Force development manager collaborates with Georgia training facilities
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Senior Master Sgt. Stewart Herringshaw, civil engineer power production force development manager from the Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s Operations Directorate, traveled through Georgia recently to collaborate training efforts and identify training needs for power pro technicians.
The manager’s first stop was in Americus, Georgia, at the South Georgia Technical College, or SGTC, where he met with college representatives and toured the facilities. The group discussed training methods and possibilities of partnering for power generation training.
“Partnerships and cooperation are the hallmark of the programs in our diesel technology division,” said David Kuipers, vice president of academic affairs at SGTC. “Talking with Herringshaw about our training facilities helps SGTC stay up-to-date in our training and allows both of us to better understand the opportunities available in the field for a highly skilled workforce. Because the history of SGTC is rooted in the Army Air Corps and the Reserve Air Force, an opportunity to share information with Senior Master Sgt. Herringshaw and the Air Force seems like a natural fit.”
Traveling on to the next stop at Robins Air Force Base, Herringshaw met with leaders and Airmen to discuss training, methodology and collaboration efforts. A large group of Airmen gathered around to provide input on how training methods affect their development.
“It was great to have Senior Master Sgt. Herringshaw come to visit the Power Pro and heating, ventilation and air conditioning personnel here at the 5th Combat Communications Group,” said Master Sgt. Christopher Wood, functional manager of the 5th CCG and flight chief for the 51st Combat Communications Squadron at Robins. “We were able to come up with a plan to continue to provide hands-on training for our newest Airmen and proficiency training for our more seasoned folks. We are looking forward to collaborating further to train our Airmen to be the best at what they do for the 5th CCG and the Air Force.”
Rounding out the trip at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, power pro trainers met with Herringshaw and shared training methods for aircraft arresting systems, crane training and generators. The Airmen in training displayed their progress in a hands-on exercise with the machinery.
“I believe Herringshaw's visit was great,” said Master Sgt. Joseph Thomas, power production instructor at Dobbins. “The Airmen really enjoyed ‘talking shop’ with him, discussing the direction of the career field and how it ties to the Air Force mission.”
During the visit, Airmen had the chance to get one-on-one time with Herringshaw to discuss the future of training in their career field and express concerns that will be considered in future training development.
“As force development managers, we like to meet with teams in the field and find ways that we can all work together better,” Herringshaw said. “We want to make sure we are all training at the same level and providing the best possible opportunity for Airmen and civilians in our respective career fields.”
Herringshaw said the information he gathered from this particular trip gives the Air Force the ability to “better tailor future training at a level commensurate with the civilian world for the future of Airmen working in power production.”