LSF provides outlet for dormitory concerns

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Melissa T. Copeland
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base --  Airmen in the dormitories can rest assured knowing any concerns about their living environment, workplace and morale are heard and acted upon - with the help of the base Lightning Strike Force program.

First enacted in 2004, LSF was implemented to develop and nurture Airmen residing in the dormitories by providing inspiration, motivation, education and leadership, said Senior Master Sgt. Bryan Blue, 355th Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant and one of the program coordinators.

The LSF teams visit each of the eight dormitories weekly, to include Friday and Saturday. Groups are set up on a rotating basis, with a new team each week, Sergeant Blue stated.

The group is comprised of one officer, one senior non-commissioned officer and one supervisor, with a minimum pay grade of E-5. They talk to the Airmen and complete a survey report on the concerns of the Airmen and any actions taken by leadership.

"All reports get the exposure at the highest level of command and are accessible to all D-M internet users at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base First Sergeant's Web site (on the intranet)," Sergeant Blue said.

The LSF reports assist base leaders on improvement opportunities for the dormitories and gauges the living environment of dorm residents.

"The teams are there to help our Airmen and to improve the base in any way they can," Sergeant Blue said. "The skate park and the paintball range were both results of comments in the LSF reports."

In addition to providing visibility to the dorm residents, the LSF also provides Airmen a low-pressure avenue to voice a concern or idea. Airmen are generally more amenable to the idea of straight-talking with superiors on their own turf, Sergeant Blue said, as opposed to voicing their concerns - or complaints - to their chain of command while on duty.

"I think the Lightning Strike Force program is a great way for Airmen to raise their concerns about their dormitory, their workplace and any other issue that may arise," said Airman 1st Class Reynaldo Maroney, 355th Medical Support Squadron laboratory technician and dorm resident.

The LSF is a sergeant-monitored program under the direction of the wing commander, Col. Kent Laughbaum. For more information on LSF, contact Senior Master Sgt. Bryan Blue at 228-3070 or the 355th Services Squadron first sergeant, Master Sgt. Gregory Smith, at 228-3283.