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www.512aw.af.af.mlMah 2007

Dov A Fo Ba, Dl.

Vol. 17, No. 3

PREPARING FOR FUTURE

mAINTENANCE GROUPREORGANIZESFOR C-17 MISSION

See PageS 6 & 7

THE LIBERTY PRESS March 2007

PersPectiVes

This funded Air Force Reserve newspaperis an authorized publication for membersof the U.S. military services. Contents of the “Liberty Press” are not necessarily

the ofcial views of the Government, the

Department of Defense or the Departmentof the Air Force.

The editorial content is edited, prepared

and provided by the 512th Airlift Wing

Public Affairs Ofce (Air Force ReserveCommand) Dover Air Force Base, Del. All

photographs are U.S. Air Force photographsunless otherwise noted

512th Airlift Wing Editorial Staff

202 Liberty WayDover Air Force Base, Del.19902-5202(302) 677-3485e-mail: liberty.press@dover.af.mil

512th Airlift Wing

Public Affairs Ofce

command hf bd fawll

Wing Commander: Chief, Public Affairs: Editor:

Col. Ronald A. Rutland1st Lt. Marnee A.C. LosurdoTech. Sgt. Veronica A. Aceveda

Staff Writers:

Debra Larregui

Administrative Assistant:

Senior AirmanSteve GermannSenior AirmanRyan Scofield

Chief Master Sgt. Caroline Vennell

512th AW command chief

On h ov

Lt. Col. Kenneth Bunting, 512th Aircraft Maintenance Squadroncommander, participates in the512th Maintenance Group’sReorganization Ceremony Feb. 4.The unit restructuring accomodatesthe upcoming C-17 mission.

Photo by Senior Airman Ryan Scoeld

position. I thought this had to be the best job in the Air Force since I was working

with people and helping to inuence their

careers.I guess I did alright because I became

the rst female chief in maintenance.I was also fortunate enough to haveChief Master Sgt. Larry Moseley as a

mentor. In 1999, he was selected as the

command chief, a position previously known as thesenior enlisted adviser. Chief Moseley mentored me andsome six years later I was

selected to take his place. I

had big shoes to ll, and Ihoped someday to exceed his

expectations.

Now I can actually saythat being a command chief is the very best job in the Air Force because I’ve

been able to look

out for our enlistedforce and ‘they’ are

our most importantasset.

I’m so proud of our Reserve forces because they keepvolunteering and

continue doing all

that is asked of themand more. With everything going on in theworld we still have people who are liningup to enlist because they want to serve their country and be part of our nation’s defense.People are amazed because our reservistslove their jobs, are enthusiastic individuals,and are highly motivated. Having a positiveattitude in life and enjoying what you do is

the most important ingredient needed to be

successful.I’ve had the opportunity to work as partof a team with the 436th Airlift Wing. Theyown the airframes and we share the yingmission, but it’s all really about the people.We’re so integrated that we have people inevery shop either working as civilians, air reserve technicians, augmentees, individual

mobilization augmentees or traditional

reservists. It takes the collective effortsof everyone together to make the missionhappen on a day-to-day basis. We’re no

t has been such a rewarding and hum

- bling tenure as the 512th Airlift Wingcommand chief. Little did I know thatwhen I joined the Air Force Reserve at Do-ver Air Force Base more than 27 years ago,I’d some day have the honor of serving asthe command chief.I came to Dover because I

wanted to work on airplanes

and maybe even get a chanceto someday see the world. Thiswas a dream come true for afarm girl from Pennsylvania,and one that I’d gladly do allover again if given the chance.Time has own by and itseems like yesterday whenafter work on Friday nightsI’d travel almostve hours to Dover.There I’d stand inlong lines for a roomin building 481 or 482. But, I didn’t

care what obstacles

I had to overcome because I was livingmy dream.I had mysupervisors whowere always giving me advice andtelling me to make sure I completed myProfessional Military Education as soon asI was eligible. Today this is called being a

good wingman, but back then we just called

it looking out for one another, helping inthe wing wherever we were needed, and being part of a team.I was told that if I obtained a 5-skilllevel in my eld I’d be allowed to go onenroute tours, which lets you go to placesoverseas for your annual tours. Well, this

was all I needed to know, so I set out to

get certied on all my tasks and as a resultsigned up for almost any trip I could get onand sometimes even went on two in a year.My supervisors were doing what we callmentoring today. They were helping me getready for the next step.

As I progressed up the ranks I was

prompted by my supervisor and many of my team members to apply for the 512thAircraft Generation Squadron rst sergeant

“I guess I did alright,because I became the

rst female chief inmaintenance.”

Chief Master Sgt. Caroline Vennell

512th AW command chief

“

See Command Chief on page 8

March 2007 THE LIBERTY PRESS



NeWs

Lby Wng ognzannual awad wnn

he 512th Airlift Wing selected itsannual award winners for 2006.They will be recognized at the June10 commander’s call.

Airman of the Year

Senior Airman Anthony Palma, 46thAerial Port Squadron air transportationapprentice, is the Airman of the Year. After less than a year in the Air Force Reserve,Airman Palma volunteered for a four-month deployment to theCentral Command Area of Responsibility, where he worked as anair transportation operations specialist responsible for coordinatingaerial port actions such cargo and passenger movement on airliftmissions. He’s enrolled at the University of Phoenix pursuing aBachelor of Science. He’s also a coach and referee for Philadelphiayouth basketball programs.

NCO of the Year

Staff Sgt. Sean Barnum, 709th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, isthe NCO of the Year. Sergeant Barnum has amassed more than 100combat-ying hours in support of Operations Enduring and IraqiFreedom. He completed his bachelor’s degree in history throughthe University of Maryland earning a 3.74 grade point average andis working on his Master of Arts with a specialty in teaching. Healso manages an after school program Partnering to Youth, which promotes positive youth development through tutoring, enrichmentactivities and helping children with their homework.

Senior NCO of the Year

Master Sgt. Larry Reed, 709th AS ight examiner loadmaster,is the Senior NCO of the Year. He has own more than 5,000incident-free hours. He initiated and implemented the Loadmaster Mission Qualication Training program overseeing the 12-monthtraining of 22 of the 66 currently qualied loadmasters in the 709thAS. The sergeant graduated with honors from Wilmington Collegecompleting his bachelor’s degree in nance. He was also awardedthe Reserve Volunteer Service medal for his service at his churchwhere he is the director of the children’s church ministries.

Company Grade Ofcer of the Year

Capt. Jason Pennypacker, 326th Airlift Squadron executiveofcer and pilot, is the Company Grade Ofcer of the Year. CaptainPennypacker has own 1,000 ight hours to include 66 combathours supporting OEF and OIF. He received the Lance P. SijanLeadership award for his leadership and devotion to duty. Thecaptain also volunteers with the Delaware Veteran’s Organization,American Legion and Trinity Wesleyan church. He also raised $500for his church’s softball team.

Crew Chief of the Year

Tech. Sgt. James Baker, 512th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, isthe Crew Chief of the Year. As a maintenance technician and crewleader, Sergeant Baker’s efforts contributed to Team Dover yingmore than 1,400 OIF missions. During an aircraft inspection for an OEF mission, he discovered a cracked component on a C-5 anddirected the replacement of that part as well as a system leak check,which ensured the mission wasn’t delayed. He also served on thecommittee that organized the 2006 Dover AFB Chief’s Group Golf Tournament raising more than $2,000 supporting Dover programsthat assist Airmen and their families.

First Sergeant of the Year

Senior Master Sgt. John Bouchard, 326th Airlift Squadron, is theFirst Sergeant of the Year. He deployed for 120 days to serve as arst sergeant for a 500 member civil engineering unit in the CentralCommand Area of Responsibility supporting OEF and OIF. He is the president of the 512th AW First Sergeant Council and of his squadron’s booster club. He is also his unit’s physical tness training monitor setting the example by scoring an excellent on his physical tness test.

In addition, he earned his second associates degree in human resource

management from the Community College of the Air Force.

Civilian of the Year

Marilyn Larson, 512th Maintenance Group secretary, is theCivilian of the Year. Ms. Larson maintained the MXG commander support staff while the executive ofcer and administrative assistant positions were vacant. She trained maintenance personnel on the

new online awards and decorations program and also monitored thetime and attendance records ensuring there were zero discrepancies

on a recent pay audit. She also donated time to the community byspearheading a Thanksgiving food drive that provided turkeys tocharitable organizations such as the House of Pride, Shepherd Placeand her church ensuring 50 Delaware families had holiday meals.

Senior Airman Anthony PalmaMaster Sgt.Larry ReedStaff Sgt.Sean BarnumTech. Sgt.James BakerCapt.Jason PennypackerMs.Marilyn Larson

1st Lt. Marnee A.C. Losurdo

Chief, 512th AW Public Affairs

Senior Master Sgt.John Bouchard

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