Alamo Wing leader holds first official commander's call Published April 8, 2016 By Tech. Sgt. Lindsey Maurice 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Airmen from across the 433rd Airlift Wing gathered for their first official sit-down with the wing commander, Col. Thomas K. Smith Jr., April 3 at the Bob Hope Theater here. The commander’s call, which was divided into two sessions, one for wing staff, mission support and medical Airmen and the other for operations and maintenance Airmen, was a way for the commander to share his gratitude and excitement about being back with the Alamo Wing as well as touch on some key issues. “It’s fantastic to be back home in this great city and wing,” said Smith, who was assigned to the 433rd AW from 2006-2012. “This is my first UTA (unit training assembly) here since my assumption of command and I want to start by thanking everyone responsible for carrying out such a wonderful ceremony. It was nice to hear all the great feedback from the 433rd Alumni who were there as well as leadership. Maj. Gen. (John) Flournoy (4th Air Force commander) was really impressed, so thank you.” During the all-call, the commander also discussed the more serious issue of the recent terrorist attack in Belgium after which the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System conducted an Air Force-wide accountability check. “It’s very important that if an event happens that you make your best effort to get in contact with us and let us know if you and your family are okay,” he said. “This won’t be the last emergency we’ll face. We need to take accountability seriously and look out for one another.” To help elaborate on some of the other hot topics on the new commander’s agenda, Colonel Smith invited a handful of speakers from across the wing to make presentations at the event. Topics included the Chapel program and worship schedules, unprofessional relationships and the importance of having a will, the resiliency program, motorcycle safety, Honor Guard program, Yellow Ribbon program and Air Force Assistance Fund campaign. After the last briefer, the 433rd AW command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Brian Pinsky, addressed the crowd about the importance of taking care of our Airmen and tying that into the briefings they heard. “The next part of taking care of our Airmen is ensuring that you all have the information you need,” he said. “All the people that presented here today were asked to speak because this is information you need to have and is best delivered in person while we have your full attention. These things are for you and help in the long run.” As Smith closed the session, he reiterated some of the messages shared by the briefers including the importance of the Yellow Ribbon program, which educates Reservists and their families on their benefits through a series of weekend conferences each year among other things, and the AFAF campaign, whose charitable organizations have opened some aspects of their programs to Reservists in recent years. The commander also reiterated the importance of the Honor Guard program and encouraged Airmen to get involved. “One of the seven mindsets of professionalism is that you act and believe that you are part of something bigger than you,” he said. “We see lots of opportunities to get involved and the Honor Guard is a primary example. If you’ve ever been to a military funeral and witnessed a 21-gun salute and the presentation of the flag you know what I mean. The Honor Guard is an amazing program, so think about those types of opportunities out there available to you in which you can be part of something bigger than yourself.” Each session of the commander’s call also included a medal and award presentation. In all there were three commendation medal recipients, eight achievement medal recipients, and four Air Force Reserve Command level award recipients. Afterward, Smith led the crowd in applause for a job well done. Air Force Commendation Medal: Capt. Gloria Hentz, 433rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron Tech. Sgt. Daniel Juarez, 433rd Medical Squadron Tech. Sgt. Anna Woods, 433rd AMDS Air Force Achievement Medal: 1st Lt. Alyssa Kelly, 433rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Tech. Sgt. Scott Anderson, 733rd Training Squadron Staff Sgt. Christina Vidal, 433rd MDS Senior Airman Dylan Aldrete, 433rd MDS Senior Airman Juan Arenas Jr., 433rd AES Senior Airman Peyton Johnson, 433rd AES Senior Airman Joe Lopez, 433rd Operations Support Squadron Senior Airman Brandon Marlette, 433rd AMDS Air Force Reserve Command-level Award: Tech. Sgt. James Grove, 733rd TRS -- 2015 AFRC Outstanding Enlisted Aircrew Member of the Year Award Tech. Sgt. Crystal Olguin, 433rd Airlift Control Flight -- 2015 AFRC Contingency Response Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year Senior Airman Amy Dennis, 433rd Airlift Control Flight -- 2015 AFRC Contingency Response Airman of the Year 433rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron Drug Demand Reduction Program Office – 2015 AFRC Outstanding Base-Level Drug Demand Reduction Program Office (Large-Size Base Category) of the Year