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  • One project 1st Lt. Monica Kestermann, 86th Flying Training Squadron T-1A Jayhawk instructor pilot, is working on is finalizing a library in the break room with books of aviation and leadership for pilots and students during their down time at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. She was recognized by wing leadership as this week’s “XLer” for not only her dedication to her students but to her job and her squadron as well. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anne McCready)

    XLer of the week: 1st Lt. Monica Kestermann

    First Lt. Monica Kestermann, 86th Flying Training Squadron T-1A Jayhawk instructor pilot, was chosen by wing leadership to be the “XLer of the Week”, for the week of March 4, 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.
  • Staff Sgt. Ray Salazar, 47th Medical Group Dental Clinic dental technician, works with records while Staff Sgt. Mark Hughes, 47th MDG Dental Clinic lab technician, provides customer service to a patient on Feb. 25, 2019, at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. Challenges continue to arise as the student pilot population is expected to increase as much as 60 percent in the upcoming year, but Laughlin’s dental team proved themselves up for the challenge by lassoing in the 2018 Air Force Medical Service Small Dental Clinic Award. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anne McCready)

    The 47th Dental Flight fills gaps in manning with innovation

    Much of the Air Force has at one point or another experienced what it’s like to be under-manned, and the Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas 47th Medical Group Dental Clinic is no exception. When there’s a never-ending push to see how much more can be accomplished by an ever smaller team, adaptation seems to become key. The Laughlin Dental Clinic, like many agencies, is never at 100 percent manning, but they make up for that through endless innovation and teamwork.
  • Lt. Col. Judy Rattan, 47th Medical Support Squadron commander, encourages Laughlin leaders to share their talents with those around them. She considers her experience sharing her knowledge of cooking to be rewarding. “Not only does this class bring the Airmen together to give them something to do on a Friday evening, it also teaches them valuable life skills in an entertaining environment,” Rattan said. (U.S. Air Force photo by the 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs)

    Cooking with the commander

    What talents are you blessed with? What hobbies do you love? How about sharing those with our Airmen? My husband, Chris, and I would often see Airmen in the commissary with only frozen pizza, chips and soda in their shopping carts. We would occasionally stop and chat with them about healthier options. The responses we received back were typically: “I don’t know how to cook.” We took this as an opportunity to share our gifts with our Airmen.
  • Airman Leadership School Class 19-B stands before attendees of their graduation ceremony, before singing the “Air Force Song,” at the Event Center on Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Feb. 14, 2019. ALS is a six-week course designed to prepare senior airmen to assume supervisory duties by offering instruction in leadership, followership, written and oral communication skills, and the profession of arms. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Chapman)

    Laughlin Airmen steal the show at ALS

    Six Laughlin Airmen out of a class of 13 graduated Airman Leadership School at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, completed the course Feb. 14, 2019, and finished above standard.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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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