During the MUTA Col. Roger Suro, 340th Flying Training Group commander, presented an overview of his leadership vision, key strategic priorities and a review of the results of the latest climate survey. He said the 340th needs critical thinkers, rapid innovators and moral actors. “In reviewing the latest survey I found that we are getting better. For the most part, folks like working here and they feel that our team is cohesive and shows appreciation for diversity and the skills that each member has to offer, but we still have some work to do.”
Our communication is not where it needs to be,” Suro said. “We need to have more intersections and less interruptions. This will require folks to be willing to push past their comfort zone and take smart risks to get us to that next level.”
Next, various program managers conducted training on protection of privacy information, military personnel records information update reminders, the Green Dot program, operations security and readiness, social media vulnerabilities and an overview of usage regulations for the government travel card. Additionally, the Four Lenses training was presented per special request from the commander. This training supports Suro’s strategic priority of developing exceptional Airmen. in line with the strategic priority of developing exceptional Airmen.
The commander’s call on Dec. 2 included a 340th FTG member’s promotion to technical sergeant and various award presentations and recognitions.
Promotion
Staff Sgt. Brett Daniel was promoted to technical sergeant. In 2014, then Senior Airman Daniel, came to the 340 FTG on a temporary duty assignment to provide support for the military pay section and has since become a member of the group headquarters staff.
Daniel’s supervisor, Master Sgt. Jason Daniels, said he was elated to see Daniel tacking on a new stripe. He went on to say, “Sergeant Daniel has always displayed the highest of Air Force standards. Brett’s character, along with his breadth and depth of knowledge of military pay processes, far exceeds that of peers of his same rank. He is well deserving of this promotion.”
Medal Presentations
Master Sgt. Gregory Brown – Brown received the Joint Service Achievement Medal for performance demonstrated Oct. 2014 to May 2016 while serving as senior SharePoint administrator at the Xperience Design Division, Xerperience Key Component, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Springfield, Virginia.
Master Sgt. Tainell Pettengill–Pettengill received the Meritorious Service Medal for performance demonstrated while serving as non-commissioned officer-in-charge of knowledge operations for the 433rd Operations Group at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas-Lackland, Texas, from Aug. 13 2013 to March 2016.
Tech. Sgt. Brianne Blackstock – Blackstock received the Air Force Commendation Medal for performance demonstrated from Dec. 2010 to April 2016 while assigned to the 440th Airlift Wing, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina.
Recognition
Kristal Gault – Gault was recognized for winning the U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa individual outstanding communication excellence award and she was also part of the team that won the USAFE-AFRICA award for public affairs communication effectiveness. Finally, she was also a member of the team that won the Air Force best crisis communication award.
Maj. Brandon LaValley - AFRC 2016 Lance P. Sijan Award nominee
Tech. Sgt. Gilberto Hernandez - AFRC 2016 Lance P. Sijan Award nominee
Senior Master Sgt. Kwame Tawiah - Humane Society Volunteer of the Month
Master Sgt. Sarah Cornelius - Coined by the commander for her work with the Green Dot program
1st Lt. Jairus Wilkerson, Master Sgt. Derrick Worthy and Tech. Sgt. Jessica Aloy - Department of Defense Financial Management Certification
Quarterly Award Winners
2nd Quarter
Maj. Andrew Judkins, 70th Flying Training Squadron, field grade officer
Maj. Megan Pasierb, 39th Flying Training Squadron, support officer
Maj. Klayton Ives, 39th Flying Training Squadron, citizen airman
Capt. Pol-Enrico Gonzalez, 96th Flying Training Squadron, company grade officer
Master Sgt. Vianca Contreras, 340th FTG, diamond sharp award
Master Sgt. Shling Davis, 70th Flying Training Squadron, diamond sharp award
Maj. Mike Herold, 43rd Flying Training Squadron, instructor pilot
Master Sgt. Pamela Lilly, 340th FTG, senior non-commissioned officer
Tech. Sgt. Amanda Macfarlane, 433rd Training Squadron, non-commissioned officer
3rd Quarter
Lt. Col. Woodrow Halstead, 340th FTG, citizen airman of the quarter
Maj. Harrison Stell, 96th Flying Training Squadron, instructor pilot
Maj. Nicole Bain, 5th Flying Training Squadron, field grade officer
Maj. Heather Benn, 96th Flying Training Squadron, support officer
Capt. Robert Muther, 5th Flying Training Squadron, company grade officer
Master Sgt. Adriana Torres, 39th Flying Training Squadron, diamond sharp award
Master Sgt. Gregory Brown, 340th FTG, diamond sharp award
Master Sgt. Richard Neal, 43rd Flying Training Squadron, senior non-commissioned officer
Tech. Sgt. Jack Lozano, 433rd Training Squadron, non-commissioned officer
Several members were also recognized for outstanding educational achievements.
The unit gathered on the Randolph flight line on Dec. 2 to take a group photo and assembly activities were capped off by a visit from Santa at the unit’s holiday party at the conclusion of official MUTA events.