Squadron commander uses DCO to communicate during Winter Wingman Day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Adawn Kelsey
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  A Sheppard squadron commander turned to an online tool Feb. 18 during Wingman Day.

Lt. Col. Eric Jackson, 365th Training Squadron commander, said he used Defense Connect Online to reach his Airmen who are scattered through many facilities and work various shifts.

Normally, Wingman Day would require Airmen in Training to meet in one location to be briefed by the commander, and later be released to march back to their classrooms to break down into smaller working groups and conduct team building exercises.

"We operate out of six different facilities and run a three shift operation," Colonel Jackson said. "The technological capability exists in all our classrooms, and we gain nearly an hour of training just by using this tool so why not use it?" Colonel Jackson said.

By using DCO on the Air Force Portal, the colonel said was able to brief 44 different classrooms, with up to eight people in each room.

"First, all the rooms will log on to the DCO," Colonel Jackson said. "Then using chat capabilities, we take accountability and I can start briefing. Using my audio and webcam, I can talk to all my classes at the same time and give the slide show presentation. Once I am finished they can go right into the team building exercises. So far I haven't had any problems."

The colonel said he would suggest using this tool to any commander with detachments in other states and thinks DCO may also save money.

"In the long run, this tool may provide a way to decrease temporary duty traveling," Colonel Jackson said. "Utilization and training workshops bring in people from all over the world. Using this tool, there is potential to save the Air Force a lot of money by having the meetings through a web-based setting instead of in person."

Maj. Ricardo Cisneros, 365th TRS director of operations, said the tool also prevents Airmen from getting lost in the crowd.

"Doing a brief in a hangar, moving equipment and trying to make sure all the Airmen will fit in there at one time, makes a briefing feel like its lost part of its meaning," the major said. "By having the commander brief using this tool, our goal is to make the brief feel more personal with Airmen in smaller groups."

Colonel Jackson said Wingman Day is a good opportunity for all Airmen to take a breather and look at what they need to do to take care of themselves.

"Sometimes we get focused on the mission and forget we need to take care of ourselves and our wingmen," he said. "Today is a good day to talk about resiliency and learn how to practice being resilient."

The commander briefed his Airmen with pointers and exercises to help them with stressors and encouraged them to make time to have fun while they are in this very busy and often challenging part of their careers.