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Action Line: Submitted February 1, 2010
Dear Sir,
Members of the maintenance squadron have been mandated to have all the ABU uniforms items on and serviceable for the February Unit Training Assembly. If Air Force policy directly states, "The mandatory wear date for the ABU is November 2011. The ABU or battle dress uniform can neither be mandated nor prohibited during this transition period," how can unit leaders mandate otherwise?
Anonymous Submission
Answer:
Thanks for submitting an Action Line on this topic. It is the intention of base leadership to have as many people as possible in the ABU uniforms for the compliance inspection scheduled for March. The ABU is the official Air Force utility uniform and though it is not mandatory until November 2011, we can strive as a wing to wear it with pride as it becomes available. Base supply has worked very hard to issue uniforms to unit members over the last few months, and personnel who have been issued ABUs should wear them. It is understandable that not everyone will be able to have their uniforms ready due to shortfalls in certain sizes and items. Those who have their ABUs ready and wear them display esprit de corps, standardization, and our commitment to proudly wear the new uniform.
Colonel Greg Stroud
162 Fighter Wing Commander
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Action Line: Submitted October 14, 2009
Dear Sir,
On October 13 I experienced an outstanding example of honesty, integrity, and personal and professional conduct which deserves special recognition for Eddie Benitez, a member of the 162nd Fighter Wing, Arizona Air National Guard.
Tuesday afternoon I lost my check book. After an extensive search I was unable to find it. To my surprise, that evening my wife Joan received a phone call from Eddie Benitez who had found my check book and wanted to return it. I met him the next day at a Walgreens on Golf Links Road where Eddie delivered my check book which contained $5 and meal tickets for Santa Catalina Villas retirement community.
I thanked him and offered a cash reward for his efforts. He declined to accept the reward even after I had insisted. He said he couldn't accept a reward and that he was a member of the 162nd Fighter Wing, Arizona National Guard. As a retired regular Army officer I am very touched by the character displayed by Eddie Benitez. This is an example of "service above self."
Respectfully submitted,
James W. Cocke, Lt. Col., U.S. Army Retired
Answer:
Dear Lt. Col. Cocke,
Thank you for calling attention to Staff Sgt. Eddie Benitez' honorable deed on Oct. 13. As the commander of the 162nd Fighter Wing, I'm very proud to hear about the integrity that our members exhibit in their daily lives and in the community. Sergeant Benitez' efforts to return your lost check book and his refusal of a cash reward are certainly commendable actions worthy of recognition.
As Airmen we practice the Air Force core values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. As members of the Arizona Air National Guard we add one more value to the list - community pride. Many Arizona Guardsmen spend their entire lives in Tucson, and as permanent fixtures in Southern Arizona, we take great pride in being able to help fellow Arizonan's like you and your wife Joan. Not always do I have the pleasure of hearing from people that are positively affected by members of our unit, and I thank you for taking the time to recognize Sergeant Benitez.
Additionally, as a retired Army officer, you are aware of the great character of the men and women who serve in uniform because you are a part of that legacy. For that, and for your service to our Nation, the 162nd Fighter Wing thanks you.
Col. Gregory N. Stroud
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Question: Submitted June 26, 2009
Dear Sir,
I'd like to ask you take a moment to consider the appropriateness of the wear of the blues uniform by those conducting airfield and barrier checks on Mondays. In my experience, all that is required to complete the twice daily airfield check is made outright dangerous while wearing blues. However, out of a sincere effort by supervisors to comply with what they believe is your wish regarding uniform wear and their unfamiliarity with all that is physically required during an airfield check, the safety and FOD concerns raised by airfield managers have been dismissed by supervisors in the Operations squadron. I believe this situation can be rectified by a simple statement from you, requiring all those who perform job tasks on the ramp and runway to do so while wearing the utility uniform.
Because airfield check is completed out of view of others, I would like to highlight some of what is involved and why I am confident you will immediately recognize why the wear of dress shoes, slacks, name tags, ties or ribbons by anyone working on the ramp and airfield is unsafe and should be prohibited immediately.
With a sense of urgency to clear the controlled movement area as soon as possible, airfield managers check the pavement condition, pick up and dispose of FOD. This includes gathering any combination of paper or debris, rocks, bolts, bullets, the carcasses of small rodents, reptiles or birds, insects such as centipedes and roaches, as well as donning plastic gloves to pick up coyote droppings. This inevitably leads to the use of an outdoor faucet to rinse out FOD cans.
Occasionally, during a barrier check the cable does not fully retract. While the Tower contacts Barrier Maintenance and aircraft are waiting to take-off or land, the airfield manager is obliged to kick, push and pull the cable in anyway he or she can to get it to retract.
Often, during inclement weather, the decision of whether or not to cancel flying is delayed until after the airfield check is completed. Whether it is across a wet, slick pavement or chasing after FOD blowing in the wind and rain, the airfield manager's task is to retrieve any FOD on the airfield. At no time, in rain or shine, are low-quarters or polyester slacks conducive to completing this task safely as possible.
With all the running, bending, scraping, hopping in and out, kicking, pushing and driving that is required to complete jobs on the airfield; I have found that at no time is the wear of low-quarters, polyester slacks, ribbon racks, career badges, name tags or tie tacks to be appropriate.
I respectfully request that the wear of the uniform most conducive to personal safety and FOD prevention be mandated on while performing job tasks on the airfield.
Thank you,
Tech. Sgt. Matthew Miller
CP Controller
Answer:
Command post personnel serve in an admin career field and should be dressed in short sleeve blues on Mondays. Individuals should remove career badges and name tags from their blue shirt before performing runway / airfield checks. The wearing of ribbon racks and tie is optional. The wearing of blues otherwise is not dangerous for performing runway checks.
Col. Gregory N. Stroud
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Question: Submitted June 3, 2009
With physical fitness such a high priority in today's Air National Guard I'd like to ask about the possibility of upgrading the equipment in the base gym. When I say "base gym" I mean the weight and cardio rooms in the "Dutch Warehouse"; not to be confused with the gyms in Ops or the Fire Station. Those who use the Dutch Warehouse gym, including myself, are certainly grateful to have a place on base to work out. It's convenient and much of the equipment is serviceable; but we are aware that the wing purchased new weights and cardio machines over a year ago for the new gym intended for the first floor of building 9. My suggestion is to allow a group of volunteers to move the new equipment into the Dutch Warehouse gym so we can all benefit from it while the new gym in building 9 awaits construction. Most of the new equipment is either in storage in various parts of the base or being used by a limited number of people who have access to one or two pieces locked away. The Dutch Warehouse is certainly a temporary solution, but the immediate need to keep our people fit seems like a good justification to improve the area. Perhaps more people would become gym patrons if the equipment was installed.
Anonymous Submission
Answer:
Thank you for using the Action Line. I certainly agree that physical fitness in our military is more important than ever. Much depends on an individual's passing fitness score such as promotions, school attendance and deployments. The word on the street is during our next UCI personnel will be randomly selected for fitness testing so we all must stay fit. I do have a goal of having the new base gym in building 9 completed as soon as possible. But in the mean time I agree we can make the new equipment more available for all members to use. I will appoint a POC / volunteer to organize the movement of equipment to the Dutch Warehouse as soon as practical.
Thank you for your comments and suggestion.
Col. Gregory N. Stroud
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