Page 2 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 8-7-15

Aug. 7, 2015 COMMENTARY Thunderbolt
http://www.luke.af.mil
2 www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb

Come One, Come All To A Diverse organization offers many lessons

by Maj. humility and leveraging the diversity inherent in a multi-
RON SLOMA cultural organization.

21st Fighter Squadron It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day business of
running a shop or responding to the latest email requests.
/XNH $LU )RUFH %DVH KDV D ULFK The excuse of “I’m simply too busy” often impedes our abil-
history of training partner nation’s ity to properly prepare for our next endeavor.
Airmen and continues to maintain
this legacy today. Since World War In a multicultural environment, it is important to over-
II, we at Luke have been an example come daily pressures and take the time to learn about the
of how to effectively absorb differing new culture you will be working with. Too often we compare
Maj. Ron Sloma cultures and create an environment others through the lens of our cultural expectations that
RQO\ FUHDWHV D ´WKHP DQG XVµ HQYLURQPHQW %\ XVLQJ WKH
conducive for the visiting airmen to many resources we have at our disposal, such as typing a
learn the art of aerial warfare. few words into Google, we help gain insight into the new
As the base embarks on our next chapter of international culture to avoid surprises and help frame realistic expecta-
F-35 Lightning II training, we in the 21st Fighter Squadron tions when working with a foreign ally.
think it’s applicable to share our perspective on successfully
Sponsored by: Luke AFB Chapel training our friends and allies. %\ FUHDWLQJ UHDOLVWLF H[SHFWDWLRQV ZH HDVH WKH DELOLW\ WR
include other perspectives. With the ability to place oneself in
Our perspective is broken into four simple components another’s shoes, we gain a better understanding of the impact
that if adhered to, can provide the leader a simple way of RXUFXOWXUDOO\VSHFLÀFYLHZVKDYHZKHQPDNLQJGHFLVLRQVLQ
creating an inclusive environment that makes our inter- a diverse organization. As leaders, it is important to demon-
ACTION LINE national pilots feel a part of our community and enhances strate to the entire organization that decisions are made with
their training. These components come from a decade- everyone’s views in mind. This helps to create a cohesive team.
56fw.pa@us.af.mil and-a-half of experience. They start with education of
623-856-7011 the culture, openness to differing perspectives, patience, See LESSONS, Page 15

The Commander’s Action

Line is your direct line to me

with questions or suggestions Mentorship: Important at all levels

about subjects of concern to the

entire Luke Air Force Base com-

munity. by Master Sgt. eryone is on the same page, this would
KATHERINE MAHANA be great, but in reality, it’s often not
I appreciate your feedback. that simple.
56th Security Forces Squadron
Your ideas and concerns help For me, I have personally picked
I believe one of the greatest op- several Airmen in my career and told
build a stronger foundation on portunities and responsibilities we as them I was going to mentor them.
leaders have is mentoring Airmen at %ROG"<HV+RZHYHUVRPHWLPHVPDN-
which we can successfully com- all levels. ing this move is enough to inspire
them to return the gesture by grabbing
plete our mission and take care Mentoring helps Airmen under- one or more of their subordinates to
stand how their ambitions fit into mentor. A chain reaction occurs. That
of our people. Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus the Air Force mission, life and their is success. that your goal should also include what
To receive a response, leave 56th FW commander career choices. Each of us have areas you can do for the Air Force and not
of expertise that we have acquired Now, how do you find the right only what can the Air Force do for me.
your name and telephone num- over our careers, and some of us may PHQWRU" )LUVW LGHQWLI\ \RXU JRDOV
have acquired a degree of expertise and observe the leadership in your Get out of your organizations and
ber. Action Lines of general interest are printed in the prior to entering the Air Force that organization or outside your orga- get involved with LEAD, Focus 56, Top
has helped our professional develop- nization, and see if there are any 3 and network. I have had the pleasure
7KXQGHUEROW5HPHPEHUWKHTXLFNHVWDQGPRVWHIÀFLHQW ment over time. similarities in personality, drive and of meeting some impressive Airmen
career accomplishments. Decide where and junior NCOs at Club Five Six who
way to resolve a problem is to talk directly to the respon- Mentoring builds relationships that \RXZDQWWRJRLQ\RXUFDUHHU":KDW work outside my unit. Conversations
enhance individuals’ development in career accomplishments do they have spark and unity forms between several
sible agency or through your chain of command. their organizations throughout their WKDWDUHQRWFDUHHUÀHOGVSHFLÀFWKDW GLIIHUHQWFDUHHUÀHOGVDQG1&2VVWDUW
careers. Today, more than ever, we \RXZDQW"'LVFRYHUZKRLQVSLUHV\RX mentoring without even realizing they
The Action Line isn’t just for complaints. Send along need mentors to inspire Airmen to to go outside your comfort zone and are doing it. It is important to know
challenge themselves outside of their ZK\"7KHUHLV\RXUDQVZHU the people in your unit, but it is just
your kudos when someone provides exceptional service, comfort zones and grasp other lessons as important to know people who are
out there that will help them grow I personally encourage looking not. Amazing things can happen when
goes out of their way to help or deserves a kind word. professionally. outside your organization for a men- people come together as a cohesive
tor. We have a tendency to allow our wing instead of just different units.
PHONE NUMBERS I have been asked by junior NCOs, VSHFLÀFFDUHHUÀHOGWRLQÁXHQFHXVRU
´+RZ GR \RX ÀQG WKH ULJKW PHQWRU"µ cause us to have tunnel vision. As I look at the young men and
Airman and Family Readiness Center ....................... 623-856-6550 0\ÀUVWUHDFWLRQZDVWRVD\DQ\ERG\ women around the base, I often ask
Chapel ................................................................... 623-856-6211 will do. In a perfect world, where ev- An important thing to remember is myself if they have a mentor or are
Child Care Center ...................................................623-856-6339 WKH\PHQWRULQJVRPHRQH"6RDUH\RX"
Community Center ............................................... 623-856-7152 ,IQRWZKDWLVVWRSSLQJ\RX"
Computer IT service desk .................................. DSN 945-2900
Eye Clinic ............................................................. 623-856-7965 Luke Editorial Staff 7KH7KXQGHUEROWXVHVPDWHULDOIURPWKH$UPHG)RUFHV,QIRUPDWLRQ6HUYLFH$LU
Fitness Center ....................................................... 623-856-6241 )RUFH1HZV6HUYLFH$(7&1HZV6HUYLFHDQGRWKHUVRXUFHV$OODGYHUWLVLQJLVKDQGOHG
Flight Medicine .................................................... 623-856-2273 Commander.......................................................... Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus E\$HURWHFK1HZVDQG5HYLHZ7KH\FDQEHUHDFKHGE\FDOOLQJ
Fraud, waste and abuse hotline ............................ 623-856-6149 Public Affairs chief ...................................................... Maj. Matt Hasson
Hobby shop .......................................................... 623-856-6722 Public Affairs deputy chief .................................... Capt. Ryan DeCamp 7KH7KXQGHUEROWLVSXEOLVKHGE\$HURWHFK1HZVDQG5HYLHZDSULYDWH¿UPLQQR
+RXVLQJRI¿FH Internal information........................................ Staff Sgt. Luther Mitchell ZD\FRQQHFWHGZLWKWKH86$LU)RUFHXQGHUH[FOXVLYHZULWWHQFRQWUDFWZLWKWKHWK
Law enforcement desk ......................................... 623-856-5970 Editor ........................................................................... Deborah Leuthold )LJKWHU:LQJ/XNH$LU)RUFH%DVH$UL]7KLVFLYLOLDQHQWHUSULVH$LU)RUFHQHZVSDSHU
Legal assistance .................................................... 623-856-6901 Designer .................................................................................Tinna Sellie LVDQDXWKRUL]HGSXEOLFDWLRQIRUPHPEHUVRIWKH86PLOLWDU\VHUYLFHV&RQWHQWVRIWKH
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Marketing ............................................................. 623-856-3245 Editorial Information PHQWWKH'HSDUWPHQWRI'HIHQVHRUWKH'HSDUWPHQWRIWKH$LU)RUFH
Military Equal Opportunity ................................. 623-856-7711
Military pay .......................................................... 623-856-7028 For past issues of the Thunderbolt, go to 7KHDSSHDUDQFHRIDGYHUWLVLQJLQWKLVSXEOLFDWLRQLQFOXGLQJLQVHUWVRUVXSSOHPHQWV
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Outdoor Recreation .............................................. 623-856-6267 7KHWK)LJKWHU:LQJ3XEOLF$IIDLUV2I¿FHSUHSDUHVDOOHGLWRULDOFRQWHQWIRUWKH WKH'HSDUWPHQWRIWKH$LU)RUFHRU$HURWHFK1HZVDQG5HYLHZ
Pass and registration ............................................. 623-856-4880 7KXQGHUEROW7KHHGLWRUZLOOHGLWRUUHZULWHPDWHULDOIRUFODULW\EUHYLW\RUWRFRQIRUPZLWK
Patient advocate ................................................... 623-856-8968 $LU)RUFHVW\OHDVUHTXLUHGE\$LU)RUFH,QVWUXFWLRQ6XEPLVVLRQGHDGOLQHLVDW (YHU\WKLQJDGYHUWLVHGLQWKLVSXEOLFDWLRQVKDOOEHPDGHDYDLODEOHIRUSXUFKDVH
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Security Forces ..................................................... 623-856-5970 WKH7KXQGHUEROWFDQEHPDGHWRWKH3XEOLF$IIDLUVRI¿FH:HVW)DOFRQ6WUHHW PDULWDOVWDWXVSK\VLFDOKDQGLFDSSROLWLFDODI¿OLDWLRQRUDQ\RWKHUQRQPHULWIDFWRURI
Straight Talk Line ................................................. 623-856-7064 /XNH$LU)RUFH%DVH$UL]RUWKURXJKHPDLOWR):3$7KXQGHUEROW#XVDI WKHSXUFKDVHUXVHURUSDWURQ
Sexual Assault Prevention/Response .................. 623-856-4878 PLO7KHHGLWRUFDQEHUHDFKHGDWDQGWKHID[QXPEHULV
Vehicle Maintenance ............................................ 623-935-6576 (GLWRULDOFRQWHQWLVHGLWHGSUHSDUHGDQGSURYLGHGE\WKH3XEOLF$IIDLUVRI¿FHRI
Veterinary services ............................................... 623-856-6354 /XNH$)%$UL]$OOSKRWRJUDSKVDUH$LU)RUFHSKRWRJUDSKVXQOHVVRWKHUZLVHLQGLFDWHG
Wellness Center .................................................... 623-856-2273
Youth Center ......................................................... 623-856-7470