Team Edwards hosts enlisted call

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Team Edwards hosted the first basewide enlisted call for 2009 at the base theater Feb. 2. 

Airmen with the 95th Air Base Wing, 412th Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center as well as Marines with the Marine Aircraft Group 46 Detachment Bravo here attended the enlisted call. 

Topics such as educational opportunities on base, strategic communication, driving under the influence, physical fitness testing and dormitory updates were discussed during the enlisted call. 

"Before speaking at an engagement like this, I make a habit of asking my star performers what I should focus on," said Chief Master Sgt. Andrew Hollis, 95th Mission Support Group superintendent. "One of my Airmen made this great analogy between the Superbowl (XLIII) game and what we all did at Edwards in preparation for the UCI. We prepared for six months, made a lot of sacrifices and put up with a lot of changes. And when it comes down to it, we came together as a team for a common cause and won the battle." 

Teamwork, unity and camaraderie were the things that enabled the base to get through it successfully, Chief Hollis said. The Air Force can be challenging at times, hence the need for effective leadership. 

"We have very talented and focused senior enlisted leaders who do an outstanding job of keeping our intensity where it should be," he said. "I'm looking forward to a prosperous 2009. I am confident that at the end of 2009 Edwards will be an even more rewarding place to live and work, not only because of our senior enlisted leadership, but what we are going to do as a team to make it happen." 

Chief Master Sgt. Mark Brejcha, 412th Test Wing command chief, talked about Air Force strategic communication, such as the Roll Call program, Enlisted Perspective and the Air Force's priorities. Meanwhile, Marine Sgt. Maj. Charles Dillree, Marine Aircraft Group 46 Detachment Bravo sergeant major, provided information about the service's strategic communication, including the Marine Corps history and core values. 

Meanwhile, Senior Master Sgt. Eric Light, 412th Maintenance Group first sergeant, talked about driving under the influence and Article 15s. 

"When one person gets it, we all pay for it," Sergeant Light said. "It affects everyone and our job. When one falls down, we all go down. We have to take care of each other. I think we are doing well in preventing DUI cases." 

Chief Master Sgt. Eric Jaren, 95th Air Base Wing command chief, unveiled the base's dormitory master plan. It is an outline on how to operate the facilities for current and future years. Currently, the base's occupancy rate is 47 percent. Edwards needs to have a rate of 90 percent.

"We got a plan that is going to get us there; and it is a good plan," Chief Jaren said. "Change is coming to the dorms." 

Some of these changes include Air Force Materiel Command's smoking policy at the dorms and strengthening the bay orderly program. The smoking policy will forbid dorm residents from smoking inside their rooms and within 50 feet of the dorm complex. As part of the bay orderly program, supervisory oversight will be included in the process. Also, base enlisted leadership will provide incentives to Airmen with clean and organized rooms. 

Another topic was the Air Force's fitness test and fit-to-fight program. 

"About 60 percent of the Air Force is living the fit-to-fight lifestyle," said Pete Smith, Rosburg Fitness Center director. "Forty percent are doing exactly what the Air Force doesn't want, that is living the 'fit-to-test' lifestyle. That means only working out and going to the gym 30 to 40 days prior to annual test." 

Mr. Smith said Airmen will see a lot of changes. Currently, Pacific Air Force Command is trying a new fitness test program. 

"They are doing a no-notice testing," he said. "Airmen will have two fitness tests. One test Airmen will know about and the other they won't. It is just like the drug demand reduction testing. For fitness, we have to meet the standard." 

Chief Brejcha also talked about the Community College of the Air Force degree. 

"You have to get your degree, and Edwards is the place to do it," he said. "We have educators and mentors who can provide you with a plan on how to get your degree. You have to move those chess pieces of your life around. There's some pain involved, but a tassel is worth the hassle." 

Other topics included Edwards Blue Eagles Honor Guard opportunities, the sexual assault program, medical and dental appointment processes, Airman's Council and volunteer opportunities.