Page 2 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, February 5, 2021

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Being a good wingman … Social Media: 2020 Maintenance Professional of the Year award ceremony at Nellis

What does it really mean? by Airman First Class Zachary Rufus
Nellis AFB, Nev.
The 2020 Maintenance Professional of the Year
by Maj. Kady Griffin Tactics for tact award ceremony was held at Nellis Air Force Base,
Dover AFB, Del. Nev., Jan. 20, 2021.
MPOY is a long-running tradition in the mainte-
In the Air Force, we talk a lot about being a wingman, but what by Staff Sgt. Emmeline James nance career field that highlights that year’s top per-
does that really mean? Ramstein AB, Germany forming Airmen. The awards ceremony acknowledged
I’m sure if you polled your fellow Airmen, those answers would the hard work of maintenance personnel throughout
vary significantly. Social media allows us to connect to the year.
The wingman concept is probably most notably known for its our friends, family and even strangers, all The winners are:
use in the fighter community. By positioning their aircraft just across the world. 372nd Det Collins Award: Tech. Sgt. John Moak
behind and outside the lead in a formation, the wingman provides We post photos of our loved ones, our Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Barnes Award: Senior
a safer and more capable flight by increasing situational awareness, wins and losses, photos of our family, but Airman Tyler Hagge
firepower and more dynamic tactics. So how does that translate military personnel have additional guide- ARMAMENT TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR
into the everyday life of being an Airman? lines when it comes to their social media 57th MXG Airman of the Year: Senior Airman Tierra
More often than not, being a good wingman means doing things presence. Perry
that are really hard and sometimes unpopular. Knowing the rules and knowing what 57th MXG NCO of the Year: Staff Sgt. Tristan McNay Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class Zachary Rufus
Most of us have heard the story of the “Emperor’s New Clothes.” can be posted is critical both at home and 57th MXG SNCO of the Year: Master Sgt. Spencer Air Maintenance Unit of the Year Airmen assigned to the 57th Aircraft
The fable tells the story of a young emperor who was so fond of new at work. Merritt Maintenance Squadron Lightning Aircraft Maintenance Unit pose for a
clothes that he spent large sums of money to ensure he was the best The guidance for social media usage for Courtesy graphic Maintenance Professionals of the Year (Direct) photo, during the Maintenance Professional of the Year awards ceremony
dressed in all the empire. He hired two weavers to make the most Air Force and Space Force personnel, Air 57th MXG Airman of the Year: Senior Airman at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 20, 2021. MPOY is a long-running
magnificent fabric imaginable with an extraordinary power that National Guard, Air Force Reserve mem- • Post any non-public information. This Alponso Nelson tradition in the maintenance career field that highlights that year’s top
only those who were worthy could see it. The Emperor sent his bers and civilian employees was recently includes, but is not limited to, classified 57th MXG NCO of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Mason Mack performing Airmen.
most trustworthy confidants to check on the fabric’s status; each changed and consolidated into Air Force or sensitive information, unless such 57th MXG SNCO of the Year: Master Sgt. Jesse
one came back boasting of the fabric’s beauty and enchantment. Instruction 35-101, paragraph 1.15.2. release is a protected disclosure per an Simmons Col. Barton Kenerson, 57th Maintenance Group commander, holds up
When the fabric was complete, the Emperor himself could not Below are some of the new changes and appropriate whistleblower statute 57th MXG Company Grade Officer of the Year: Capt. the ‘number one’ hand signal during the Maintenance Professional of
see the fabric and wondered if he was unworthy to hold his position. additional best practices. • Share or retweet comments from the ac- Mark Creel the Year awards ceremony at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 20, 2021.
Rather than acknowledging he could not see it, he dressed himself CAN: count of a political party or candidate 57th MXG Field Grade Officer of the Year: Maj. Kevin “I truly believe we are the number one maintenance group in the Air
in the enchanted fabric and continued out into the community. • Make it clear you are speaking for your- • Use your Air Force or Space Force as- Huwell Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class Zachary Rufus Force,” said Kenerson.
All the people of the empire commented on the perfection of his self and not on behalf of the Air Force sociation, official title or position to Maintenance Support Professionals of the Year ‘Load Crew of the Year’ award was
new clothes until a small child said, “He hasn’t got anything on.” • Avoid offensive/inappropriate behavior promote, endorse or benefit any one’s (Indirect) presented to Airmen assigned to the
Why did the Emperor’s wingman and trusted agent fail to tell that could bring discredit upon the Air own or another’s commercial interests, 57th MXG Airman of the Year: Senior Airman Jordan
him that he wasn’t wearing any clothes? Was it because they wor- Force or you as a member of the Air or non- profit groups based solely on Murray 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Lightning Aircraft Maintenance Unit by
ried he would deem them unworthy or were they afraid he would Force, or that would otherwise be harm- religious or political affiliations, in ac- 57th MXG NCO of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Jeanette Col. Barton Kenerson, 57th Maintenance
exile them from the empire if they gave him the information he ful to good order and discipline, respect cordance with the Joint Ethics Regula- Guzman Group commander, Chief Master Sgt.
did not like? for authority, unit cohesion, morale, tion, and AFI 1-1 57th MXG SNCO of the Year: Master Sgt. Jason Hallen John Moore, 57th MXG command chief
Being a wingman is most difficult when we are faced with a deci- mission accomplishment, etc. • Make any commitment to provide of- Staff Professional
sion that requires us to have an uncomfortable conversation with • Repost publicly released information ficial Air Force or Space Force infor- 57th MXG Airman of the Year: Senior Airman and Chief Master Sgt. Christopher August,
57th MXG wing weapons manager,
someone we respect or care about. from official sources mation to any non-DOD member or Christopher Leone during the Maintenance Professional
Being a good wingman means having the situational awareness • Friend, follow and like a political candi- agency, including news media, without 57th MXG NCO of the Year: Staff Sgt. June Davidson
to know when something is wrong and having the courage to start date first coordinating with public affairs 57th MXG SNCO of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. of the Year awards ceremony at Nellis
Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 20, 2021. The
the conversation. Being a good wingman means telling your friends • Identify a political affiliation on a per- • Suggest or ask anyone to make financial Lucan Plata Airmen who are a part of the LCOY team
and co-workers when their behavior is not in accordance with our sonal social media profile contributions whether on- or off-duty 57th MXG Company Grade Officer of the Year: 1st are Staff Sgt. Dominique Hursey, Senior
core values. Being a good wingman means standing up for those CAN’T: and whether or not using an alias Lt. Weston Elias Airman William Odendahl and Senior
who cannot stand up for themselves. Most importantly, being a good • Post any defamatory, libelous, vulgar, • Link to the political contribution page SPECIALIST CREW OF THE YEAR Airmen Eric Tinker.
wingman means asking for help from your leadership and other obscene, abusive, profane, threatening, of any partisan group, or like, share or 57th MXG Maintenance Specialist Crew
professionals if your fellow brother or sister in arms is in trouble. hateful, racially, ethnically or otherwise retweet a solicitation, including an invi- 757th AMXS: Airman 1st Class Taelor Slevers
In life, there will be times when you are confronted with a dif- offensive or illegal information or mate- tation to a fundraising event 57th AMXS: Staff Sgt. Ramon L Rivera Rios
ficult situation that requires you to face conflicting loyalties, use rial that violates the Uniformed Code of • Engage in political activity on an ac- WING MUNTIONS Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class Zachary Rufus
moral courage and examine ethical virtues. In these times, you will Military Justice or Service Regulation count that is used for official business Technician: Senior Airman Mark Jones
often be faced with an unpopular decision to ensure the safety and (examples include contempt for public By upholding the social media standards, Supervisor: Tech. Sgt. Collin Wanberg
security of your fellow Airmen. When these difficult times arise, officials) we can ensure the integrity of the Air Force Manager: Senior Master Sgt. Jusin Steffens
all Airmen are charged to be courageous and execute their duties • Post any information or other material and ourselves. M1
as a wingman and never leave an Airman behind. protected by copyright without the per- For more information and resources vis- Mechanic I: Troy Blaschko
mission of the copyright owner it: http://dodcio.defense.gov/Social-Media/ Mechanic II: Ernest Aguirre
Mechanic III: Michael Harlow
Support Professional: Shane Morris
Desert Lightning News, So. Nevada edition is Department of the Air Force or Aerotech News and For all submissions, a name and phone number DCC TEAM OF THE YEAR
published by Aerotech News and Review, a private Review of the products or services advertised. of a person to contact must be included in the event Staff Sgt. William McDonald
firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force. Everything advertised in the publication shall be questions arise. Staff Sgt. Andrew Alcozer Air National Guard photograph by Airman Basic Jakob Ivanick
Contents of Desert Lightning News, So. Nevada edition made available for purchase and use of patronage All material is edited for accuracy, brevity, clarity LOAD CREW OF THE YEAR
Desert Lightning News Staff are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national and conformity to the Associated Style Guide, to Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class Zachary Rufus Chief Master Sgt. Christopher August, 57th Maintenance
Paul Kinison, Publisher, Aerotech News and Review by, Aerotech News and Review, the U.S. government, origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political include military ranks and proper writing etiquette. Staff Sgt. Dominique Hursey Brig. Gen. Michael Drowley, 57th Wing commander, shoots Group wing weapons manager, runs through a banner
Stuart Ibberson, Editor the Department of Defense or the Department of the affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the Corrections: Desert Lightning News staff Senior Airman William Odendahl 57th Maintenance Group prizes to optimistically awaiting during an introduction at the Maintenance Professional
Tinna Sellie, Editorial Layout members strive for accurac y each week .
Sandy Bueltel, Advertising Sales Air Force. purchaser, user or patron. If you notice an error in fact, contact the Desert Senior Airman Eric Tinker Airmen at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 20, 2021. Airmen of the Year awards ceremony at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.,
The appearance of advertising in this publication, The deadline for submissions to Desert Lightning News staff at 334-718-3509, or e-mail AMU OF THE YEAR
CONTACT: Editorial Staff at 334-718-3509 including inserts and supplements, does not constitute Lightning News is no later than Monday, 4:30 p.m., who caught the prizes were also rewarded with a day off Jan. 20, 2021. The awards ceremony acknowledged the
For editorial staff: e-mail editor@aerotechnews.com an endorsement by the Department of Defense, the the week of desired publication date. editor@aerotechnews.com, and we will consider Lightning AMU of work in the year of 2021. hard work of maintenance personnel throughout the year.
publishing a correction when appropriate.
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