Page 3 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, August 6, 2021

2 August 6, 2021 Commentary Desert lightning news s. nevADA Desert lightning news s. nevADA news August 6, 2021 3
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Airmen are people too F-16 receives in-flight software

by Chaplain (Capt.) Levi Welton machine, but a treasured individual. them. So to make people in your team feel sources that exist for the sole purpose of update during recent flight test
Dover AFB, Del. As the Chassidic scholar Rabbi Pin- like people, do something that reminds mission support. Military OneSource,
chas of Koretz taught, “Every person them of their individuality. If your team- mental health, the Mission Support
The best superhero movies are the possesses one valuable trait that cannot mate shares something personal with you Center and of course I’m going to say,
ones where we see how they’re people be found in anyone else.” — that they have kids, pets or love foot- the chaplain’s office. By utilizing all the Air Force News
too, just like us. Look, we didn’t join the Air Force to ball, for example — then jot that down in support that’s out there, we strengthen while in flight,” added Lt Col Zach-
Well, Airmen — the brave women make friends but to serve the mission. your phone, notebook or memory. Then spiritual and tactical resilience. For the first time, an F-16’s Electronic ary “Rooster” Probst, a flight test pilot
and men who protect our nation — are But we succeed best at the mission when at some later point, do something that You probably have your own opinions Warfare System received an in-flight and commander of the 84th Test and
our nation’s superheroes. And they are we create friendships and authentic al- shows them you remembered what they on all this and they’re probably different software update as part of an Advanced Evaluation Squadron. “This is a big deal.
people, too. liances. As my great uncle Lt. Barney care about. In other words, show them from mine. But isn’t that the point? To Battle Management System (ABMS) There’s a tactical need to be able to rap-
But how can we make people feel like Welton, a World War II C-47 pilot who it’s important to you. As Stephen Covey, contribute what we know to the larger demonstration during a recent test sortie idly update software, especially mission
people in a mission-oriented environ- flew 130 missions as part of the 79th author of “Seven Habits for Highly Ef- conversation. So, no matter whether at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. data files because that’s what ties into
ment? Troop Carrier Squadron, put it, “I’ll fective Families” and one of my favorite you’re a general or a civilian contractor, I An F-16 updated its’ Mission Data our ability to identify, find, and defend
This is the type of question our leader- never forget the wealth of friendship Americans, once put it, “How you treat encourage you to make your voice heard. File with information transmitted from ourselves against enemy threat systems.”
ship thinks about and sometimes turns I’ve enjoyed in the happy family of the the one reveals how you regard the many As one of the spiritual leaders from hundreds of miles away using an exist- What began as a bar napkin idea —
to the Chaplain Corps as “subject matter 79th. It’s a big outfit — but I can’t think because everyone is ultimately a one.” my personal faith tradition, the second- ing Beyond Line of Sight F-16 satellite real-time software updates to F-16s — is
experts.” But I don’t always have all the of it as a squadron. We were made up of 3. TAP INTO MISSION SUPPORT: century Rabbi Elazar son of Shammua communication system. developing into a program that could
answers. Sometimes, I just have observa- individuals. That’s the way the boys lived. The mission we support isn’t easy. once said, “The dignity of your student The airborne F-16 Block 50C was able one day field across the F-16 fleet. The
tions. So here are three observations for That’s the way they flew. That’s the way Every year, it seems to get harder should be as precious to you as your own; to receive an MDF update from the Hill next step is to integrate high speed
how we can collectively contribute to they died.” and harder to execute air dominance in the dignity of your colleague, as your Software Integration Lab, process it us- internet into the F-16 thereby allowing
being the answer to this question. 2. LEAD BY EXAMPLE: “There’s no support of U.S. and Allied operations awe of your master and your awe of your ing custom developed Center Display F-16 pilots access to data from a classi-
1. SEE BEYOND THE UNIFORM: No I in teamwork,” my Military Training worldwide. Therefore, our leadership master as your awe of Heaven.” Unit software, and load the new data into fied cloud.
matter what branch of service we belong Instructor yelled at me during boot camp. must push for the best in ourselves and In this way, our Air Force and our the ALQ-213 Countermeasures Signal Ultimately the program’s goal is full
to, our uniforms are designed with some He was right. We don’t fly solo but as our teams. This noble demand for excel- people can continue dominating the Processor. ABMS integration into the F-16 aircraft,
form of camouflage. But don’t let the uni- part of a team. And good leaders lead lence extends to all we do, including the heavens and being super. Like Superman This technology was made possible which will improve long-term relevance
form obscure the reality that your fellow their teams by example, demanding the work cultures we create. who said, “Up, up and away.” Or, like we using the F-16 System Program Office’s of the aircraft and greatly enhance ca-
Airman is not just a cog in the mission- best from themselves and those around Therefore, tap into the multiple re- say, “Fly, fight and win.” organic subject matter experts, the 309th pabilities to the warfighter. In addition,
Software Engineering Group, the 53rd Air Force photograph by Tech. Sgt. John Raven it will connect and integrate DOD, U.S.
Test Wing, and associated agencies. This Lt. Col Zachary ‘Rooster’ Probst taxis a F-16C Fighting Falcon from the 84th Test and Air Force, and U.S. Space Force capa-
‘Difficult Conversations’ sparks different perspectives proof-of-concept test demonstrated the Evaluation Squadron before a test near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., June 14, 2021. bilities.
“We are focused on capability de-
ability for a pilot to properly correlate a
previously unknown electronic threat in took off with,” said Col Tim Bailey, F-16 ware mod required. We’re not Tesla yet, velopment and proving things,” said
near real-time. System Program Manager, speaking but this is a significant first step!” Probst. “We are working on building
by 2nd Lt. Hannah Colligan velopment education seminar, “Difficult But the hard truth is: If we had the an- skin color being just one of our many “The ingenuity and skills of the Flight about the successful test. “This techno- “We believe this is the first time a the ‘highway’. Once we build the ‘high-
Moody AFB, Ga. Conversations,” given by 23rd Wing swers, we would not be where we are right differences. As members of the 824th Test and Program Teams enabled a Viper marvel was done with existing systems fighter aircraft has received a software way’ the possibility of places to go are
commander, Col. Daniel Walls. Wing now, facing the issue of racial disparity Base Defense Squadron, we had a unique to land with better capabilities than it in much of the Viper fleet, with no hard- update and gained new capability all endless.”
We’ve all been there: the “volun-told,” Staff Agency chiefs and squadron com- present in a military force that proudly job in which we trained to rely on one
mandated Air Force training that you manders from Moody Air Force Base proclaims to be a team of diversity and another in possible life-and-death situ-
begrudgingly attended. gathered in a conference room, where inclusion. ations, should we encounter them while
These training sessions are intended they sat ready and willing to explore ways Responding to such a major problem downrange. UpdATE:
to leave a person feeling enlightened and they could go about decreasing and fur- with uncertainty rather than solutions At the root of our team was trust.
positive that any necessary changes will ther preventing the Air Force’s problem can cause unease, but I believe admitting Without it, we simply could not per-
happen soon and swiftly. Unfortunately, of racial disparity in their units and spark that we simply don’t have the answers form. This is true for all Air Force units.
this isn’t always the case for today’s Air- a subsequent ripple of conversation in right now is the first step in the right Members don’t have to be placed on the Air Force puts future basing plans
men. other squadrons. direction. battlefield to exercise their capabilities
Prior to commissioning, I served six During this particular briefing, I Walls later mentioned trust as being at as a trusting team. Sometimes the most
years on the enlisted side and routinely heard my boss, a seasoned field grade the center of a solid team. A team built on crucial battles take place on the home for Davis-Monthan AFB, Nellis AFB
completed countless hours of morale, officer, say, “We don’t have the answers.” trust is one that breeds safety, empower- front, and we need to learn to trust each
health and welfare training. The deliv- These words resonated with me. ment, inclusion and connectedness — all other before it’s too late. on hold pending NDAA outcome
ery varied from something as simple as Over the years, I’ve consistently things that are paramount in cultivating Fortunately, trust is an aspect of your
computer-based training to an all-call or watched the Air Force respond to insti- a positive environment where members team that you can control, because it is Courtesy photo
even a small group discussion with my tutional concerns, with well-constructed thrive as individuals. considered a part of your culture. Col. Air Force News plans to establish a center of excellence warfighters in fifth-generation aircraft manpower flexibility required to design
peers, but it always resulted in the feeling speeches and actionable solutions, lead- As a previous security forces Airman Walls expounded on the importance of for close air support and rescue missions and establish Nellis AFB as a fifth- and field the future force needed to meet
of simply “checking the box.” ing me — rather naively, I admit — to with the 820th Base Defense Group, I this during the PDE, opening and end- The Department of the Air Force at Davis-Monthan AFB by transferring generation center of excellence. combatant commander requirements.
Recently, as a brand new second assume that my Air Force always has was afforded the opportunity to meld announced today it is pausing plans the A-10 Thunderbolt II and HH-60 Pave According to Air Force officials, how- Although the Air Force is seeking
lieutenant, I sat in on a professional de- the answers. into a group of diverse individuals, with ___ See CONvErSATiON’S, on Page 4 related to aircraft basing decisions at Hawk weapons schools and test squad- ever, these plans are on hold pending the to retire 42 A-10s, the service plans to
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.,
and Nellis AFB, Nev., that are dependent rons to the Arizona base beginning in outcome of congressional decisions in modernize and keep 218 combat-capable
upon the requirement to retire 42 A-10 fiscal year 2022 — a move contingent on the FY-22 NDAA. A-10s within the fighter fleet into the
Desert Lightning News, So. Nevada edition is Department of the Air Force or Aerotech News and For all submissions, a name and phone number
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 Thunderbolt IIs. congressional approval of the President The Department of the Air Force’s 2030s. The A-10 Thunderbolt Advanced
firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force. Everything advertised in the publication shall be questions arise. The announcement comes as the Biden’s budget request to retire 42 older fiscal year 2022 budget request is seek- Continuation Kitting wing replacement
Contents of Desert Lightning News, So. Nevada edition made available for purchase and use of patronage All material is edited for accuracy, brevity, clarity department awaits congressional action A-10 aircraft. ing the retirement of 42 A-10 aircraft, contract, which was awarded in August
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 AP Style Guide, to include
Paul Kinison, Publisher, Aerotech News and Review by, Aerotech News and Review, the U.S. government, origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political military ranks and proper writing etiquette. that will be reflected in fiscal year 2022’s In addition, the movement of these 35 of which are at Davis-Monthan AFB. 2019, included the purchase of wings for
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 National Defense Authorization Act. squadrons and personnel from Nellis Pending congressional approval, the 218 aircraft. The Air Force has invested
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Sandy Bueltel, Advertising Sales Air Force. purchaser, user or patron. If you notice an error in fact, contact the Desert In support of modernization efforts, AFB would free additional range and funds made available from retiring these $880 million in A-10 re-winging and
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