JSTARS
116th Takes On A New Mission, Aircraft

Air Guard Recruiters Honored

116th Pins Newest Air Guard Chief

By Command Chief Master SergeantPearson Deloach

" How's it going down there?" barked the commander from his third floor perch in his new office building near the flight line. He waited for a good word.

Down below, the enlisted leaders conferred hastily among themselves. Things weren't going well at all, but none of them wanted to break the news to the commander. He was the smartest, wisest, and best educated of all the officers and he knew his operation – but he HATED WITH A PASSION TO HEAR BAD NEWS, and he had such a terrible temper that all the enlisted in the squadron were terrified of his ACTIONS.

"What will we tell him?" whispered Basil, the young enlisted Staff Sergeant. He well remembered the chewing out he received the last time he encountered the commander with unaccounted for equipment news, and he had no desire to go through that experience again. Nevertheless, the enlisted corps had noticed for several weeks that vital aircraft parts were missing, and it had become necessary to find replacement's fast. Someone should tell the commander; he would probably know what to do. But who? And How ?

Finally, SSG Basil spoke up "Things are going pretty well Sir," he said. The thought of the missing parts made his heart feel heavy, but he went on: "As a matter of fact, all of our spare parts have been inventoried, and we seem to be in better shape than we first thought."

The commander grunted. "Fine, fine," he said. "That makes me feel better about the upcoming ORI." He returned to his computer, smiled, rubbed his hands briskly together and gave out a deep sigh of relief.

The next day brought more trouble. A new aircraft factory had moved onto the base and was paying good money for aircraft mechanics, twice as much as the military was paying, this invasion could be dangerous. No one wanted to tell the commander, though only he could take the steps necessary to meet this new competition.

Reluctantly, Basil approached the Commander, who was relaxing at his computer. After some small talk, he said, "Oh by the way Sir, a new aircraft factory has opened across the flight line." The Commander's eyes snapped open widely and he filled his chest and lungs in preparation for a mighty bellow. But Basil added quickly, "Of course, we don't anticipate any personnel problems, since they are transferring there own workers from up North. And, as you know, our aircraft mechanics don't work on small piston driven planes anymore."

The Commander let out the air with a long sigh. "Good, Good," he said, "no point in getting excited over such a trivial matter, then, is there?"

Things didn't get any better in the following weeks. One day while peering down on the flight line, the Commander noticed that part of his squadron seemed to be missing. Summoning Basil, he grunted peevishly, "What's going on, Basil? Where is everybody?"

Poor Basil didn't have the courage to tell the Commander that many of the squadron personnel were leaving to take higher paying jobs at the new aircraft factory. Clearing his throat nervously, he said, "Well, Sir, we've been tightening things up a bit. You know, getting rid of the dead wood. After all, a squadron is only as good as the personnel in it." "Run a tight ship, I always say," The commander grunted. "Glad to hear that everything is going so well."

Before long, everyone but Basil had left to join the new factory, and Basil realized that the time had come to tell the commander the facts. Terrified and trembling, but determined, he climbed up to the third floor office. "Sir, he said, "I have very bad news. The squadron personnel have left you."

The Commander was so astonished that he couldn't even work up a good bellow. "Left me?" he cried. All of them? But why? How could this have happened?"

Basil didn't have the heart to tell him, so he put his hands in his pockets and merely shrugged his shoulders helplessly.

"I can't understand it," the commander said, "And just when everything was going so well."

Moral: What you Like to hear ISN'T Always what you Need to hear

First Sergeant

by Chief Master Sgt. Bobby Mobley
Headquarters, First Sergeant

First Sergeant is a column from Chief Bobby Mobley, new First Sergeant of Headquarters.. Chief Mobley's column provides "need-to-know' information that all of us will find useful in keeping up with what's happening during a drill weekend. Be sure to read it carefully.

Due to the Staff Assistance Visit to the 116th BW on Saturday and Sunday, at the time of this submission, it is unclear whether we will have Formation, Staff Meeting, or Team Building. Not sure if Col Hammond will be participating in the staff visit and/or who will be the Acting Commander. Bring your Team Building attire and log sheets just in case.

Pay your coffee fund dues ($2) to MSgt Rogers; find her before she has to find you!

Reference the two committees appointed by BG Searcy last month, i.e., Headquarters Funds Committee and the Retirement Committee, if you have any suggestions please submit them to one of the committee members listed elsewhere in this publication. Intent is to standardize procedures and policies, among other things.

We will be collecting for the Headquarters Fund, once the Committees establish policy and recommended amounts to support the Family Day Activities, Christmas Party, retirements, etc.

Start practicing for the annual walk/run, tentatively scheduled for Sunday, 21 October, 1430

2001 UTA Dates
Oct 20-21
Nov 17-18
Dec 8-9

Staff Assistance Visits

2002 Staff
Assistance Visits

Proposed 2002 UTAs

Jan 26-27	Feb 23-24
Mar 23-24	Apr 20-21
May 18-19	Jun 23-24
Jul 20-21	Aug 17-18
Sep 21-22	Oct 19-20
Nov 16-17	Dec 14-15

Happy Birthday!

CMSgt David Frazier	21 September
CMSgt Bobby Mobley	14 September
SMSgt Dawnn Inge	26 September