Blacksnake Bytes

This interview spotlights a team who keeps things running on base...literally! Our vehicle maintenance shop make sure that the fleet of government vehicles are operational for transporting people and supplies where they need to go. If you are considering a career in the military that translates well to the civilian side, vehicle maintenance may be the job for you!

Enjoy this interview with State Command Chief Master Sergeant Mike Dixon, who started out as one of our own Blacksnakes, and now serves as the senior enlisted leader of the Indiana Air National Guard.

Military chaplains are a key part of the U.S. military support system. Not only do they provide spiritual and religious counseling to service members and their families, but they can do so with 100% confidentiality. Tune in to this episode to meet the 122nd Fighter Wing Chaplains and Religious Affairs Airmen who work together to facilitate the free exercise of religion in the military.

#InternationalPodcastDay

Physical fitness is an integral part of being a U.S. service member, but it doesn’t have to be a chore! Join us for an in-depth conversation on increasing your cardio and physical endurance, getting that run time down, and lifestyle tips to support physical longevity and health.

The job of a military recruiter is essential for building a strong workforce, but they can't do it alone! Every member of the 122nd Fighter Wing has a unique story to tell. In this short Q&A episode, TSgt Delagrange shares how we can use our diverse backgrounds and experiences to bring new members to our base. Reach out to our recruiting team if you want to get involved!

A military recruiter joins Blacksnake Bytes to share the top reasons that bring people to the military, and how joining the National Guard can benefit a person's career, education, and sense of purpose.

In this episode of Blacksnake Bytes, we interview our wing historian, Douglas Dye. This role serves an important purpose in preserving the 122nd Fighter Wing's history and telling the stories of those who've served their nation and community.

The Commander of the 122d Fighter Wing, Col. Joshua Waggoner joins the Blacksnake Bytes team for a 1 year anniversary episode of the podcast to talk about his vision for the future of the fighter wing, bringing the F-16 Viper back to Fort Wayne, and plans for building a new, modernized base. He also shares the history of the fighter wing's new motto, drawn from Mad Anthony Wayne, an integral figure in the Revolutionary War and in Fort Wayne's legacy.

Tune in to this episode of Blacksnake Bytes to learn how a small but important office works behind the scenes to bring the 122d Fighter Wing essential supplies and projects, while also supporting the local Fort Wayne economy and businesses by responsibly spending taxpayer dollars. If you are a military member who has big ideas on how to modernize your workplace, this episode will give you the tools for effectively working with the contracting office.

In this episode of Blacksnake Bytes, we speak with the team leading the charge in bringing F-16 fighter jets back to Fort Wayne. They highlight the group effort and cooperation that have made this fighter conversion from A-10 Thunderbolt II to F-16 Fighting Falcon possible, and give a behind-the-scenes look at the process. They also discuss the new job opportunities that this conversion will bring to the 122nd Fighter Wing.

Welcome to another episode of Blacksnake Bytes! Managing your money for retirement and keeping expenses under control can be a stressful and frustrating experience. Kevin Kensinger provides personal financial counseling services to military members in northern Indiana—for free! In this episode, Kevin explains how Indiana servicemembers can get their 2023 state taxes refunded thanks to a new Indiana law, and how he helped servicemembers who worked on COVID-19 state active duty orders save... read more

Welcome to another episode of Blacksnake Bytes! Managing your money for retirement and keeping expenses under control can be a stressful and frustrating experience. Kevin Kensinger provides personal financial counseling services to military members in northern Indiana—for free! In this episode, Kevin explains how Indiana servicemembers can get their 2023 state taxes refunded thanks to a new Indiana law, and how he helped servicemembers who worked on COVID-19 state active duty orders save almost $600,000 in taxes. He explains how to use the Thrift Savings Program (TSP) to plan for retirement, gives tips on how to reduce monthly expenses and make a financial plan. This episode is packed full of useful information that everyone can use. Don’t miss it!   show less

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month. In this episode of Blacksnake Bytes, we sit down with Julie Caskey, our Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) to talk about the services and resources that she and her team provide to survivors of sexual assault, as well as their families, coworkers, and supervisors.
SARCs are responsible for ensuring that victims of sexual assault receive appropriate and responsive care, and provide the Wing Commander with a broad understanding of the unit’s climate in regards to sexual assault. The SARC also conducts annual training for DOD members on sexual assault prevention. Don’t miss this episode!

Welcome to Blacksnake Bytes! In the military, commanders are tasked with leading people and organizations, which is not as easy as it sounds! In part two, you’ll learn about these commanders’ management styles, changes coming to the 122nd Fighter Wing, managing priorities with limited resources and time, and much more!
Don’t miss part one to get a behind the scenes look of what it’s like to be a commander, how they find mentors and support in learning to do the job, and their... read more

Welcome to Blacksnake Bytes! In the military, commanders are tasked with leading people and organizations, which is not as easy as it sounds! In part two, you’ll learn about these commanders’ management styles, changes coming to the 122nd Fighter Wing, managing priorities with limited resources and time, and much more! Don’t miss part one to get a behind the scenes look of what it’s like to be a commander, how they find mentors and support in learning to do the job, and their favorite self-development books, podcasts, and activities! 01:30 how do you utilize your chiefs and first sergeants? 05:15 lost in translation: working through communication issues 05:55 open door policies 10:25 what is the mission of the F-16? 11:45 Agile Combat Employment (ACE) and Multi-Capable Airmen (MCA) 17:33 how will ACE and MCA change the way we work? 18:45 what qualities do you look for in Airmen? 20:05 managing priorities with limited resources and time 26:01 what great things are your Airmen doing? 31:51 what’s one thing that people might not know about you? 34:07 advice for people who are thinking of joining the unit, or those who want to leave the military   show less

Welcome to Blacksnake Bytes! In the military, commanders are tasked with leading people and organizations, which is not as easy as it sounds! In part one, you’ll get a behind the scenes look of what it’s like to be a commander, how they find mentors and support in learning to do the job, and their favorite self-development books, podcasts, and activities!
Don’t miss part two for a closer look at these commanders’ management styles, changes coming to the 122nd Fighter Wing, managing... read more

Welcome to Blacksnake Bytes! In the military, commanders are tasked with leading people and organizations, which is not as easy as it sounds! In part one, you’ll get a behind the scenes look of what it’s like to be a commander, how they find mentors and support in learning to do the job, and their favorite self-development books, podcasts, and activities! Don’t miss part two for a closer look at these commanders’ management styles, changes coming to the 122nd Fighter Wing, managing priorities with limited resources and time, and much more! 02:07 introductions 06:07 the role of a commander 09:31 do commanders receive mentoring? 13:00 making big decisions as a leader 15:13 what is a drill weekend like for a commander? 19:28 how do you become a commander? 21:55 what do you wish someone had told you before you became a commander? 23:41 how do you develop yourself personally? 28:52 what is your vision statement?   show less

Welcome to another episode of Blacksnake Bytes!
Serving in the U.S. military can be a very rewarding experience, but there are many challenges and stressors that come along with taking the Oath to protect your country—enduring physical, mental, and emotional hardship, being separated from loved ones for long periods of time, and sacrificing personal wants and needs for the good of the team. Thankfully for military members and their families, we have a vast network of support that we can... read more

Welcome to another episode of Blacksnake Bytes! Serving in the U.S. military can be a very rewarding experience, but there are many challenges and stressors that come along with taking the Oath to protect your country—enduring physical, mental, and emotional hardship, being separated from loved ones for long periods of time, and sacrificing personal wants and needs for the good of the team. Thankfully for military members and their families, we have a vast network of support that we can turn to in times of need. In this episode of Military Supporting Services, we speak with Kelly Harrison, with the Airman and Family Readiness program, and Megan Ross, our Director of Psychological Health, to share how they support our Airmen at the 122nd Fighter Wing. Tune in to learn how you or your loved ones can benefit from these programs! 00:25 – Kelly Harrison, Airman and Family Readiness 08:36 – Share the show or leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform! 09:30 – Megan Ross, Director of Psychological Health   show less

Welcome to another episode of Blacksnake Bytes! In this episode we interview a panel of three first sergeants that answer questions from Airmen around the 122nd Fighter Wing. A special duty position that monitors each Airman's health and morale. As members of the triad these first sergeants go into detail about the mission, vision, and their job taking care of each Airmen. The unique perspective gives you a behind the scenes look at what an Air Force First Sergeant gets done in a drill weekend. Guided by the Air Force standards, Commander's intent and AFI 36-2113 their job is people and everyone is their business. Share and enjoy the episode!

In this episode of Blacksnake Bytes, we interview a panel of Airmen who train in small, cohesive teams to support aircraft operations from austere locations with minimal reliance on large, traditional military bases. As Multi Capable Airmen (MCA), each individual is a technical expert in a specific area of aircraft maintenance, and they share these skills within the team so that every member is qualified to support the aircraft's maintenance requirements. This training supports the U.S. Air... read more

In this episode of Blacksnake Bytes, we interview a panel of Airmen who train in small, cohesive teams to support aircraft operations from austere locations with minimal reliance on large, traditional military bases. As Multi Capable Airmen (MCA), each individual is a technical expert in a specific area of aircraft maintenance, and they share these skills within the team so that every member is qualified to support the aircraft's maintenance requirements. This training supports the U.S. Air Force's objective of Agile Combat Employment (ACE)--"launching, recovering, and maintaining aircraft from dispersed forward operating locations in concert with allies and partners". Join us for another exciting episode! https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Wild-Blue-Yonder/Article-Display/Article/2753756/command-and-control-for-agile-combat-employment/ https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3528864/air-force-introduces-mca-training-framework/   show less

Welcome to another episode of Blacksnake Bytes! In this episode we interview a panel of three chief master sergeant Airmen assigned to the 122nd Fighter Wing Maintenance Group with questions from junior enlisted Airmen. As members of the highest enlisted rank in the Air Force, Chiefs are tasked with the professional development of themselves and those around them, while leading organizations and putting plans into action in order to accomplish the mission. This critical role can be... read more

Welcome to another episode of Blacksnake Bytes! In this episode we interview a panel of three chief master sergeant Airmen assigned to the 122nd Fighter Wing Maintenance Group with questions from junior enlisted Airmen. As members of the highest enlisted rank in the Air Force, Chiefs are tasked with the professional development of themselves and those around them, while leading organizations and putting plans into action in order to accomplish the mission. This critical role can be accomplished in many ways, and each panel member brings their own unique perspective and background to this interview. They answer questions from Airmen, such as: - How can senior leaders best show the enlisted force that they matter? - How do you lead people when you don’t have experience working in their career field? - How does the 122nd Fighter Wing vet candidates for promotion boards? - What is a toxic work environment, and how should Airmen respond in these situations? Little Brown Book https://www.doctrine.af.mil/Portals/61/documents/Airman_Development/BrownBook.pdf Military Parental Leave Policy https://www.afpc.af.mil/News/Article/3262484/department-of-the-air-force-releases-policy-on-military-parental-leave-program/   show less

(This episode was recorded on July 11, 2023, prior to the military coup in Niger.)
Welcome to another episode of Blacksnake Bytes! In this edition, we shine a spotlight on two medical professionals, 1st Lt. Barton and Staff Sgt. Sellers, both hailing from the 122d Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Along with other Indiana Army and Air National Guardsmen, they embarked on several missions to impart life-saving medical expertise to Nigerien doctors and soldiers.
Indiana's state... read more

(This episode was recorded on July 11, 2023, prior to the military coup in Niger.) Welcome to another episode of Blacksnake Bytes! In this edition, we shine a spotlight on two medical professionals, 1st Lt. Barton and Staff Sgt. Sellers, both hailing from the 122d Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Along with other Indiana Army and Air National Guardsmen, they embarked on several missions to impart life-saving medical expertise to Nigerien doctors and soldiers. Indiana's state partnership with Niger, cultivated since 2017 through the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, forms the backdrop for their journey. Initially tasked with providing vital combat care training to frontline soldiers, 1st Lt. Barton and Staff Sgt. Sellers quickly discovered that the actual needs on the ground in Niger were more complex than they had anticipated. Join us as we delve into their inspiring story, filled with encounters that transcend cultural boundaries, addressing the unique medical training needs of the Nigerien military, and leaving a heartwarming mark by contributing to a local orphanage in Niamey. It's a tale of collaboration, compassion, and bridging worlds you won't want to miss.   show less

Don't miss our debut Blacksnake Spotlight interview! Meet Staff Sgt. Graves from the 122nd Fighter Wing, who went above and beyond her duties in Aircrew Flight Equipment (AFE). As an AFE sergeant, she typically ensures the safety equipment for fighter pilots is in top-notch condition. But her skills and passion didn't stop there. Recognizing the critical need for proper-fitting flight suits for pregnant aircrew, she volunteered for a unique mission - sewing maternity flight suits. The... read more

Don't miss our debut Blacksnake Spotlight interview! Meet Staff Sgt. Graves from the 122nd Fighter Wing, who went above and beyond her duties in Aircrew Flight Equipment (AFE). As an AFE sergeant, she typically ensures the safety equipment for fighter pilots is in top-notch condition. But her skills and passion didn't stop there. Recognizing the critical need for proper-fitting flight suits for pregnant aircrew, she volunteered for a unique mission - sewing maternity flight suits. The project was a game-changer for pregnant aircrew members who faced life-threatening safety hazards and career obstacles due to ill-fitting gear. With her "Go Get It" motto driving her, Staff Sgt. Graves fearlessly embraced the challenge, impacting the careers of military women across the country. Tune in now!   show less

Senior Master Sgt. Leslie Keiser interviews the 122nd Fighter Wing's own Command Chief Master Sgt., Kyle Hoopingarner. This episode digs deep into Chief Hoopingarner's leadership philosophy, his journey to becoming Command Chief, and his strategy to stay connected with Airmen despite a busy schedule. He talks about the true purpose of promotion boards, why recognizing Airmen with awards and decorations is so important, and how he helps Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO's) pursue personal and... read more

Senior Master Sgt. Leslie Keiser interviews the 122nd Fighter Wing's own Command Chief Master Sgt., Kyle Hoopingarner. This episode digs deep into Chief Hoopingarner's leadership philosophy, his journey to becoming Command Chief, and his strategy to stay connected with Airmen despite a busy schedule. He talks about the true purpose of promotion boards, why recognizing Airmen with awards and decorations is so important, and how he helps Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO's) pursue personal and professional development. Don't miss our rapid-fire questions at the end to find out which Air Force Instructions (AFI) Chief Hoop would change and why! Time Hacks: 00:45 Intro 01:35 Experience of being a new Command Chief 04:22 History of the Chief (E-9) rank 08:23 Leaving behind a legacy 12:03 "Who inspired you?" 16:27 "How do you stay engaged with Airmen?" 20:30 First speech as Command Chief 24:37 "Why is a promotion board important?" 26:45 "Why are awards and decorations important?" 31:14 Chief Hoopingarner's favorite award 37:57 "What is the Triad?" 39:50 Developing NCO's 43:00 "What is your proudest military moment?" 47:12 Rapid-fire round 50:53 Final remarks   show less

In the second episode of Blacksnake Bytes, Tech. Sgt. Wood joins 2nd Lt. Rogers to talk about his tenure as President of the Junior Enlisted Council, career progression tools he wishes he'd learned about earlier in his career, and how the JEC can improve the lives of 122nd Fighter Wing Airmen.



Time Hacks:

00:45 Intro

02:42 What is the JEC's mission and who does it represent?

05:10 How does the JEC support Airmen and get involved with the local community?

07:53 What is the... read more

In the second episode of Blacksnake Bytes, Tech. Sgt. Wood joins 2nd Lt. Rogers to talk about his tenure as President of the Junior Enlisted Council, career progression tools he wishes he'd learned about earlier in his career, and how the JEC can improve the lives of 122nd Fighter Wing Airmen. Time Hacks: 00:45 Intro 02:42 What is the JEC's mission and who does it represent? 05:10 How does the JEC support Airmen and get involved with the local community? 07:53 What is the JEC's role as an on-base organization? 10:08 What does the JEC offer Drill Status Guardsman? 14:38 How can the JEC help with career progression? 16:17 What is a flight path and how do you start one? 20:02 What difference has the JEC made in your life? 22:15 How does the JEC President communicate up the chain of command? 24:55 Can the JEC President elevate issues to the command level? 27:07 Restate the Air Force's core values in your own words 29:48 Final remarks   show less

In the introductory episode of Blacksnake Bytes, 2nd Lt. Elisabeth Rogers and Senior Master Sgt. Leslie Keiser discuss how the podcast got started and the history of the 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne, Indiana. 122nd Fighter Wing Commander, Col. Joshua Waggoner, gives a vision of the wing’s future.