Page 2 - Desert Lightning News So. AZ Edition, November 2020

2 November 2020 Desert Lightning News Desert Lightning News November 2020 3
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A coin for GTOC initiates no contact rental service
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everyone gioVANNi SiMS altered the contact-less U-Drive-It concept that will vehicle recovery and development of our ground
by Staff Sgt.
reduce the threat of COVID-19 and enable a faster
transportation Airmen.”
While Davis-Monthan is first in Air Combat
and more efficient service. Even after we make it
355th Wing Public Affairs
Command, and third in the U.S. Air Force to incor-
through this pandemic, we plan to continue this
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Air
Force bases are adapting new protocol to ensure the new concept and look for different ways to improve porate this process, it was first developed by the
GTOC team of the 100th LRS at Royal Air Force
this process as a more efficient concept to better
safety of their most valuable assets: the Airmen, serve our customers.” Mildenhall, United Kingdom.
civilians and their families that are assigned to This new procedure creates numerous options “The contact-less UDI concept was my vaccine to
by Airman 1st Class the installations.
KAiTLYN J. eRgiSh for customers, while also allowing the Airmen of protect my team and customers during COVID-19
The Ground Transportation Operations Center of the GTOC to benefit greatly. operations,” said Master Sgt. Gregory Laing, 100th
355th Wing Public Affairs the 355th Logistics Readiness Squadron leads the “This innovative concept allows customers the LRS GTOC section chief. “We’re taking advantage
way in taking measures to help mitigate the spread freedom and versatility to pick-up and drop-off at of the times to modernize our daily practices and
Resiliency plays a huge role in Airmen’s ability
to succeed in their Air Force careers. Without the of the virus with their innovative efforts of creat- their convenience,” Griffin said. “It also creates influence a change across our career field, protect-
assistance of numerous helping agencies across ing a contact-less method to acquire their vehicles. minimal face-to-face customer interaction while ing our Airmen enterprise-wide.”
the base, Airmen would not be equipped with the “We’re responsible for providing centralized, focusing on manpower reduction, saving us 389 As the Air Force continues developing toward
tools they need to cope during difficult times. economic and efficient transportation for Davis- man-hours annually. Additionally, the extra man- a new normal, Airmen from the 355th Wing con-
COMMENTARY
The 355th Wing chaplain staff created a resil- Monthan and its tenant units,” said Tech. Sgt. hours will allow us to center our attention and man- tinue finding new and innovative ways to be safe
iency coin to provide Airmen a tangible resource airman 1st class kaitlyn J. Ergish Chase Griffin, NCO in charge of the 355th LRS power on Davis-Monthan’s other transportation while remaining effective and ready to support
to obtain all of the base helping agencies’ num- An Airman from the 355th Wing holds a chaplain resiliency coin during a reintegration brief at Davis-Mon- GTOC. “With this pandemic, we have adopted and requirements such as cargo/passenger movement, the mission.
bers. than Air Force Base, Sept. 25. The coin is presented to Airmen at post-deployment reintegration briefs and
“When we started having our resiliency talks, has 11 numbers for the helping agencies basewide.
there was guidance that came out saying we
needed to equip every returning deployer with 355th TRS implements new VR simulators
phone numbers for the different helping agencies Derrick Elliott, 355th Wing chaplain. “Most Airmen ously deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of
available to Airmen,” said Lt. Col. David Leonard, don’t throw a coin away because it means something Saudi Arabia.
355th Wing chaplain. “All the phone numbers to them. Creating something like this gives Airmen a The chaplain staff distributes the coin as a state-
they may need are on the back of this coin and resource when they need that help and support.” ment of appreciation for the significant sacrifice each by Senior Airman Drew Glowa, 355th TRS instructor pilot. “Train- more realistic training for Airmen, the Air Force en-
we want to encourage them to take advantage The coin is presented to Airmen at post-deployment Airman has given to serve the United States. JACoB T. STepheNS ing includes all aspects of operating the A-10 to sures that no matter the situation, when airpower is
of that.” reintegration briefs to recognize their service. It is part “Not only is it a way of saying thank you for serving include, but not limited to, ground operations, needed, we are ready.
The coin gives Airmen an easily accessible con- of a bridge between deployment and their reintegra- in harm’s way, it is also a symbol to remind them that 355th Wing Public Affairs start-taxi-take offs, landings, formation flying, “The 355 TRS is a key leader and trailblazer in
tact list for base support agencies such as the duty tion when they come back home. we’re here to help and they are not alone,” said Leonard. While safety and training stay at the forefront of weapons employment, threat reactions, air-to-air this space and is leading the combat Air Force,”
chaplain, Sexual Assault and Response Coordina- “I’m glad that I was able to have all the resources The 355th Wing chaplain staff is finding new and priorities for Air Force senior leadership, new and refueling and other critical capabilities. We are said Lt. Col. Tim Manning, 355th TRS commander.
tor and Family Advocacy. I needed to help me properly transition after being improved ways to keep their Airmen mentally fit-to- innovative ways to ensure Airmen receive as much leveraging stand-alone VR goggle systems that “There are two distinct lines of effort in our VR
“We all get business cards throughout our career, away from friends and family for eight months,” said fight. In a time of crisis, Airmen can use this resiliency training as possible are forthcoming and becoming allow students to view 360-degree camera footage program. First is the lab where students can fly the
but people throw those cards away,” said Capt. Staff Sgt. Giovanni Sims, a 355th Wing Airman previ- coin to easily find the helping resources they need. mission essential. of flying actual missions from an instructor’s point A-10 and practice tasks and the second, is having
The 355th Training Squadron has used innova- of view. This gives them a real-time chair flying actual flights filmed in 360-degree video, viewed on SPOTLIGHT
experience to view the rate at which sight pictures VR headsets. There are no two-seat trainer A-10s,
tion funds to build a functional virtual reality
Invisible wounds often cause silent suffering simulator classroom to conduct training for A-10 and tasks happen.” and we have established the first-ever capability for
This new addition to the training arsenal has students to see what flying the A-10 is like before
Thunderbolt II student pilots as they earn their
been approved at the Air Combat Command level getting into the cockpit.”
qualifications.
“We are using virtual reality simulation to pro- and has been formally put into the syllabus. It is Giving students this new tool allows them to train
vide an immersive trainer for students,” said Maj. being taught as part of core classes. By having in a different environment where they can make mis-
by we’ve got to start talking to each other, people! Would it surprise you that 85% how light gets in.” To the Air and Space takes and learn before actually getting in the cockpit
MiCheLLe pADgeTT and asking tough questions. recover within the first six months, professionals who stand watch, thanks in a real-world situation with larger implications.
Would it surprise you that we’ve had which highlights the importance of for breaking barriers every day! I have “This prepares them for flying events better than
Department of the Air Force
Disabilities Action Team 479,000-plus service members seek early intervention and treatment? no doubt you will SHINE and make the Chapel Services any other training tool we have at a higher availabil-
ARLiNgToN, Va. — I often look treatment for PTS, TBI over one year? An investment in our people will pay invisible, visible. Really, the only ques- ity,” Glowa said. “Now we can review specific tasks
around the room and wonder, who is For hundreds of years, we’ve remained dividends — INVEST through direct tion is, what would YOU DO to shed Staff in a real-world environment by supplementing our
suffering in silence … facing challenges silent. But silence does not and will not involvement, coordination of care, and light on invisible wounds, to protect and Catholic services four traditional simulator bays and giving students
that no one else can see … scarred by make the changes we need to protect reaching out. A great poet once said, defend Air and Space Professional AND Desert Dove Chapel Publisher ..............................................................Paul Kinison 22 more cockpits to practice on their own or with
Business manager ...............................................Lisa Kinison
traumatic brain injury or post-traumat- the greatest weapon we have — our “there is a crack in everything … that’s the institution he/she works for? Daily Mass: 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday Editor .......................................................................Amy Lamb an instructor. We can expedite ground training to
ic stress. We have a national security Saturday Mass: 5 p.m. Advertising representative ................................Sandi Bueltel prepare students for flights at a pace we have never
strategy to protect American people, Sunday Mass: 10 a.m. Designer .................................................................Tinna Sellie seen. We are transforming the way we train pilots
promote resilience, renew our competi- Protestant services, studies Published by Aerotech News and Review, Inc. and will be able to actually increase quality faster
tive edge and influence our partners. 877- 247-9288 • www.aerotechnews.com and add remedial training at almost any time. This
Over 3 million men and women have and programs Aerotech News and Review prepares all editorial content for Desert Lightning will expedite the time it takes to get students ready
served in the military since 9/11, and yet • Facebook Event page - Contemporary Service News. The editor will edit or rewrite submitted material for clarity, brevity or to for their flights.”
there is a lack of understanding around 9 a.m. Live stream to include a link to join our conform to the Associated Press Style Guide, local policy and Air Force style as By upgrading training capabilities and effective-
invisible wounds. It may surprise you Sunday School live via Zoom and Children’s required by Air Force Instruction 35-101. Contributions for Desert Lightning News ness, the 355th TRS is ensuring that the best, most
that in 1946, New England Journal of Church (lesson, materials and activities) can be emailed to the editor at amy@aerotechnews.com. Submission deadlines qualified pilots are being sent to execute the mission,
Medicine researchers could predict who • Facebook Event page - Gospel Service 11:30 a.m. are the 15th day prior to the month of publication. Submissions will be based ensuring readiness at all levels, and maximizing
on space available and priority. Desert Lightning News uses information from
was going to develop post-traumatic Live stream to include a link to join our Sunday Davis-Monthan Air Force Base website, the Armed Forces Information Service, every single flight hour they can get.
stress through poor sleep patterns. In School live via Zoom and Children’s Church Air Force News Service, Air Combat Command, staff writers and other sources. “We have moved out on the Chief of Staff of the
(lesson, materials and activities)
our military population, lack of sleep is All advertising is handled by Aerotech News and Review, 220 E. Ave. K4, Suite Air Force’s message to ‘accelerate change or lose’,”
associated with more anxiety, more de- • Adult Sunday School, Young Adult Ministries, 7, Lancaster, CA 93535. For business advertising, call 877-247-9288 or email Manning said. “We are not cutting flights or flying
Wednesday Night Gospel Study, AWANA,
pression, more PTS, more alcohol abuse PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel) Sandi Bueltel at sbueltel@aerotechnews.com. For classified advertising, email hours in the syllabus, but instead we are using this
classifieds@aerotechnews.com.
and unfortunately more suicidality. and PMOC (Protestant Men of the Chapel) Desert Lightning News is published by Aerotech News and Review, a pri- technology to produce more lethal, efficient and
Sleep, pain and mood management are will be available on Zoom. vate firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under written agree- safer A-10 pilots. Better ground training methods
critical to improving total force fitness. Find up-to-date information at Davis-Monthan ment with the 355th Fighter Wing. Contents of Desert Lightning News are will result in making the most of every flight hour.
Our challenge is that trauma is unique Chapel Facebook page. not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, It also has the potential to be more cost efficient
Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. The appearance
to the individual. What is traumatic for of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not for the Air Force, and maybe even a faster way to
one, may not be traumatic to someone Connect to these study links through our constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by the DLN, accomplish training.”
else, which is why it is so difficult to Facebook page or email: DOD, Air Force or Aerotech News and Review. Everything advertised in this The 355th TRS is executing the priorities of De-
detect. Our military members are the heather.skay.16@gmail.com publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without partment of Defense and Air Force senior leaders by
best trained and well-equipped in the For more information or to contact a chaplain, regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physi- establishing this new way to better the next genera-
cal handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the pur-
world, and can take on every enemy, call 520-228-5411. chase, user or patron. tion of A-10 pilots through more advanced, in-depth
except for the one within. Quite simply, and easy to use training techniques.