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Show B August 26, 1999 s7 M I ,. J D a UU A solution to many challenges facing wing, Air Force Be ready to deploy; take care of personal business By Col. Mike Hostage 388th Fighter Wing commander that face this wing and the entire Air Force. What it really means to you and me is that we will now be able to forecast months and even years in advance am sure it is no secret to any of you working in the 388th this wing is one of the most operationally active wings in the entire Air Force. Many of you who have been routinely deployed from your families and friends know this to be when our wing will deploy. I true. It is also no secret to anyone in the Air Force that these high operations and personnel tempos are having a negative impact on our people. The demands the Air Force places on all of us create enormous stress on our people and our assets. The symptoms of this stress include low morale, falling retention rates and decreasing readiness. It is not inthe vocabulary of the Air Force to say no to the demands that are placed upon us. When we take on a burden, that burden inevitably falls on d Air Force the backs of our already people. However, the Air Force has a solution. It is called Expeditionary Aerospace Force, or EAF, and the 388th Fighter Wing has been designated as the lead wing for the first expeditionary force, referred to as Air Expeditionary Force number one or AEF-- 1 EAF is the solution to many of the challenges tt With all of our support, the EAF can provide the answer to many of the enormous challenges facing the Air Force. " Col. Mike Hostage 388th FW commander Desert rotations are not unfamiliar to this wing. We have been doing them, and doing them very well, for nine years. The upcoming desert deployment in October will be organized under the new EAF concept. As it matures, EAF will provide Air Force units, people and their families greater deployment sta Act responsibly when in uniform out going 388th FW Inspector General It disturbed me last week to receive a complaint about the behavior of some people in uniform having lunch at a restaurant in Roy. Apparently some restaurant customers observed Hill Air Force Base troops having some drinks with their meal and things "appeared" to be out of hand. While these troops may not have been breaking any Air Force rule, they were at least bending the rules ... a lot. Our appearance and decorum give us credibility. They tell America that we are a disciplined force, capable of winning her wars. Unfortunately a few bad apples can create a perception that tarnishes our image. Air Force Instruction 9 emphasizes Air Force people should not drink alcoholic beverages before or during their working hours but may drink prudently as part of a meal. Webster's Dictionary defines prudent as: 1 Using good judgment or . ready. We know we are on the hook to deploy in October, Under normal operations, there are no last minute phone calls at 2 a.m. saying, "You have to be in the desert in 72 hours." However, this level of predictability means there should be no excuse for not being ready. You should have all your shots, be up to speed on all your training and have your family affairs in order whether it be filling out a power of attorney or making sure someone is going to take care of your dog. We have more time than ever to get prepared. We should be 00 percent ready to go where we are sent, and accomplish our mission in the same professional way this wing always has. With all of our support, the EAF concept can provide the answer to many of the enormous challenges facing the Air Force. With the 388th Fighter Wing in the lead, I have no doubt that the first rotation under this new concept will be a resounding success. And the winner is... 4" common sense in handling practical matters, 2. Careful with respect to one's own interests, and 3. Careful By Lt. Col. Jim Fitzpatrick 34-21- y, 1 over-stresse- . bility. Additionally, the EAF will provide relief by distributing the deployment load across the total reserve and guard force to include active-dutresources. Despite the predictability EAF provides, we must continue, as we have always done, to be - about one's conduct. Perhaps we should concentrate on the second definition because, while the instruction is somewhat vague, everyone must realize that it's sub- ject to interpretation. What one supervisor perceives to be a harmless instance of casual drinking, another might view as an objectionable offense worthy of disciplinary action. Do you know which category your supervisor fits in? You could be in for a unpleasant surprise. Whether you like it or not, you are a role model. You wear the uniform of the fiercest fighting force in the world. Your uniform is not only respected around the globe, but in your local community as well. When people see you, they see pride and professionalism, they feel good about America. It is imperative that you maintain that image. It's what gives Americans the confidence that no matter what the mission, we can accomplish it. , 4 , t . - 1 1 I i i 3 s Photo by Airman 1st Class Cindy Huston Capt. Jeffrey Warded, 729th Air Control Squadron chief of weapons and tactics, was announced as the company grade officer of the quarter in June. is published for people like... 5 XT;'t ' w " Name: Tony Hernandez Rank: Master Sergeant Job: 388th Fighter Wing chief, excutive administration Unit: 388th Fighter Wing Hometown: Austin, Texas Time in Service: 20 years Most Recent Accomplishment: going over 20 years in the military What would I change about Hill Air Force Base: "I would improve the quality of the intramural sports program and try to get more first sergeants and commanders to attend games." i :.. ...... . . First place, small commercial-enterpris1997 and 1998 newspaper Air Combat Command Contest Editorial Staff Col. Mike Hostage IstLt. Erin Shuler..... Staff Sgt. Sonja Whittington Airman 1st Class Cindy Huston e Commander ....Chief, Public Affairs NCOIC, Public Affairs Editor Fighter Country is a supplement to the Hilltop Times, published by MorMedia, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the Ogden Air Logistics Center Public Affairs Office. This commercial enterprise Air is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of Fighter Country are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force photos. Fighter Country is edited, prepared and provided by the 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office, 5887 D. Ave., Suite 113, Hill AFB UT, 84056-501to the Story submissions for Fighter Country can be brought by the office, editor cindy.huston(3!.h ill.af.mil or fax to Deadline for submissions to Fighter Country is no later than Monday, noon, two weeks prior to publication. For more information, call the public affairs office at r 777-292- 777-320- |