20th CS steps up to ALS challenge Published June 22, 2006 By Senior Airman John Gordinier 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The 20th Communications Squadron accepted the Airman Leadership School commanders’ challenge and created the Voodoo room March 30, which is filled with history and heritage of the RF-101 aircraft and its successes. “The ALS commanders’ challenge is a program run by the ALS flight chief to seek commanders’ involvement in making a difference for Airmen attending ALS,” said Chief Master Sgt. David Gouin, 20th CS superintendent. “At each graduation, a volleyball is passed in a competitive sense from one squadron to another to help make improvements at the suggestion of the ALS flight chief. The flight chief oversees projects at the ALS facility and surrounding grounds. “We wanted to show ALS students the heritage of aircraft stationed at Shaw, which made a great impact on forging our nation’s history,” Chief Gouin said. “The Voodoo legacy RF-101 aircraft had a major involvement in the Cuban missile crisis.” “I like the Voodoo room, it’s my favorite,” said Staff Sgt. Jennifer Cabe, 20th ALS instructor. “The students here have nothing but good things to say about the room.” “We wanted to tell a story throughout the room,” Chief Gouin said. “And I think we did a fantastic job doing it.” The room has aerial and plane photographs, a painting of the plane with artist and pilot’s signatures and a detailed model plane. Senior Master Sgt. Cynthia Clarke, 20th CS flight superintendent led the project with multiple volunteers. The pictures and information were researched by Senior Master Sgt. Marvin Krause, 20th CS support flight superintendent and 1st Lt. Brent Roper, 20th CS support flight commander, along with the help of Alejandro Lujan, 20th Fighter Wing historian. Once the pictures were finished, detailed wooden frames were handmade and stained by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Cabe, 20th CS NCO in charge of theatre deployable communications. Sgt. Cabe also made wooden letters to hang on the wall of the classroom to spell “Voodoo Flight.” The RF-101 aircraft model replica was constructed and painted by Tech. Sgt. John Long, 20th CS NCO in charge of network control center standard evaluation section. “These folks did all of this hard work in their off-duty time,” Chief Gouin said. “Their sacrifices, along with others, have, hopefully, helped inspire future leaders to achieve, excel and do for others.” If a squadron or group wants to help improve the ALS environment, many projects are available. The Chiefs Group, Top 3 and Company Grade Officers Council have participated and other Shaw organizations are encouraged to participate as well. “We are open to just about anything within reason that a unit would like to do to make our facility better for future students,” said Senior Master Sgt. Gary Devault, ALS flight chief. “One thing that has been considered is having a squadron paint the Air Force logo on our drill pad. Of course it would need to be done by people with skills in that area and they would need to use the correct type of paint for concrete. “The bottom line on the commanders’ challenge program is the squadrons need to choose something that is within their realm of expertise to complete,” he said. “We don’t want something started that Civil Engineer Squadron has to come in and finish.” Equipment Maintenance Squadron currently has the challenge and they are repainting the F-16 replica and adding fuel tanks and bombs. “The next commanders’ challenge window will start at ALS graduation July 13 and end at the next graduation Sept. 21,” Sgt. Devault said. “Squadrons (or groups) interested in projects will have plenty of time to finish, even large projects.”