A double mission

NJ, UNITED STATES

03.29.2019

Story by Airman 1st Class Andrea Williamson 

108th Wing

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. (Mar. 29, 2019) - Chief Master Sgt. Jessie J. Castillo, says he was pleased when he heard that members of the Air National Guard communications flight here, would be able to assist his active duty Airmen at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, March 10-22.

“Often times, active duty members see guardsman as…part-time Airmen, where as we do the job everyday,” said Castillo, squadron superintendent of the 52nd Communications Squadron. “But we forget that these guys have a whole host of knowledge with many doing this type of work in their civilian job.”

The 108th CF, led by Chief Master Sgt. Matthew J. Johnson, chief enlisted manager, here,
headed to Spangdahlem AB for the movement of training with the mission to train and network, as well as bond as a unit and “keep morale as high as possible”, said Johnson. Little did he know that the Germany active duty base could use their expertise in areas such as knowledge management and cyber security.

The 13 member team heading to the base abroad contained various ranks from seven different COM related Air Force Security codes. Cyber security specialists, Staff Sgts, James C. Kim and Robert J. Patterson, 108th CF, were among the diverse group.

Despite not having the appropriate authority to operate the 52nd cyber security system, Kim and Patterson said, they gave “over the shoulder” feedback but hands-on assistance in visual inspections, as the Airmen completed various tasks.

“Our main pointers were guidance on documentation, policies, and procedures,” said Patterson with a smile, as he described the highly sensitive work. “Let’s just go with that.”
Nevertheless, the two—along with newly promoted Senior Airman Eric T. Garcia, also a cyber security specialist, made a difference, said Castillo, who received positive reviews from several 52nd members overseeing the 108th CF.

In the past, Castillo said the 52nd has hosted units who did not serve their mission, either due to having the “wrong skill set” or less service related intentions. In contrast, Castillo praised the 108th for their work ethic and positivity.

“You all came at a good time,” Castillo said. “We usually see changes happen between April and June. That’s when we get a lot of our new Airmen, as others reach their term here or may go away for training. You also get the guys who come here for training during the spring and summer with the intentions to take advantage of the sight-seeing and festivals.” He laughs, “that’s fine and all, but you gotta come here to work.”

In addition, both Castillo and Johnson stated that they have seen turnover in the COM career field due to the high salaries offered for the military-acquired skill set in the civilian job market.
With a fighter mission to support the F-16, along with providing command and control to multiple bases around the globe, including a unique Air Force path finder mission, Castillio said, he is overall proud that those of the 52nd wing have built themselves up more than other units within the past couple of years, making them an effective entity in the force.

Still, assistance such as the suggestions offered by knowledge manager, Tech Sgt. Latasha J. Parker, 108th CF, were welcomed.

Parker said she offered assistance by sending ahead a log of the 108th staging room to offer a possible approach for the 52nd Knowledge Operations Management unit to develop their own effective way of organizing files.

“As a knowledge manager, I have a responsibility to the Freedom of Information Act, Personal Identification Information, and the Privacy Act,” said Parker. “We also make sure publications and forms are filtered through regulations.”

As a part of this responsibility, Parker notes, files are kept in a staging room for 56 years. There, organization is key.

“We keep a log of files,” said Parker. “When we remove a box, we know exactly where it should go to make sure the files stay in order. Or if we need a file, we know exactly where to go to find it.”
Parker said that the 108th wing’s efficiency in that area was something she could offer the 52nd unit, but she too learned from them.

“I learned functions of Sharepoint,” said Parker. “I learned how to create, or structure, things on the Sharepoint page.”

The exchange of ideas and approaches to the many functions of the Communications field, came full circle for both Castillo and Johnson.

“The meeting of the minds, was definitely a mission for us,” said Castillo, about the two present CF units. “I hoped they also learned something from us.”
“And we did,” said Johnson, as he sat in Castillo’s award decorated office.

This Temporary Duty assignment allowed 108th guardsman to function outside their usual environment, test their abilities, grow, and to be proud of what they can offer, said Johnson.
Several COM Airmen on the TDY noted that because the 108th CF is small in comparison to other units, as individuals, they are versed in multiple COM specialties to ensure that whenever the team is tasked with an assignment, someone is readily available to address it.

Castillo who refers to this as “the hybrid Airman”, says he likes how the guardsmen operates, a concept of doing what it takes to be right for the mission. He said at times, he however may get an Airman who may be good with numbers or a particular system, but struggle when it comes to interacting directly with people. In those cases, he said he has kept an Airman in a particular area longer due to their strengths.

No matter the approach, the two offered different perspectives based on the dynamics of their unit.

Johnson said that aside from training, he, as well as his flight, were able to connect to one another throughout the course of this TDY.

As traditional Airmen, members can go long periods of time without interacting on a personal level with one another, said Johnson. While in Germany, members participated in group activities such as dining out and traveling.

“It’s been great,” said Patterson, about being in Europe with the flight. “The early closings suck, but I love the european history here.”

Kim also agreed, “this trip had the most significance because I got to know the guys that I work with in a less formal way.”

A full-time civilian cyber security engineer and manager in the D. C. metro area, Kim said, he “loved it”, not only was it a learning experience, but this TDY was the equivalent to a conference in the industry.

“We become irrelevant if we don’t do more of these,” said Kim.

Both Kim and Patterson thanked Capt. Robert Spiegel, commander, 108th CF, Capt. Cynthia Cano-Hewitt, commander, 108th Force Support Squadron, and Johnson for their integral action in ensuring the two 108th units were able to share in this movement for training.

Patterson then pauses. He leans back in the wooden chair and emphasizes appreciation for Chief Johnson.

“The Chief deserves a lot of praise for his efforts,” said Patterson. Kim nods, “I agree”.

• Date Taken: 03.29.2019
• Date Posted: 04.06.2019 15:21
• Story ID: 316262
• Location: NJ, US