Truckin on

Dedicated to the Men and Women

of
AF Vehicle Operations & Maintenance Past, Present, and Future

1 Jan 2015

AF tests first all-electric

vehicle fleet in California
/ Published November 14, 2014

Special Points of Interest:

First All-electric Vehicle

FleetPG 1-3

Inside this issue:

Vehicles, Videos, and
Websites

PG 3

White Refuelers!

PG 4

Mission Ready

PG 5

Crossroads.Pt 2

PG 6 - 8

The Fish Philosophy

PG 8 - 9

Pardon this Commercial

Interruption

PG 9

Get em While Theyre Hot!

PG 10

MacArthurs Limousine

PG 11

Snuffys Corner

PG 12

http://science.dodlive.mil/2014/11/21/theair-forces-plug-in-vehicle-fleet/

This is an official DoD blog with

some great links to other military/
government media sources.check
it out!

Miranda Ballentine greets vendors during the unveiling of the first federal facility to replace its
entire general-purpose fleet with plug-in electric vehicles Nov. 14, 2014, at Los Angeles Air Force
Base in El Segundo, Calif. The base's electric vehicle fleet, consisting of 42 vehicles, including
sedans, pick-up trucks and mini vans, of which 36 will be vehicle-to-grid capable, is the largest
operational V2G demonstration in the world. Ballentine is the assistant secretary of the Air Force
for installations, environment and energy. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sarah Corrice)

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force

officials unveiled the Department of
Defenses first non-tactical vehicle fleet
composed entirely of plug-in electric
vehicles, Nov. 14, at Los Angeles Air
Force Base, California.
The rollout of the 42-vehicle fleet marks a
milestone in the DODs demonstration of
emerging technology and the vehicles
will serve as a resource to the electrical
grid when theyre not being driven.
Everything we do to fly, fight and win
requires energy, whether its aviation fuel

for our aircraft or power to run the bases

that support them, said Secretary of the
Air Force Deborah Lee James.
Everything we do to fly, fight and win
requires energy, whether its aviation fuel
for our aircraft or power to run the bases
that support them, said Secretary of the
Air Force Deborah Lee James. This
vehicle-to-grid pilot is a great example of
how Airmen are driving the Air Force
forward and finding new and innovative
ways to make every dollar count.
Continued on PG 2

Disclaimer: Truckin On is an unofficial newsletter published every month in the interest of serving Air Force active duty, civilian and retired vehicle operations
and maintenance personnel. Articles submitted by its contributors are not to be considered official statements by the U.S. Air Force.

All-electric Vehicle Fleet

1 Jan 2015
Continued from PG 1

The PEV fleet includes both electric and hybrid vehicles ranging
from sedans to trucks and a 12-passenger van. The vehicles
have the capability to direct power both to and from the
electrical grid when theyre not being driven, known as
vehicle-to-grid technology. Unique charging stations have been
installed on Los Angeles AFB to support the vehicles V2G
capability.

The service will also continue to look for additional capabilities,

such as utilizing used batteries as a form of on-base energy
storage.
The forward thinking of the Air Force promises to be an
important signal to the market to move this technology into the
mainstream, said William Kempton, the director of the
University of Delawares Center for Carbon-free Power
Integration. By requesting V2G-capable trucks and cars from
several vehicle manufacturers, placed in bases in several
states, the Air Force has helped to stimulate demand from both
automotive suppliers and the electric industry in these states.
We can hope that the Air Force program announced today,
together with the recent successful early demonstrations by
the University of Delaware with Honda, BMW, NRG Energy,
PJM and others will move us from demonstration to early
commercial-scale products.
In addition to the PEV fleet in L.A., the Air Force is also
investigating the benefits of other alternative fuel vehicles. More
than 9,000 ethanol flex fuel vehicles are in the services
inventory worldwide, along with 50 biodiesel fuel stations on its
installations.

Miranda Ballentine greets vendors during the unveiling of the first

federal facility to replace its entire general-purpose fleet with plug-in
electric vehicles Nov. 14, 2014, at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El
Segundo, Calif. The base's electric vehicle fleet, consisting of 42 vehicles,
including sedans, pick-up trucks and mini vans, of which 36 will be
vehicle-to-grid capable, is the largest operational V2G demonstration in
the world. Ballentine is the assistant secretary of the Air Force for
installations, environment and energy. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sarah
Corrice)

The V2G technology enables the vehicles to provide more than

700 kilowatts of power to the grid, sufficient power for more than
140 American homes. The vehicles also enhance the power
grids reliability and security by balancing demand against
supply without having to use reserves or standby generators.
California energy providers and regulators worked closely with
the Air Force on safety and performance testing as well as
technical and regulatory aspects of launching the fleet.
We absolutely couldnt have done this without our federal, state
and private partners, said Miranda Ballentine, the assistant
secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and
energy. The shared investment and commitment by our
partners illustrates that innovations such as this have value not
only to the Air Force and Department of Defense, but to the
nation as a whole.

Staff Sgt Rey Sedantes (left), receives instruction on how to operate the
Princeton bidirectional electric vehicle charging stations from vehicle
operations contractor, Oscar Machado, right, during a training demo Oct.
31, 2014, in El Segundo, Calif. The charging stations will charge the
electric vehicles directly from the local utility grid enabling Los Angeles Air
Force Base personnel to utilize the electric vehicles as transportation
within the base. When called-upon, and when connected to the electric
vehicle, the bidirectional charging station will switch power flow directions
in order to support vehicle-to-grid energy request by discharging the
The Air Force plans to expand the V2G demonstration to Joint electric vehicles onboard battery. Sedantes is with the 61st Civil
Base Andrews, Maryland, and Joint Base McGuire- Engineering Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sarah Corrice)

Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.

Continued on PG 3
2

All-electric Vehicle Fleet

1 Jan 2015
Continued from PG 2

Pursuing this program was an easy decision for us, James

said. Energy is key to accomplishing the mission, and as the
largest energy consumer in the federal government, we are
always looking for opportunities to improve our resiliency,
reduce our demand and assure our energy supply. From a
mission, environmental and fiscal perspective, this program
simply makes good sense. (Information courtesy of Secretary
of the Air Force Public Affairs)

Airmen from Los Angeles Air Force Base learn how to use charging
equipment for the base's new electric vehicle fleet during a training demo
Oct. 31, 2014, in El Segundo, Calif. When not in use, the vehicle's
batteries can switch charging direction and feed their energy back to the
base's power grid. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sarah Corrice)

Ferrari F1 Pit Stop Perfection

American Car Brochures

Submitted by Bobby Werner, MSgt (Ret/2T3)

Submitted by George McElwain, CMSgt (Ret/2T3)

This is really cool. Find your first car or, the one you drove to
high school or college; hopefully your car brochure is
available.
ENJOY A WALK BACK IN TIME!!!
This has to be one of the neatest websites whether you have
gasoline in your veins or not.
This is a website featuring the original factory brochures for
nearly every American car you have ever owned. Pick the
manufacturer, the year and the model. Enjoy!

www.lov2xlr8.no/broch1.html
Click on the image above to activate the video

White Refuelers!
1 Jan 2015

Luke changes refueling truck color, mitigates

F-35 shutdowns
by Staff Sgt. Luther Mitchell Jr.
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
12/5/2014 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- The 56th
Logistics Readiness Squadron recently added a new fuel truck
to its fleet designed to improve mission effectiveness and safety
on the flight line.
It's not really a new fuel truck, but an old fuel truck with its tank
painted white. Affectionately called "Big Green" by LRS Airmen,
the new white tank requires a little getting used to. The reason
for the white paint job? It will keep fuel in the tankers cooler.
"We painted the refuelers white to reduce the temperature of
fuel being delivered to the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter,"
said Senior Airman Jacob Hartman, 56th LRS fuels distribution
operator. "The F-35 has a fuel temperature threshold and may
not function properly if the fuel temperature is too high, so after
collaborating with other bases and receiving waiver approval
from AETC, we painted the tanks white."

Senior Airman Jacob Hartman, 56th Logistic Readiness Squadron

fuels distribution operator, checks out the newly painted R-11
refueling truck at the LRS vehicle yard. After receiving waiver
approval from the Air Education and Training Command, the 56th
LRS had the truck painted white to keep the fuel inside from
overheating. The F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter has a fuel
temperature threshold and cannot function properly if the fuel
temperature is too high. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Luther
Mitchell Jr.)

The positive benefits the 56th LRS hopes for is no delay in

aircraft take-offs, maintaining mission sorties and ensuring "The painter said it did not have to be a white color, so we are
going to send one of the four vehicles to get painted green, if
pilots meet training requirements.
possible. We will then compare temperatures between the
"It ensures the F-35 is able to meet its sortie requirements," said
green and white trucks."
Chief Master Sgt. Ralph Resch, 56th LRS fuels manager. "We
are taking proactive measures to mitigate any possible aircraft Luke's refuelers are also deployable. A white fuel truck would
stick out like a sore thumb down range, so the 56th LRS is
shutdowns due to high fuel temperatures in the future."
hopeful the tanks can be painted green and still keep fuel
The squadron adopted the idea after it was first implemented at
temperatures down.
Edwards Air Force Base, California.
"These trucks are deployable and the F-35 is too, so having an
In the summer months here at Luke, temperatures can reach
olive drab truck in a forward location is a lot better than having a
beyond 110 degrees. Painting the tanks white now will help
white truck," Resch said.
prevent fuel stored in the tanks from over-heating, but LRS
The 56th LRS has been approved to paint four trucks at a cost
Airmen have a long-term goal for the future.
of $3,900 per truck. It takes about a week to complete a truck.
"This is the short-term goal to cool the fuel for the F-35,
however, the long-term fix is to have parking shades for the Even though the trucks might stand out in the yard amongst the
Airmen, it hasn't affected the way the 56th LRS does business.
refuelers," Resch said.
What makes the white paint so special? It is solar polyurethane "We still do business the same here," Maurin said. "However,
enamel that reflects the heat of the sun's rays. Interestingly, because we are used to calling our refueler Big Green, the
after dropping off the first truck to be painted, the 56th LRS white tank has been difficult to get used to."
learned it is not the color that reflects the heat, but the second
reflective coating.
With this new information, the 56th LRS is working to see if they
can paint the trucks green and still see a reduction in fuel
temperatures.
"The painting process is a two-part process, and the second
part is the reflective process," said Master Sgt. Joseph Maurin,
56th LRS fuels distribution NCO in charge.
4

Mission Ready
1 Jan 2015

JBER mechanics maintain mission posture

by Tech. Sgt. Raymond Mills
JBER Public Affairs
11/26/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON,
Alaska -- Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson vehicle mechanics
work to ensure vehicle fleets are operationally ready for any
mission. "The mission of the JBER mechanics is to ensure the
world's greatest fighting force has the ability to train, deploy and
sustain the fight at any time and in any condition," said Jeremy
Henry, 404th Army Field Support Brigade Logistics Readiness
Center mechanic.
Without vehicles, many missions supported on JBER would
come to a halt. "The types of military vehicles we work on
include, but aren't limited to, Humvees, heavy expanded mobility
tactical trucks, mine-resistant ambush protected, family of
medium tactical vehicles, tractors and various forklifts," Henry
said. "Each of the above mentioned also include the various
configurations they come in, from wreckers to load handling
systems and electrical and hydraulic subsets. We also service
and repair generators, lawn mowers, various earth-moving
equipment and off-road vehicles, such as snow machines and
side-by-sides," Henry said. Tactical vehicles offer a unique set of
maintenance challenges.
"Here at the special purpose equipment repair section, we work
on almost every piece of tactical equipment that the arctic
warriors employ," Henry said. "There is no such thing as a
typical day in our line of work any more than there is a typical
day for the Soldiers we assist. Some days can be as simple as
winterizing a Humvee to the polar opposite of replacing the
power packs in the heavy expanded mobility tactical trucks. We
have also been known to recover vehicles in the field and to
support the offloading of vehicles coming off Army ships at the
port of Anchorage."
While Army mechanics focus more on tactical vehicles, Air
Force vehicle maintainers sustain base-support vehicles. Senior
Master Sergeant Ronald Cole, 673d Logistics Readiness
Squadron Vehicle Management flight chief, said his unit has
their hands on every non-tactical vehicle on JBER.
"We maintain the vehicle fleet and oversee the management of
the Government Support Agency fleet," Cole said. "I have 125
personnel; each and every one of them is a professional and
each and every one of them is good at their job." He said his
Vehicle Maintenance and Vehicle Management and Analysis
shops work together to track the preventive maintenance
program for 1,700 vehicles on base, of which 950 are
government owned and repaired by vehicle management. Cole
said the fleet is valued at $155 million.

Senior Airman Avery Spencer, 673d Logistics Readiness Squadron

vehicle maintainer, assembles a snow blower transmission in his work
center at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Monday. Vehicle
Maintenance and Vehicle Management and Analysis shops work
together to track the preventive-maintenance program for 1,700
vehicles on base, of which 950 are government-owned and repaired by
vehicle management. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech Sgt. Vernon
Cunningham)

According to Cole, base support vehicle maintainers are

particularly busy during the winter. During these times vehicle
maintainers are on the flight line and in the streets repairing
vehicles that move snow and ice.
"They give 100 percent all the time," Cole said. "If a deicer goes
down, my guys will come in at any time; even if it's non-duty
hours. We support 24-hour operations because my personnel
understand the importance of those assets and what they mean
to the base. They understand that no matter what you are doing
or what time it is, you respond and take care of the problem."
Unlike their Army counterparts, who employ a variety of
specialists in specific vehicle systems, the 673d LRS vehicle
maintainers have to absorb a broad spectrum of training.
"VM is bumper to bumper," Cole said. "We are responsible for
every system on the vehicle. It doesn't matter if it's hydraulics,
fuels systems, body works, brakes ... all of it. One mechanic is
given a work order and is told, here, go fix that. Although the Air
Force and Army has different approaches, their end goal
remains the same.
"The people who work here are dedicated employees who do
their job to the best of their ability," Henry said. "Most are driven
to success both in their profession and in support of the mission.
There's a wide variety of skills in this shop, and where one might
be weak in an area, they may excel in another. When it comes
to getting the vehicles out on time, I think that the team here
really comes together to help each other achieve the overall
goal of the mission."
5

1 Jan 2015

Editors Comments: We ran part one of this article in

Novembers issue of Truckin On and featured commentary
and pictures from Dan Berlenbach and Gary McLean in
Long Beach, California and Lakeland, Florida respectively.
Now CMSgt (R) Greg Morris gives us his perspective on
post Air Force career choices. Greg is Manager, Fleet
Services for Sarasota County, Florida. Greg, in a related
article, has also provided tips on how he has inspired and
renewed enthusiasm in his workplace with a program called
the FISH Philosophy.very interesting.

Life on the Other Side Local Government

Employment
by Greg Morris, CMSgt (Ret/2T3)
Sarasota County Fleet Manager, Sarasota, Florida
First of all, do not get nervous about leaving the Air Force and
getting a job. Start now and get yourself ready to enter the
public or private sector! There are plenty of jobs available to
those who wish to become team members in local government
opportunities abound!
The technical, leadership and management training you receive
in the Air Force will greatly assist you if you decide to make
another career in the public sector of local government. You
have received valuable formal training as well as on the job
training and if you have ambition and a drive to work hard and
excel, you will do extremely well in local government.
I retired from Eglin AFB Florida as their Fleet Manager, a
2T300. Eglin was a great training location for both military and
civilian transition. The base helped me prepare for the civilian
sector even before I entered the transition phase to retirement.
Eglin operates both as a military and as a civilian business
where we charged for repairs to contractors, multiple
government agencies and other wings assigned or exercising
on the vast amount of land Eglin has under its control.

I will try and provide a little more insight on public sector

employment and hopefully my article will assist in giving a few
suggestions on how to better prepare you for a fleet
maintenance position. Gary McLean and Roger Storman,
publisher of Truckin On, came by for a visit not long ago and as
always it was a show and tell event.
We discussed challenges as well as opportunities, compared
policies and procedures and had a good lunch along with some
great war stories thrown in for good measure. We caught up on
the whereabouts of some AF maintainers and AF happenings. I
am a firm believer that you must break bread with someone in
order to get to know them and from then on they are family.
Gary was already family and Roger has been welcomed to the
family or Morris clan as well.
I love coming to work every day as everyday has new
challenges as well as opportunities to excel and I work with
fantastic professionals who are dedicated, work together as a
team and look forward to coming to work. We work hard and we
have fun too. Now, a few suggestions for those of you who are
planning to join us in local government employment. Get
prepared now to acquire and position yourself for success in a
municipal government fleet management/maintenance career.
GET CERTIFIED. ASE/EVT certifications are a big plus for
getting hired in the public sector and can pay dividends when
being hired on as a technician, supervisor, or shop manager.
Here in Sarasota County we offer an incentive pay which is 20
cents per hour for each certification up to the master
certification. The incentives are added to the starting pay and
can really add up if you are hired and already have them under
your belt. We limit individuals to 4 additional certifications a
year upon hire which can equate to an 80 cent per hour pay
raise incentive. Incentive pay can reach up to approximately
$19,000.00 a year.

I have been the Sarasota County Governments Fleet Manager

for 9 years and it has been great. I loved my military career and
I love being a County Fleet Manager.
This is a follow up to Novembers articles on the same subject.
One of the first two articles was written by my friend and fellow
brother in arms Gary McLean, the Fleet Manager for the City of
Lakeland, Florida. Lakeland is about a 90-minute drive from
Sarasota. I have been to Garys Place and he runs a great
shop with good people and we communicate regularly,
discussing fleet opportunities and we also communicate with
other public fleet managers.

Greg Morris

Continued on PG 7
6

Continued from PG 6

1 Jan 2015

Qualified Fleet Managers can be difficult to find and hire so

ensure that you take all the maintenance management and
leadership courses available. It would be important for those
who desire a Fleet Management position to acquire certification
as fleet manager through an accredited or nationally recognized
organization. AEMP has a Certified Equipment Manager
program. APWA and NAFA also have great fleet manager
certifications.
I would recommend any one of these to those of you who desire
a public or private fleet manager position. These certifications
are a requirement for many of the public and private sector fleet
management positions. Also, for those who want to stay in the
fleet business, I would suggest that you prepare yourself and
upon departing the AF ensure that you have one or more of
these certifications under your belt. Certifications equate to jobs
and pay.

We also procure vehicles and equipment through Federal, State

and local contracts. Our goal is to get the very best product at
the lowest cost. We work for the taxpayers of Sarasota County
and we take that very seriously. Fleet procures the assets and
we operate like a leasing company, charging a monthly fee for
the lease along with a maintenance/insurance fee.
The certifications prepare you for a management position and Maintenance fees are created by utilizing maintenance history,
strengthen skills in areas such as fuel and budgeting as most reviewing age, mile/hours, and number of replacements planned
fleets are internal funds and operate like a private business, and an annual rate is developed and charged monthly.
which means they must be competitive with comparative
operations. Oh, and by the way, the fleet manager certifications We make repairs utilizing the maintenance fee as long as it is
are not a cake walk to pass so study and take the testing very determined to be from normal wear and tear. Fuel Management
seriously. Some Fleet Manager positions, such as mine, only is also part of our operations and is a new and exciting
allow you 6 months from the hire date to achieve a Fleet challenge and opportunity.
Manager certification.
I had a little advantage from working overseas in Refueling
Sarasotas Fleet. Our Fleet budget is currently a 24 million Maintenance. Working with POL over several years I gained
dollar annual operation that includes new and replacement experience in fuel metering and storage tank monitoring which
asset purchases of approximately 7 to 10 million a year, helps tremendously with understanding fuel and managing our
maintenance and fuel expenses, personnel costs, and four fuel sites. By the way, we are responsible for the entire fuel
overhead. This is a small budget compared to many of the site everything from daily cleaning, DEP inspections and
larger fleets. As the Fleet Manager you maintain, operate, monthly inspections to ensuring a gallon of fuel is an actual
manage and control fuel sites (gas stations). We currently gallon fuel but that would need to be a different article.
operate 4 fuel sites and dispense over 1.5 million gallons of fuel
annually and yes, we procure biodiesel.
We have 3
maintenance shops staffed with highly trained technicians that
perform quality maintenance on over 1600 vehicles and
equipment.

We order the fuel, charge for dispensed fuel, change dispenser

filters, and replace hoses with breakaway couplers, nozzles but
no single point. The PROVER tank experience in Japan was
great training and beneficial when explaining and completing the
Department of Revenue monthly tax forms. Gains and losses
These assets range from backhoes, Menzi Mucks, sewer vac, from fuel expanding and contracting from temperature and
trucks, long arm mowers, dumps, loaders, cars, vans, SUVs, barometric pressure changes is sometimes difficult to
SEVs, PHEVs, EVs and also include some hybrid assets such understand by those in accounting.
as solar carts, field groomers, etc. The Fleet Acquisitions team I am pointing this out as Gary had mentioned fuel management
procures the assets that we maintain which includes vehicles in Part 1 and I wanted give a little more detail and again stress
and equipment. We work with our procurement department and the importance of studying and gaining a Fleet Manager
the numerous units within the county that have assets assigned certification. A very important part of the certification process is
to them. We work together to develop new asset specifications that you understand the principles of how things should work
and write the majority of bids or contracts needed in order to and where to research the answers. You can always call a
procure assets at the lowest cost and best value in order to friend to assist in those areas that are unique to government.
support daily and contingency county operations.
Continued on PG 8
7

1 Jan 2015

Continued from PG 7

Working in local government employment is extremely

rewarding and you can make a difference. Like Gary and
Roger, I expect to see more of our Air Force brothers and
sisters working for and managing government fleets in the near
future. You are formidable, highly trained candidates for these
types of jobs and I have been very satisfied with the military that
we have hired in Sarasota County Fleet Services.

Greg E. Morris, CEM

Manager, Fleet Services
Sarasota County
(941) 861-9621
An ASE Blue Seal of Excellence Recognized Business
~ We're Proud of our Blue Seal Team ~

As Gary stated in Part 1 of Life on the Other Side, when he

asked who is responsible for the fleet acquisitions disposals,
maintenance and fuel, training, safety, and overall fleet
operations - the person whos responsible for the entire
operation is the Fleet Manager.
If youre interested in a government fleet perspective or
employment feel free to give me a call. Give it a shot, I
guarantee you will like the way you look - I mean work and play.
Remember you determine how you will feel - its your day and
your life - make the best of it! Everyday, bring some joy into
another persons life. I look forward to hearing from you and
good luck. Life is good.

Fish
The Big Fish that Changed a Work Environment

I decided we needed a way to bring back the fun. First, let me

say, I am not promoting nor receiving any remuneration by
by Greg Morris, CMSgt (Ret/2T3)
mentioning the following. We scheduled FISH training to boost
Over the years I have used many different approaches to morale and I have to say, it took a while for it to sink in for some.
establishing a work hard/ play hard mindset with a goal of 90 to
I was excited after the fish training as were several of my now fun
95 % of the workforce looking forward to coming to work. I have
loving team (we had the video training, provided Fish training
used loud, almost screaming Tarzan yells before the start of the
books and pamphlets). Then one of my team members bought
work day to generate smiles and change the work environment.
me a 5 foot stuffed fish, I treasure that fish by the way, and I
I like to demonstrate enthusiasm everyday as it is contagious. started taking it around and throwing it at some of the guys and
My favorite saying is Life is good. I love a team that gals. I had pictures taken with it on some of the guys Harleys,
demonstrates in words and deeds that the Fleet team believes riding in county vehicles, talking with individuals, riding on the
that life and work should be an enjoyable experience.
back of individuals and it was tossed to unsuspecting visitors.

Another favorite saying of mine is Today is a great day and

tomorrow will be even better. The guys and gals that work in
Fleet are with us for 9, hopefully awake, hours a day, 5 days a
week and everyone needs to feel comfortable, challenged and
know they are appreciated. When I took over as the Fleet
Manager in Sarasota County the guys and gals needed a little
morale boost. Dont think that Sarasota County was a bad place
to work, but over the years the fun had disappeared and that
can lead to other problems.

No complaints so far. It has been a successful tool in changing

the work environment where individuals enjoy coming to work, a
conversation piece and a means of opening eyes to the idea that
work can be rewarding and fun. There is more that must happen
to change the work environment and the FISH" training along
with the stuffed fish became the catalyst to begin an honest open
work environment, fair and equal treatment, and a safe non
threatening environment.

Continued on PG 9
8

Fish
1 Jan 2015

Continued from PG 8

To add to that, knowledge of what is expected of everyone with

clear goals, directions and performance standards continues to
change the mindset and improve the enjoyment of everyones
job at SCG Fleet. Training is always a priority, suggestions,
improvements and change is expected and must be viewed as
a good thing. Everyone must know if you make honest
mistakes, it is part of life, never hide a mistake, take
responsibility for your actions and we will adjust and try again
but not make the same mistake twice. The fish is a wonderful
tool to break the ice and enjoy life. Lets go Fishing!

Editors Comments: For more information on the Fish

Philosophy watch the video and visit the website below
the image.

Website
http://www.catchthefishphilosophy.com/fish_video.htm?
atc=GOG&ctc=FSFV&gclid=CJflt-

Pardon this Commercial Interruption

Official Fiat 500X teaser - blue pill
Submitted by George McElwain, CMSgt (Ret/472)

The Fiat 500X is bigger, more powerful and ready for

action.
In this official Fiat 500X commercial everyone who
comes into contact with the 500x gets a little excited
and you will too click on the image in the right
column.

Get em While Theyre Hot!

1 Jan 2015
The vehicles differ from the civilian Hummer that the company
also manufactures and until now, have never been sold to the
public.

Want to buy a real military Humvee?

They're now at Hill AFB

GovPlanet says the Humvees featured on its website are not

street-legal and only include cargo and troop carriers with model
numbers M998, M998A1, M1038 and M1038A1. All are soft
sided, or unarmored vehicles for off-road use only.
According to a press release posted on the website of
GovPlanets parent company, IronPlanet, the company was
awarded a DLA contract to manage and sell Department of
Defense surplus assets in July. The contract has a base term of
two years, with four one-year renewal options.
The company estimates it will get its hands on $50 million to
$70 million worth of military surplus each year. The contract
requires they give 75.29 percent of sales revenue to the DLA.
In another release posted to the companys website, Randy
Berry, senior vice president of operations and services for
IronPlanet, said additional auctions, where customers can bid
on Humvees and a host of other military vehicles and
equipment, will be held throughout 2015.

We will be offering military Humvees of various model years

An online marketplace for buying and selling used government and configurations, Berry said. Our (online) marketplace ... is
assets is holding auctions for High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled making it easier than ever for people to buy used government
Vehicles (HMMWVs), or Humvees. IronPlanet.com photo
assets online confidently and conveniently.
GovPlanets next auction is set for Jan. 7 and several military
vehicles located at Hill are currently for sale. Winning bidders
are responsible for picking up the vehicles. In addition to
Humvees, military surplus items sold by GovPlanet include
HILL AIR FORCE BASE If youre that rare individual whos trucks, trailers, generators, wheel loaders, cranes, crawler tracin the market for a military Humvee, you might be able to find tors, and other equipment.
one for sale at Hill Air Force Base.
Items already listed for sale at Hill include several cargo trailers,
On Dec. 17, a company called GovPlanet an Internet-based cargo trucks, tractor trucks and wreckers. Currently, the most
marketplace for buying and selling used government assets expensive item for bid other than the Humvees is an AM
held an online auction that allowed customers to view and bid General Wrecker, which starts at $7,000.
on High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles, more
To participate in the Jan. 7 auction, go to www.ironplanet.com.
commonly known as Humvees.
By Mitch Shaw
Standard-Examiner, Ogden, Utah (TNS)
Published: December 21, 2014

According to a report from the Army Times, the auction included

25 Humvees built between 1987 and the mid-1990s that are
currently being stored at Hill. Approximately 4,000 of the troop
transporting vehicles will be sold to the public as part of a
Defense Logistics Agency plan to turn retired military vehicles
into assets, rather than just scrap them, as has been the past
procedure. Bids for the Humvees start at $10,000.
Humvees are produced by a company called AM General, an
American heavy vehicle manufacturer based in South Bend,
Indiana.

The Generals limousine was featured in an article in the July 21, 2006, edition of the Virginian-Pilot.

1 Jan 2015

MacArthur's Limousine

Personal Use

1950 Chrysler Crown Imperial Limousine

The largest artifact in the MacArthur Memorials collection, this

automobile served as Gen. MacArthurs personal staff car from
just before the Korean War until shortly before the Generals
death in 1964. It was ordered by Gen. MacArthur in early
November 1950 and was sent to Japan via ship, the USAT
General Nelson M. Walker, arriving later that month.

As Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers and the architect

of the rebuilding of Japan after World War II not just any
automobile would suffice to be the personal staff car for General
of the Army Douglas MacArthur. Thus when the Cadillac
assigned for his use began to show its age, the U.S. Army
The limousine carried MacArthur to and from his office at the Dai
replaced it with a 1950 Chrysler Crown Imperial limousine.
Ichi insurance building in Tokyo during the latter part of the
The 1950 Chrysler Crown Imperial provided the ultimate luxury
Occupation of Japan. When MacArthur returned to the United
in automotive transportation, according to a press release from
States in 1951, the Crown Imperial was shipped to him in New
Chrysler announcing the introduction of the model. It was
York City where he continued to use it until 1963, when it was
available in two body styles a limousine or eight-passenger
returned to the U.S. Army motor pool and subsequently given to
sedan. The limousine is designed for those who prefer a
the MacArthur Memorial.
chauffeur-driven car and featured a power-operated glass
partition between the front and rear compartments, power When first received by the MacArthur Memorial, the Chrysler
was displayed in an addition to the main Memorial building,
windows and two fold-down seats in the rear compartment.
which has since been removed to restore the 1850 Courthouse
more to its original appearance. Since the late 1970s, Gen.
MacArthurs Crown Imperial has been on display in the
Memorials gift shop.

The 1950 Crown Imperial was also the first Chrysler model to
feature disc brakes, then considered a break-through in
automobile safety technology.
The Crown Imperial also was the largest car in the Chrysler line
at that time, with a 145 1/2 wheelbase and was 229 3/8 long
overall. Under the hood is a 135-hp Spitfire engine with a Fond Memories from MacArthur's Drivers
Prestomatic Fluid Drive transmission.
One of MacArthurs chauffeurs, Bill Hansen, recalled for a
recent newspaper article a fender-bender while driving
MacArthur along a New York highway. We were on the Grand
Central Parkway headed north and got bumped on the right rear
bumper. MacArthur said Dont worry, the Government will take
care of it. However, while viewing the limousine on display at
the Memorial years later, Hansen was able to point out the dent
which was never repaired.
Charles Steever, who drove Gen. MacArthur for twelve years
during the 1950s and 1960s, also related an amusing incident of
his time chauffeuring the General. A New York state trooper
pulled Steever over on the Merritt Parkway as Gen. MacArthur
was on a business trip to Connecticut. However, when the
trooper saw MacArthur seated in the back, We wound up with a
police escort all the way to Connecticut, Steever recalled.

10

Snuffys Corner
1 Jan 2015

Yipes Stripes!

Crunch!

by Bob Wiley, MSgt/GM-14 (Ret)

by Roger Storman, SMSgt (Ret/2T3)

Setting the Stage: Pease AFB Portsmouth, New Hampshire; I was stationed at McConnell AFB, Kansas in the early 1970s
Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation; SAC alert in progress and as a young, impressionable buck sergeant, I had the
(what again); vehicle maintenance shop; night shift.
pleasure of working for a hard-nosed, old-school supervisor.
The Story: Snuffy had had enough of this war gaming Thats not necessarily a bad thing. I crossed paths with a few of
stuff. Every time he turns around, he thinks hes being recalled those types in my career and found that I got along just fine.
to work for another SAC alert. And too often, he thinks, it They usually made it clear about what they expected and I
happens shortly after a full day at work on his normal work shift, always knew where I stood with them.
which is the dayshift.

For the purpose of this story, Ill call this particular supervisor
So hes been recalled and is back to work, and is now about TSgt Snuffy. I dont mean that in a derogatory sense because he
halfway through his alert night shift. He says, This just aint taught me a lot in my fledgling career that would prove valuable
fair. Im tired. I wonder if Id be missed if I slipped away later on. I still consider him as one of my top three supervisors.
somewhere and found a spot to rest a bit where I wont get I got to McConnell just a few weeks ahead of TSgt Snuffy and
caught by any of the supervisors.
upon his arrival he was given the task of supervising the
Hmmmmm. After giving it a bit more thought, he must have refueling maintenance shop, which was in dire straits at the
figured it out because he seemingly disappeared, and couldnt time. It didnt take us long to find out that his goal was to turn the
be found by the boss, who said hes looked high and low and shop around no matter what or how long it took.
cant find Snuffy anywhere. And the boss aint too pleased with
this turn of events either. Meanwhile, Im working the SAC alert
night shift as well, and Im in allied trades doing what Im
supposed to be doing.

He put us on a 7-day work schedule that lasted for six months.

Sometimes we came in on Sunday just to paint lines on the
floor, paint trashcans, etc. We also pulled our own standby duty,
so we were exhausted. TSgt Snuffy, however, kept a logbook
All of a sudden I see that Snuffys standing beside me, and I (before computers) of how many overtime hours we worked and
once the shop met his standards, he compensated us for it. The
glance at him and ask him where the heck he disappeared to.
hard work paid off; our shop eventually won best in SAC.
He replied he was in the tire shop, which is adjacent to allied
trades. I told him the boss has been looking for him all around I guess the one thing that bugged us most about him, and the
reason for this story, is that he was the ultimate perfectionist. He
the shop and I was pretty sure he checked in the tire shop.
had the entire refueling fleet (R-5s) painted through contract
Snuffy says, Yeah, but he didnt look into the tires on the tire maintenance. Our job, once the vehicles returned to the shop,
racks. Thats when I got a good look at him, and he looked like was to put new decals on the trucks. He would never delegate
a tiger, what with stripes on his fatigues from his ankles to the such an important task to the body shop! Many times we would
back of his neck.
have the decals already affixed to the truck and if they appeared
He said, When looking for a good hidey-hole he figured if he even slightly crooked, he would measure them. A quarter inch
crawled into the tires on the tire rack, he could lie down and off the mark, up or down, and he would make us redo it.
relax for a while.
One day, however, TSgt Snuffy made a mistake. Yes, this
What he didnt count on was getting all that black rubber residue extreme perfectionist actually screwed up! He was driving one of
all over his uniform, and a lot of his exposed skin as well.
his newly painted R-5s into the shop when all of a sudden we
Suddenly the boss stomps into allied trades and spies Snuffy, heard.CRUNCH!
black rubberized stripes and all, and starts to blow his top.

He struck the side of the entrance, destroyed the left west-coast

Then all of a sudden he shakes his head and guffaws loudly, mirror, dented the truck, and damaged the building as well.
and says, See, you aint as clever as you think you are you I suppose its almost cruel to take pleasure in an accident, but
hid sure enough, but you couldnt hide the fact that you hid. Go we did. We were silently cheering, and I think he knew it. He
get cleaned up Ive got a couple of really lousy details for you was clearly embarrassed and I believe somewhat humbled by
to handle.
the experience.

12