Page 2 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, November 5, 2021

2 November 5, 2021 Commentary DESERT LIGHTNING NEWS S. NEVADA DESERT LIGHTNING NEWS S. NEVADA News November 5, 2021 3
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Copious feedback, up, down and sideways TEST TRIFECTA:

by Lt. Col Ryan Schi ner Set the example. Over the last 15 completion, but the staggered timing can the process are allowed to passively observe
Scott AFB, Ill. months I’ve conducted 39 formal feedback also enable accountability. For example, sta EFDPs for subordinate ranks, although
sessions. Some were routine, some were for sergeant midterm feedbacks are due 120 we do sanitize the room for any sensitive
Feedback — It’s a pillar of good leader- unsatisfactory performance, some were days prior to technical sergeant EPR close- discussions. is is the process that works Orange, Emerald, and Black Flag
ship, vital to successful communication, downward-directed, and some were ratee- out. If a rater is exceptional or delinquent for us, and I encourage you to nd a variant
and an Air Force requirement, but are we requested. While imperfect, they were in providing midterm feedback, the timing that works for your team. combine to enhance large-scale test
really doing it? deliberate, documented, and helped send is perfect to incorporate that into his or her Embrace Critical Feedback. Giving
At the end of an evaluation cycle, how a message to our squadron leaders that for- next EPR. Once the expectation is set AND or receiving critical feedback can become
many of us receive our nal eval, sign it, mal feedback is important and expected. enforced, Airmen’s behavior usually follows. a tough, emotional event but it’s central killwebs. e EF team gleaned valuable
and send it back to our supervisor without Repurpose. Preparing to give and Invest in the Enlisted Force Distribu- to an Airmen’s growth. I have one Air- by 1st Lt. Christine Saunders information that will fundamentally
a second thought? receive feedback takes time, but you can tion Process. EFDP is my favorite part of man who’s exceptionally passionate about Edwards AFB, Calif. transform the way we think, ght, and
No conversation about strengths and increase e ciency. One of our SNCOs has Enlisted Force Development, because it critical feedback. In her mind, if you’re The Test Flag Enterprise strikes employ capabilities at further range,”
weaknesses. No dialogue about how to codi ed 19 years of experience into a robust creates an environment ripe for feedback. not telling her where and how she can again, this time by joining forces on said Capt. Joe Haggberg, Emerald Flag
grow. No discussion about future career Memorandum for Record that he appends In the 375th CS we invest hundreds of improve, then you don’t care. For these Oct. 26, 2021. deputy director. “Emerald Flag is ex-
opportunities. Just a few clicks and the to every initial feedback session. He still uses man hours preparing for and executing tougher conversations, consider starting Orange, Emerald, and Black Flag held tremely resource e cient in utilizing
rating period disappointingly ends. Are the Airman Comprehensive Assessment to each EFDP. With up to 45 Airmen in each with informal conversations in a more their test events at three geographically simulation methods that replace the
we OK with this? tailor each conversation, but the standard- promotion cycle it requires considerable ef- relaxed setting. Eliminate physical barriers. separated locations: the R-2508 complex need for many aircra that is typical for
Air Force photograph by William R. Lewis
In my squadron we strive for copious ized MFR enables him to easily convey fort, but we’ve found it essential to fuel our Condition yourself to listen, and be open to in California, the Eglin Gulf Test and a large event and yet still providing the Marines assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd
feedback, up, down and sideways. e goal detailed expectations. Personally, I maintain feedback program. e week prior to EFDP receiving feedback. Problems and areas for Training Range in Florida, and the Ne- necessary information to the weapon Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., prepare to participate in
is to improve face-to-face communication a library of ACAs, organized by unit and our squadron’s top leaders independently improvement likely exist on both sides of vada Test and Training Range. systems. Advancing capabilities rapidly Black Flag at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Oct. 26, 2021.
at all levels of the organization so Airmen position, enabling me to utilize past com- review every promotion-eligible record. the relationship. Finally, di erent members For the first time, the three inde-
can grow and thrive. We’re not perfect, but ments. If I’m executing a series of remedial Next, we lock ourselves in a room for up respond to di erent messages di erently, pendently executed Large Force Test
we make a consistent and deliberate e ort, feedbacks, each one builds on the previous. to two days to discuss the strengths, weak- so you must know your Airmen and re- Events collaborated in real-time for
and we’re teaching our Airmen to engage When conducting feedback sessions with nesses, and growth opportunities for our main adaptable. Conducting these type of simultaneous execution, focusing on
their leaders, subordinates, and peers. civilians, well-written performance plans Airmen. Communication ows freely and feedback sessions is more art than science. securing electronic data sharing across
Personally, my leadership style is criti- and prior-year appraisals can make the debates o en arise, providing divergent I’d encourage each of you to provide geographically separated battlespaces to
cally dependent on feedback. I make deci- process smoother. e more feedbacks you opinions on an Airman’s past performance copious feedback, up, down and sideways. enable long range kill chains.
sions and move out, and if no one tells me execute, the more experience you’ll amass, or future potential. Flight leaders take co- You’ll elevate those around you and en- “ is was TFE’s rst attempt at con-
I’m headed in the wrong direction I may and the more opportunities you’ll nd to pious notes and use that material to fuel able them to reach new heights. It does necting more than two geographically
nd myself in Abilene, Texas. Just ask my utilize past material in future sessions. feedback sessions and guide hiring actions take time, but I’ve found it’s time worth separated areas with low-latency data
wife. Here are some tips that have worked Leverage Static Close-Out Dates. Not throughout their portion of the organiza- spending. Good luck as you “Fire It Up link networks,” said Maj. Daniel Prud-
for us: only can SCODs help you track feedback tion. Supervisors who want to learn about … BOOM!” homme, Orange Flag director.
Each test ag created airborne Link-
16 networks, transmitted data to various
HONOR, from Page 1 the entire citizenry will wish to join hands plied to all subsequent VA Administrators. commemoration of this day was a matter ground links, and then transferred data
in the common purpose. Toward this end, Since March 1989 when VA was elevated of historic and patriotic signi cance to a between each of the test ag events, ef-
Armistice Day was primarily a day set I am designating the Administrator of Vet- to a cabinet level department, the Secretary great number of our citizens, and so on fectively transmitting targeting data
aside to honor veterans of World War I, but erans’ A airs as Chairman of a Veterans of Veterans A airs has served as the com- Sept. 20, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford across more than 1,500 miles. is is
in 1954, a er World War II had required Day National Committee, which shall in- mittee’s chairman. signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), a crucial enabler for long-range kill
the greatest mobilization of Soldiers, Sail- clude such other persons as the Chairman e Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law which returned the annual observance of chains.
ors, Marines and Airmen in the nation’s may select, and which will coordinate at 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June Veterans Day to its original date of Nov. 11, “Emerald Flag had very focused
history; a er American forces had fought the national level necessary planning for 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three- beginning in 1978. is action supported JADC2 objectives in 21-3 and accom-
aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the observance. I am also requesting the day weekends for federal employees by the desires of the overwhelming majority of plished crucial steps in completing Air Force photograph by Sta Sgt. Dylan Murakami
the urging of the veterans service organiza- heads of all departments and agencies of celebrating four national holidays on Mon- state legislatures, all major veterans’ service end-to-end connectivity for long range An F-15E assigned to the 422nd Test and
tions, amended the Act of 1938 by striking the Executive branch of the Government days: Washington’s Birthday, Memorial organizations and the American people. Evaluation Squadron takes o at Nellis Air
Air Force photograph by Sta Sgt. Dylan Murakami
out the word “Armistice” and inserting in to assist the National Committee in every Day, Veterans Day and Columbus Day. It Veterans Day continues to be observed An F-15E assigned to the 422nd Test and Force Base, Nev., Oct. 26, 2021.
its place the word “Veterans.” With the ap- way possible.” was thought that these extended weekends on Nov. 11, regardless of the day of the week Evaluation Squadron prepares to take o
proval of this legislation (Public Law 380) On that same day, President Eisenhower would encourage travel, recreational and on which it falls. e restoration of the at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Oct. 26, 2021. and Procedures in response to the lat-
on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to sent a letter to the Honorable Harvey V. cultural activities, and stimulate greater observance of Veterans Day to Nov. 11 not est intelligence and leadership inqui-
honor American veterans of all wars. Higley, Administrator of Veterans’ Af- industrial and commercial production. only preserves the historical signi cance ries,” said Maj. John Alspach, Marine
Later that same year, on Oct. 8, Presi- fairs, designating him as Chairman of the Many states did not agree with this deci- of the date, but helps focus attention on while being e cient with our resources Aircra Wing 11 Weapons and Tactics
dent Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the rst Veterans Day National Committee. sion and continued to celebrate the holi- the important purpose of Veterans Day: will be key to our nation’s acquisition o cer. “By conducting joint events in
“Veterans Day Proclamation” which stated: In 1958, the White House advised VA’s days on their original dates. A celebration to honor America’s veterans success.” the world’s foremost test and training
“In order to insure proper and wide- General Counsel that the 1954 designation e rst Veterans Day under the new for their patriotism, love of country, and Black Flag conducted other test events range, MAG-11 is a orded the unique
spread observance of this anniversary, all of the VA Administrator as Chairman of law was observed with much confusion on willingness to serve and sacri ce for the Oct. 26-28, which included the first opportunity to test, train and develop
veterans, all veterans’ organizations, and the Veterans Day National Committee ap- Oct. 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the common good. participation of U.S. Marine aircraft tactics that will de ne the immediate
and personnel. e 3rd Marine Aircra future of warfare.”
Wing led a Large Force Maritime Strike The primary focuses of this Black
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