Wing commander honors civilian employees, tackles civilian challenges

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Kristian Carter
  • 433rd Airlift Wing

Col. Terry W. McClain, 433rd Airlift Wing commander, recognized outstanding service, addressed key topics and answered questions during two sessions of a wing civilian employee commanders’ call here June 20.

Master Sgt. Stephanie O. Sanchez, 433rd AW occupational safety manager, presented a driving under the influence prevention demonstration. A volunteer wore special goggles, which simulated being intoxicated, and attempted to walk a straight line similar to a task given in field sobriety testing. Sanchez then spoke about making travel plans and offered solutions to avoid driving while intoxicated.

In the morning session, McClain presented 30-year service certificates to Margie Carrillo, 433rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron administrative assistant, and Master Sgt. Jose M. Morales, 433rd Force Support Squadron Communications Element knowledge operations management supervisor. The commander also presented the civilian achievement award to Don Hall, 433rd AW deputy chief of safety, for his quick actions responding to an off base Texan T-6 aircraft crash near JBSA-Randolph in September 2018.

McClain, who took command of the wing in March, wants an open forum of communicating with his Reserve Citizen Airmen.

“It is a bit of a town hall, I have some information I want to get out to the employees,” said McClain.

The commander spoke about the revamped evaluation process for civilian performance appraisals, answered questions about current Air Force Reserve Command funding challenges, a special salary rate increase for targeted maintenance personnel, and the AFRC air reserve technician to active guard reserve program transition.

“The bigger part of these events is an opportunity to hear from the people in the audience,” said McClain. “I need to find out what (issues) I do not know about and what problems I need to fix.”