WHAT A DEAL-$2.50 RIBEYES

THE 2 CES BOOSTER CLUB WILL BE SELLING 8oz RIBEYE STEAKS FOR $2.50 PER STEAK. ANYONE CAN PURCHASE THESE STEAKS (YOU, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR FRIENDS, ECT). PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO: victor.addison@barksdale.af.mil or call SrA Addison @ DSN 456-4358. LAST CALL FOR STEAKS WILL BE THIS FRIDAY (21 Apr) @ 1200hrs. WHEN YOU ORDER, BE PREPARED TO GIVE THE # OF STEAKS YOU WANT, YOUR PHONE #, AND YOUR NAME. THE BOOSTER CLUB APPRECIATES ALL YOUR SUPPORT!!!!!!!

SSgt Root's Going Away Lunch

Today is SSgt Tiffany Root's going away luncheon at Hong Kong City from 1100-1300. Come out and show love for one of our great Engineers. Should be a fun and crazy lunch!

Booster Club Car Wash Mission Accomplished!

Big turnout for volunteers!















Everybody wants to wash cars!

THANKS to everyone who made this a successful day!

"BIG DADDY" Fishing Tournament-18/19 May 2006

The Booster Club would like to invite you to the upcoming, "BIG DADDY" fishing tournament. The tournament is in conjunction with the Squadron Picnic, which will be held on the 19th of May, 2006. All anglers must be registered by 6:00pm on the 18th of May. Hundreds of dollars will be given out to the winners of the contest, plus door prizes will be given away at the weigh in at Cullen Park (19 May @ 11:00am). We encourage you to come out, support your squadron, and have some fun- and who knows, you might just leave will lots of money!

Here are some high notes of the, "BIG DADDY" fishing tournament. For detailed information, please contact SSgt Dennis @ 781-8238 or SrA Addison @ 781-4348.

1. All anglers must carry a valid Louisiana state fishing license.
2. All fish must be within legal limits permitted by law.
3. Largest fish may be entered into the, “Big Daddy” category. Length prevails in case of a tie on weight in the, “Big Daddy” category.
4. All fish must be caught on rod and reel.
5. Entrants are subject to disqualifications from the Tournament in the event of any suspected foul play to include weigh in of fish which appear to have been caught prior to the tournament. The, “WEIGH MASTER” shall have sole discretion in these matters, and his decision is FINAL.
6. 2 CES assumes no responsibility for any accidents or unfortunate
events that may occur during the tournament.
7. Entry Fees may be paid in advance, or @ 5:00 pm at the 2
CES Squadron parking lot (Bldg 3433) on the day before the picnic. Fishing will begin at 7:00pm on the day before the picnic. Weigh in will be at 11:00am on the day of the picnic.
8. Fishing areas are unrestricted. You may fish any where you
want.
9. All contestants are expected to be safe and follow high
standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, and conservation.
10. In the event of a tie, each participant will be given equal
shares of the winnings.
11. The total weight will determine the winner of each category.
Entrants may weigh in 3 fish for Catfish and Bass category. One fish wins, "BIG DADDY".
12. This tournament is open to all members of 2 CES (Civilian or
Military) and their guests.
13.Half of the money paid in as entry fees will be paid out as
prizes for the tournament.
Entry Fees are: $5.00 for Catfish category, $5.00 for Bass
category, and $10.00 for the, “BIG DADDY” contest. There will be
a prize of $100.00 + 50% of money paid in for the, “BIG DADDY”
contest. There will be a prize of $50.00 + 50% of money paid in
for Catfish, and a prize of $50.00 + 50% of money paid in for
Bass.
14.There will be door prizes given away at the weigh in at Cullen
Park.

BE SAFE & GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Family Support Center

and the Chapel invite you to join us for a

Deployed Families’ Dinner

When: Thursday, 27 April 2006, 5:30p.m.
Where: Chapel 2 Annex
R.S.V.P.: Monday, 24 April - Call the FSC at 456-8400.
This is a free event open to the families of our deployed service members.

Help Wanted

We are looking for extra hands to help finish up a community improvment project. TSgt Dave Smith and MSgt Bill Kopfman are working a housing renovation project to support Caddo Parish. We have couple of projects left to finish up before a family can be placed. Please contact TSgt Dave Smith or MSgt Bill Kopfman if you are interested in helping out.

On Being Ready

This week, several Airmen around the base (no Engineer Airmen) received short notice out-of-cycle taskings for extended deployments. These Airmen got 5 days notice for a 7 1/2 month deployment. Some were ready to go, some weren't, and being ready meant the difference between spending time with family and friends or rushing around at the last minute to get everything done.

But just what is being "ready"?

Are your wills and powers of attorney updated? Can your spouse register your vehicle when you're away? How 'bout those bank accounts...have you made arrangements to pay your bills while you're away?

What about your gear? Do you have enough personal toiletries to last for 30 days? Ziplock baggies? Baby wipes? How 'bout batteries for that really cool flashlight you bought at Clothing Sales last month (you know the one...it's still in the plastic in your drawer...). Do you have a phone card? Do you have all your PT gear? (No civilian clothes at those deployed locations...)

The list is long, but you get the idea.

The point is to think to yourself, "What if I got orders to deploy in 3 days...could I do it?" Then go and take care of those things you have control over as soon as possible.

Being ready is not just something we do for the Air Force...it's something we do for ourselves as well.

Bloggers Wanted!

Are you interested in writing short articles or posting pictures of 2d Civil Engineer Squadron people or families "in action"? Want to write a "spotlight" post on your shop or office?

The "2 CES Engineer Post" is looking for you! If you're interested, please contact Lt Carr (sherri.carr@barksdale.af.mil) or MSgt Wolf (mark.wolf@barksdale.af.mil).

TOMMY LASORDA IN PERSON

Last week I had the honor of visiting Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana. I was asked to deliver the keynote speech at the 2006 Eighth Air Force Outstanding Airmen of the Year Banquet by my good friend, Lt. General Kevin Chilton. Lt. General Chilton is an inspiring leader, a former astronaut and a great American whom I am proud to call my friend. It was a very special visit, as I had the opportunity to express my sincere gratitude, appreciation and respect to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, the people who wear the uniform of the greatest country in the world.

The banquet's theme was, Every Generation has its Heroes, and featured brave airmen from World War II, as well as today. Those people being honored are my heroes, as are the people who put their lives on the line to protect our country, who fight for the ideal of freedom, and who represent the citizens of our land, the American soldiers, airmen, marines and midshipmen.

I want them all to know that they have my appreciation and respect, as I am overwhelmed and inspired by their unwavering patriotism and unyielding commitment.

I had the unique opportunity to climb inside the cockpit of an A10, and fly in a B52 simulator (yes I landed safely). The banquet was a success and everyone had a great time. We were able to break bread and have a few laughs; laughter is the food for the soul. When you can laugh, you can forget any problems you may have in life. Those airmen made me laugh, and for that I thank them all from the bottom of my heart.

New Engineer!

SrA Kevin McGinnis and his wife Marlana just had a baby today.
His name is Cameron, Alexander, McGinnis, and he weighs 6 lbs, 2 ounces, and 20 inches.
Both parents are doing great!

CE Chaplain's Musings: Expectations

To CES All:

Many years ago, I saw a bumpersticker which read: "Blessed are they who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed." I must admit that I laughed out loud. Although the saying may be somewhat suspect, life really is about what we expect.

Not that we will or even should always get what we expect. Rather, what we expect will determine how we look at an action or experience. Over 17 years ago, I enlisted in the Army. I expected to be ordered around, insulted, cursed at, and generally reprimanded for feeling that I had a right to breathe. Guess what, I got just about what I expected; and because I expected it, I didn't come unglued at the seams when it happened. About 16 months ago, I reported to Officer Training School at Maxwell AFB and didn't know what to expect. If I had to venture a guess, I figured that fellow officers would greet me with a smile, shake my hand, and offer to carry my golf clubs up to my room for me (okay, the last one was a stretch). Instead, they made us line up at position of attention, bark out "Yes, Sir!" to everything, and do about facing movements 'til my calves hurt and eyes crisscrossed. Mind you, not knowing what to expect, I found myself saying, "What in the world did I get into?" The good news is-- it did get better, not that it was really all that bad to begin with.

Expectations can make us or break us. They can deteremine whether we will come through a tough time either bitter or better. Life, at its core is hard. Those who think that it's supposed to be easy lose out. If you expect things to be tough and rise to the challenge, then good things will find their way to you. Its about a servanthood mentality, complete with important practices such as discipline, respect, compassion, and hard work. Those who are building blessed families, careers, and lives become more concerned with their responsibilities than their rights. Those who consistently produce do so because they plowed and sowed in the Spring. They expected winter to come, and they were ready--with a Fall harvest. So, to correct my lead off phrase, "Blessed are they who inspect what they expect, for they shall not be disappointed.

Press on,
Ch Mac

Read Chaplain McCafferty's blog at http://cechaplain.blogspot.com

Engineers At Work

Civil Engineers help rebuild Iraq
Senior Airmen Adam Chavera and Jason Brashar and Master Sgt. Kirk Kessler pour concrete into a crater on the edge of a bridge from the mobile concrete batch plant. The Airmen, with Detachment 10 of the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, were on their first crater repair mission. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

Steak Sale!!

Chaplain McCafferty's Thoughts

Our Squadron Chaplain, Chaplain (Capt) Randy McCafferty, has begun a blog of his own...good stuff, I encourage you to check it out!

http://cechaplain.blogspot.com/

CE NEWS FLASH FROM IRAQ

SSgt Daniel Dalrymple was selected as NCO of the Month for 557 ERHS. And SrA Sarah Williamson was selected as Airman of the Month for 557 ERHS. Barksdale is being represented very well! Hope things are well there at home station and I look forward to getting back. I really, really look forward to getting back! Type atcha later. Take care and keep on keepin on!

MSgt John Elbert

Military Personnel Flight Changes

In the coming months, we will all hear more about "Personnel Services Delivery Transformation"...many of the functions we used to do in person at the Military Personnel Flight will be done over the Internet, and via a Call Center in San Antonio.

The slide below describes how personnel service will soon be delivered. The AF will make announcements as these functions go online or at the Call Center...it's very important that we all pay close attention to the information on how to access these services, it'll be a change in how we do business!

More News from the Front!

Today in AF News, some news about the RED HORSE squadron our 2 CES Engineer Airmen are serving with:

Engineers Support the Fight

No matter how small or large the projects, the Air Force engineers said they are proud to be supporting the Bastogne Soldiers of 1st Battalion, and enjoy the atmosphere on the FOB as well.

Engineers support the fight. Air Force engineers from the 557th Expeditionary Red Horse Squadron work to improve the quality of living for Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, stationed on Forward Operating Base McHenry, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo/Spc. Barbara Ospina)

2 CES Airman Deployed

Thought I'd share a picture of 1Lt Helgeson taken on a recent mission near one of Saddam's former palaces somewhere in Iraq. Keep him and all our deployed Airmen in your thoughts and prayers until they all come home.

Lead the Way!

New Family Support Center Public Website!

The Barksdale FSC now has a PUBLIC website! Check in and see why they're the Best in ACC...good stuff for Engineer Airmen and their families!

https://www.barksdale.af.mil/2bw/2msg/2mss/FSC_web/fscmain.htm