Page 13 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt Oct. 2 2015
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Thunderbolt                                        NEWS                                                                                                                                                                           Oct. 2, 2015
http://www.luke.af.mil
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T-bolts see ‘big picture’ in immersion program

                  by Airman                                                                                                                                                              Courtesy photo  DUWVKROGLQJÀUHKRVHVORRNLQJDWVQDNHV
               PEDRO MOTA                                                                                                                                                                                welding, checking out explosive ordnance
                                                   Staff Sgt. Cody Phillips, 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron air and transportation                                                                    robots and playing out scenarios while
                 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs  supervisor, briefs immersion program participants at Luke Air Force Base. The im-                                                                     paint balling.
                                                   PHUVLRQSURJUDPH[SRVHV$LUPHQIURPDFURVVEDVHWRMREVDQGFDUHHU¿HOGVDW
   Want to learn more about the missions           Luke. The group is made up of two participants from each of the four 56th Fighter                                                                        ´,ZDVVDWLVÀHGE\WKHIDFWZHJRWWRVHH
of other squadrons at Luke?                        Wing groups and the 56th FW staff agencies.                                                                                                           the end product and the lasting effect of
                                                                                                                                                                                                         projects we worked on,” said Airman 1st
   Every quarter the 56th Fighter Wing             to the participants, it was a huge success.  mersion program each time. But, because                                                                  Class Malachi Speller, 56th Medical Oper-
hosts an immersion program to provide                 “Those who participate are chosen by      of the positive feedback we have been                                                                    ations Squadron mental health technician.
enlisted Airmen in the ranks airman basic                                                       receiving, the number of people should                                                                   “By going behind the scenes, we observed
to technical sergeant with a glimpse into          their superintendents,” Castillo said.       increase.”                                                                                               some of the customs and courtesies as well
the inner workings of the four groups on           “They pick two Airmen from their group,                                                                                                               as the actual work they do daily. I would
base and 56th FW agencies as well.                 for a total of 10 people attending the im-      The Airmen experienced the culinary                                                                   love to attend another immersion program
                                                                                                                                                                                                         in the future. The opportunity to attend
   “Members who are selected to attend the                                                                                                                                                               was an honor.”
immersion program spend a day with the
host group and attend lunch at Club Five                                                                                                                                                                    What was once for only a select few is
Six with the command chief,” said Master                                                                                                                                                                 now open to everyone.
Sgt. James Castillo, 56th Force Support
Squadron superintendent of manpower                                                                                                                                                                         “In the past, only award winners were
and personnel. “The day is planned by the                                                                                                                                                                invited to participate in the immersions,”
host group. The program rotates quarterly                                                                                                                                                                Castillo said. “But we are now opening it
from group to group or to the wing agen-                                                                                                                                                                 up to others because it is a lot of fun and
cies.”                                                                                                                                                                                                   people learn so much.”

   The immersion program gives Airmen                                                                                                                                                                       The immersion program lets groups re-
the opportunity to experience hands-on                                                                                                                                                                   ward outstanding performers and, in turn,
ZKDW RWKHU XQLWV GR WR IXOÀOO WKH ZLQJ                                                                                                                                                           the participants learn more about what is
mission.                                                                                                                                                                                                 going on in other units.

   “Typically, the event only lasts a day,”                                                                                                                                                                 “Basically, it lets our stand-out per-
Castillo said. “Instead of being briefed by                                                                                                                                                              formers see a bigger part of the picture,”
each squadron on what it does in a typical                                                                                                                                                               Castillo said. “They have the potential to
day, the Airmen get to participate in live                                                                                                                                                               grow in the Air Force and get a greater
scenario events.”                                                                                                                                                                                        breadth of experience. They will carry that
                                                                                                                                                                                                         experience with them and spread the word
   The 56th Mission Support Group hosted                                                                                                                                                                 RQKRZRWKHUVÀWLQWRWKHPLVVLRQµ
the September immersion event. According

                                                                                                Adventure

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