Page 5 - Nellis AFB Bullseye 7-17-15

BULLSEYE Feature 5July 17, 2015

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Mental health: ‘To go or not to go’

By Airman 1st Class Christian Clausen U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christian Clausen tunities to make instructor pilot or flight commander
passed him by and he saw junior officers with less
432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs Capt. David, 432nd Wing remotely piloted aircraft pilot, experience fill these slots instead.
seeks out the chaplain for guidance where he learned about
CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — The clinic the other services of the human performance team. The HPT “I felt I was getting ignored for no reason,” he said.
buildings themselves aren’t scary; health: ‘To go or not is unique to Creech Air Force Base, Nev., and is comprised of “I tried my best, I did great work, but I was being bad-
to go’ the words mental health and the image of being the chaplain corps, operational psychologist, operational mouthed and I didn’t know why.”
studied like a frozen caveman, will have most people physiologist, and flight medicine doctor and aims to help
avoiding them like a tiger were on the loose. That’s why Airmen in the spiritual, psychological, physical, emotional, Everything seemed to keep piling up, daily struggles
the 432nd Wing Human Performance Team was stood and intellectual areas of wellness. of shift work, lack of sleep, and time away from family
up — to alieve that stigma, provide help and make those combined with a million other things led his mind to
who can help easily available. the team and while I was doing great work, for some start to wander.
reason I had a negative reputation. On top of that I was
In the minds of some service members, there is a having some marital issues,” he said. “I thought about committing suicide,” he said,
false image of the mental health clinic as a dark hole trembling with the memories. “I couldn’t do that to
where clearances are lost and careers are ruined. This His frustrations seemed to follow him home, oppor- my family. I also remembered hearing that suicide is
very connotation ran through the mind of Capt. Da- a permanent solution to a temporary problem. I knew
vid, 432nd Wing remotely piloted aircraft pilot, as he deep down my feelings of despair would subside. For
prepared to make an appointment. the time of despair, it really hurt.”

In the previous months David battled depression on He and his wife decided he needed to get help im-
a daily basis, his motivation slowly wilted away until mediately. While David was still hesitant for fear of
he found it a struggle to even find the energy to enjoy career repercussions, at the time, he decided that was
playtime with his children. the least of his worries.

“I love my kids with all my heart,” he said. “It just “I finally had to accept that I was most likely going
got to a point where I was under so much stress and felt to lose my clearance and not be able to fly. At that point
so depressed. I didn’t want to do much of anything.” I knew I just needed help,” he said.

His troubles began while on deployment. As if be- David sought out the chaplain for guidance where
ing away from his family and missing birthdays and he learned about the other services of the human per-
holidays weren’t enough, he faced problems with his formance team. The HPT is unique to Creech Air Force
daily duties. Base, Nevada, and is comprised of the chaplain corps,

“While on deployment it felt as if I wasn’t a part of ___________________ See HEALTH, on page 9

Avoid being swarmed, call pest management

By Airman 1st Class Mikaley Towle we come in to work. We shoot pigeons with U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mikaley Towle
pellet rifles as part of the BASH program to
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs help control the bird population and reduce Senior Airman Stephen Kaham, 99th Civil Engineer Squadron pest management
aircraft damage.” journeyman, sprays insecticide inside the pest management building on Nellis
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — The Air Force Base, Nev., June 29. Insecticide is used to exterminate and prevent ant
room is dark and littered with shadows, the During these blistering months, unin- and roach infestation around the base.
cool air offers relief from the sweltering vited pests and stray animals might try to
heat outside and the sound of silence echoes stay cool by making your home their new
throughout the vast room. home.

The room is bare of any human presence; Crespillo has advice to offer those want-
however, lurking in the shadows are some ing to keep these intruders out.
unwanted houseguests that roam around
when nobody is home. When the lights turn “The most important step in pest control
on they are sent scurrying — some on six, is sanitation,” he said. “This includes keep-
others on eight legs. ing the floors, walls and furniture clean,
along with regularly emptying out the trash
Most pests at Nellis Air Force Base are and properly storing your food.”
found year round. During the spring to
fall seasons, people can usually spot more The busiest time of the year for pest man-
roaches, bees and spiders; but in the cooler agement is from the start of spring until the
winter months, inside pests like ants and end of summer.
roaches are more commonly seen.
“During this time of year we’ll get ap-
“Here at Nellis AFB we perform pest con- proximately 12 to 15 calls call a day,” said
trol for all sorts of pests like ants, bees, rats, Michael Williams-Smith, 99th CES pest
snakes and birds,” said Staff Sgt. Jonathan management foreman. “We are only re-
Crespillo, 99th Civil Engineer Squadron pest sponsible for base buildings and temporary
management NCO in charge. “We also spray lodging facilities. Those residing in base
herbicides base wide, including the flight- housing have a pest control contractor they
line, to help control the growth of weeds.” can contact for help or a go to the self-help
store if they choose to tackle the issue
Other tasks they are assigned include themselves.”
capturing stray and endangered animals
on base and implementing the bird aircraft Crespillo also said that pest management
strike hazard program. always has someone on standby for emer-
gency calls and all non-emergency calls will
“Depending on what animal it is, we take be handled the next duty day.
it to the proper animal shelter or hospital,”
said Crespillo. “We never know where or To get in contact with the standby tech-
what kind of jobs we are going to have when nician, call the base fire department at
702-652-9630.