Tinker Talks

Air Force Materiel Command’s Connect program is an initiative to focus on building relationships. This month, we invited Chaplain (Maj.) Chris Reeder from the Tinker Chapel to join us on this episode of Tinker Talks to discuss the topic of Hope. The purpose of AFMC Connect is to help units invest in their collective success by providing the time, tools, and resources to enhance personal and profes...

What began out of a tragedy has turned into a triumph for the young military members stationed at Tinker Air Force Base. Pam Kloiber, executive director and co-founder of the Team Tinker Home Away From Home program, recently sat down with Tinker Talks to discuss the program that pairs young service members with civilian host families to help alleviate the anxiety of being alone and far from home,...

In this episode of Tinker Talks, host April McDonald sits down with the 72nd Air Base Wing and Installation Commander, Col. G. Hall Sebren Jr. Col. Sebren took command just a few short months ago, but has hit the ground running. He discusses his leadership approach and warrior mindset as well as top priorities. Remember to subscribe to this podcast and leave us feedback! And, how about a rating? L...

Former 552nd Air Control Wing commander, retired Brigadier General Ben Robinson and current 552nd ACW Commander Col. Keven Coyle were both stationed in the 552nd and working the morning of September 11, 2001. The two joined us on this episode to reflect on the events that unfolded that morning, one from the commander's role and the other from a young lieutenant serving as the resource advisor. Lis...

Gen. Mark D. Kelly, commander of Air Combat Command visited Tinker Air Force Base for a second time recently. This time around we had a chance to sit down with the General for a discussion on the 552 Air Control Wing, the critical missions performed by the men and women of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex and more.

Lt. Gen. Gene Kirkland, commander of the Air Force Sustainment Center, recently sat down with Tinker Talks to discuss his Air Force career and his time as the leader of the AFSC.

Lt. Gen. Gene Kirkland, commander of the Air Force Sustainment Center, recently sat down with Tinker Talks to discuss his Air Force career and his time as the leader of the AFSC.

Air Force Materiel Command’s Connect program is an initiative to focus on building relationships. We invited Wakita Oliver, a master resiliency facilitator with the 72nd Force Support Squadron, to join us on this episode of Tinker Talks to discuss the topic of Character. Oliver teaches Profession of Arms Center of Excellence, or PACE, classes that concentrate on people leading themselves or others...

Hello and welcome to Tinker Talks. This episode we talk to the Navy's Strategic Communications Wing ONE commander, CAPT. Cedrick Jessup. While we don't get into the mission very much due to it's sensitive nature, we do get to hear from the commodore about a host of other topics to include what it's like being a Navy commodore on an Air Force base. This is a great total force episode and CAPT. Jess...

Welcome to another episode of Tinker Talks. This episode we are talking about the Air Force Assistance Fund. Hardships happen to everyone and often times when it's least expected. The AFAF is a fund designed to directly give back to our Airmen. The fund raising drive is almost finished, but anyone can donate and give back year round. Information on how to donate through the website and text messag...

Welcome to Tinker Talks. April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and on this episode we sit down with former guest, Ali Kern of the 72nd Medical Group Family Advocacy Office. She breaks down statistics on various forms of child abuse and gives valuable signs of what to look for and how to help. Please share the word on this podcast. This is a very important topic that deserves wide attention. It's pa...

Welcome to another episode of Tinker Talks. This episode features the commander of the 507th Air Refueling Wing, Col. Michael Parks. He is an active duty colonel commanding an operational reserve wing. Col. Parks talks about his career and how he came to be the commander of Oklahoma's largest flying wing. He also highlights what a Citizen Airman is and how they manage dual roles - citizen and Air...

Hello and welcome to another episode of Tinker Talks. This is a special episode as we turn the microphone over to Tinker Air Force Base Installation Commander, Col. Paul Filcek to have a conversation with a COVID-19 survivor. Mr. Anthony Baumann, Director of the Air Force Sustainment Center Contract Directorate. Mr. Baumann shares the details of his battle with this disease, to include a 10-day st...

Welcome to Tinker Talks. He went in to see the doctor about a shoulder pain that was not going away and it turned into a life saving trip and a valuable lesson of men's health. November is Men's Health Awareness Month. We sit down and have a conversation with Ken Lafayette, a cancer survivor. He talks about how he found out, treatments and survival. He also tells us about the impact this had on hi...

On this episode of Tinker Talks we sit down with four senior leaders to talk about leading through a pandemic, specifically COVID-19. Air Force Sustainment Center Commander, Lt. Gen. Gene Kirkland, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex Commander, Brig. Gen. Chris Hill, 448th Supply Chain Management Wing Director, Dennis D’Angelo and 72nd Air Base Wing and Installation Commander, Col. Paul Filcek sha...

Welcome to Tinker Talks. This episode we talk about something that is vitally important, not just to Tinker Air Force Base but to every organization, logistics. Joining us on this episode is Brent Burgess, the 72nd Logistics Readiness Squadron director. He's here to talk about how vital this organization is to Tinker and what they have been able to accomplish during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please m...

Welcome to another episode of Tinker Talks. We continue our discussion of impacts due to the Corona Virus, specifically financial impacts and some assistance to those who have suffered due to the COVID-19 virus. With millions of Americans out of work, the financial impact has the potential to reach our DoD active duty and civilian personnel. In our first remote recording we sit down with Gia Easle...

On this edition of Tinker Talks we talk discuss ways to communicate Coronavirus to your kids. What to say and do and how to keep them stress-free during these difficult times. We also discuss how to cope with anxiety and stress during this time. As this pandemic spreads the effects will likely take a toll on some. We will discuss ways that we can identify and help those in need. Today's discussion...

This edition of Tinker Talks focuses on COVID-19 updates and helpful information from our the Tinker Air Force Base 72 Medical Group. Joining us today are 72 MDG Commander, Col. Jennifer Trinkle, Public Health Emergency Officer, Col. Cindy Graessle, and Public Health Commander, Maj. Trinette Flowers-Torres. They give us some great information about the Coronavirus and Tinker's current status, with...

This edition of Tinker Talks focuses on COVID-19 updates and helpful information from our the Tinker Air Force Base 72 Medical Group. Joining us today are 72 MDG Commander, Col. Jennifer Trinkle, Public Health Emergency Officer, Lt. Col. Cindy Graessle, and Public Health Commander, Maj. Trinette Flowers-Torres. They give us some great information about the Coronavirus and Tinker's current status,...

The Air Force Sustainment Center is big business and on this episode we get an opportunity to sit down with the commander of the AFSC to find out what that means. Lt. Gen. Gene Kirkland, AFSC commander joins us to discuss topics such as how we are using innovation to keep our legacy aircraft in the fight and up and coming technologies such as predictive maintenance. This is an information packed e...

Welcome to Tinker Talks. This episode we sit down with Col. Paul Filcek, the 72 Air Base Wing and Tinker Air Force Base Installation Commander for a candid conversation about privatized housing, big changes in the medical community, leadership philosophy and more. Col. Filcek walked into a high speed command just over six months ago and now takes some time to sit down and discuss what has been acc...

Weather Flight Commander, Capt. John Martin takes time out of his buys day to sit down with us and talk about weather operations, it's vitally critical role to the mission and what it takes to become an Air Force forecaster. Air Force forecasters help leadership determine flight and base status depending on weather situations. No flight operations occur without a weather briefing to let the pilots...

Welcome to Tinker Talks. This is a podcast that discusses happenings behind the fence of one of the Air Force's largest bases. This month, we have a guest host on the show. 2d Lt. Ashlyn Paulson recently deployed with the 552 Air Control Wing for training missions around the globe. During a stop in Australia, she was able to sit down for a conversation with Flight Lieutenant Ryan Anderson, a fligh...

Welcome to this episode of Tinker Talks. We are talking about energy awareness this week. You think your energy bill is high during the summer months? Imagine opening the bill for the largest industrial complex in the Air Force. Tinker Air Force Base used to be the #1 largest energy consumer in the Air Force. Generally being #1 is something to be proud of, but not in this case. Due to the hard wor...