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Show IOMES January 28,2010 COMBAT MEDALS LEVITOW HONOR ALEX R. LLOYD/U.S. Air Force ALEX R. LLOYD/U.S. Air Force Gen. Donald Hoffman, commander of the Air Force Materiel Command, applauds with those assembled at the presentation of Combat Action Medals to Senior Airman Christopher Rodenberg, Senior Airman Charles Howell and Staff Sgt. Bradley Devon, of the 775th Civil Engineer Squadron, at Hill Air Force Base on Jan. 11. The 775th CES members earned their honors for distinguished service as Explosive Ordinance Device personnel in combat. Gen. Donald Hoffman, commander of the Air Force Material Command, presents the John L Levitow Award to Tech. Sgt. David Baker, 775th Civil Engineer Squadron, at Hill Air Force Base on Jan. 11. The award is given to the top graduate in every Air Force leadership school, and Baker was awarded the honor as part of the recent group of graduates from the Vosler Non-Commissioned Off icer Academy on Dec. 17. On the wild side Loan Locker to close; others offer similar services BY AIRMAN 1 ST CLASS MEUSSA DEARSTONE AFB Natural Resources oversees off-base areas 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs T •BY LEE ANNE HENSLEY Hilltop Times staff T he U.S. Air Force is known for protecting its human citizens, but it extends just as much effort protecting all living species within its land. Hill Air Force Base owns or provides support for seven properties throughout Utah, Nevada and Wyoming, and it is the priority of the 75th Civil Engineer Group Natural Resources department to protect the wildlife in those areas and ensure the wildlife does not impede the general mission of the Air Force. "Many Air Force bases have wildlife species that are considered endangered or threatened," said 75th CEG Wildlife/Habitat Bi- Courtesy photo A pronghom antelope pauses near a Utah Test and Training Range guzzler watering station and is captured by the camera there Sept. 4. The stations divert animals away from critical areas. ologist and Manager Russ Lawrence. "We actually do not have any of those, so we are considered to be lucky, because that could prohibit mission-related actions. The (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) could restrict the Air Force from using an area of land that hosts an identified endangered species." The largest area of land Hill AFB manages is the Utah Test and Training Range, which covers approximately 2,675 square miles of ground space and hosts a wide variety of living species. Known as the largest overland safety footprint within the United States and used by several branches of the Department of Defense to enhance training and testing missions, it is imperative that each square mile of the UTTR be available to See WILDLIFE I page 10 H1N1 influenza could still pose major health risk BY CAPT. ANTONIO LEONAHDI . 75th Medical Group T he average American believes the H1N1 influenza is now of little concern. Statistically speaking, to date, that sentiment is not unfounded. The number of people infected by H1N1 has been no more severe than a typical seasonal flu and the number of hospitalizations and deaths has not been high enough to be considered "newsworthy." However, the historical pattern of this disease reminds us to remain vigilant. Most of the influenza pandemics we-ve faced came in multiple waves occurring over a two- to threeyear period and death tolls were in the millions. The current pandemic with which we are dealing only began nine months ago and the estimated 'No Waif H1N1 immunizations The 75th MDG will be putting on a "no wait" novel H1N1 immunization shot clinic for active duty military and TriCare beneficiaries in its Ambulance Bay on the following dates: Feb. 2:1 p.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 4:8 a.m.-1 p.m. Novel H1N1 vaccine is now available to all Department of befense civilians at the OMS clinic, Building 249. For more details please call (801) 777-1163. [Don't be another link in the disease chain! number of deaths is in thousands While I'm not attempting to suggest this influenza strain will eventually mimic the devastation of its predecessors, it is still possible. What makes this situation even more worrisome is an estimate that only 20 per- cent of the eligible population in the United States has been immunized. In other words, 240 million p Antonio Leonardi eople in this country are unvaccinated. This means 240 million people are still susceptible to the virus. And while this number may seem startling, it pales in comparison to the billions of people on this planet who do not have access tp the vaccine. So while it may seem inconvenient to take a few minutes out of your day to get the flu shot, you should consider the potential ramifications should you decide not to get vaccinated While most people only experience respiratory type symptoms, other complications include inflammation of the heart, inflammation of the brain and kidney failure Oust to name a few). SeeH1N1 I page 9 he Loan Locker located at the Airman and Family Readiness • Center will be closing effective Feb. 1. The closure of the Loan Locker was needed due to new programs coming in and expansions of current programs. "Our new program is the Exceptional Family Member Program and we will be expanding the Deployment Readiness Program," said Richard Leon, the Relocations program manager and community readiness consultant at the AFRC. Other services such as the Airman's Attic and Thrift Shop will remain open to all service members and offer similar items that the Loan Locker did. "The Airmen's Attic has items free of charge, and the Thrift Shop has items at really great bargain prices. We should also remember that the Whole Baggage (unaccompanied) Shipment is meant for the specific purpose of having necessary items to get by with prior to arrival of your household goods shipment. Lastly, relocation allowances are given for the purpose of purchasing those necessary household items and other inconveniences associated with moving," said Leon. With the closure taking place, there will be a sale of all items from the Loan Locker to make room for the new programs and expansion. "There will be a nonappropriated funds sale of all items in the Loan Locker at discounted prices on Feb. 5, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the AFRC, Building 150," said Janice Hollen, chief of Airman and Family Services. The sale is open to all of Team Hill. Some of the items for sale include household items such as pots and pans, dish packs, microwaves, toasters, air mattresses, futon mattresses, 13-inch TVs, VCRs, DVD players, baby playpens, strollers and high chairs. Prices will not be advertised prior to the sale If you have any questions or concerns regarding the closure of the Loan Locker or need more information on the NAF sale, please contact the AFRC at (801) 777-4681. |