tree-lighting ceremony, planned forWednesday in Washington Circle, will feature a newhost organization as well as the imprint of

Randolph’s new wing leadership.“This year the 902nd Mission Support Group

commander, Col. Scott Peel, will serve as host,” said1st Lt. Manuel Ramirez, Randolph Company Grade

Officers Council president.Col. Robert Bridgford, 502nd Air Base Wing vicecommander, will represent Joint Base San Antonio.

In the past, the 12th Flying TrainingWing served as host organization.

Organizers, representatives of theRandolph CGO Council, are hopeful favorable

weather conditions will prevail this year afterheavy rainfall caused them to move last year’sceremony indoors to the base theater.

Regardless of the weather outside, thespirit of the event will remain constant,

Lieutenant Ramirez said.

“The tree-lighting ceremony sets the mood for this time of year,” he said. “The eventtells us we’re getting to the part of the year where getting together as a family is soimportant. We’re a big family here, and we all need to take care of each other.”

The event will begin at 5 p.m. with a reception for distinguished visitors, fol-lowed by the ceremony at 5:30 p.m., which will feature the singing of the nationalanthem by 2010 Randolph Idol Nadia Gomez, music by the Converse Judson HighSchool Choir and the arrival of Santa Claus by fire truck.

The defining moment of the event will occur when Colonel Peel will flip theswitch to turn on the holiday lights.

Later, children will be able to play on a bouncy castle, take part in arts andcrafts activities and meet Santa Claus in the rotunda of the Taj Mahal, whererefreshments will be served.

Lieutenant Ramirez said some 45 volunteers from active-duty organizations areinvolved in this year’s tree-lighting ceremony, handling tasks such as set-up andtear-down, planning children’s activities, ensuring safety and taking care of decora-tions, refreshments and the distinguished visitor reception.

“Preparing for the tree-lighting ceremony involves a lot of work and man-hours,” he said.

The event is funded through donations from various organizations on base, includingthe CGO Council, which holds a variety of fund-raising activities throughout the year.

Lieutenant Ramirez, who handled publicity for last year’s event, said it isgratifying to witness the ceremony.

“It was nice to see how happy all the kids were,” he said. “All their faceswere glowing when they saw the tree and they were all crazy about seeingSanta. It was very rewarding.”

Randolph’s holiday season kicks off next week

PAGE 5WINGSPREADNOVEMBER 26, 2010WINGSPREADPAGE 4 NOVEMBER 26, 2010

By Mike Joseph502nd Air Base Wing OL-A Public Affairs

The Air Education and Training CommandAdditional Duty First Sergeant Symposium last weekcemented what two technical sergeants hoped toaccomplish in the future: apply for the special dutyassignment.

Held at the Inter-American Air Forces AcademyTraining Center Nov. 15-19, 170 NCOs and seniorNCOs from around the Air Force learned that the roleof a first sergeant is to serve as both a leader to enlist-ed Airmen and an adviser to his unit’s commander.

The event gave those Airmen in attendance abetter understanding of the responsibilities of afirst sergeant and an additional duty first ser-geant. The seminar also provided leadershiptools in the absence of a first sergeant to contin-ue with the unit’s health, morale and welfare.

“I really wanted to come here,” said Tech. Sgt. TinaChaney, a military training leader and flight chief atBrooks City-Base’s USAF School of AerospaceMedicine. “The tools and knowledge I’ve gained (atthe symposium) are going to help me be a bettersuperintendent and supervisor. I’ll be able to lead andmanage my people better.

“I’ve been pushing to (attend the symposium) fortwo years and it’s definitely a week well spent.”

Tech. Sgt. Luz Hollis, a 321st Training Squadronmilitary training instructor, hopes to have a line num-

ber next year and would like to serve as a first ser-geant or additional duty first sergeant before she fin-ishes her Air Force career.

Sergeant Hollis also sees to a certain extent a paral-lel between an MTI and a first sergeant.

“I think the basics and standards are the same,”she said. “Ideally as an MTI you really want to helppeople even though it doesn’t look like it.

“It’s been a good experience and I’m lucky Iwas given the opportunity by my first sergeant;I’m glad I did it. It makes me more aware of whatthe job entails.”

The symposium was hosted by the Lackland FirstSergeant Council, the largest in the Air Force. It wasled by the First Sergeant Academy at Maxwell AirForce, Ala., which falls under the Thomas BarnesCenter for Enlisted Education. The event is accredit-ed by the Community College of the Air Force andattendees receive two hours credit upon completion.

“The participants in the symposium were ener-getic, active and involved,” said Master Sgt.Dennis Dyke, 321st TRS first sergeant and one ofa number of council members involved with host-ing the symposium.

“They seemed to really be soaking up the informa-tion that we were providing to them, and we couldn’tbe happier with the turnout.”

For more information about becoming an addi-tional duty or full-time first sergeant, contactyour unit’s first sergeant.

Lackland hosts AETC first sergeant symposium

Photo by Alan BoedekerLt. Col. Scott Sonnek, 59th Mental Health Squadron, talks toNCOs attending the Air Education and Training CommandAdditional Duty First Sergeants' Symposium at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy Nov. 17.

Inactivated squadron saves signatures of heroesBy Robert Goetz502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

The headquarters building of therecently inactivated 563rd FlyingTraining Squadron will soon have anew mission, but a few pieces of the“Crow’s Nest,” the unit’s heritage room,have been preserved for posterity.

Removed from a wall that bore theautographs of numerous members of theelectronic warfare community who spenttime in the facility as leaders, instructors,students or distinguished visitors, the sig-natures of three Air Force heroes willsoon be mounted at their new homes.

The signatures, which belong toretired Col. Mike Gilroy and retiredMaj. Jack Donovan, electronic warfarepioneers, and 1st Lt. NathanialBuckley, a former 563rd FTS studentwho was killed in an Aug. 7, 2002,training accident in Puerto Rico, rep-resent part of the squadron’s history,said Maj. Greg Formanski, 563rd FTSdirector of operations.

“Colonel Gilroy and Major Donovanwere pioneers,” he said. “They laid thefoundation for everyone else who fol-lowed. Honoring Nate reminds us thatthis is the price we may ultimately pay.”

The signatures of Mr. Gilroy and Mr.Donovan will be presented to the BillyMitchell Chapter of the Association ofOld Crows, an international organiza-tion dedicated to the science of elec-tronic, information and command andcontrol warfare, while the signaturebelonging to Lieutenant Buckley will

soon find its new home at his brotherSeth’s 15th Special OperationsSquadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Lt. Col. Robert Orris, former 563rdFTS commander, said Mr. Donovan wasone of the first Airmen assigned to theVietnam War “Wild Weasel” mission, theuse of F-100F Super Sabre aircraftequipped with special electronic gearand featuring an electronic warfare offi-cer who would locate and defeat sur-face-to-air missiles.

Mr. Gilroy, who was the featured speak-er at Randolph’s final combat systemsofficer graduation ceremony last month,also participated in the Wild Weasel mis-sion, but as part of an F-105F aircrew.

“He helped develop the techniquesand equipment we still use today,”said Colonel Orris, who will soonreport to Lackland Air Force Base asU.S. Air Force Center of ExcellenceJoint IED Defeat Organization officerin charge. “He was the idea guy; hewas the one who said, ‘This is whatwe need to do.’”

Lieutenant Buckley’s signature hasalready been preserved once – whenthe bottom portion of the wall bearinga large number of autographs wasrepainted in the Crow’s Nest. Maj.Josh DeBoy, former 563rd FTS assis-tant director of operations who is nowassigned to the 19th Air Force, willpresent the signature to LieutenantBuckley’s parents, who will then turnit over to the 15th SOS at Hurlburt.Lieutenant Buckley was assigned tothe 16th Special Operations Wing at

Hurlburt when he was killed in theMC-130H crash that claimed the livesof 10 military personnel.

Colonel Orris said LieutenantBuckley paid the “ultimate sacrifice.”

“We may be called on to do that at anytime,” he said. “I tell my students, ‘This iswhat you sign on for. You have to beabsolutely prepared for that and be thebest you can be on every mission.’”

Colonel Orris said the presentationto the Association of Old Crows“allows us to honor Colonel Gilroy andMajor Donovan and acknowledgewhat they’ve done.”

“They are heroes to our instructors,”he said. “Our instructors have deployedmultiple times and they see what thesemen did. They are an example of whatkind of officers we should be.”

The signatures of retired Col. Mike Gilroy and retired Maj. Jack Donovan were removed froma wall in the “Crows Nest” of the 563rd Flying Training Squadron.

Photo by Steve Thurow

NEWS

By Robert Goetz502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

A Randolph holiday tradition continues next week, butwith a few changes.

The annual tree-lighting ceremony, planned forWednesday in Washington Circle, will feature a newhost organization as well as the imprint of

Randolph’s new wing leadership.“This year the 902nd Mission Support Group

commander, Col. Scott Peel, will serve as host,” said1st Lt. Manuel Ramirez, Randolph Company Grade

Officers Council president.Col. Robert Bridgford, 502nd Air Base Wing vicecommander, will represent Joint Base San Antonio.

In the past, the 12th Flying TrainingWing served as host organization.

Organizers, representatives of theRandolph CGO Council, are hopeful favorable

weather conditions will prevail this year afterheavy rainfall caused them to move last year’sceremony indoors to the base theater.

Regardless of the weather outside, thespirit of the event will remain constant,

Lieutenant Ramirez said.

“The tree-lighting ceremony sets the mood for this time of year,” he said. “The eventtells us we’re getting to the part of the year where getting together as a family is soimportant. We’re a big family here, and we all need to take care of each other.”

The event will begin at 5 p.m. with a reception for distinguished visitors, fol-lowed by the ceremony at 5:30 p.m., which will feature the singing of the nationalanthem by 2010 Randolph Idol Nadia Gomez, music by the Converse Judson HighSchool Choir and the arrival of Santa Claus by fire truck.

The defining moment of the event will occur when Colonel Peel will flip theswitch to turn on the holiday lights.

Later, children will be able to play on a bouncy castle, take part in arts andcrafts activities and meet Santa Claus in the rotunda of the Taj Mahal, whererefreshments will be served.

Lieutenant Ramirez said some 45 volunteers from active-duty organizations areinvolved in this year’s tree-lighting ceremony, handling tasks such as set-up andtear-down, planning children’s activities, ensuring safety and taking care of decora-tions, refreshments and the distinguished visitor reception.

“Preparing for the tree-lighting ceremony involves a lot of work and man-hours,” he said.

The event is funded through donations from various organizations on base, includingthe CGO Council, which holds a variety of fund-raising activities throughout the year.

Lieutenant Ramirez, who handled publicity for last year’s event, said it isgratifying to witness the ceremony.

“It was nice to see how happy all the kids were,” he said. “All their faceswere glowing when they saw the tree and they were all crazy about seeingSanta. It was very rewarding.”

Randolph’s holiday season kicks off next week

PAGE 5WINGSPREADNOVEMBER 26, 2010WINGSPREADPAGE 4 NOVEMBER 26, 2010

By Mike Joseph502nd Air Base Wing OL-A Public Affairs

The Air Education and Training CommandAdditional Duty First Sergeant Symposium last weekcemented what two technical sergeants hoped toaccomplish in the future: apply for the special dutyassignment.

Held at the Inter-American Air Forces AcademyTraining Center Nov. 15-19, 170 NCOs and seniorNCOs from around the Air Force learned that the roleof a first sergeant is to serve as both a leader to enlist-ed Airmen and an adviser to his unit’s commander.

The event gave those Airmen in attendance abetter understanding of the responsibilities of afirst sergeant and an additional duty first ser-geant. The seminar also provided leadershiptools in the absence of a first sergeant to contin-ue with the unit’s health, morale and welfare.

“I really wanted to come here,” said Tech. Sgt. TinaChaney, a military training leader and flight chief atBrooks City-Base’s USAF School of AerospaceMedicine. “The tools and knowledge I’ve gained (atthe symposium) are going to help me be a bettersuperintendent and supervisor. I’ll be able to lead andmanage my people better.

“I’ve been pushing to (attend the symposium) fortwo years and it’s definitely a week well spent.”

Tech. Sgt. Luz Hollis, a 321st Training Squadronmilitary training instructor, hopes to have a line num-

ber next year and would like to serve as a first ser-geant or additional duty first sergeant before she fin-ishes her Air Force career.

Sergeant Hollis also sees to a certain extent a paral-lel between an MTI and a first sergeant.

“I think the basics and standards are the same,”she said. “Ideally as an MTI you really want to helppeople even though it doesn’t look like it.

“It’s been a good experience and I’m lucky Iwas given the opportunity by my first sergeant;I’m glad I did it. It makes me more aware of whatthe job entails.”

The symposium was hosted by the Lackland FirstSergeant Council, the largest in the Air Force. It wasled by the First Sergeant Academy at Maxwell AirForce, Ala., which falls under the Thomas BarnesCenter for Enlisted Education. The event is accredit-ed by the Community College of the Air Force andattendees receive two hours credit upon completion.

“The participants in the symposium were ener-getic, active and involved,” said Master Sgt.Dennis Dyke, 321st TRS first sergeant and one ofa number of council members involved with host-ing the symposium.

“They seemed to really be soaking up the informa-tion that we were providing to them, and we couldn’tbe happier with the turnout.”

For more information about becoming an addi-tional duty or full-time first sergeant, contactyour unit’s first sergeant.

Lackland hosts AETC first sergeant symposium

Photo by Alan BoedekerLt. Col. Scott Sonnek, 59th Mental Health Squadron, talks toNCOs attending the Air Education and Training CommandAdditional Duty First Sergeants' Symposium at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy Nov. 17.

Inactivated squadron saves signatures of heroesBy Robert Goetz502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

The headquarters building of therecently inactivated 563rd FlyingTraining Squadron will soon have anew mission, but a few pieces of the“Crow’s Nest,” the unit’s heritage room,have been preserved for posterity.

Removed from a wall that bore theautographs of numerous members of theelectronic warfare community who spenttime in the facility as leaders, instructors,students or distinguished visitors, the sig-natures of three Air Force heroes willsoon be mounted at their new homes.

The signatures, which belong toretired Col. Mike Gilroy and retiredMaj. Jack Donovan, electronic warfarepioneers, and 1st Lt. NathanialBuckley, a former 563rd FTS studentwho was killed in an Aug. 7, 2002,training accident in Puerto Rico, rep-resent part of the squadron’s history,said Maj. Greg Formanski, 563rd FTSdirector of operations.

“Colonel Gilroy and Major Donovanwere pioneers,” he said. “They laid thefoundation for everyone else who fol-lowed. Honoring Nate reminds us thatthis is the price we may ultimately pay.”

The signatures of Mr. Gilroy and Mr.Donovan will be presented to the BillyMitchell Chapter of the Association ofOld Crows, an international organiza-tion dedicated to the science of elec-tronic, information and command andcontrol warfare, while the signaturebelonging to Lieutenant Buckley will

soon find its new home at his brotherSeth’s 15th Special OperationsSquadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Lt. Col. Robert Orris, former 563rdFTS commander, said Mr. Donovan wasone of the first Airmen assigned to theVietnam War “Wild Weasel” mission, theuse of F-100F Super Sabre aircraftequipped with special electronic gearand featuring an electronic warfare offi-cer who would locate and defeat sur-face-to-air missiles.

Mr. Gilroy, who was the featured speak-er at Randolph’s final combat systemsofficer graduation ceremony last month,also participated in the Wild Weasel mis-sion, but as part of an F-105F aircrew.

“He helped develop the techniquesand equipment we still use today,”said Colonel Orris, who will soonreport to Lackland Air Force Base asU.S. Air Force Center of ExcellenceJoint IED Defeat Organization officerin charge. “He was the idea guy; hewas the one who said, ‘This is whatwe need to do.’”

Lieutenant Buckley’s signature hasalready been preserved once – whenthe bottom portion of the wall bearinga large number of autographs wasrepainted in the Crow’s Nest. Maj.Josh DeBoy, former 563rd FTS assis-tant director of operations who is nowassigned to the 19th Air Force, willpresent the signature to LieutenantBuckley’s parents, who will then turnit over to the 15th SOS at Hurlburt.Lieutenant Buckley was assigned tothe 16th Special Operations Wing at

Hurlburt when he was killed in theMC-130H crash that claimed the livesof 10 military personnel.

Colonel Orris said LieutenantBuckley paid the “ultimate sacrifice.”

“We may be called on to do that at anytime,” he said. “I tell my students, ‘This iswhat you sign on for. You have to beabsolutely prepared for that and be thebest you can be on every mission.’”

Colonel Orris said the presentationto the Association of Old Crows“allows us to honor Colonel Gilroy andMajor Donovan and acknowledgewhat they’ve done.”

“They are heroes to our instructors,”he said. “Our instructors have deployedmultiple times and they see what thesemen did. They are an example of whatkind of officers we should be.”

The signatures of retired Col. Mike Gilroy and retired Maj. Jack Donovan were removed froma wall in the “Crows Nest” of the 563rd Flying Training Squadron.

Photo by Steve Thurow

PAGE 7WINGSPREADNOVEMBER 26, 2010WINGSPREADPAGE 6 NOVEMBER 26, 2010

As the holiday season approach-es, it’s easy to get lost in the hustleand bustle of the season and forgetabout safety. The holiday season,which typically runs from the daybefore Thanksgiving to the dayafter New Years can be one of themost dangerous times of the year.As many people begin putting upholiday decorations duringThanksgiving weekend, here aresome helpful tips to keep the sea-son safe and happy.

Trees• When buying an artificial tree, lookfor a label saying it’s fire resistant. • When purchasing a live tree, checkfor freshness. A fresh tree is greenand the needles are strong. If nee-dles are brown or break and fall outeasily, the tree isn’t fresh and poses agreater fire risk. The trunk butt of afresh tree is also sticky with resin. • When setting up a tree at home,place it away from fireplaces, radia-tors or portable heaters. Place thetree out of the way of traffic and donot block doorways. • Cut a few inches off the trunk of

the tree to expose the freshwood. This allows for betterwater absorption and will help tokeep the tree from drying outand becoming a fire hazard. • Be sure to keep the stand filledwith water; heated rooms can drylive trees out rapidly.

Lights• Check all tree lights beforehanging them on your tree.Make sure all the bulbs workand that there are no frayedwires, broken sockets or looseconnections. • Never use electric lights on ametallic tree. The tree can becomecharged with electricity from faultylights, and a person touching abranch could be electrocuted. • Before using lights outdoors, checklabels to be sure they have been cer-tified for outdoor use. To hold lightsin place, string them through hooksor insulated staples. Never pull ortug lights to remove them. • Plug all outdoor electric deco-rations into circuits with groundfault circuit interrupters to avoid

potential shocks. • Turn off all lights before going tobed or leaving the house.

Decorations• Use only non-combustible orflame-resistant materials to trim atree. Choose tinsel or artificial iciclesof plastic or nonleaded metals. • Never use lighted candles on atree or near other evergreens.Use non-flammable holders, andplace candles where they willnot be knocked down. • In homes with small children,avoid decorations that are sharpor breakable. Keep trimmingswith small removable parts outof the reach of children to pre-vent them from swallowing orinhaling small pieces. • Wear gloves to avoid eye and skinirritation while decorating with spunglass angel hair. • Follow container directions care-fully to avoid lung irritation whiledecorating with artificial snowsprays.

(Courtesty 502nd Air Base WingSafety Office)

Holiday festivities raise safety concernsRetirement

Congratulationsto Chief MasterSgt. Toya Johnson,Air EducationTrainingCommand, on herretirement.

Thrift ShopThe Randolph

Thrift Shop isclosed today forThanksgiving andreopens Nov. 29 at9 a.m.

Positive PawsThe Pet Partners of San Antonio will be at the Randolph Library

Dec. 1 at 3:30 p.m. For more information, call Catherine Nishimutaat 652-2617.

Lackland performing arts groupThe Lackland Performing Arts Group invites anyone interested in

participating to join them on the first and third Wednesday of themonth at 6 p.m. at Arnold Hall on Lackland Air Force Base.For more information, call Tracy Parmer at 292-8145.

Base BRIEFS

“The Social Network” (PG-13)Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield

Today @ 7 p.m., Saturday @ 6 p.m.

“Life as We Know It” (PG-13)Katherine Heigl, Josh Duhamel

Sunday @ 3 p.m.

NOW SHOWING atthe Randolph Theater

$4.50 for adults$2.25 for children 11 and under

Top Three mixerThe Randolph Top Three hosts a mixer

Dec. 3 from 4-6 p.m. at the Kendrick Club.The guest speaker is Chief Master Sgt.James Cody, Air Education and TrainingCommand command chief.For details, call Senior Master Sgt.

Kathleen McCool at 665-0432.

TRAC election results

Photo by Airman 1st Class Precious YettFrom left to right: The newly-elected 2011 Team Randolph Airman’s Council officersare: Airmen 1st Class Liana Tenorio, secretary; Alissa Corallo, vice president; StevenLewis, president; and Skylar Armstrong, treasurer. The Airmen were voted in Nov. 17by their peers after making speeches. They will begin their elected positions inJanuary 2011.

PAGE 7WINGSPREADNOVEMBER 26, 2010WINGSPREADPAGE 6 NOVEMBER 26, 2010

As the holiday season approach-es, it’s easy to get lost in the hustleand bustle of the season and forgetabout safety. The holiday season,which typically runs from the daybefore Thanksgiving to the dayafter New Years can be one of themost dangerous times of the year.As many people begin putting upholiday decorations duringThanksgiving weekend, here aresome helpful tips to keep the sea-son safe and happy.

Trees• When buying an artificial tree, lookfor a label saying it’s fire resistant. • When purchasing a live tree, checkfor freshness. A fresh tree is greenand the needles are strong. If nee-dles are brown or break and fall outeasily, the tree isn’t fresh and poses agreater fire risk. The trunk butt of afresh tree is also sticky with resin. • When setting up a tree at home,place it away from fireplaces, radia-tors or portable heaters. Place thetree out of the way of traffic and donot block doorways. • Cut a few inches off the trunk of

the tree to expose the freshwood. This allows for betterwater absorption and will help tokeep the tree from drying outand becoming a fire hazard. • Be sure to keep the stand filledwith water; heated rooms can drylive trees out rapidly.

Lights• Check all tree lights beforehanging them on your tree.Make sure all the bulbs workand that there are no frayedwires, broken sockets or looseconnections. • Never use electric lights on ametallic tree. The tree can becomecharged with electricity from faultylights, and a person touching abranch could be electrocuted. • Before using lights outdoors, checklabels to be sure they have been cer-tified for outdoor use. To hold lightsin place, string them through hooksor insulated staples. Never pull ortug lights to remove them. • Plug all outdoor electric deco-rations into circuits with groundfault circuit interrupters to avoid

potential shocks. • Turn off all lights before going tobed or leaving the house.

Decorations• Use only non-combustible orflame-resistant materials to trim atree. Choose tinsel or artificial iciclesof plastic or nonleaded metals. • Never use lighted candles on atree or near other evergreens.Use non-flammable holders, andplace candles where they willnot be knocked down. • In homes with small children,avoid decorations that are sharpor breakable. Keep trimmingswith small removable parts outof the reach of children to pre-vent them from swallowing orinhaling small pieces. • Wear gloves to avoid eye and skinirritation while decorating with spunglass angel hair. • Follow container directions care-fully to avoid lung irritation whiledecorating with artificial snowsprays.

(Courtesty 502nd Air Base WingSafety Office)

Holiday festivities raise safety concernsRetirement

Congratulationsto Chief MasterSgt. Toya Johnson,Air EducationTrainingCommand, on herretirement.

Thrift ShopThe Randolph

Thrift Shop isclosed today forThanksgiving andreopens Nov. 29 at9 a.m.

Positive PawsThe Pet Partners of San Antonio will be at the Randolph Library

Dec. 1 at 3:30 p.m. For more information, call Catherine Nishimutaat 652-2617.

Lackland performing arts groupThe Lackland Performing Arts Group invites anyone interested in

participating to join them on the first and third Wednesday of themonth at 6 p.m. at Arnold Hall on Lackland Air Force Base.For more information, call Tracy Parmer at 292-8145.

Base BRIEFS

“The Social Network” (PG-13)Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield

Today @ 7 p.m., Saturday @ 6 p.m.

“Life as We Know It” (PG-13)Katherine Heigl, Josh Duhamel

Sunday @ 3 p.m.

NOW SHOWING atthe Randolph Theater

$4.50 for adults$2.25 for children 11 and under

Top Three mixerThe Randolph Top Three hosts a mixer

Dec. 3 from 4-6 p.m. at the Kendrick Club.The guest speaker is Chief Master Sgt.James Cody, Air Education and TrainingCommand command chief.For details, call Senior Master Sgt.

Kathleen McCool at 665-0432.

TRAC election results

Photo by Airman 1st Class Precious YettFrom left to right: The newly-elected 2011 Team Randolph Airman’s Council officersare: Airmen 1st Class Liana Tenorio, secretary; Alissa Corallo, vice president; StevenLewis, president; and Skylar Armstrong, treasurer. The Airmen were voted in Nov. 17by their peers after making speeches. They will begin their elected positions inJanuary 2011.

PAGE 9WINGSPREADNOVEMBER 26, 2010WINGSPREADPAGE 8 NOVEMBER 26, 2010

FEATURE

By Brian McGloin502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, which has the unoffi-cial nickname “West Point of the Air,” was dedicated June20, 1930, as a flying training base, with actual flying train-ing beginning a year later and continuing to present day.

Gen. Frank Lahm, who led all flying training for thenewly established Army Air Corps, established the AirCorps Training Center, setting up its headquarters atDuncan Field, adjacent to Kelly Field, Texas.

Flying training outgrew the facilities at Kelly and Brooksfields, which had no suitable areas for ground trainingand the living quarters were inadequate.

The Air Corps soon decided additional training facilitieswere needed and it chose a site northeast of San Antonio –what is today Randolph Air Force Base.

Between 1926 and 1928 Randolph was planned and theland was acquired. Randolph was named after Capt.William Millican Randolph, who died in an airplane crashat Kelly in 1928.

Early in 1931, the School of Aviation Medicine fromBrooks Field and the first cadets from the Air Corps FlyingSchool at Duncan Field began relocating to Randolph.

Basic flying training ended in March 1943, when theCentral Instructors School began. Randolph’s primarymission for the next two years was teaching instructorsfor the Air Corps’ primary, basic and advanced flyingtraining.

In April 1945, the Central Instructors School wasreplaced by the Army Air Force Pilot School, which spe-cialized in transition training for B-29 bomber pilots.From December 1945 until March 1948, primary andbasic pilot training was conducted at Randolph. In August1948, the 3510th Pilot Training Wing became the hostunit at Randolph.

While aviation was going strong in San Antonio duringthis time, military history was being forever changed – onSept. 18, 1947, the Air Force became a separate service.Also, Randolph Field was renamed Randolph Air ForceBase on Jan. 13, 1948.

From Aug. 1 to Sept. 30, 1957, Air Training Commandmoved its headquarters from Scott Air Force Base, Ill., toRandolph. In the early 1960s the T-33 and T-38 arrived tobring jet training aircraft to the base. The Air ForceInstrument Pilot Instructor School arrived at Randolph inSeptember 1961, followed in close order by the Air ForceMilitary Personnel Center in November 1963 and the AirForce Recruiting Service in July 1965. On May 1, 1972,the 3510th Flying Training Wing was inactivated andreplaced by the 12th Flying Training Wing.

In August 2001, the National Park Service designatedRandolph a National Historic Landmark because of thebase’s architecture and history. In February 2010,Randolph Air Force Base’s host unit changed from the12th Flying Training Wing to the 902nd Mission SupportGroup. The change marked a transition to Joint Base SanAntonio, when the 902nd MSG became part of the 502ndAir Base Wing at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

(Information from the Air Education and TrainingCommand historian’s office was used in this article.)

Military aviation history also Randolph’s history

By Brian McGloin502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

Randolph’s vehicle dispatch service managesand serves just about every kind of vehicle one canthink of, except boats or aircraft.

“Most people think of the base taxi and support-ing [distinguished visitors], but that’s just a smallpart of it,” said Michael Cox, 902nd LogisticsReadiness Squadron vehicle control operationssupervisor, while walking through a yard withschool buses, sedans, forklifts, box trucks, multi-passenger vans – all spotless and parkedneatly.”We do more than taxis, it’s quite diverse.”

The school buses have blue and white Air Forcegraphics on them while the trucks are dark colors.Some of the vehicles like the forklifts are olivedrab. The sedans are in the usual colors one mightsee in any parking lot. The walled-in yard lookslike a combination of an airport car rental agency,a heavy equipment dealer and a car wash, whilebeing cleaner than any of them.

“We have the cleanest fleet in theAir Force,” he said walking past agroup of sedans parked under a car port.

The wheels of the sedans have noneof the usual brake dust and roadgrime, no bugs on the windshields, nofingerprints. The trucks were cleanwith no grease marks, no dirt, as ifthey were on a car show display, butalso ready to go to work. Vehicle dis-patch has a five-ton, a seven-and-half-ton and a 10-ton truck in addition tothe other vehicles.

Randolph vehicle dispatch is morethan a military version of a commer-cial car and truck-rental agency andtaxi service. They clean the command-ers’ cars, run the U Drive It serviceand provide wrecker service for gov-ernment vehicles.

“We’re behind the scenes,” hesaid. “Anything logistical or move-ment, we provide.”

Mr. Cox said vehicle dispatch is theRandolph point of contact for theGeneral Services Administrationvehicle misuse program. If someonesees a car being driven incorrectly,they can write down the license platenumber and report it, but only forgovernment cars.

“Everything on base we’re

involved in somehow,” he said, describing thefar-reaching support his shop gives. The dis-patch’s duties range from shuttling pilots andinstructors to Randolph’s school children in themorning and afternoon to maintenance, to deliv-ering parts for maintenance and supply.

“We have four drivers, three on the east side andone on the west side supporting flight operations,”he said about the small trucks that shuttle peoplearound the flight lines.

Vehicle dispatch runs three school buses in themorning and seven in the afternoon, to transportschool children to and from Randolph Elementary.The buses are also used for the various tourgroups visiting the base and events like the changeof command ceremonies. Mr. Cox said vehicleoperations supports more than 24,000 vehiclerequests annually with 44 dedicated personnel.

He said in addition to moving people around, theypick up aircraft parts and other things due in formaintenance from the tire shop and bring them tothe nondestructive inspection shop and back.

“We’re the ones to transport it from this shopto that shop,” he said. “It’s a service to keepthe parts moving.”

Mr. Cox said vehicle dispatch also works to meetthe needs of individual Randolph Airmen if possi-ble. However, the dispatch asks for as much leadtime as possible for scheduling.

Vehicle dispatch has a high standard as far asthe cleanliness of their vehicles and their service.

“We want them to remember if they had agood vehicle while at Randolph.” Mr. Cox said.“We’re proud of what we do and we want peo-ple to know it.”

The base taxi is a free service for authorizedpersonnel for official appointments. Call 652-TAXIto schedule taxi service.

For information or scheduling of vehicles or sup-port, including U Drive It, e-mail Randolph.vehi-cledispatch@randolph.af.mil. Vehicle Dispatch’shours of operation are Monday-Friday from 5:30a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.They are not open Saturday.

Vehicle dispatch keeps Randolph rollingATTENTION TO DETAIL

(Above) Col. Richard Murphy, 12th FlyingTraining Wing commander, gives a speechNov. 19 at the dedication ceremony of theT-43, which was recently placed on staticdisplay here.

(Left) Lt. Col. Robert Orris (left), 563rdFlying Training Squadron commander, andLt. Col. Peter Deitschel, 562nd FlyingTraining Squadron commander, reveal thededication plaque to be placed in front ofthe T-43 static display.

Photos by Rich McFadden

Photo by Brian McGloinKirk Mason, 902nd Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle control operations, removes a bus vehicle wrap with a razor blade.

PAGE 9WINGSPREADNOVEMBER 26, 2010WINGSPREADPAGE 8 NOVEMBER 26, 2010

FEATURE

By Brian McGloin502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, which has the unoffi-cial nickname “West Point of the Air,” was dedicated June20, 1930, as a flying training base, with actual flying train-ing beginning a year later and continuing to present day.

Gen. Frank Lahm, who led all flying training for thenewly established Army Air Corps, established the AirCorps Training Center, setting up its headquarters atDuncan Field, adjacent to Kelly Field, Texas.

Flying training outgrew the facilities at Kelly and Brooksfields, which had no suitable areas for ground trainingand the living quarters were inadequate.

The Air Corps soon decided additional training facilitieswere needed and it chose a site northeast of San Antonio –what is today Randolph Air Force Base.

Between 1926 and 1928 Randolph was planned and theland was acquired. Randolph was named after Capt.William Millican Randolph, who died in an airplane crashat Kelly in 1928.

Early in 1931, the School of Aviation Medicine fromBrooks Field and the first cadets from the Air Corps FlyingSchool at Duncan Field began relocating to Randolph.

Basic flying training ended in March 1943, when theCentral Instructors School began. Randolph’s primarymission for the next two years was teaching instructorsfor the Air Corps’ primary, basic and advanced flyingtraining.

In April 1945, the Central Instructors School wasreplaced by the Army Air Force Pilot School, which spe-cialized in transition training for B-29 bomber pilots.From December 1945 until March 1948, primary andbasic pilot training was conducted at Randolph. In August1948, the 3510th Pilot Training Wing became the hostunit at Randolph.

While aviation was going strong in San Antonio duringthis time, military history was being forever changed – onSept. 18, 1947, the Air Force became a separate service.Also, Randolph Field was renamed Randolph Air ForceBase on Jan. 13, 1948.

From Aug. 1 to Sept. 30, 1957, Air Training Commandmoved its headquarters from Scott Air Force Base, Ill., toRandolph. In the early 1960s the T-33 and T-38 arrived tobring jet training aircraft to the base. The Air ForceInstrument Pilot Instructor School arrived at Randolph inSeptember 1961, followed in close order by the Air ForceMilitary Personnel Center in November 1963 and the AirForce Recruiting Service in July 1965. On May 1, 1972,the 3510th Flying Training Wing was inactivated andreplaced by the 12th Flying Training Wing.

In August 2001, the National Park Service designatedRandolph a National Historic Landmark because of thebase’s architecture and history. In February 2010,Randolph Air Force Base’s host unit changed from the12th Flying Training Wing to the 902nd Mission SupportGroup. The change marked a transition to Joint Base SanAntonio, when the 902nd MSG became part of the 502ndAir Base Wing at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

(Information from the Air Education and TrainingCommand historian’s office was used in this article.)

Military aviation history also Randolph’s history

By Brian McGloin502nd Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

Randolph’s vehicle dispatch service managesand serves just about every kind of vehicle one canthink of, except boats or aircraft.

“Most people think of the base taxi and support-ing [distinguished visitors], but that’s just a smallpart of it,” said Michael Cox, 902nd LogisticsReadiness Squadron vehicle control operationssupervisor, while walking through a yard withschool buses, sedans, forklifts, box trucks, multi-passenger vans – all spotless and parkedneatly.”We do more than taxis, it’s quite diverse.”

The school buses have blue and white Air Forcegraphics on them while the trucks are dark colors.Some of the vehicles like the forklifts are olivedrab. The sedans are in the usual colors one mightsee in any parking lot. The walled-in yard lookslike a combination of an airport car rental agency,a heavy equipment dealer and a car wash, whilebeing cleaner than any of them.

“We have the cleanest fleet in theAir Force,” he said walking past agroup of sedans parked under a car port.

The wheels of the sedans have noneof the usual brake dust and roadgrime, no bugs on the windshields, nofingerprints. The trucks were cleanwith no grease marks, no dirt, as ifthey were on a car show display, butalso ready to go to work. Vehicle dis-patch has a five-ton, a seven-and-half-ton and a 10-ton truck in addition tothe other vehicles.

Randolph vehicle dispatch is morethan a military version of a commer-cial car and truck-rental agency andtaxi service. They clean the command-ers’ cars, run the U Drive It serviceand provide wrecker service for gov-ernment vehicles.

“We’re behind the scenes,” hesaid. “Anything logistical or move-ment, we provide.”

Mr. Cox said vehicle dispatch is theRandolph point of contact for theGeneral Services Administrationvehicle misuse program. If someonesees a car being driven incorrectly,they can write down the license platenumber and report it, but only forgovernment cars.

“Everything on base we’re

involved in somehow,” he said, describing thefar-reaching support his shop gives. The dis-patch’s duties range from shuttling pilots andinstructors to Randolph’s school children in themorning and afternoon to maintenance, to deliv-ering parts for maintenance and supply.

“We have four drivers, three on the east side andone on the west side supporting flight operations,”he said about the small trucks that shuttle peoplearound the flight lines.

Vehicle dispatch runs three school buses in themorning and seven in the afternoon, to transportschool children to and from Randolph Elementary.The buses are also used for the various tourgroups visiting the base and events like the changeof command ceremonies. Mr. Cox said vehicleoperations supports more than 24,000 vehiclerequests annually with 44 dedicated personnel.

He said in addition to moving people around, theypick up aircraft parts and other things due in formaintenance from the tire shop and bring them tothe nondestructive inspection shop and back.

“We’re the ones to transport it from this shopto that shop,” he said. “It’s a service to keepthe parts moving.”

Mr. Cox said vehicle dispatch also works to meetthe needs of individual Randolph Airmen if possi-ble. However, the dispatch asks for as much leadtime as possible for scheduling.

Vehicle dispatch has a high standard as far asthe cleanliness of their vehicles and their service.

“We want them to remember if they had agood vehicle while at Randolph.” Mr. Cox said.“We’re proud of what we do and we want peo-ple to know it.”

The base taxi is a free service for authorizedpersonnel for official appointments. Call 652-TAXIto schedule taxi service.

For information or scheduling of vehicles or sup-port, including U Drive It, e-mail Randolph.vehi-cledispatch@randolph.af.mil. Vehicle Dispatch’shours of operation are Monday-Friday from 5:30a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.They are not open Saturday.

Vehicle dispatch keeps Randolph rollingATTENTION TO DETAIL

(Above) Col. Richard Murphy, 12th FlyingTraining Wing commander, gives a speechNov. 19 at the dedication ceremony of theT-43, which was recently placed on staticdisplay here.

(Left) Lt. Col. Robert Orris (left), 563rdFlying Training Squadron commander, andLt. Col. Peter Deitschel, 562nd FlyingTraining Squadron commander, reveal thededication plaque to be placed in front ofthe T-43 static display.

Photos by Rich McFadden

Photo by Brian McGloinKirk Mason, 902nd Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle control operations, removes a bus vehicle wrap with a razor blade.

PAGE 11WINGSPREADNOVEMBER 26, 2010WINGSPREADPAGE 10 NOVEMBER 26, 2010

ADVERTISEMENT

902nd Force Support Squadron Briefs

Runners from Joint Base San Antoniowere among more than 26,000 peoplecompeting in the third annual Rock ‘n’ RollSan Antonio Marathon and 1/2 MarathonNov. 14. Congratulations to the followingJBSA participants: Full marathon results:Tito Carrillo 3:15:00Thomas Knowles 3:16:29Andrew Simanski 3:21:10Mark Renninger 3:25:12Mark Goldstein 3:28:29Robert Skinner 3:43:00Scott Smith 3:58:14Bryan Neumann 4:07:02Roy Cruz 4:16:35Nathan Rentfrow 4:18:00Katlyn Cutright 4:19:55Johnnie Hernandez 4:25:00Joshua Bauman 4:27:44Patricia Morris 4:28:29Amber Marcella 4:34:09Kevin Lambing 4:36:53Manuel Camacho Jr. 4:38:14Jared Adam 4:44:01Steve German 5:02:00Fermin Fraga 5:12:27Annette Geringer 5:19:37China Werner 5:29:41Belinda Webb 5:33:00Aaron Zimmerle 5:26:00Half-marathon results:David Delgado 1:34:00Ivana Leininger 1:40:00Art Forral 1:44:02Andrea Timmons 1:45:24Shawn Simien 1:45:52Rick Souza 1:46:00Brent Boller 1:46:09Benny Saldana III 1:46:18Martha Lopez-Cabrera 1:48Ralph Sanchez 1:49:18Pete Springirth 1:50:00Todd Klein 1:50:20Noah Bliss 1:51:12Jerry Glascock 1:51:15Ramiro Villagomez 1:52:38Robert Carlton 1:53:00Matthew Blair 1:53:10

Kevin Corder 1:57:01Juan Lewis 1:58:08Gary Gabbart 1:58:53Jayme Mortensen 1:59George Curtis 2:00:00Adelia McClain 2:03:12Brian Barnes 2:04:00Jim Lance 2:06:00Emily Gile 2:06:48Kathi Glascock 2:07:27Ervin Tate 2:08:12Jorge Garcia 2:09:35Stephen Sozanski 2:09:40Dan Dean 2:09:56David Purinton 2:10:34Leonard Patrick 2:11:12Eli Hernandez 2:13:00Tommy Van 2:13:15Gloria Olivas 2:13:58Joo Theresa Ha 2:14:08Kimberley Felty 2:14:21Jessica Fleurimond 2:15:56Deanna Laufenburger 2:17Mike Spence 2:17:32

April Rowden 2:18:00Humberto Conchas 2:18:32Edith Finlayson 2:19:58Leonard Buchanan 2:20:00John Price 2:21:20William Kane 2:27:35Elena Ramirez 2:31:00Willi Gomez-Simmons 2:31:47Tuan Nguyen 2:34:00Greg Sawyer 2:34:10Stephanie Rymers 2:36:29Rob Yoas 2:41:00Marc Gilbert 2:44:00Laurel Maples 2:47:45Lorraine DeTaeye 2:47:46Sheryl Guiao-Dallas 2:48:00Guillermo “Bill” Carranza 2:51:13Vicki Belleau 2:51:13Sherry Hoog 2:51:42Jackeline Jenkins 3:02:14Casaundra Stockstill 3:02:43John Stevens 3:07:00Diana Marlette 3:20:00Meg Reyes 3:32:28

SPORTS – HEALTH – FITNESSROCK ‘N’ ROLL MARATHON

Participants fromarea installationsmake strong showing

Fitness centerholiday hours

The Rambler FitnessCenter is open today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All otherdays will operate undernormal business hours.

Turkey burnerThe Rambler Fitness

Center offers a cardiofusion class today from9:45-11:15 a.m. in groupexercise room 128. The costis $3 per person.

For more information,call 652-2955.

Twilight golf hoursThe Randolph Oaks Golf

Course offers the followingTwilight and Super Twilighthours and prices:• Twilight hours normallystart at 1 p.m.• Twilight Monday-Friday:$11 to walk and $20 to ride •Twilight weekends andholidays: $12 to walk and$21 to ride•Super Twilight Monday-Friday: start at 5 p.m. with$6 to walk and $12 to ride

Tee time requestsGolfers should sign up for

weekday tee times at theRandolph Oaks Golf Coursetwo days in advance.

Drawings are held everyThursday for weekend teetimes. Golfers shouldinclude the number of peo-ple in the group and whateach person’s status is (i.e.active duty, retired, guest)and what time they wouldlike to play in the request.

To sign up for weekendtee times, send an e-mailby 10 a.m. on Thursday totee.time@randolph.af.mil.

SportsBRIEFS

Photo by John DavenportRunners start at the 2010 San Antonio Rock 'n Roll Marathon in downtown San Antonio Nov. 14.

JBSA runners represent military at local event

PAGE 11WINGSPREADNOVEMBER 26, 2010WINGSPREADPAGE 10 NOVEMBER 26, 2010

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902nd Force Support Squadron Briefs

Runners from Joint Base San Antoniowere among more than 26,000 peoplecompeting in the third annual Rock ‘n’ RollSan Antonio Marathon and 1/2 MarathonNov. 14. Congratulations to the followingJBSA participants: Full marathon results:Tito Carrillo 3:15:00Thomas Knowles 3:16:29Andrew Simanski 3:21:10Mark Renninger 3:25:12Mark Goldstein 3:28:29Robert Skinner 3:43:00Scott Smith 3:58:14Bryan Neumann 4:07:02Roy Cruz 4:16:35Nathan Rentfrow 4:18:00Katlyn Cutright 4:19:55Johnnie Hernandez 4:25:00Joshua Bauman 4:27:44Patricia Morris 4:28:29Amber Marcella 4:34:09Kevin Lambing 4:36:53Manuel Camacho Jr. 4:38:14Jared Adam 4:44:01Steve German 5:02:00Fermin Fraga 5:12:27Annette Geringer 5:19:37China Werner 5:29:41Belinda Webb 5:33:00Aaron Zimmerle 5:26:00Half-marathon results:David Delgado 1:34:00Ivana Leininger 1:40:00Art Forral 1:44:02Andrea Timmons 1:45:24Shawn Simien 1:45:52Rick Souza 1:46:00Brent Boller 1:46:09Benny Saldana III 1:46:18Martha Lopez-Cabrera 1:48Ralph Sanchez 1:49:18Pete Springirth 1:50:00Todd Klein 1:50:20Noah Bliss 1:51:12Jerry Glascock 1:51:15Ramiro Villagomez 1:52:38Robert Carlton 1:53:00Matthew Blair 1:53:10

Kevin Corder 1:57:01Juan Lewis 1:58:08Gary Gabbart 1:58:53Jayme Mortensen 1:59George Curtis 2:00:00Adelia McClain 2:03:12Brian Barnes 2:04:00Jim Lance 2:06:00Emily Gile 2:06:48Kathi Glascock 2:07:27Ervin Tate 2:08:12Jorge Garcia 2:09:35Stephen Sozanski 2:09:40Dan Dean 2:09:56David Purinton 2:10:34Leonard Patrick 2:11:12Eli Hernandez 2:13:00Tommy Van 2:13:15Gloria Olivas 2:13:58Joo Theresa Ha 2:14:08Kimberley Felty 2:14:21Jessica Fleurimond 2:15:56Deanna Laufenburger 2:17Mike Spence 2:17:32

April Rowden 2:18:00Humberto Conchas 2:18:32Edith Finlayson 2:19:58Leonard Buchanan 2:20:00John Price 2:21:20William Kane 2:27:35Elena Ramirez 2:31:00Willi Gomez-Simmons 2:31:47Tuan Nguyen 2:34:00Greg Sawyer 2:34:10Stephanie Rymers 2:36:29Rob Yoas 2:41:00Marc Gilbert 2:44:00Laurel Maples 2:47:45Lorraine DeTaeye 2:47:46Sheryl Guiao-Dallas 2:48:00Guillermo “Bill” Carranza 2:51:13Vicki Belleau 2:51:13Sherry Hoog 2:51:42Jackeline Jenkins 3:02:14Casaundra Stockstill 3:02:43John Stevens 3:07:00Diana Marlette 3:20:00Meg Reyes 3:32:28

SPORTS – HEALTH – FITNESSROCK ‘N’ ROLL MARATHON

Participants fromarea installationsmake strong showing

Fitness centerholiday hours

The Rambler FitnessCenter is open today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All otherdays will operate undernormal business hours.

Turkey burnerThe Rambler Fitness

Center offers a cardiofusion class today from9:45-11:15 a.m. in groupexercise room 128. The costis $3 per person.

For more information,call 652-2955.

Twilight golf hoursThe Randolph Oaks Golf

Course offers the followingTwilight and Super Twilighthours and prices:• Twilight hours normallystart at 1 p.m.• Twilight Monday-Friday:$11 to walk and $20 to ride •Twilight weekends andholidays: $12 to walk and$21 to ride•Super Twilight Monday-Friday: start at 5 p.m. with$6 to walk and $12 to ride

Tee time requestsGolfers should sign up for

weekday tee times at theRandolph Oaks Golf Coursetwo days in advance.

Drawings are held everyThursday for weekend teetimes. Golfers shouldinclude the number of peo-ple in the group and whateach person’s status is (i.e.active duty, retired, guest)and what time they wouldlike to play in the request.

To sign up for weekendtee times, send an e-mailby 10 a.m. on Thursday totee.time@randolph.af.mil.

SportsBRIEFS

Photo by John DavenportRunners start at the 2010 San Antonio Rock 'n Roll Marathon in downtown San Antonio Nov. 14.

JBSA runners represent military at local event