Base commander incorporates humor into quarterly call

  • Published
  • By Daryl Mayer
  • 88 ABW Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  "Let me start by saying 'thank you' for everything you do," said Col. Colleen Ryan, 88th Air Base Wing commander, at her first Commander's Call of the new fiscal year. "Everyday I hear about the great support being provided by the wing and for that I thank you."

Punctuated by a collection of humorous video clips and a visit by a gentleman with a red dog puppet on his shoulder who encouraged everyone to donate blood, the colonel addressed an array of subjects.

Change, she said, is first on the agenda for the base over the coming years. Illustrating this point, Col. Ryan showed a list of the organization changes, such as the Protocol and Public Affairs consolidation under the wing and the realignment of the History and Judge Advocate offices under Aeronautical Systems Center. That segued into the new functions moving to Wright-Patterson as a result of the last round of the Base Realignment and Closure process.

Just before showing the list of new organizations, the colonel paused to show the famous Monty Python clip on the Ministry of Silly Walks. "I believe that one will be going to AFRL," she said tongue in cheek.

"There will be lots of construction, lots of moving parts, and a lot of folks in the wing are going to make this happen," said Col. Ryan.

Most of the disruption is expected to occur in Area B. She promised more specific information as the individual projects are set to begin.

Randy Parker, 88th Air Base Wing vice director, addressed the Voluntary Protection Program, which, he added, "has nothing voluntary about it." The initiative, which has been showing dramatic results in industry since its inception in 1982, is being rolled out to five test bases, one of which is Wright-Patterson.

"Ultimately, it's about taking care of our people," said Mr. Parker.

Discussing the Operational Readiness Inspection scheduled for October 2008, Maj. Jason Jackson, Chief of Readiness, showed a rough schedule of upcoming exercises and tips to help wing personnel prepare.

"More than anything else, I ask you have a positive attitude," he said. "We may not be at the front line, but what we do here impacts the front line."

Predatory lending and drunken driving were two subjects hit upon by 88th Air Base Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. Martin Smith. He charged supervisors with letting their subordinates know there is always an alternative to making bad choices.

"Let's watch each other's back," he said. "What I'm asking for is supervisor continued involvement."

Col. Ryan then retook the stage to discuss the results of the recent climate assessment survey. Although the results were largely positive, the colonel said she held some trepidation at some of the comments. Stressing the need to increase awareness, she emphasized communication up, down and laterally within the organization.

"If we can communicate why we did something, they may not like it, but they will understand why it was done," she said.

Before closing with another humorous clip, she again thanked everyone for all the work they do.

"You guys rock," she said.