Page 8 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 2-12-16

Feb. 12, 2016
8 www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb
PEOPLE
FIRST
Editor’s Note: The “People First” section is
compiled from information from the Air Force
Personnel Center, TRICARE, 56th Force Sup-
port Squadron, Airman and Family Readiness
Flight, Veterans Affairs, the civilian personnel 823rd Maintenance Squadron — will be the
office and armed forces news services. For the
complete story, go to the web address listed at
the end of the story.
Carter talks budget,
readiness at Nellis
Defense Secretary Ash Carter visited
Nellis Air Force Base Feb. 4 during the last
leg of his defense budget installation visits.
After meeting with service members at
the California-based Naval Air Weapons
Station China Lake and Marine Corps Air
Station Miramar, Carter spoke to Nellis
Airmen to preview the fiscal 2017 defense
budget and discuss its impact on the Air
Force.
“The key is readiness; that’s the key to
the Air Force today and tomorrow, and it
happens here,” Carter said. “What I’m ask-
ing the Air Force to do is maintain a very
high level of readiness.
The defense secretary spoke about at-
taining a lasting defeat of the Islamic State
of Iraq and the Levant, while also ensur-
ing the department is ready for potential
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conflict with higher-end adversaries and implementation of restricted stratification at least 120 days prior to their current HYT.
more technologically advanced threats in and forced distribution rules that also em-
the future. phasize recent performance. http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/
Article/648310/high-year-of-tenure-extension-for-
Carter said the men and women of the Air With the change from reviewing 10 years
Force — like the ones he visited earlier in of reports decreased to five years, the Air 122-specialties.aspx
the day at the 66th Rescue Squadron and Force is also transitioning to a single-phase
process for the upcoming master sergeant Biking brings hope to
keys to the direction the Defense Depart- evaluation board. wounded, recovering vets
ment plans to take the service in the future.
http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/ Members from Creech Air Force Base
http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/ Article/648557/af-announces-year-two-adjust- volunteered as part of the Ride 2 Recov-
Article/650778/carter-talks-budget-readiness- ery program and brought more than 20
with-nellis-community.aspx ments-to-enlisted-evaluations-promotions.aspx wounded and recovering veterans together
for the Vegas Challenge Feb. 1 through 3 in
Air Force announces 122 specialties get high Blue Diamond, Nevada.
year two adjustments year of tenure extension
The challenge provided wounded veterans
Incorporating various observations and Eligible senior airmen, staff sergeants, the opportunity to come together with others
assessments from the first year under the technical sergeants, and master ser- battling some form of injury. Nestled in the
new enlisted evaluation and promotion geants in 122 Air Force specialties can rocky mountainous terrain of the Nevada
systems, the Air Force is making several apply for a high year of tenure extension desert, the veterans biked for more than 20
adjustments for year two to ease execution and, if approved, will be able to extend miles over a three-day span for team building,
and strengthen processes. between 12 and 24 months past their confidence boosting and physical therapy.
current HYT.
In 2015, the Air Force began execution of Paul, a 799th Security Forces Squadron
the new enlisted evaluation and promotion Eligible Airmen who apply for an exten- resource advisor, is a representative for
systems with the goal of ensuring perfor- sion should be approved by their unit com- Project Hero, which is a local chapter of the
mance as the main factor when promoting mander or civilian leader, and should meet R2R providing daily interaction and train-
or evaluating Airmen. The new systems regular re-enlistment criteria as well. Air- ing with the veterans. He said seeing the
also increased a commander’s opportuni- men with a re-enlistment restriction are change in the veterans after participating
ties to identify top performers and clearly not eligible to apply for an HYT extension. in the events is amazing.
indicate an Airman’s promotion potential
to the boards. The HYT extension application window “What this program does is exercising
is open through May 31, 2017. for rehabilitation through bike riding,”
Enlisted performance reports available Paul said. “Not only does it help with the
for review by senior NCO evaluation boards Eligible Airmen with a current HYT in physical portion, it also helps with post-
will decrease from the previous 10 to five February 2016 should apply as soon as traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain
years beginning with the calendar year possible to obtain approval prior to their injury, and gets them out there socializing
2016 master sergeant evaluation board. current HYT. Eligible Airmen with a cur- with other people.”
This change allows an increased focus rent HYT March 1 through May 31, 2016,
on recent performance and compliments should apply at least 30 days prior to their http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/
current HYT. All other eligible Airmen Article/652589/biking-brings-hope-to-wounded-
should submit their requests for extension
recovering-veterans.aspx
“My son was “Watching the “Having dinner “I’m taking my
born on Valen- ‘Walking Dead’ with the family girlfriend out
tine’s Day, and midseason and watching for dinner and a
we give cards premier.” ‘Downtown massage.”
to our kids.” Abbey.’”
Tech. Sgt. Capt. Senior Airman
BRANDON REED
SCOTT SEEGER DENISE STOLL 607th ACS
56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron 607th Air Control Squadron
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