Commander's Corner

Published Sept. 16, 2013

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 Brig. Gen. 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

Brian Childers -- Is it possible to open the library with a volunteer force? Or is that mixing NaF and APf funds? I'd give a couple hrs a week

Brig. Gen. Glen VanHerck

RESPONSE

Brian - I want you to know it's a priority of mine to maximize the assets we have available to Team Dyess, and if there is a way I can maintain a service by finding a different way, I want to do it to support our Air Force community. I certainly welcome your innovative ideas and I especially want to commend you for your willingness to volunteer your time to keep the library open. Unfortunately, our 7th Mission Support Group explored this course of action prior to making the decision to close the library, and determined that it would not be possible to keep the library open using a volunteer force. Because library funding will be cut next fiscal year, volunteers would be asked to accomplish some of the duties of paid employees, which is not permitted. Volunteers are only allowed to supplement regularly funded employees and cannot replace or work in lieu of authorized paid personnel positions. There was also concern because it would be unfair to legally hold volunteers responsible for appropriated-fund assets, which they would be required to do while performing the work of a librarian. The library doors will be closing with the hope of re-opening again in the future. Thanks again for being proactive and offering to volunteer as a means of keeping this service available to Team Dyess.

QUESTION

Becky Kent Ream - Does the C 130 wing of Dyess have its own flag, and if so, can I get one? If not, does Dyess have a flag I can get? I have three flag holders on my porch. One is for the America flag. One is for the Air Force flag. One presently has the Army flag, but it is ragged, and the Army son is no longer in (after 2 tours), so I need a flag for that third holder :)

Brig. Gen. Glen VanHerck

RESPONSE

Becky - Thank-you so much for your family's service to our country. I would love for you to be able to fly one of our flags, but unfortunately, neither the 317th Airlift Group nor the 317th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron have a flag, and while Dyess does have a flag, it is custom-made, not mass produced, and therefore not available to the public. I'd suggest a new Army flag to honor your son's service or a Texas state flag. I'm sure whatever decision you make, that flag will be flying with pride. Thank-you for displaying your patriotism and supporting true heroes like your son.

QUESTION

Jacob Hopkins Brandy Hopkins - Does the Heritage Club memberships help support the MWR fund (Moral Welfare and Recreation)? If so, how many more memberships are needed to keep the library open and re-open the pools in 2014? How much is a membership? The pricing is not on the page and when I call there is no answer. Thanks so much for your time.

Brig. Gen. Glen VanHerck

RESPONSE

That's a great question. Many folks do not know that club memberships directly support the MWR fund, which in turn supports a wide-range of activities, not just the libraries and pools. The Morale, Welfare, and Recreation fund is also used to operate the club system, child development center, bowling alley, golf course, auto hobby shop, outdoor recreation, family camp, and arts and crafts. These are fantastic benefits that we have become accustomed to, that many people view as entitlements; but they are not. With the fiscal realities and the change in culture our force is undergoing, these programs will continue to be at risk unless we can increase funds by growing our club membership rate. When I joined the Air Force more than 25 years ago, the club membership rate was near 100% for active duty personnel, and many retirees remained members of the club system, as well. Today, our membership rate is around 13-15 percent, and it saddens me that such a small fraction of our active duty population takes part in a program that benefits us all. Membership dues vary by rank and range from $3 to $17 a month. Ultimately, it is difficult for me to say exactly how many more memberships we would need in order to keep the library or reopen the pools. However, if we were able to increase our membership to 40 or even 50 percent, we would be in a much better position than we are now to support these activities for Team Dyess. I'm glad you asked the question, and I encourage you--if you have not already--to join the club.

QUESTION

Brandy Cesca Balajadia - My concern is the placement of the 4 youth center vans on Delaware Rd. I have walked my daughter to & from school for the past 2 years & remember a concern last school year about parents dropping off children at the stop signs by the gate holding up traffic & it being unsafe. In result, SF placed at the crosswalk were informing parents who were trying to let their children out to proceed to designated areas to keep the flow of traffic going. There was a recent concern brought up on September 9th via this facebook page, about bikers on the road and involving the safety of our Dyess children.
The 4 vans from the Youth center make a two lane road into one for cars. Although the Youth Center teachers try their best to keep the kids in a single file line while getting to the vans and stop to take a head count its still a jam. I understand this is their procedure but it does hold up pedestrian traffic. The outcome being bikers & walkers utilizing the grass area or unfortunately, the road. I utilize the grass area as well while trying to avoid the red ant piles. There are a handful of kids that I know of who have had flat tires on their bikes from thorns due to riding on the grass. Possible Solution: Is there some type of contract/agreement that states they can park there? That area is a not designated parking area for vehicles. I feel that if they parked at the parking lot (closest to the youth center along the road right behind the park, not the enclosed area by the gate) it's still on their route and will not affect the flow of car traffic or pedestrian traffic. Thank You for your time, Francesca Balajadia.

Brig. Gen. Glen VanHerck

RESPONSE

Thank-you for bringing this to my attention, Francesca. Any idea you have to improve the safety of our children is one I'm always willing to hear. I have reached out to the 7th Mission Support Group commander, as well as the 7th Bomb Wing Ground Safety office for their input on this situation. They will be conducting a Traffic Safety Working Group meeting this Tuesday to discuss matters such as this. Once we've had an opportunity to discuss and determine a solution, or perhaps decide to follow the course of action you have proposed, I will provide that answer to you. In the meantime, please know that I appreciate your willingness to not only voice your concern, but to seek out and suggest a solution.