Page 2 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, October 30, 2020

2 October 30, 2020 Commentary Desert lightning news s. nevaDa Desert lightning news s. nevaDa news October 30, 2020 3
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You’re not alone: An Airman’s journey toward resilience NTTR: Scheduling keeps training operations on time, on target

by Staff Sgt. Omari Bernard After a six-month mandatory do-not-fly by Airman 1st Dwane R. Young are tasked with identifying and resolving
conflicts prior to passing the baton to the
Nellis AFB, Nev.
Creech AFB, Nev. once returned to his unit’s training section, next team — Blackjack.
Jared went above and beyond to accomplish Operations on the Nevada Test and Blackjack is the last stop on the schedul-
Resilience is the ability to adapt well to everything asked of him. Training Range are continuously going. Like ing train. It is their job to monitor all daily
adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or even “I felt like I had to prove myself in every- a revolving door, when one training opera- ground and flying activity on the range.
significant sources of stress, according to the thing I did at work,” Jared said. “I worked tion finishes up another is right behind it, After receiving the finalized schedules, they
American Psychological Association. harder than every Airman there. Not only in ready to begin. coordinate all movement and ensure safety.
One 19-year-old Airman found out how my shop, but multiple shops. I worked hand- Each day, the NTTR receives an influx “These aircraft and ground units don’t
much that word would mean to him during in-hand with leadership, became the go-to of requests from across the force, to use the know who’s on the other range or what’s
his first two years in the United States Air guy for everything, and basically raised my range for testing, training and evaluation. going on next door,” said Cash. “Blackjack
Force. [comprehension] in everything I could.” However, beneath every routine opera- is there with them on the ground and in the
When Senior Airman Jared arrived at Shaw While he built gradebooks, scrubbed tion that is requested exists a labyrinth of air handling real-time problems.”
Air Force Base, S.C., as an airman 1st class, it training reports and tackled other tasks personnel, paperwork and behind-the- The inner workings of the NTTR contain
was a different experience than what he had ex- assigned to him, Jared also volunteered to scenes planning. The preparation for these enough information to fill multiple books.
perienced in his career thus far. Jared had made fly several simulated events to aid in the training operations involves many moving The men and women who work every day
many friends during his training school and completion of his peers’ MQT rides. parts, and can be so intricate it can some- in its hallways, out on the range and behind
found himself starting from scratch when he Not only was he taking steps to improve times take a year to finalize. the scenes, understand and take great pride
gained his first duty assignment as a Remotely his team’s training, Jared took a step further Similar to the way one might piece to- of their part in this major game.
Piloted Aircraft sensor operator at the 482nd to impact his team’s resilience by volun- gether a puzzle, the schedulers and NTTR The Nevada Test and Training Range
Attack Squadron. teering to share his story during 21st Air members work together to de-conflict Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class Dwane R. Young is the crown jewel of our nation’s defense,
Every technically-trained pilot or sensor Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein’s training requests and maintain the flow of Two F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets assigned to the 16th Weapons Squadron fly over the said Dadgar.
operator, when arriving to a new unit, has resiliency tactical pause. operations on the range. Nevada Test and Training Range, Nev., Oct. 8, 2020. The F-16s participated in an exercise “The NTTR is the only training arena of
to complete mission qualification training “It was great to hear him openly talk According to Col. Cameron Dadgar, the during their Close-Air Support phase of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Weapons its kind,” said Dadgar. “We provide train-
before being qualified to fly in their area of about his struggles and how he was over- NTTR commander, the range provides the Instructor Course. USAFWS schedulers work with phase managers six months to a year ing that prepares our warfighters for major
responsibility. coming them,” Andre said. “It was also support and tools necessary to keep the U.S., in advance to reserve the air space, range time and support necessary for the exercise. combat operations. It can’t be replicated
During his first attempt to qualify, and Air Force photograph great to see the change in his demeanor and and its allies, prepared to dominate in the anywhere else in the world. We have a re-
three months on station, Jared received a below Airman 1st Class Jared, 482nd Attack Squadron, receives the 482nd Enlisted Professional confidence compared to the first day I saw great global power competition. around at the same time and they are ever- between planning and execution. sponsibility to the American people and we
average rating for what was required to fly. of the Quarter Award from Lt. Col. Andre, 482nd ATKS, commander at Shaw Air Force him at the care center. All who heard him “In order to continue making the best changing, so my job is to sync them all up To assist Cash in keeping track of the take that very seriously.”
This meant Jared had to complete two weeks Base, S.C., Sept. 25, 2019. Jared overcame obstacles and personal tragedy in his life to commented on how powerful it was to hear better, our team has to navigate the rigorous and make sure the machine runs on time.” constant movement within the range sched- Editor’s Note: This is the third of a three-
of remedial training. become a resilient Airman. somebody close to home tell a success story, process required to ensure the maximum In order to keep up with the high opera- ules, the NTTR has daily schedulers that part series highlighting the Nevada Test and
A few months after passing his training, and have the courage to share.” number of people have use of the range, all tions tempo, the schedulers constantly pivot are assigned single days of the week. They Training Range.
Jared performed poorly on a mission and lost As a result of his hard work and dedica- while being good stewards of the land,” said
his qualification to fly. that was the breaking point. I didn’t know what himself contemplating his life, and whether tion, Jared was recognized time and again Dadgar.
Jared could feel his morale dwindling to do. I had never faced that kind of situation or not to end it. for leading among his peers, and where his Schedulers from various units and agen-
after taking those couple of hits, and shortly before.” “May 8, 2019. This is the day,” Jared recalled. team had once seen his mistakes, they now cies across the U.S. meet up monthly to
after he also had to debrief the mission across Jared had to debrief the mission to the 25th “I went into work and I was walking down the bore witness to his accomplishments. forecast the upcoming month’s training
squadrons, analyzing the footage to identify Attack Group and was stressed knowing that, hall and passed my operations supervisors of- Fast forward to the year 2020, and Jared operations, day-by-day and hour-by-hour,
areas of growth for aircrew, and prevent future once again, everyone knew it was him. ficer. He called me in and asked ‘Hey how are is still doing great things. He successfully to maximize use of the NTTR. This meeting
missteps across the units. Members of Jared’s unit reached out, at- you doing?’” requalified to fly. He also won sensor opera- is affectionately known as “Range Wars.”
Although debriefing mission footage is a tempting to comfort and not place blame upon “I told him I didn’t know what I was going tor of the quarter from April to June 2020. “We’re in the meeting for five hours, no
normal process used to train his peers, Jared him due to the circumstances, but Jared didn’t to do if I left work,” he continued. “Probably Jared found himself coming around full breaks, we just go,” said Timothy Geist, chief
felt embarrassed about his mistakes. After a feel he was living up to his own standards. nothing good.” circle to the negative events that had hap- of flight operations for the U.S. Air Force
few months of requalifying in the areas he “I had to go through training again and I felt The operations supervisor immediately pened the year prior and started him on Weapons School. “We understand how criti-
had failed, Jared was back on the line and like I couldn’t get it down,” Jared said. “I didn’t called the first sergeant, who then notified the this life journey. cal our operations are to the overall mission,
flying again. have motivation in myself, and it was during command. “Senior Airman Jared is an amazing so we all work together to prepare a schedule
One of his early missions was a routine this time I got a call from my mom that my “We helped him get in contact with mental individual and is currently one of the that accommodates each unit’s needs.”
support operation where Jared and his pilot stepdad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. health,” said Lt. Col. Andre, 482nd ATKS top people in our unit,” Andre said. “The While constantly moving “puzzle pieces”
provided protective cover for ground troops. She said he wasn’t going to make it through commander. things he’s overcome, his performance in to facilitate each request, they also collabo-
All was calm for hours, but Jared was unable the year.” Once referred to mental health Jared did not the squadron, and the impression he has rate to provide the manning and infrastruc-
to maintain visibility on the ground, or his Jared said he didn’t know what to do. It return to fly or train, but instead immediately made on people will probably be one of ture for each operation. Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class Dwane R. Young Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class Dwane R. Young
situational awareness, as friendlies began to felt like everything was going wrong at work, went into specialized care, where he spent six the best memories I take from my time in “Our scheduling reflects the high demand U.S. Air Force Weapons School schedulers pose for a photo at Nellis Nevada Test and Training Range schedulers pose for a photo in the
take fire. everything was going wrong back at home, and days undergoing counseling. On Jared’s first command.” and usage of the range,” said Vernon “TC” Air Force Base, Nev., Oct. 6, 2020. The schedulers coordinate and headquarters building at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Oct. 15, 2020.
“A troops-in-contact situation started hap- he needed someone to vent to. day, Andre visited Jared to ensure he was get- The challenges Jared will face will not Cash, chief of scheduling at the NTTR. support all of the scheduling for the USAFWS’ 21 squadrons with NTTR schedulers are responsible for the scheduling processes and
pening. All I heard over the radio was scream- “I decided that I needed to go see mental ting the help he needed. end here, but he understands that he doesn’t “There are multiple schedules floating 30 different syllabi. the coordination of all operations that take place on the NTTR.
ing, explosions and gunfire,” said Jared. “The health,” Jared said. “I spent two weeks in [coun- While only on the first steps to recovering, have to go it alone, and that it is okay to
joint terminal attack controller was shouting seling] until my provider suddenly deployed, Jared shared his drive to return to work better reach out for help.
‘‘We need [support] now!’” and it felt like everyone was leaving. I felt myself than ever. “It’s our moments of struggle that define leaders, from Page 1 facilities that opened this year. Kelly also took time during the visit to COMACC, and other leaders from the ACC
Ultimately, he wasn’t able to provide the get depressed and another month had passed. “‘I love my job,’” Jared repeated. “‘From here us, how we handle them is what matters,” Kelly and Wade then regrouped at wing recognize 10 select Hunter Airmen, a small team, was not lost on each level of leader who
support he needed to. Then, my dog died.” on out, I am going to do my 100 percent best.’” Jared said. “For anyone that is dealing with From there, Kelly dove into the Hunter’s headquarters to participate in a mass meeting sample of the thousands who enable the ar- welcomed the commander to their units.
“There were a couple of injuries that came At this point, Jared had stopped seeking According to Andre, Jared lived up to his hardship, or just life, there is help and you combat mission by visiting the 30th Recon- with commanders and chiefs to discuss instal- ray of missions the wing supports around “No military unit or wing is unto itself; we
out of that on our side,” he said. “That was it, help, was feeling lower than ever, and found words. are not alone.” naissance Squadron, 732nd Operations lation infrastructure, quality of life, future for the clock. After coining them, he left words all work in unison to execute the Air Force’s
Group, and the Persistent Attack and Recon- the RPA Enterprise, and the 432nd WG/AEW’s of advice to the Airmen and supervisors in broader strategic goals and vision,” said Col.
naissance Operations Center. As the Wing’s role in meeting the National Defense Strategy. the room. Stephen Jones, 432nd WG/432nd AEW com-
Desert Lightning News, So. Nevada edition is Department of the Air Force or Aerotech News and For all submissions, a name and phone number former Numbered Air Force commander, “These Airmen are wired to look forward “We do really well as a service in my opin- mander. “It was an honor to welcome our
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 the immersion paid as a refresher, airpower to the future. I’ve been in the Air Force long ion in two of three of our core values,” Kelly COMACC, General Kelly, and his Command
firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force. Everything advertised in the publication shall be questions arise. recap, as well as an indicator of development enough to see the RQ-1 turn into the MQ-1, said. “We’re really good at Excellence, we’re Chief, Chief Master Sergeant Wade. The 432nd
Contents of Desert Lightning News, So. Nevada edition made available for purchase and use of patronage All material is edited for accuracy, brevity, clarity to come. and watch the MQ-1 grow into the MQ-9; you really good at Integrity, we just need to make WG Airmen at Creech AFB got to demonstrate
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