Commander's Corner

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DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Commander's Corner is a forum for the Dyess community to make suggestions or voice concerns about Dyess directly to Col. Glen VanHerck, 7th Bomb Wing commander. Each week the Dyess Public Affairs office solicits questions via the official Dyess Facebook page, offering people an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers directly from the wing commander.

QUESTION

At the last town hall meeting it was discussed about how it was not in the budget for a sidewalk to be put in on the South side of the road there on the kids way to school, sorry I am not on base so I cannot remember the roads name. I was explaining this to a few who could not make it to the Town Hall meeting due to work reasons, and they also brought up the fact about fundraising. I then again explained to me what I was told at the Town hall meeting that Dyess is not allowed to take outside funds for things. Then this morning I am informed of a grant giving to Dyess for Tennis lessons for our kids, that's is AWESOME by the way! However A few parents are now confused at what the difference in getting a grant for this and maybe getting a grant for a sidewalk is. I have a feeling it has to do with our Youth Center maybe but I thought you could answer this best for all of us! Thank you!!
Col. Glen VanHerck
Col. Glen VanHerck		   RESPONSE

Thank you for your question; I certainly understand your confusion about what grants and donations the wing may accept for programs or facilities on the installation. Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) activities can accept and be sponsored by donations. As you noted, the Dyess Youth Center recently received a grant for tennis equipment, which I agree is terrific! The Dyess Youth Program was able to accept this grant, as it is categorized as a MWR activity. In contrast, funding for construction in base housing is provided through congressionally approved housing funds and we are unable to readily accept donations for housing construction -- constructing new sidewalks in housing fall into this category and type of funding. On a very positive note, Dyess Military Family Housing will be privatized in the future (we'll provide details on privatization as soon as they are available), and the new privatization housing office and community center will be constructed in the area between the Youth Center and Dyess Elementary. Consequently, we'll be able to relook adding a sidewalk along Louisiana between Texas and Delaware when construction planning begins.
 
QUESTION

James R Tomas-With the rumors of cuts to the B-1 fleet what would the future hold for Dyess? Could it possibly be used for UAV operations?
Col. Glen VanHerck
Col. Glen VanHerck		   RESPONSE

: James, thanks for your question. With budget cuts and fiscal constraints wrought by sequestration, I know there is concern in many communities about the implications to the mission, and bases in general. While I won't speculate on what the future holds, I can tell you that the B-1 fleet continues to provide essential support to ongoing combat operations around the globe, and is postured to continue providing essential support to combatant commanders worldwide. The Bone is the Air Force's most versatile bomber, capable of carrying 8 different weapons types, both guided and unguided, the B-1 affords the Air Force a great deal of flexibility when it comes to projecting airpower. Furthermore, the B-1 provides a platform for efficiency and effectiveness; it has the largest fuel capacity and largest payload, and has long been the backbone of the Air Force's long-range strike fleet. Many may not know that the B-1 fleet has recently undergone many upgrades and is currently undergoing the largest modification in its program history. These upgrades have and will increase the B-1's ability to excel in a joint-warfighting environment, and to attack moving targets on land and sea. With the integration of these upgrades, the B-1 will remain a capable and ready air power asset through its scheduled 2040 service life, providing a highly effective tool to sustain air superiority through the fruition of a next-generation bomber. I am unaware of any intent to consider Dyess as a future UAV, or what today is referred to as Remotely Piloted Aircraft or RPA, location. Certainly Dyess AFB, along with its associated facilities, could be utilized for many DoD applications in addition to being the home of the Bone and the USAF's largest C-130J fleet.
 
QUESTION

Jazmin Young-Gittere-Theres a rumor about dyess privatizing houses at the end of the year..is this true and what are we to expect once this happens?
Col. Glen VanHerck
Col. Glen VanHerck		   RESPONSE

Jazmin, thank-you for your question. Plans for the privatization of Dyess on-base housing have been in place for some time now. The process of privatizing housing has taken longer than we expected due to issues beyond local control. The original timeline proposed Dyess privatizing main-base housing beginning 1 January 2013. Obviously that did not happen. I am hopeful that we will have definitive guidance regarding the way ahead in the very near future. Once housing does become privatized, Airmen will not see any immediate changes except their Basic Housing Allowance will show up in their leave and earnings statements, but will then be forwarded on to the Housing Contractor to be paid as rent. Essentially that is what all families are doing today by giving up their BAH to live on base. The amenities that will be constructed will ultimately be decided by the contractor, but I know expected changes include a new housing office and community center to be built between the Youth Center and Dyess Elementary. There isn't much else I can tell you definitively at this time, and as I mentioned, the timeline for privatization is still being determined. Our Airmen at the 7th Mission Support Group, the Public Affairs team, and housing office will provide further details as they become known.
 
QUESTION

Richard G Patton-1830 06/25 the DOD gate guard refused my disabled senior citizen guest entrance on base and turned us around to get a visitor pass. It was not worth the hassle to get out a walker and expose her to the high temperature just to buy gas on base. I believe the guard had some discretion since all the other bases allow guest with a valid drivers license.
Col. Glen VanHerck
Col. Glen VanHerck		   RESPONSE

Richard, as the installation commander, I have directed a 100-percent I.D. check requirement at Dyess, which means a Department of Defense issued I.D. or a valid visitor pass is required to enter the installation. Security Forces Airmen and DoD gate guards have no discretion on this matter. Protecting the base and its resources begins with controlling access at the gate, and the safety of those who live on, work at, and visit Dyess is too important for me to allow our gate guards to make any exceptions to this policy. While I can sympathize with your situation, if we allowed an exception for one, it would lead to another, which may put the security of our installation at risk. If a Defender at the front gate isn't doing their job or acts inappropriately, I want to know; but in this case they did exactly what I have asked them to do. Additionally, I do travel to many other bases. You state the all other bases allow entry for guests with just a driver's license. My experience is that most bases, if not all, have a policy similar to what I have directed at Dyess. Even I am required to comply with this policy for my personal guests. Thanks for your inquiry.
 
QUESTION

Kelly McGuire-Heard from other parents there was glass found buried in the sand at the park near our house :( we have walked by these parks and they are disgusting!! Clothes trash toys shoes water bottles snack wrappers! Is there a way to get the parks cleaned?
Col. Glen VanHerck
Col. Glen VanHerck		   RESPONSE

Kelly, it is disheartening and frustrating for me to hear this. I wish all persons had same pride and desire you have to maintain a clean and safe environment for our Air Force family. Unfortunately there are a small number of people who ruin that environment for everyone else. Here are a few things you can do to help this problem. If you see trash or unsafe situations in the housing area please let housing management or housing maintenance know. They can be reached at 696-2331 or 793-9800 respectively. Also, if you see someone leaving trash on base or conducting themselves inappropriately, let them know you don't appreciate it or call the law enforcement desk at 696-2131 to notify them and leave a description of the individual and what they did. If the issue doesn't get resolved please let me know, because, like you, I take pride in how our community looks and how our people conduct themselves.
 
QUESTION

Kelly McGuire-Also heard about a 13 year old driving a vehicle recklessly around this base and was just let go by security? As a parent of a young child this is not acceptable to me. How can this situation be addressed should it happen again?
Col. Glen VanHerck
Col. Glen VanHerck		   RESPONSE

Part of the intent of a Commander's Corner on Facebook is to mitigate rumors and hearsay. Not that I am doubting what you heard, but I find it hard to believe that our Air Force Security Forces let an underage driver who was allegedly driving recklessly go. The legal driving age in Texas is 16, though exceptions can be made for instruction permits at the age of 15. I have absolutely no doubt that if our Security Forces caught a 13-year-old driving, they would not have allowed that individual to proceed. If you or others know otherwise, I expect you and all others to immediately report such occurrences to the law enforcement desk. Roadway safety is always a priority for me. I recently authorized our Security Forces Airmen to conduct Operation Roadway Blitz to randomly select Dyess vehicle operators to ensure they are in compliance with both state traffic laws and Air Force instructions for driving on the installation. Additionally, and a very important aspect of this is that the Department of Defense sponsor is responsible for the behavior of their dependents and guests at all times while they are on the installation. If a dependent or guest is violating the rules or placing others safety at risk, the sponsor risks having their dependent or guest barred from the installation and/or other potential administrative actions. If you witness or know of this happening please let our law enforcement desk know as soon as possible. They can be reached at 696-2131.
 
QUESTION

Kevin Cooper-What are the policies on Dyess for addressing hostile work environment threats between Civilian employees when they have been reported to the appropriate commanders without action?
Col. Glen VanHerck
Col. Glen VanHerck		   RESPONSE

Kevin - One of my focus areas as the installation commander is to foster an environment that is healthy and fun; that means an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and hostility -- one in which every one of us is happy to come to work each day. If your current work center does not provide this kind of atmosphere to you, then there is a problem. If you feel that your commander has not adequately addressed your problem, you are entitled to file a formal grievance with the Civilian Personnel Office, which will be addressed by your commander's commander. There are two ways to file the grievance, based upon whether or not your position has union representation. If you have union rights, contact your union representative, and he or she will negotiate on your behalf. If you do not have union representation, you will need to file directly with the Civilian Personnel Office. In order for Dyess to be successful in its primary mission, we must ensure that our people are being taken care of, so that we have a work force that is ready to go -- physically, mentally, and spiritually. That is why we have these processes in place -- to take care of both or uniformed and civilian Airmen. If you have any other questions that I have not addressed, or you need further assistance on the matter, CPO can be reached at 696-2644. Thank you for reaching out for guidance about this situation.
 
QUESTION

Kelly McGuire - Also how can a community watch be formed? With all the petty crimes being committed I would like to start a group to possibly deter these delinquents from continuing these acts.
Col. Glen VanHerck
Col. Glen VanHerck		   RESPONSE

Kelly - I've previously mentioned in our Town Hall meetings, I have no problems with a volunteer community watch program being developed. I've empowered spouses and active duty members to take on this role should they desire. If you aren't already involved, try contacting the Key Spouse Program Coordinator at the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 696-5999. However, I don't know why we should need a "formal" community watch program. We should all do this already anyway! Maybe we need a program to educate parents on taking responsibility for their children and their actions. Again, as I said in a previous commanders corner post, I will do my part of being a good neighbor and I hope that others will do so as well.