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  • As the officer in charge of officiating the dignified transfers of fallen heroes between an aircraft and a transport vehicle, Maj. Emily Arthur, currently the 47th Contracting Flight commander at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, then filling the shoes of the Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, contracting commander, found herself in a meaningful role. Her eyes were opened to the realization while her issues may seem big, others have also experienced tragic loss. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daniel Hambor)

    Putting our problems in perspective: visual reminders

    If you’ve ever visited my office, you’ll notice that I have a framed photograph hanging rather prominently on my back wall. The picture is of an Air Force Honor Guard member, diligently standing guard over two flag-draped caskets in the back of a C-17. This picture serves as a reminder of one of the most important jobs I have ever held in the Air Force.
  • Master Sgt. Christopher Smith Jr., 47th Security Forces Squadron operations superintendent, was assigned to Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, directly after his military training instructor assignment at Air Force Basic Military Training. As an MTI, he enjoyed being able to take an Airman who was on the fence or not quite cutting it, and set them on the right track with proper direction and motivation. “It wasn’t always about yelling and punishment,” he said. “That’s a part of the job and a way to establish authority, but there is so much more to shaping an Airman than screaming and pretending to be angry.” (U.S. Air Force graphic by Airman 1st Class Anne McCready)

    Airman’s Spotlight: Master Sgt. Christopher Smith Jr.

    Master Sgt. Christopher Smith Jr., 47th Security Forces Squadron operations superintendent, was assigned to Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, directly after his military training instructor assignment at Air Force Basic Military Training. As an MTI, he enjoyed being able to take an Airman who was on the fence or not quite cutting it, and set them on
  • Second Lt. Zachary Diehl, 47th Operations Support Squadron airfield operations officer, was chosen by wing leadership to be the “XLer” of the week, for the week of Jan. 30, 2019, at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. The “XLer” award, presented by Col. Lee Gentile, 47th Flying Training Wing commander, is given to those who consistently make outstanding contributions to their unit and the Laughlin mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin N. Valmoja)

    XLer of the week: 2nd Lt. Zachary Diehl

    Second Lt. Zachary Diehl, 47th Operations Support Squadron airfield operations officer, was chosen by wing leadership to be the “XLer” of the week, for the week of Jan. 30, 2019, at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. The “XLer” award, presented by Col. Lee Gentile, 47th Flying Training Wing commander, is given to those who consistently make outstanding contributions to their unit and the Laughlin mission.
  • Aliyah Negley, 47th Flying Training Wing community support coordinator, was chosen by wing leadership to be the “XLer of the Week”, for the week of Feb. 7, 2019, at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. The “XLer” award, presented by Col. Lee Gentile, 47th FTW commander, is given to those who consistently make outstanding contributions to their unit and the Laughlin mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anne McCready)

    XLer of the Week: Aliyah Negley

    Aliyah Negley, 47th Flying Training Wing community support coordinator, was chosen by wing leadership to be the “XLer of the Week”, for the week of Feb. 7, 2019, at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. The “XLer” award, presented by Col. Lee Gentile, 47th FTW commander, is given to those who consistently make outstanding contributions to their unit and the Laughlin mission.
  • Airman 1st Class Vernell Butler, 47th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, said February, recognized as African American Heritage Month, gives him a chance to reflect on his heritage and be proud of the progress America has made. February is a great time to think back and be thankful, Butler explained, however it is much more than the month itself that should be recognized, but the history altogether. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Senior Airman Benjamin N. Valmoja)

    Airman Spotlight: Airman 1st Class Vernell Butler

    Airman 1st Class Vernell Butler, 47th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, said February, recognized as African American Heritage Month, gives him a chance to reflect on his heritage and be proud of the progress America has made.
  • Gerri Fischer, 47th Force Support Squadron bowling alley manager, shows off a touchpad panel to Airman 1st Class Lucas Lobo, 47th Medical Group unit deployment manager, at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Feb. 6, 2019. In a bid to update the bowling game for the newest generation, the 47th Force Support Squadron recently completed upgrades to the Cactus Lanes bowling alley. The changes involve not only a modernization, but personalized and new ways to play the game.

    Bowling lanes receive new upgrades

    For many Americans, the iconic images of bowling balls shooting down finely polished lanes has defined a generation and their past-times of choice. In a bid to update the game for the newest generation, the 47th Force Support Squadron recently completed upgrades to the Cactus Lanes bowling alley. The changes involve not only a modernization, but personalized and new ways to play the game.
  • Lt. Col. Andrew Katz, 47th Operation Support Squadron commander, talks about gaining a new focus, taking initiative, and how innovation can be simple. In his squadron, he says, “If you touch it, you own it,” and he encourages his people take ownership of problems in their work centers and provide ground-breaking solutions. (Courtesy photo)

    Search for Initiative and Ownership

    When Gen. David Goldfein became Chief of Staff of the Air Force in mid-2016, he called squadrons the “beating heart” of the service and promised his first year as chief would focus on revitalizing the squadron, as the core-fighting unit of the Air Force. Now, with this new focus, it’s critical for one to dig deeper to discover the root of this shift in mindset— generating initiative and ownership.
  • Laughlin gathered its best and brightest to celebrate the 2018 Annual Awards Ceremony, at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 26, 2019. Winners of each category from the base’s groups met, along with Chief Master Sgt. Erik Thompson, 19th Air Force command chief master sergeant, and toasted to a year of hard work. “We are the dominant air force of the world because we believe in our Airmen,” Thompson said. “We train them with world-class tools and instruction, then we send them forward to do amazing things.” (U.S. Air Force graphic by Senior Airman Benjamin N. Valmoja)

    Laughlin Annual Awards 2018

    Laughlin gathered its best and brightest to celebrate the 2018 Annual Awards Ceremony, at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 26, 2019.
  • Chief Master Sgt. Eric Thompson, 19th Air Force command chief master sergeant, speaks at the 2018 Annual Awards Banquet held at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, on January 26, 2018. Thompson told the story of 2nd Lt. Jack Laughlin, the base's namesake, and challenged Team XL Airmen to carry on the tradition of honor and legacy and valor as he also praised the nominees and winners for their dedication throughout the previous year. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Airman 1st Class Anne McCready)

    Airman's Spotlight: Chief Master Sgt. Erik Thompson

    Chief Master Sgt. Eric Thompson, 19th Air Force command chief master sergeant, speaks at the 2018 Annual Awards Banquet held at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, on January 26, 2018. Thompson told the story of 2nd Lt. Jack Laughlin, the base's namesake, and challenged Team XL Airmen to carry on the tradition of honor and legacy and valor as he also
  • David Mercer, a 47th Maintenance Directorate fabrication work lead, discusses shift assignments with his maintenance personnel staff at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 28, 2019. Mercer was selected for the “XLer of the Week” for his help in overcoming structural maintenance obstacles, saving taxpayer dollars and training the next generation of maintenance professionals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John A. Crawford)

    XLer of the week: David Mercer

    David Mercer, a 47th Maintenance Directorate fabrication work lead, was chosen by wing leadership to be the “XLer” of the week, for the week of Jan. 21, 2019, at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. The “XLer” award, presented by Col. Lee Gentile, 47th Flying Training Wing commander, is given to those who consistently make outstanding contributions to their unit and the Laughlin mission.
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