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Don’t Give Up on Your Dreams!

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Several weeks ago during spring break our family loaded up the SUV and took off from Arizona to make the great American pilgrimage to Disneyland. While it was packed with people from all corners of the globe, everyone seemed to share a common sense of wonder at this magical place that, as Walt Disney said, “all started with a mouse.” But the truth is, it started with a dream. In How to be Like Walt, Pat Williams chronicles a conversation that occurred in 1971, five years after Walt’s death, right as Disney World opened in Florida. He writes, “Someone commented to Mike Vance, creative director of Walt Disney Studios, ‘Isn’t it too bad Walt Disney didn’t live to see this?’ ‘He did see it,’ Vance replied simply. ‘That’s why it’s here.’”

That is the power of vision. It is embracing a dream and staying the course even when times get hard, boring, confusing, and discouraging. What is now the Disney empire came about only because of an unyielding belief that the dream could actually happen, and there would be no giving up until it did! Warren Bennis writes in Organizing Genius that Walt Disney was undaunted by obstacles largely because he was relentlessly optimistic. In fact, according to Bennis, “success is often rooted in optimism that may or may not be warranted by the facts.”

Sadly, however, it is incredibly easy to start questioning our dreams at the first setback or disappointment. Also, because we are by nature people who want everything now, we end up setting unrealistic expectations about when we will succeed.

But one of the axioms of life, which is so easily lost in our disposable culture, is that to produce anything of value in life takes time, and usually much more time than we assume at the outset. Sure, there are those out there who seem to rocket into the stratosphere faster than anyone could have predicted. But in reality those stories are extremely rare. For most people, the road to success is really not all that sexy. It consists of many years dedicated to the same task, keeping the ship moving in the same direction despite the violent waves, gale force winds, and naysayers who love to predict disaster.

But the really encouraging part is those who do endure have a very high likelihood of succeeding. There’s nothing really all that magical about it, except the will to stay the course. This even has implications in one’s spiritual life. For example, in the Bible it says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9) In other words, there seems to be built into the system of life a reward for those who stay at it day by day.

Perhaps there’s something in your life right now that you’re ready to quit. It could be a new business, the pursuit of a degree, a marriage, or maybe even your military career. While things might look bleak at the moment, you just may be in the middle of one of those “defining moments” that you must get through in order to succeed. Plowing through the next project, quarter, counseling session, (or even UTA!) might be what makes all the difference in the world.

I’m glad Walt never gave up on the vision that he had. Our family (along with ten million other families) was able to have an amazing time in the world he created. So don’t you give up!

Gen. David L. Goldfein nominated as 21st CSAF

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WASHINGTON (AFNS) — Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced April 26 that the president has nominated Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein to be the 21st chief of staff of the Air Force, succeeding Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, who has served in the position since 2012.

“I’m extremely humbled by the nomination to serve as the Air Force’s 21st chief of staff. If confirmed, I pledge to serve our Airmen and their families unwaveringly and honor our remarkable heritage and legacy of integrity, service and excellence,” Goldfein said. “I also look forward to joining my fellow service chiefs as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Mark and Betty Welsh continue to be exceptional stewards of our service, and Dawn and I are honored to follow in their footsteps.”

Goldfein entered the Air Force in June 1983 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has been assigned to numerous operational, command and staff positions. He currently serves as the vice chief of staff, where he presides over the Air Staff and serves as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Requirements Oversight Council and Deputy Advisory Working Group.

“I am pleased to support the nomination of General David Goldfein as our next chief of staff,” said Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James. “General Goldfein possesses the experience and vision needed to address dynamic global challenges and increasing military demand. He knows how to build and sustain key partnerships, has important warfighting experience, and will exercise the critical judgement required to balance our manpower and resources as we shape tomorrow’s Air Force. There is not a better person to lead our Airmen into the next century of airpower dominance.”

Prior to his current position, Goldfein was the director of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., where he assisted the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in fulfilling his responsibilities as the principal military adviser to the president and secretary of defense.

“Dave Goldfein is an Airman who epitomizes warrior leadership, and that’s exactly what our Air Force deserves,” Welsh said. “He connects deeply with Airmen, he supports their families relentlessly, and he absolutely recognizes the criticality of our service’s mission. Most importantly, he and Dawn understand the remarkable privilege they’ve been afforded in serving the nation.”

Goldfein is a command pilot with more than 4,200 flying hours in the T-37 Tweet, T-38 Talon, F-16C/D Fighting Falcon, F-117A Nighthawk, MQ-9 Reaper, and MC-12W. He has flown combat missions in operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Allied Force, and Enduring Freedom. Goldfein has received numerous awards for his military service including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor device and oak leaf cluster.

May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month

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May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month – a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. A rather broad term, Asian-Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia) and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island).

Like most commemorative months, Asian-Pacific Heritage Month originated in a congressional bill. In June 1977, Reps. Frank Horton of New York and Norman Y. Mineta of California introduced a House resolution that called upon the president to proclaim the first ten days of May as Asian-Pacific Heritage Week. The following month, senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced a similar bill in the Senate. Both were passed. On October 5, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a Joint Resolution designating the annual celebration. Twelve years later, President George H.W. Bush signed an extension making the week-long celebration into a month-long celebration. In 1992, the official designation of May as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month was signed into law.

The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

In celebration of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute Executive Directorate of Research, Development, and Strategic Initiatives released the May Facts of the Day 2016 as follows:

• For the 2016 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) has chosen the theme “Walk Together, Embrace Differences, Build Legacies.”

• Asian/Pacific American women first entered military service during World War II. The Women’s Army Corps (WAC) recruited 50 Japanese-American and Chinese-American women and sent them to the Military Intelligence Service Language School at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, for training as military translators. Of these women, 21 were assigned to the Pacific Military Intelligence Research Section at Camp Ritchie, Maryland. There they worked with captured Japanese documents, extracting information pertaining to military plans as well as political and economic information that impacted Japan’s ability to conduct the war.

• In 2013, Brigadier General Miyako Schanely made history as the first female engineer in the Army Reserve and second in the Army to make general officer following her promotion ceremony at the 412th Theater Engineer Command headquarters in Vicksburg, Mississippi. It also made her the second Japanese-American woman to reach the flag rank.

• Ladda “Tammy” Duckworth is an American politician who has been the U.S. Representative for Illinois’s 8th congressional district since 2013. She is the first Asian-American woman elected to Congress in Illinois, the first disabled woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and the first member of Congress born in Thailand.

• 33 Asian American and Pacific Islander veterans have received the Medal of Honor. Private Jose B. Nisperos became the first Asian/Pacific American to be awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on Sept. 24, 1911, while engaged in combat at Lapurap, Basilan, Philippine Islands.

• Born in Hawaii, Ellison Onizuka entered active duty with the U.S. Air Force in January 1970. He was an aerospace flight test engineer before becoming a mission specialist on the Discovery and Challenger Space Shuttles. Aboard the Discovery, Onizuka and the crew completed 48 orbits of the Earth. Onizuka died on January 28, 1986 when the Challenger exploded. Sunnyvale Air Force Station was renamed to Onizuka Air Force Station on January 26,1994. The base was active from 1960-2010.

• Viet Xuan Luong achieved the rank of Brigadier General, Aug. 8, 2014, at Fort Hood, Texas. Luong emigrated from Vietnam with his family to the United States in 1975 as a political refugee. Luong’s nearly 27-year military career was inspired from his experience on the deck of the USS Hancock when he was a little boy leaving Vietnam. Almost 40 years after his rescue, family and friends watched as Luong became the first Vietnamese-born general/flag officer in the U.S. military.

• After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Japanese-Americans were perceived as a threat to national security based solely on their ethnic ancestry. Consequently, in 1942 President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the War Relocation Authority. Thousands of Japanese-Americans were involuntarily moved to internment camps. Despite being subjected to prejudice and discrimination, a large number of Nisei (first generation Japanese-Americans born in the United States) volunteered for service in the U.S. Army. These Soldiers served with great honor in the European and North African campaigns.

• The 1st American Volunteer Group (AVG) of the Chinese Air Force, nicknamed the Flying Tigers, was comprised of pilots from the United States Army Air Corps, Navy, and Marine Corps. From December 20, 1941 until July 4 of the following year, the Flying Tigers consisted of three squadrons of around 30 aircraft each. The nose of each aircraft was emblazoned with the face of a shark and quickly became one of the most easily recognized images of an aircraft or combat unit in World War II.

• Sunita Lyn “Suni” Williams, is an American astronaut and United States Navy officer of Indian-Slovenian descent. She holds the records for total spacewalks by a woman (7) and most spacewalk time for a woman (50 hours, 40 minutes).

• In 1956, Dalip Singh from California became the first Asian-American elected to Congress. In 1962, Daniel K. Inouye from Hawaii was elected to the Senate, and Spark Matsunaga from Hawaii elected to the House. Two years later, Patsy Takemoto Mink from Hawaii was elected to the House, becoming the first Asian-American woman in Congress. In 1965, immigration law finally abolished national origins as the basis for allocating immigration quotas, giving Asian-Pacific Americans full legal equality with other groups.

• Immigration to the U.S. from Vietnam was virtually non-existent before the 1970s. The fall of Saigon in 1975 started an exodus from Vietnam that would eventually see the resettlement of 900,000 Vietnamese refugees in the United States.

It’s a Family Affair

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photo courtesy/Master Sgt. Margarita Jimenez

Master Sgt. Margarita Jimenez, 452nd Force Support Squadron Unit Training Manager, is reenlisted by her daughter 2nd Lt. Krystal Jimenez, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Officer at McConnell AFB, KS  during the March Field AirFest, April 16.

Order of Daedalians Founders Day Celebration

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photo courtesy/ William Heitmeier

Four new Daedalians were formerly inducted into Flight 30 Order of Daedalians during their 35th Founders Day celebration held at Altavita Commons building, March 26. The celebration was held in recognition of the anniversary of the founding of the Order of Daedalians at Maxwell Field, Montgomery, AL on March 26, 1934. The four new members are Brig. Gen. Russell Muncy, 542nd AMW Commander, retired Brig. Gen. Ricardo Aponte, Capt. Catherine Nelson, 912th ARS KC-135 instructor pilot and retired Col. Jeff Holshouser.

March AirFest 2016 brings the thunder

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(U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Donald R. Allen/Released)

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (NNS) – On April 16-17 in Riverside, Calif., the smoke bellowed from the engines and aircraft roared over the March Air Reserve Base (ARB), marking the start of March Field Airfest 2016 “Thunder over the Empire”.

March ARB hosted the event to showcase the base capabilities, the Air Force Reserve, all the branches of the U.S. Military and several aviation-related groups located in the Inland Empire and Southern California area, with the overall theme “Thunder Over the Empire.” In addition to the Patriots Jet Team, Robosaurus, the Camarillo Ward Birds demo and several other demonstration teams, AirFest was headlined by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

“The purpose of the air show is to demonstrate the precision, the professionalism and pride of the airmen of the U.S. Air Force, said Maj. Alexander Turner, number 6 plane pilot of the Thunderbirds. “In my heart, the reason that the air show exists is one for the people that love aviation would come together and share that love and pride. Another reason is to inspire others to maybe pursue aviation as a career.”

The Airfest not only amazed spectators with military and civilian aerial shows, but also showcased the many different types of modern military aircraft, such as the C-17 Globemaster III and the B-1 Lancer. Complementing the diverse quantity of current war-fighting machines were several other aircrafts from the World War 2 era, available for the public to view as static displays.

“My family had such an awesome time,” said Jody Judkins, a local citizen who attended the demonstration. “Our favorite jets were the Thunderbirds. Thank you to everyone who put on the event for a wonderful day! From three generations, the Judkins will see you again next year!”

Nearly half a million civilians, active and reserve service members, as well as retirees, participated in the air show. They not only came from the Inland Empire area and other parts of Southern California, but some European counties were represented in the crowd.

“It was a great show and very interesting to see,” said Christian Schafer, a spectator from Germany. “All the planes in the static show were touchable. There is no chance in Europe we would ever be able to get that close!”

Rerre Italiana, an Italian citizen, was also impressed with her Airfest experience.

“It was an awesome show,” said Italiana. “The Air Force men and women stationed at March were fabulous hosts, very helpful, polite and gracious. Thanks March for hosting an excellent show!”

Airfest proved to be a great event for the community and for March ARB and would only benefit in the recruitments efforts of the Air Force, as well as any other branches of armed forces.

“It is very important to the Air Force for us to be able to come out and connect with the public,” said Tuner. “It is one of the major things that we thrive to do because it opens up the channel for us to speak about what our country’s airmen are doing. We are doing aerial demonstrations with smoke and loops with non-tactical aircraft. But the amount of hard work, precision and pride that we take in this demonstration represents what they are doing out there in the combat and training Air Force.”

News Briefs 04/22/2016

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CHIEF INDUCTION CEREMONY

The March Field Chiefs Group cordially invites all March to attend the Chief Induction Ceremony Saturday May 21, 2016 at 5:30 pm in the Hap Arnold Club Ballroom. Attire for the event is Mess dress for military and business attire for civilians. R.S.V.P. by May 6, 2016. Call 951-655-3520.

COMMISSARY CASE LOT SALE MAY 5-8

Your March ARB commissary will have their May 2016 Case lot sale May 5-8. They will have savings of up to 60% on cases of your favorite products. Come out and take advantage of your benefit and save big with great prices on paper products, detergents, cereal, pet food and cases of can goods. They will also be offering great savings again this case lot on Johnsonville

sausage while supplies last. Don’t forget to check out the great prices offered in their meat and produce departments. There will be refreshments provided courtesy of their commissary vendors. The commissary is located east of March ARB at the crossing of 6th Street and Meyer Drive. Your March Commissary, It’s Worth the Trip!

VOLUNTEER VICTIM ADVOCATES NEEDED

The SAPR Program March ARB is looking for a select group of individuals to act as volunteer victim advocates with the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program, March ARB. Basic requirements include: Formal application, approval from the volunteers’ commander and 40 hours of Victim Advocate training from an Air Force approved course. Applicants will then be required to apply for certification with the National Organization of Victim Advocates (NOVA). There will be a 40-hour course offered at March ARB on May 2. Applicants to the program must have clean background check, possess excellent communication skills, be of outstanding character and judgment and willing to respond to incidents of a very personal nature with great discretion while adhering to Air Force protocol in respect to the SAPR program. Please contact the SAPR office March ARB at 951-655-4551 or email at frank.pavone@us.af.mil

JOINT OFFICER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR

The Defense Education Forum (DEF) in conjunction with the Reserve Officers Association Department of the Golden West with host a Joint Officer Professional Development Seminar (JOPDS) April 22-24, 2016 at the Holiday Inn Bayside, San Diego. The Department Convention is being held concurrently.

The JOPDS is one of the premier professional development opportunities available to our younger officers and is one of the only professional development seminars to emphasize joint service participation. To date, more than a thousand young officers from all services have benefited from these ROA DEF events.

The ROA Chapter #57, at March ARB, is part of The San Diego Chapter which is made up of Reserve Officers of the United States Armed Services. Their geographical area encompasses the greater San Diego area from the Mexican border north to the Orange County and Riverside County areas, and from the Pacific Ocean east to include Imperial County. Membership is open to any federally commissioned officer, warrant officer, of the National Guard, Reserve, Active Component, Former officers or Retired officers and their spouses and recently includes non-commissioned officers. The March ROA chapter Junior Officer Liaison is Capt. Lombardo at 951-655-5722.

Find The ROA Department of the Golden West, which covers California and Nevada, at roa.org/ca.

EDUCATION & TRAINING OFFICE TO PROVIDE MASS BRIEFINGS

The March Education and Training will hold mass briefings on Sundays during each Unit Training Assembly for any Tuition Assistance, GI Bill and Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) inquiries. Their schedule is as follows:

Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) 8 – 8:30 a.m.

Tuition Assistance/GI Bill 8:30 – 9 a.m.

There is no need to sign up for the briefings. For more information, contact the March Education and Training office at 951-655-6739.

SARC HOSTS FREE MIND BODY RESILIENCY CLASSES

Are you interested in learning more about the Mind and Body connection and how this can promote better overall health? Then come join the interactive and informational series of one-hour classes based on the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine’s Resilient Warrior. Classes are scheduled on the A and B Unit Training Assemblies through September 2016. Topics for the six-part series include

– Stress Reactions and Relaxation Response

– Getting Good Sleep

– Mindfulness and a Positive State of Mind

– Yin and Yang of Resiliency

– Yoga & Journaling

– Social Connections & Communication

Time and Location:

UTA Sundays, 11 a.m. – noon

Bldg. 470, room 205   

Contact frank.pavone@us.af.mil or 655-4551 for more information. No reservation required.

REGISTER FOR YELLOW RIBBON EVENTS

Upcoming dates for Yellow Ribbon events are May 20-22, Jun 17-19. For more formation, contact 1st Lt. Shelley Lawrence, your 452nd Air Mobility Wing Yellow Ribbon representative, for details at 951-655-4615.

BACK STREET GRILL HOURS

Hours of operation for the newly renovated Back Street Grill are Monday – Friday for breakfast from 6:30 to 10 a.m., for lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; UTA weekends for breakfast (Sat & Sun) from 5:30 to 9 a.m., for lunch (Sat & Sun) from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., for dinner (Sat only) from 4 to 8 p.m. Additionally, the Back Street Grill proudly serves Starbucks Monday – Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and UTAs (Sat & Sun) from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

GRILL NIGHT AT SALLY’S ALLEY

Every Wednesday night starting at 4 p.m., Sally’s Alley is open for business with Grill Night. For more information, call them at 951-653-2121.

FITNESS CENTER NEWS

The March Fitness Center has received the Wellbeats Virtual Group Fitness Kiosk. This kiosk allows members to participate in virtual fitness classes.

Daily WellBeats Fitness Schedule is:

Mondays: 10:30 a.m. – REV (spin); 12:15 p.m. – Yoga

Tuesdays: 12:15 p.m. –  Fit for Duty; 4:00 p.m. – REV

Wednesdays: 6 a.m. – Yoga/Pilates; 11 a.m. – V.I.B.E./Toning; 12:15 p.m. – REV

Thursdays: 11 a.m. – REV; 12:45 p.m. – Fit for Duty

Fridays: 11 a.m. – Core; 11:15 a.m. Pilates

Wellbeats offers many more classes available at the members’ request.

FIP (Fitness Improvement classes) available through our Wellbeats Kiosk.

Additional opportunities for fitness:

Tuesday, 11 a.m. and Thursday, 12:15 p.m. – Battle ropes training

Monday, 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. – TRX

A & B UTA Saturdays, 7 a.m. – Wellbeats Fit for Duty

A & B UTA Sundays, 7 a.m. – Wellbeats REV

A UTA Saturdays, 5 p.m. – Virtual Strength “Fit for Duty”

B UTA, 5 – 7 p.m. – Pick-up basketball

Coming in 2016: Inter-Services Golf Tournament, Team Cohesion Challenge, Armed Forces 5K Run.

Call the Fitness & Sports center at 951-655-2292 to sign up or for more information on these programs.

Class descriptions:

Circuit Training – a high intensity interval training class that integrated cardio and muscular endurance exercises

Core – various classes from our WellBeats system that focus entirely on working out your core

Fit for Duty – a high-energy, extreme, conditioning workout led by service members with expertise in fitness training

Functional Fitness – A type of high-intensity interval training combining cardio and weight training into one short but intense class with mobility drills, mountain climbers, lunges, push-up, kettlebells, goblet squats duck walk, run.

Fusion – an integration of yoga and Pilates exercises with attention to breath, form, flow and body balance.

Kinetics – a total body, multi-activity class that includes sports-style cardio intervals with resistance training circuits and muscle isolation work

REV – an indoor cycling class that combines sprints, climbs, intervals, drills, terrain, and technique training

Stomp – a total body, cardio-driven step class as it was originally meant to be taught

TKO – a blend of martial arts disciplines that includes a combination of punches, kicks, and strikes

TRX – introductory class that teaches basic exercises to strengthen core and transition into more advanced techniques on the TRX suspension system

V.I.B.E. – multi-dimensional dance exercises ranging from Latin to urban, hip-hop and more

Zumba/Zumbathon – well-known dancing class featuring exotic rhythms set to high-energy Latin and international beats (Zumbathon is a two-hour Zumba class in which participants can win prizes.)

             OUTDOOR REC UPCOMING 2016 TRIPS

The outdoor recreation division has scheduled trips for target audiences of Single Airmen (SAP), Pre/Post-Deployers (RecOn) and Deployed-affected family members (DP). There is special pricing for these members (SAP/RECON/DP column). All others (military/DOD ID card holders and their guests) are invited on a space-available basis at the higher, per-person price listed in the EOE column. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis, and can be made by contacting ODR at 951-655-2816.
DATE – TRIP SAP/RECON/DP EOE
May 13-15 – Whitewater Rafting DE – $30 $130
May 28 – Deep Sea Fishing SAP- $25 $102
Jun. 10-12 – Spelunking SAP – $40 $110
Jun. 18 – Skydiving SAP – $40 $199
Jul. 16 – Couples Ballooning RecOn/DE – $30 $148
Jul. 30 – La Jolla Kayaking RecOn/DE – $15 $70
Aug. 13 – Catalina Adventure RecOn/DE – $40 $150
Aug. 27 – Bridge to Nowhere Bungee Jumping SAP – $20 $85
Sep. 3 – Skydiving RecOn/DE – $40 $199
SEP. 3 – Zipline/segway tour SAP – $40 $200
Sep. 17 – Deep Sea Fishing RecOn/DE – $25 $102
Sep. 24 – Tandem Hang Gliding RecOn/DE – $50 $199 

OUTDOOR REC EQUIPMENT RENTALS

Outdoor Recreation has a variety of equipment for rent such as camping gear, water sports equipment, bicycles, and trailers to carry it all! Special orders for Callaway, Odyssey, Cleveland, Never Compromise, Nike, Bag Boy, Sun Mountain and Staff golf equipment are also available. Download the full equipment rental price list at MarchFSS.com, call 951-655-2816 or come on by for more information.

 

MARCH TICKETS & TOURS

Amusement Park Specials

Castle Park: $16 per person includes unlimited rides, water park access, miniature golf and the new Sky Rider.

Disney 3-Day Park Hopper military special: $140 per person (adult/child)

Discount Movie Tickets

Available for only $10 each and valid for Regal Cinemas, United Artists Theatres and Edwards Cinemas.

Hotel Discounts

Receive 10% off any Best Western and 15% off any Choice Hotel

Visit the Tickets & Tours page at MarchFSS.com and download the Discount Ticket Price List for a full list of discounts tickets prices, hotel discounts and special promotions. Call Tickets & Tours at 951-655-4123 for more information.

Miller named new AF Reserve deputy chief

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WASHINGTON —  Miller & Miller sounds like the name of a law firm, but, actually, it’s going to be the Air Force Reserve’s new senior leadership team at the Pentagon.

On Friday the Reserve announced that Maj. Gen. Ronald B. “Bruce” Miller has been selected to be the next deputy to the chief of the Air Force Reserve, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.

He will team with Maj. Gen. Maryanne Miller, who, earlier this month, President Barack Obama nominated for a third star and assignment as chief of Air Force Reserve and commander, Air Force Reserve Command. Maryanne Miller currently serves in the deputy chief position under Lt. Gen. James F. Jackson.

Both changes will take effect in July when Jackson retires.

Bruce Miller is now the mobilization assistant to the chief of Air Force Reserve in Washington. He assists in the management of all Air Force Reserve units around the world.

The general received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps after graduating from the University of South Carolina. He is a command pilot with more than 3,300 flying hours in the T-37 Tweet, T-38 Talon, A/OA-10 Thunderbolt II and F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft.

VA announces progress made to improve access to care

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WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) top health care official announced progress and new steps VA is taking to improve Veterans access to health care. Dr. David J. Shulkin, Under Secretary for Health, announced the measures during a briefing to a group of more than 100 journalists attending the Association of Health Care Journalists’ conference April 8 in Cleveland, Ohio.

“We are working to rebuild the trust of the American public and more importantly the trust of the Veterans whom we are proud to serve,” said Dr. Shulkin. “We are taking action and are seeing the results. We are serious about our work to improve access to health care for our nation’s Veterans. We want them to know that this is a new VA.”

During the briefing, Dr Shulkin‎ discussed a new initiative, MyVA Access. MyVA Access represents a major shift for VA by putting Veterans more in control of how they receive their health care. It is a top priority for VA’s Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

MyVA Access is a declaration from VHA employees to the Veterans they care for; it is a call to action and the reaffirmation of the core mission to provide quality care to Veterans, and to offer that care as soon as possible to Veterans how and where they desire to receive that care. The initiative ensures that the entire VA health care system is engaged in the transformation of VA into a Veteran-centered service organization, incorporating aspirational goals such as same day access to mental health and primary care services for Veterans when it is medically necessary. At present, 34 VA facilities offer same-day appointments, and as a practicing physician, Dr. Shulkin currently sees Veterans needing same-day appointments at the VA Medical Center in Manhattan. VA is hoping to be able to offer same day appointments when it is medically necessary at all of its medical centers by the end of 2016.

In addition, Dr. Shulkin introduced a new smart phone app called the Veteran Appointment Request App. This app allows Veterans to view, schedule and cancel primary care and mental health appointments as well as track the status of the appointment request and review upcoming appointments. It is currently available in 10 locations and has received positive feedback from the vast majority of Veterans using the app. VA expects to make the app available to all Veterans by early 2017.

Other efforts underway include a website enhancement that will allow Veterans to check wait times in real time where ever they live – this includes new and existing patients and a new, easy-to-use scheduling software program. The new program is being piloted in 10 sites and is expected to reduce scheduling errors and enhance VA’s ability to measure and track supply, demand and usage.

MyVA Access is part of MyVA, introduced in 2014 by VA Secretary Robert McDonald following one of the most challenging times in the history of VA. MyVA is centered around the needs of Veterans by putting them first in everything VA does. Since that time, VA has made significant progress in addition to the new initiatives announced by Dr. Shulkin.

Among the health care progress made:

• Nationally, VA completed more than 57.36 million appointments from March 1, 2015 through February 29, 2016. This represents an increase of 1.6 million more appointments than were completed during the same time period in 2014/2015.

• VHA and Choice contractors created over 3 million authorizations for Veterans to receive care in the private sector from February 1, 2015 through January 31, 2016.  This represents a 12 percent increase in authorizations when compared to the same period in 2014/2015. 

• From FY 2014 to FY 2015, Community Care appointments increased approximately 20 percent from 17.7 million in FY 2014 to 21.3 million in FY 2015.

• VA completed 96.46 percent of appointments in February 2016 within 30 days of clinically indicated or Veteran’s preferred date.

• In FY 2015, VA activated 2.2 million square feet of space for clinical, mental health, long-term care, and associated support facilities to care for Veterans.

• VA held two Access Stand Downs, focusing on patients with the most urgent health care needs first. During a nationwide Access Stand Down that took place on February 27, the one-day event resulted in VA reviewing the records of more than 80,000 Veterans to get those waiting for urgent care off wait lists; 93 percent of Veterans waiting for urgent care were contacted, with many receiving earlier appointments.

• VA increased its total clinical work (direct patient care) by 10 percent over the last two years as measured by private sector standards (relative value units). This increase translates to roughly 20 million additional provider hours of care for our Veterans.

• VA is also working to increase clinical staff, add space and locations in areas where demand is increasing and extending clinic hours into nights and weekends, all of which have helped increase access to care even as demand for services increases.

• VA is addressing critical components necessary for the delivery of a seamless community care experience by consolidating all purchased care programs into one Veterans Choice Program (New VCP). The New VCP will clarify eligibility requirements, strengthen VA’s high-performing network, streamline clinical and administrative processes, and implement a care coordination model across the continuum of care.

• VHA offers an extensive community provider network of over 257,000 providers through the PC3/Choice Programs and more are joining each month.

• VA Telehealth services are critical to expanding access to VA care in more than 45 clinical areas.

• In FY2015, 12 percent of all Veterans enrolled for VA care received Telehealth based care. This includes 2.14 million telehealth visits, touching 677,000 Veterans.

Lykins assumes command of 452nd CS

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Aerotech News
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U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kevin Mitterholzer

Lieutenant Colonel Rodney D. Lykins assumed command of the 452nd Communications Squadron at the Cultural Resource Center, here at March Air Reserve Base, April 2.

Colonel Arthur J. Rodi, 452nd Mission Support Group commander, presided over the assumption of command ceremony.

“It’s not about you, it’s about the men and women that you’re going to lead,” said Rodi. “You are charged with continuing the excellence that they have, and developing them to the best potential that they can achieve. I know you are up to the challenge.”

Lt. Col. Lykins previously served as the Director of Mission Assurance for the 379th Space Range Squadron at Schriever AFB, CO as an Air Force Reserve Technician.

“I can’t tell you what an honor and privilege it is to be here today,” said Lykins. “I am excited, but yet very humbled at the same time.”

Lt. Col. Lykins will be responsible for commanding a squadron that is responsible for all installation communications and information infrastructure supporting the Department of Defense, Air Force, and Air Force Reserve Command network enterprise. The 452nd Communications Squadron also provides direct C41 support for 4,200 reservists and over 1,500 civilian personnel.

“I pledge to you my personal commitment to lead this squadron as well as I know how,” said Lykins. “We’ll have highs and lows but I have no doubt that we’re up to the challenge. I promise you my best efforts every day, but I challenge you to also bring your ‘A’ game as well.”

Lt. Col. Lykins previous civilian employment includes Intel Corporation as an Anti-Malware Research Scientist and the University of Colorado as an Adjunct Instructor. He was also an Instructor of Political Science at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO.

“He has a stellar academic background with three master’s degrees,” said Chief Master Sgt. Stephen J. Rouille, 452nd Communications Squadron, Cyber Superintendent. “We’re looking forward to leveraging his experience to continue our excellence.”

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