108th Wing hosts first satellite ALS Published July 29, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Julia Pyun 108th Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Airmen of the 108th Wing attended the unit's very first satellite Airmen Leadership School at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Held from May 9 to June 14, eight Airmen met each weekend for class. They left afterward for the in-resident portion at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn., where they received hands on training with ALS instructors for two weeks. ALS is required professional military education for Airmen progressing to the NCO tier. When 108th Airmen decide to go to ALS, they can pick between three options: book learning; the new satellite course; or six-week, in-residence training. "The satellite class is great," said Senior Master Sgt. Gerard Lamola, the lead facilitator for the 108th Wing's satellite ALS. "Some Airmen can't go away for six weeks to attend the school at McGhee Tyson, so this gives them another option." For eight hours each day, every weekend, instructors from Tennessee broadcast their lessons live to all satellite ALS participants. The lessons incorporated different scenarios that the Airmen needed to solve in group sessions. Facilitators assisted with the lessons dealing with numerous topics such as leadership, military history, culture, ethics, diversity etc. "This is a great option for those who are visual and tactile learners," said Senior Airman Randy Morales, 108th Civil Engineer Squadron production controller. "You're able to associate the answers with things you know and understand where the lessons are coming from." "I think it's a really good format because it's interactive, and you get to hear other people's opinions," said Senior Airman Carol Green, 108th Force Support Squadron knowledge operations manager. "It gives you a lot of good, practical information in a condensed amount of time, so time management is very important." Upon graduation, the eight Airmen feel they have gained the skills necessary to become a NCO in the Air National Guard.