FEATURE
FEATURE
NEWS
LIFESTYLE
Meet the 86 AW’s new command chief, Page 6
Ramstein celebrates Diversity Day, Page 8
German-American Friendship Concert celebrates longstanding partnership, Page 11
Kaiserslautern’s October carnival starts Oct. 19, Page 13
October 12, 2018 | Volume 42, Number 41
Read the KA also online at KaiserslauternAmerican.com
Revitalizing squadrons: Deliberately develop superintendents Story and photos by Airman D. Blake Browning 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Chief Master Sgt. Phillip L. Easton, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. Air Forces Africa command chief master sergeant, hosted a five-day USAFEAFAFRICA Squadron Superintendent and Spouse course, Sept. 24 to 27 at the USAFE Conference Center on Ramstein Air Base. “Superintendents have always existed in our organization, but now we’re focusing on the Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein’s priority of revitalizing squadrons,” said Senior Master Sgt. Robert Ybay, 1st Air Communications Operations Squadron superintendent. “In order to build that bench of leadership within the unit, commanders go through their squadron commander’s course and first sergeants go through their first sergeant academy, but there really wasn’t a See REVITALIZING SQUADRONS, Page 2
Chief Master Sgt. Phillip L. Easton, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. Air Forces Africa command chief master sergeant, presents a briefing on the role of a squadron superintendent at the USAFE-AFAFRICA Squadron Superintendent and Spouse course at the USAFE conference center on Ramstein Air Base, Sept. 25. During the course, superintendents were able to panel current squadron superintendents, meet with senior mentors, and also network among one another.
Flu vaccine community events scheduled for KMC by Stacy M. Sanning Regional Health Command Europe Fall is officially here and the colder temperatures usher in the annual flu season. The flu vaccine is expected to arrive soon so the Army and Air Force medical teams have scheduled numerous vaccination events throughout the Kaiserslautern Military Community. Due to delays caused by Hurricane Florence, scheduled event dates could change depending on when the vaccine arrives in Germany. Changes to the scheduled events will be shared
on official social media for Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Kleber Health Clinic, Baumholder Health Clinic and Ramstein 86th Medical Group. Everyone who can, should, especially if pregnant Army and Air Force health professionals recommend the flu vaccine for everyone ages six months and older to prevent getting the flu or reducing the severity and duration of symptoms. According to the Center for Disease Control, vaccination is especially
important for pregnant women, who have a higher risk of severe symptoms and hospitalization. Mothers’ immunity also helps protect their babies, who cannot be vaccinated until they reach six months. “Getting vaccinated is the first and most important step in protecting against the flu,” said Chief of Army Public Health Nursing for Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Lt. Col. Timothy Whoolery. “The flu is the most dangerous for infants, the elderly, pregnant women and people with health complications. Everyone who
can be vaccinated, really needs to get vaccinated, for themselves and to prevent the flu from spreading to those in the community at the most risk.” Vaccines for patients five years and older are expected to arrive first, with pediatric vaccines for children between six months and four years old expected later in October. To build community immunity, the flu vaccine will be offered to military, Department of Defense civilians, retirees and families. In addition, See FLU VACCINE, Page 3