Page 11 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt – September 2025

Chaplain’s thoughts ...
Chaplain (Capt.) Collin S. Dahlquist Mission Support Group Chaplain
56th Fighter Wing
Stress Management
and the Plimsoll Line
In 1876, British engineer Samuel Plimsoll introduced a simple but life-saving invention: the Plimsoll line. Painted on a ship’s hull, it marks the maximum safe load to prevent sinking. Too much cargo—or uneven weight distribution— could tip even the sturdiest vessel past its limit. For sailors, it was a constant reminder: respect your load, or face disaster.
Airmen face a similar challenge every day, though our “cargo” isn’t coal or steel—it’s re- sponsibilities, missions, deadlines, relationships, and stress. Just as a ship can only carry so much before it risks capsizing, each of us has a mental, emotional, and spiritual “Plimsoll line.” Stress management isn’t about avoiding challenges; it’s about knowing your limits before hitting them.
Exceeding your personal capacity might work temporarily, but chronic overload erodes focus, morale, and resilience. Early warning signs—ir- ritability, fatigue, or difficulty concentrating—are like a ship listing under too much weight. Recog- nizing them allows you to act before reaching a breaking point. Offloading tasks, setting bound- aries, talking with mentors or peers, or engaging in restorative practices like prayer, meditation, or exercise are all ways to stay afloat.
Ships have
lifeboats,
bilge pumps,
and regular
inspections
to prevent
disaster; we
have rou-
tines, social
support, and
professional
resources
to maintain
readiness.
The Plimsoll
line isn’t a limit to ambition—it’s a guide for sustainable performance. Staying below it en- sures we can carry our mission forward without capsizing under pressure.
Life will always bring storms, but resilience comes from balance. Carrying less than your maximum isn’t a weakness—it’s tactical wisdom. Like the vessels guided by Samuel Plimsoll’s line, we thrive when we respect our limits, act proactively, and maintain situational awareness of our own load.
So next time you feel overwhelmed, remem- ber the Plimsoll line. Check your load, lighten it when necessary, and continue forward with intention. Staying within your limits ensures mission success, personal well-being, and readi- ness to support those around you. Keep your line in sight and sail strong.
Chaplain (Capt.) Collin S. Dahlquist
Courtesy photo
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Thunderbolt News http://www.luke.af.mil
Septembr 12, 2025 Facebook.com/LukeThunderbolt
11
AWArDS
(from Page 2)
Senior Master Sgt. Stephanie Allen oversees all three of these courses, preparing Airmen through precise coordination and tireless dedication. Allen’s leadership has ensured Luke AFB continues to be mission-ready and lethal.
“This award is monumental for me, it shows me I’ve brought change with a short amount of time,” said Stephanie Allen, 56th FSS devel- opmental adviser. “The efforts of myself and the team help capture the mission that Luke AFB wants to achieve here.”
Tolberts team oversaw and be- came the primary point of contact for the first emergency prepared- ness joint planning exercise that included over 700 participants. This is just one of the many events that their team was able to plan out and successfully execute.
“I know that me and my Airmen are meeting the standards and are exceeding them,” said Keyatta Tol- bert, 56th FSS Readiness and Plans Mortuary Affairs section chief, “We want to make sure the things we’re doing are aligned with today’s Air Force.”
Whether ensuring readiness, mentoring future leaders, or deliv- ering education, the Airmen of the 56th FSS are essential to Luke’s mission to train the world’s great- est fighter pilots and combat-ready Airmen.
velopment advisor who shows the most initiative and excellence. U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Keyatta Tol- bert led the forefront to her group winning the Mission Support Group Readiness Team Award. U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Justin Vaughn guided his team to winning AETC Airman Leadership School of the year, with the help of the MAJCOM instructor of the year, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Angel Larranaga.
“These awards are a testament to the team,” said Vaughn, 56th Force Support Squadron ALS com- mandant. “Five people from five different Air Force Specialty Codes can come together with one goal in mind: to get the best quality learn- ing environment for every Airman that comes in our classroom.”
Luke AFB takes pride in the de- velopment of its Airmen. Through programs like the First Term Enlist- ed, Mission Ready Airman course, and ALS, FSS is investing in the future of the Air Force.
“Everything I did last year to earn this award was all just to help my team and the students. I was shocked to achieve something of this caliber,” said Larranaga, 56th FSS ALS instructor. “I do it for the right reasons. I don’t do it for a promotion or award. I do it for others; I try to take care of others.”