Saving time, preserving the mission

Capt. Ryan Ewin, 39th Air Base Wing deputy staff judge advocate, gives a brief on the Laws of Armed Conflict during ancillary training Feb. 13, 2019, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. The ancillary training consolidated six computer based trainings into one briefing, which met an Air Force initiative to ensure Airmen’s time is used in the most effective manner. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Trevor Gordnier)

Saving time, preserving the mission

First Lt. Nicole Flanagan, 39th Air Base Wing sexual assault response coordinator, gives a SAPR brief during ancillary training Feb. 13, 2019, at Incirlik, Air Base, Turkey. The ancillary training combined six computer based trainings into one brief which saves the wing 4,761 man hours than can now be reallocated into the mission of protecting the southern region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Trevor Gordnier)

Saving time, preserving the mission

Chaplain (Capt.) John Appiah, 39th Air Base Wing Chaplain, briefs Airmen during ancillary training, Feb. 13, 2019, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. The training was conducted by subject matter experts as a way to provide a more interactive method and target objectives specific to Incirlik. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Trevor Gordnier)

Saving time, preserving the mission

Published April 12, 2019
By Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Wisher
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --

Charged by the Air Force to streamline processes and find more innovative ways to conduct ancillary training, one 39th Air Base Wing Senior NCO here found a way to reduce time and increase effectiveness by combining Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, Suicide Prevention, Force Protection, Laws of Armed Conflict, Religious Freedom and Environmental Management into one brief.

Previously accomplished once a year by computer based trainings, this annual training requirement took hours to complete and provided little interaction and feedback.

“We decided to conduct the training this way to implement the Air Force initiative to reduce ancillary training and reach the most amount of people in the shortest period of time,” said Master Sgt. Stephen Schexnayder, 39th Force Support Squadron base training manager. “The biggest benefit is each member gets to knock out a minimum of six CBTs worth of training that would normally take 4.5 hours per person and accomplish it all in 39 minutes or less.”

The new more interactive approach utilized base subject matter experts to brief on their skillset and pinpoint target objectives specific to the Incirlik mission. In addition to helping Airmen better understand their roles and responsibilities as Titans, it also created an avenue Airmen can use to follow-up on future inquiries.

“In my opinion, it was a success,” added Schexnayder. “It saved the wing 4,761 man hours of training that will now be funneled back into mission accomplishment. I call that a win for the members, for Incirlik, and the Air Force.”

Echoing his enthusiasm, reviews from the mass briefing were positive due to its quick, yet informative nature.

“The information was good and it was nice to break away from the typical behind the desk training,” said Senior Airman Enrique Laboy, 39th FSS fitness specialist, and attendee of the briefing.

Like Operation GRIT which creates a more effective and targeted approach of building resiliency these small changes give time back to the wing so it can continue to protect the southern region by providing a responsive staging and operational air base.