Equal Opportunity: “Bridging the gap by building bridges”

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs6/4/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Air Force Equal Opportunity strives to accomplish its mission by promoting an environment free from personal, social or institutional barriers that could prevent Air Force members from rising to their highest potential."Our greatest strength is our diversity," said Master Sgt. Carlos Barter, the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Equal Opportunity director deployed here from F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. "[The wing commander] constantly emphasizes that people should be treated with dignity and respect. These words I echo in just about every brief I give."Barter has had his hands in the equal opportunity world for most of his life. Growing up in Panama City, Panama, he moved to the U.S. in search of a better life, and in 1995, at 22 years old, he joined the Air Force."That was one of the best decisions I've ever made," he said. "And after nearly 18 years of service, I wouldn't change a thing."Barter began this "life-changing experience" as a logistics troop. He said while his initial career field was fun, he always felt a calling to do something more, to help people."One day the Air Force called me giving me the option to retrain and I jumped at the chance to better help people on a personal level," he said. "I absolutely love working with people."Barter said cross-training to equal opportunity has given him the chance to really see just how diverse the Air Force is.The Air Force broadly defines diversity as a composite of individual characteristics, experiences and abilities consistent with the Air Force Core Values and the Air Force Mission. Air Force diversity includes, but is not limited to: personal life experiences, geographic background, socioeconomic background, cultural knowledge, educational background, work background, language abilities, physical abilities, philosophical/spiritual perspectives, age, race, ethnicity and gender."The greatest strength of our Air Force is our Airmen," said Gen. Mark A. Welsh, Air Force Chief of Staff, according to the Air Force Diversity public website. "The greatest strength of our Airmen is their diversity. Each of them comes from a different background, a different family experience and a different social experience. Each brings a different set of skills and a unique perspective to the team. We don't just celebrate diversity ... we embrace it!"But these strengths and this diversity don't just happen. Barter said maintaining a professional environment is key to mission success."We need to sustain an atmosphere where people can feel comfortable approaching leadership when they feel they've been treated unprofessionally," said Barter. "If someone's not 100 percent focused on their job, their mission -- the effectiveness of our overall mission would significantly diminish."As a result of this mission impact, the Air Force enforces a ZERO tolerance policy for all equal opportunity concerns."What I bring to the team is unique in that I help others find resolution in their concerns," Barter said. "I like to be out talking to this wing's Airmen, getting to know their issues and providing assistance where I can. If the issue isn't something I can assist with, I will find the appropriate agency to take care of that individual."Barter said his job allows him to gain insight into a unit's climate, thus providing the commander insight he may not have had before."Equal opportunity supports the mission by breaking down barriers," he said. "We bridge the gap by building bridges."For more information or to attain equal opportunity assistance, call 437-2512.

Kal Penn, Kate Walsh visit Grand Slam Wing

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs5/29/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- American Actors Kal Penn and Kate Walsh visited the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here May 26 during a USO Handshake Tour with stops including the Intra-theater Care Program, a B-1B Lancer facility, military working dogs demonstration and a Patriot missile facility, as well as, a meet-and-greet at the base club."I'm hugely grateful for everything you guys are doing here," said Kate Walsh, whose father served in the Korean War. "We couldn't do what we do without you."They were able to visit many aspects of the wing's mission, but one thing stood out above all others for Penn and Walsh."The diversity here is amazing," Penn said. "It's great to see how efficient your operations are."Penn recently returned from a two-year sabbatical during which he served as an associate director for the White House Office of Public Engagement. Among his many tasks, he also worked on programs assisting employment and health benefits for returning veterans.Walsh related military operations to life on set, saying it takes so many different people from so many different backgrounds and specialties to bring a production together."Except what you do is real," she said. "I didn't expect to see all this energy and discipline. It's beautiful what 8,000 people with differing personalities can do when they come together and make this production a reality."But at the end of the day, Penn and Walsh said the greatest thing about their visit was getting to know the people serving here."It's been great sitting around and talking with people," said Walsh. "It's great to hear their stories and understand where they came from."Similarly, Penn found he has connections to many people deployed here, especially those from his home state of New Jersey."On a tour like this, you meet so many people," he said. "But it's not until you really take the time to get to know them. This personal interaction makes a huge difference for our servicemembers who are deployed here away from their family and friends. Thank you for what you do for us; we all really appreciate your sacrifice."

Servicemembers embrace cultural values during AAPI month

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs5/16/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Servicemembers from across the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with various events spread throughout the month of May."This is very important as it affords us a moment to step back and appreciate the sacrifices everyone has made, regardless of skin color or background," said Master Sgt. Clarissa Piedra, the 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron traffic management office customer support section chief and AAPI Heritage Month lead project manager.AAPIs are servicemembers from more than 30 countries and ethnic groups who speak more than 100 different languages. Military members across the globe focus on building leadership by embracing cultural values this month."You never know what a person's background is until you ask them and really start to get to know them," Piedra said. "That's really something we're focusing on this month."The nearly 16-year veteran comes from a "multi-racial and multi-cultural family" and said this is an important part of the woman she is today."I don't know where I'd be without my family," she said. "We'd have huge family get-togethers at our house and everyone would bring something relative to their heritage."Much like the rest of America, Piedra's family comes from many walks of life."My family is a big melting pot of members from every culture out there, and I wouldn't trade them for the world -- love every single one of them," she said.Each May, the United States comes together to recount the ways AAPIs helped forge the country, beginning with a proclamation signed by the president."Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders comprise many ethnicities and languages, and their myriad achievements embody the American experience," said President Barack Obama. "This year, we recognize the 25th anniversary of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 and the 70th anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act's repeal -- milestones that helped mend deep wounds of systemic discrimination."The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese people to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869."It's truly humbling to have worked with the people who came together to make the events we've had this month a reality," Piedra said. "We faced the deployed environment challenges head on, really came together as a group, regardless of ethnic background or descent, and made this one heritage month people won't soon forget."For more information on how to get involved, volunteer or enjoy the myriad of different events and opportunities made available here, call Staff Sgt. Cory Williams at 437-2863.