OBINS

Days without a DUI:

Last DUI-

116th AMXS

– courtesy78th SFS Reports and Analysis Section

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

68/40

WEATHER

FORECASTTHINK

SAFETY

To request a ride, call

222-0013, 335-5218

335-5238

335-5236

Total rides given this year:

573

FRIDAY

67/33

THETWO-MINUTEREV

Robins Riders

Robins Riders honor veter-ans with ride toAndersonville,

INSIGHT

Ultra marathonwinner

78th CES Airman landsfirst place in ultramarathon

SPORTS

Military retireeappreciation day

Robins takes time out tosay thanks to those whohave served America,

APPRECIATION

This weekend’s planned power outage coverage map, 4B

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isit us online at www.robins.af.mil/library/rev.asp —

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November 9, 2007

Vol. 52 No. 45

Robins Air Force Base,Ga.

PROUDLYSERVING THE COMMUNITYSINCE 1954

‘Plain and simple, don’t drink and drive’

BYAMANDACREEL

amanda.creel.ctr@robins.af.mil

Being a staff sergeant select is usual-ly a once-in-a-career achievement, butas one Robins Airman can attest, onebad choice can turn the tide and makereaching this milestone a second time,an uphill battle.When Senior Airman TommyBedrick found out he had a line numberfor staff sergeant four years ago whilestationed at Barksdale Air Force Base,La., he decided to go out and celebratehis success. However, as the night cameto a close his celebration turned into aweekend in jail and a blow to his enlist-ed career.He said he learned that night that“alcohol is not your friend.”He said he is always telling his fel-low Airmen that when it comes todrinking and driving it is not a questionof if you get caught, but when.Airman Bedrick wasn’t pulled overbecause of erratic driving; instead, hecaught the officer’s eye because of apart failure on his vehicle.“I was arrested and charged withDWI (Driving While Intoxicated),”Airman Bedrick said.When he returned to work Mondaymorning, he should have been headed toAirmen Leadership School. Instead hewas meeting with his squadron com-mander, who informed Airman Bedrick he would no longer be promoted to staff sergeant.Airman Bedrick said his biggest fearas he returned to work on Monday wasbeing forced out of the Air Force andthe option was definitely considered byhis superiors.Airman Bedrick said if it hadn’t been

Robins Airman talks about how drinkingand driving changed his life, career

BYHOLLYL. BIRCHFIELD

holly.birchfield@robins.af.mil

Howard Dixon knows the Air Forcemission like the back of his hand.After spending 55 years serving hiscountry in military and civil service,the 75-year-old technical adviser forfighter and bomber bomb racks in the575th Combat Sustainment Squadron,said good-bye to his work life Oct. 31.The Elberton, Ga. native joined theactive-duty Air Force Sept. 22, 1952.During his military career, he main-ly worked in aircraft armament. InDecember 1976, he joined the 19thBomb Wing at Robins. He remainedwith the wing until it deactivated andbecame the 19th Air Refueling Wing.He retired from military serviceFebruary 29, 1984.His time of serving the military mis-sion was far from over. The father of two signed on for a civil service careerin the same field that lasted for 22years.Mr. Dixon said he has often beenteased about his long stint at the base.“Alot of people claim that I wasthere before they put up the fence, butreally that’s not true,” he said. “Theimprovements that have been made

75-year-old retires after 55 years in military, civil service

BYAMANDACREEL

amanda.creel.ctr@robins.af.mil

About 700 people attended theWarner Robins Air Logistics Center5th AnnualRequirementsSymposium, wherebusiness and indus-try representativeshad the opportunityto get a firsthandlook at the Center’sfuture support needs.The two-daysymposium allowedboth governmentworkers and leadersto exchange information about bothexisting and future requirements at theCenter.“It’s a good opportunity to getthose in the business community totalk to some of those people who arerunning some of these Air Force pro-grams,” said Maj. Gen. Tom Owen,commander of the Center.He said by opening the lines of communication and forging partner-ships, the base, business and industry,local and state governments and localeducational institutions can work together to support the needs of thewarfighter.“We are going to work together,”General Owen said. “Inside the fenceand outside the fence we are going towork together.”General Owen said he is still com-mitted to both enhancing existing part-nerships and developing new partner-ships for the Center to ensure theCenter is prepared to meet the chal-lenges ahead.He stressed the importance of part-nerships in meeting future needs andrequirements such as educational part-nerships allowing local educationinstitutions to equip their students withthe desired skills to meet the bases’workforce needs of the future.He said he also believes a lot of work will be coming to the Center inthe future and the anticipated work-loads will be accomplished moreeffectively by utilizing partnerships.Brig. Gen. Frank Bruno, directorfor Logistics and Sustainment for AirForce Materiel Command echoedGeneral Owen’s sentiments addingthat he is working on business devel-opment in an effort to bring new work to the Center.Preparing for the future was one of the themes of the conference as baseemployees and business and industryrepresentatives participated in theopen forum.General Owensaid it is important tohelp business andindustry understandthe needs of the AirForce and specifical-ly the Center.One of the pro-grams emphasizedduring the confer-ence was the GlobalLogistics SupportCenter, a single pointof contact for supply chain manage-ment support.“Essentially what we are doing is

WR-ALC fosters communicationabout base mission with industry

courtesy photo by

BARBARASLAY

Howard Dixon stands in front of hisrecently restored 1951 Ford CustomDeluxe Tudor Coupe that he drovewhen he enlisted in the Air Force in1952.

U.S. Air Force photo by

SUE SAPP

Maj. Gen. Tom Owen, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center commander, gives open-ing remarks and a WR-ALC briefing at the 2007 Requirements Symposium Nov. 7.Senior Airman Tommy Bedrick

U.S. Air Force photo by

SUE SAPP

Senior Airman Ashley Deering, 78th Logistics Readiness Squadron, secures the perimeter during exercises at Warrior Air Base Nov. 8.

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see

SYMPOSIUM, 2A

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see

55 YEARS, 2A

CFC still needs your support

The 2007 Combined FederalCampaign ends today and althoughthe Robins community has stepped upand met its CFC goal, according toMark Shores, Robins and MiddleGeorgia CFC chairperson there’smore to do.“The good news is the goal hasbeen reached, but the bad news is thatdonations are currently $130K lessthan at this same time one year ago. If you have not donated, please reconsid-er. It all goes to a good cause and asmall biweekly donation is painlessand goes a long way to help those inneed,” he said. “It’s the Wingmanthing to do. It's the Robins thing todo.”The campaign gives militarymembers and federal workers achance to donate to many local,national and international charitableorganizations each year.Contact your unit representative tocontribute to the Combined FederalCampaign.

“

Senior

Airman

Tommy

Bedrick

78th Logistics Readiness Squadron

for one of his supervisors going to batfor him, he probably wouldn’t bewearing Air Force blue today.“The article 15 was the first pun-ishment I had ever received,” he said.Once the reality set in that he wasno longer a staff sergeant select, itwas time to begin the court processoff base where the DWI occurred.However, just as his final courtdate approached, Airman Bedrick learned his fate would once again bein the hands of his squadron com-mander, who had gained jurisdictionover his DWI.“Not only did I lose my line num-ber for staff, I lost my senior airmanstripe as well. And, that was lots andlots of money that was taken out of

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see

DUI, 2A

Ready, Aim, Fire

Patsy ReevesTim Callahan

Veterans Day ceremony

The Houston County Fire Department will host aVeterans Day ceremony Sunday at the HoustonCounty Annex building located at 200 Carl VinsonParkway.The ceremony, which is scheduled to last about45 minutes, will begin at 8 a.m. The schedule ofevents will include the raising of the colors, amoment of silence, a military speaker, militarymedley and more.For more information call the fire station head-quarters at 542-2040.

”

“Not only did I lose my linenumber for staff,I lost mysenior airman stripe as well.And that was lots and lots of money that was taken out of my pocket for me being stu-pid and choosing to driveinstead of getting a ridehome.”

pocket for me being stupid andchoosing to drive instead of get-ting a ride home,” AirmanBedrick said.Airman Bedrick said he hadto cut ties with a lot of his friendsafter the incident to ensure hewouldn’t make the same mistaketwice.He added he felt fortunatethat he was able to continue hisAir Force career in light of theevents of that night, because heknows a lot of his fellow Airmenwho made similar mistakes werenot as lucky.“At the time Barksdale waskicking people out, just straightup saying the military doesn’twant you if you are going tocause trouble like this,” AirmanBedrick said. “I was one of thefortunate, lucky ones to actuallyget to stay in and rebuild theircareers. Granted it has taken mefour years, but here I am today.”Today, Airman Bedrick is avehicle maintenance journey-man in the 78th LogisticsReadiness Squadron and is onceagain a staff sergeant select wait-ing to sew on his fourth stripe.Airman Bedrick said he hasspent the last four years, not onlyimproving his own life, but shar-ing his story with other Airmenhoping to keep them from mak-ing the same mistake he did.He said his message is clear:“Plain and simple, don’t drink. If you are going to go out and havea good night, don’t drink. Itdoesn’t matter how much youhave a plan, there is alwaysgoing to be something that’sgoing to screw up that plan.”He added he thinks it isimportant for all Airmen tounderstand one mistake can ruinyour life, but only if you let it.“Yeah it’s a real kick in the pants,but your life’s not over with. Youmay have to change some partsof your life, but change them forthe better,” Airman Bedrick said.Suffering the consequencesof the decision to get behind thewheel after drinking can beequally damaging to a militarycareer no matter where you arestationed and Robins is noexception, said Maj. LynnSchmidt, 78 ABWStaff JudgeAdvocate.Major Schmidt said the sever-ity of the penalty for a militarymember depends on the individ-ual circumstances of each case,but no one convicted of aDriving Under the Influence willwalk away scot-free.“Justice is tailored to the indi-vidual,” she said.Major Schmidt also stressedthat no matter where the DUIarrest is made, on or off base,military members will feel theaffects on their career.She said typically DUI arrestsoff base will not come under the jurisdiction of the base, but thereis always the possibility for aDUI to come under the bases’ jurisdiction.When a DUI offense occursoff base, the military memberwill not only suffer the conse-quences of the civilian court, butin most cases, will also receive aletter of reprimand to be placedin an unfavorable informationfile. Additional options for com-manders is placement of the indi-vidual on a control roster as wellas a referral Enlisted/OfficerPerformance Report.“Depending on their servicerecord it could be the basis for anadministrative discharge,” MajorSchmidt said.If convicted of a DUI on base,military members are subject toan Article 15 or a court-martial.Some of the punishments forenlisted members receiving anArticle 15 include a reduction inrank, forfeiture of pay followedby an administrative discharge.Those who are disciplined bycourt-martial could be sentencedto jail time as well as a bad con-duct or dishonorable discharge.For officers, the penalties aredifferent, but can be just as dam-aging to their career.The DUI conviction may beincluded as part of the officer’spromotion recommendationrecord and many times an offi-cer’s upcoming promotion maybe redlined as part of the offi-cer’s punishment. Officers canalso be punished with a forfei-ture of pay.No matter where the DUIoccurs or what the rank of theAirman in question is, MajorSchmidt said, “this is not some-thing you want on your record.”Other penalties for Airmenconvicted of a DUI includerevoking the member’s drivingprivileges on base and for thoseconvicted off base, their driver’slicense could be suspended foran extended period of time.

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The Robins Rev-Up

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November 9, 2007

U.S. Air Force photo by

SUE SAPP

To see the video footage of Airman Bedrick’s interview, tune in toRobins TV, the commander’s access channel available on WatsonCable Channel 15.

improvements that have beenmade over the years, not only onthe base but in the city of WarnerRobins are remarkable. The pro-fessionalism and the experienceof the people at Robins AirForce Base (has grown drastical-ly), especially since when I firststarted working there. They hadno computers. Now, everythingis computerized. It’s so muchmore efficient.”Mr. Dixon said the missionhas changed as well.“During the Cold War, espe-cially being on active duty,everything that I worked withwas on the nuclear side and wewere always on alert with theaircraft loaded and items of thatnature,” he said.The retired chief master ser-geant, who served in the Koreanand Vietnam wars, said fightingthe war on terror isn’t the sameas serving in past wars.“Korea was altogether differ-ent,” he said. “From what I’veheard, it was a lot like WorldWar II. You knew who theenemy was and you had oneenemy to fight. Vietnam was dif-ferent. Although it was restrictedto one area, you still knew whothe enemy was. Now, in the waron terror, you don’t know whothe enemy is or where he islocated, so it’s altogether differ-ent.”Through all the changes, Mr.Dixon’s commitment to the mis-sion remained.“In 1996, we did a modifica-tion on the conventional bombmodule that is used in the B-1Baircraft, and we did that depotmod at Warner Robins (AirLogistics Center) and that timecompliant tech order was11B29-3-55-5111,” he said.“That TCTO led in to 512, 513,514, 515, 516, 517, 518, and519. Like they say in football, Iwanted to stay until they fin-ished the drill. This year, we fin-ished the last of those TCTOsand got the equipment modified.So, I figured the drill was over,the TCTOs were complete, andit was time for me to retire.”For 23 years, Mr. Dixon rent-ed an efficiency apartment inWarner Robins to make thecommute to work easier.Throughout Mr. Dixon’s longstretch at Robins, he held on tohis dream of returning to live onhis farm in Northeast Georgiaone day.Now that day has come andMr. Dixon said he’s ready to callit a day.News of the long-time work-er’s retirement brought mixedfeelings for those who relied onhim for guidance and compan-ionship.Rhonda Hurst, a logisticsmanagement specialist in the565th Combat SustainmentSquadron, who had worked withMr. Dixon since 1987, said thegruff man had a wealth of knowledge she could alwaysturn to.“You could go to him andfind out anything,” she said. “Heremembered stuff from yearsago that nobody else wouldknow. His memory is outstand-ing. I remember one time he toldus his laundry number (from)when he was in the military atsome base years ago.”Doug Hambrick, a require-ments control officer in the586th Combat SustainmentSquadron who has worked withMr. Dixon since 1988, said hisfirst interaction with Mr. Dixonwas while working on the B-1and B-52 aircraft.Mr. Hambrick said his co-worker was a living history les-son.“He really enjoyed what hewas doing,” he said. “He had awealth of knowledge about thesystems. He had been (on)active duty for 30 plus years andhad worked with those systemsin the field for a long time andthen would use that knowledgeup in the work area.”Mr. Dixon was also good atgiving advice, Mr. Hambrick said.“Whenever I had a question,he was always willing to showme what the hardwarewas,show me how it worked and hada wealth of war stories to speak about it,” he said.Mr. Dixon didn’t just giveadvice on job-related matters.“I’m a history buff,” Mr.Hambrick said. “He was some-body I could compare notes withon things I had been reading andstudying about. With a lot of thestuff, he had been there and donethat and he was willing to sharethat as I got to know him better.Over a period of time, webecame good friends.”Ms. Hurst said seeing theman she fondly called her ‘adop-tive dad’leave his career behindwas hard.“(I was) very sad,” she said.“I hated to see him go. (Dougand I) went and had lunch withhim every day pretty well. Wesat there and talked and cut up.He was more like a father figureto me and Doug. He’s alwaysthere and now, we’ve lost that.”Mr. Hambrick said he’shappy for his long-time friend.“He’s earned a chance to kick back in the rocking chair andtake it easy and do what hewants to do for a while insteadof getting up and going to work every morning,” he said.Mr. Dixon said he plans tospend time with his wife of 43years, Alice, and their family.The retiree hopes to plant a gar-den on his 106-acre farm and dosome hunting and fishing in hisspare time.After 55 years of service, thededicated worker said it’s timeto relax.

55 YEARS

Continued from 1A

DUI

Continued from 1A

tying together the supplychain,” General Bruno said.Another program highlightedby General Bruno wasCentralized AssetManagement, money previ-ously allocated to each majorcommand to cover sustain-ment costs, such asfuel,replacement partsandsched-uled maintenance, will bemanaged from one centraloffice.“When we put the moneyinto one pot at the CAMoffice, we will be able to look at it from a fleet prospective,”General Bruno said.He also explained theimportance of theExpeditionary CombatSupport System, a softwaresystem that will replace 400plus legacy systems AirForce-wide.General Bruno said it isimportant to make the transi-tion to the EnterpriseResource Planning Toolbecause it takes a lot of timeand money to maintain the400 legacy systems.“We are trying to get out of legacy systems and get to thisERPsystem,” General Brunosaid. “It is going to give usthe horizontal integration weneed to take our Air Force tothe next level.”No matter what the change,all of the base and Air Forceleaders stressed the impor-tance of having an enterpriseview when it comes to thefuture and existing require-ments.“The Air Force is goingthrough a lot of transforma-tions right now and our cus-tomers and industry need tounderstand the transforma-tion,” said Patsy Reeves,director of contracting of theWR-ALC. “Its important thatour industry support teamunderstand what these are andmake themselves postured tomeet the needs.”Tim Callahan, 2008Aerospace IndustryCommittee chairman andchairman of the RequirementsSymposium agreed the sym-posium offered the perfectopportunity to share informa-tion that allows business andindustry to effectively partnerwith the Center. “Business andIndustry representatives canhear and query the govern-ment on projects, so we canmake sure we have the assetsavailable to satisfy thoseneeds,” he said.

U.S. Air Force photoby

SUE SAPP

Participants inthe 2007RequirementsSymposium lis-ten as Maj. Gen.Tom Owen,Warner Robins Air LogisticsCenter com-mander, givesopeningremarks and aWR-ALC brief-ing Nov.7.

The CleanAirCampaign isreturning toRobins to givemore base employees theopportunity to learn about theadvantages of carpooling. TheClean Air Campaign will bemaking stops throughout thebase next week to discuss theRideShare program and to reg-ister interested base personnel.Any Team Robins membersinterested in learning moreabout the advantages andincentives of carpooling to andfrom the base each day areencouraged to stop by.Representatives from theClean Air Campaign will beavailable Tuesday andWednesday in Bldg. 300 andBldg. 301 from 6:30 a.m. until2 p.m.; Thursday and Friday atthe Base Restaurant from 11a.m. till 1 p.m. and at Bldg. 125from 5:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.For more information aboutthe events or carpooling contactthe EnvironmentalManagement Division at 926-9645 or the Clean AirCampaign at 1-877- 253- 2624or visit its Web site atwww.cleanaircampaign.com.

SYMPOSIUM

Continued from 1A

CARPOOLING CAMPAIGN

November 9, 2007

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The Robins Rev-Up

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BYHOLLYL. BIRCHFIELD

holly.birchfield@robins.af.mil

Robins took time out to showmilitary retirees in the MiddleGeorgia community how muchthey’re appreciated.About 130 retired militarymembers came out to the base forthe annual Military RetireeAppreciation Day on Nov. 3.The day began with breakfastat the Wynn Dining Facility.Opening ceremonies includedthe presentation of colors by theRobins Honor Guard and singingof the national anthem byAirman 1st Class MicaleaRamey.Col. Warren Berry, 78th AirBase Wing vice commander,served as the keynote speaker,briefing retirees about the 78thABWand talking about wherethe Air Force has been and whatlies in its future.Colonel Berry said he wasglad to be a part of the specialday.“Every Day in MiddleGeorgia is Armed ForcesAppreciation Day, but this daywas set aside to do somethingspecial for those who fulfilledtheir service to their country,many of whom were part of thegreatest generation,” he said.“We took today to thank them insome small way for their serviceand thank them for their spirit of volunteerism, but there’s reallyno way we could fully repay allof the sacrifice and dedicationthey’ve given our country.”Chief Master Sgt. CarolDockery, 78th ABWcommandchief, also addressed the crowdof military retirees and DianaWilson, a Delta Dental represen-tative from Sacramento, Calif.,spoke to retirees about dentalbenefits.The event also offered infor-mation on Veterans Affairs.Ernest Munson, director of the Retired Activities Office inthe 78th Air Base Wing and theevent organizer, said his office isthe go-between for several agen-cies, including veterans organiza-tions, to keep information flow-ing to military retirees on what’shappening in Congress and at thestate and local level that affectsthem.The event also included healthscreenings for attendees. Retireesreceived blood pressure checks,eye exams, and flu shots for thefirst 100 people who arrived.Vendors from Robins and thecommunity were on hand withuseful information for militaryretirees. Door prizes, includingrestaurant, BX and commissarygift certificates and other giftswere given away.Patricia Delaney, a retiredsenior master sergeant whohelped set up the event andattended the day’s activities, saidthe day reminded her that she’sstill an Airman in the Robinscommunity.“I particularly enjoyedColonel Berry’s excellent brief-ing and the way he made us feelwe were still a part of America’sAir Force,” she said.Ms. Delaney said the break-fast fellowship gave her a chanceto see how dining halls havechanged over the years since shewas in service.For Gene Salyer, a retired AirForce chief master sergeant, theevent was a nice day out.“We enjoyed the afternoonsession with the vendors from onand off base, and the door prizedrawings, and meeting with otherretirees,” he said.Lou Stennes, a retired AirForce chief master sergeant whoworks as a veteran’s representa-tive at the Georgia Department of Labor, said the day gave him thechance to catch up with those inthe ‘blue suit’community.Mr. Munson said he wasimpressed with the support theevent received.“Base services have reallybeen outstanding, as far as pro-viding support in advertising andbeing there for us,” he said. “Thebase has really gone out of itsway to see that we get the supportthat we need.”Mr. Munson said the eventwas a salute to the more than20,000 military retirees from allservice branches in the MiddleGeorgia community.“It’s to honor the militaryretirees in the Middle Georgiaarea,” he said. “We have two (AirForce military retiree apprecia-tion events) in this state, one atMoody Air Force Base, Ga. andone here at Robins.”Mr. Munson said retireesmake up about 60 percent of theclient base at the commissary, theBX and the hospital.“This was kind of a way tosay thank you and that Robinscares about the retirees and theirwelfare and to see that they gettheir benefits that militaryretirees are entitled to,” he said.

Robins shows gratitude to those whoserved at Military Retiree Appreciation Day

U.S. Air Force photo by

ERNEST MUNSON

Retirees enjoy breakfast at Wynn Dining Hall during Military Retiree Appreciation Day at Robins Nov. 3.