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Show Page HILL TOP TIMES 14 November ft f 24, 1976 TFW 'Fighter Country' Tac ground accident fatalities decline motorcycle deaths up A - X:- TAC Accident fatalities in Tactical Air Command (TAC) have shown HQ .:':.: a sizeable reduction so far this year, according to TAC Ground Safety officials. Overall fatalities in the command dropped from 45 in 1975 to 34 for the period through October of this year. "This decline in fatalities can be attributed to several reasons, depending on the kind of accident," stated MSgt. Barry D. Shelton, L. Rodee, vice commander, 388th TFW, congratulates MSgt. Roger A. Griggs who received the Air Col. Robert Force Commendation Medal at a recent awards ceremony. Sergeant Griggs is assigned to the Current Operations Section of the wing. (U.S. Air Force Photo) Captains tell wing story to students, tour fighter fan Captains Gary Scheimer and Joe Wehrle, 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron, represented the wing to more than 600 high school students last Wednesday. The two volunteered to represent the 388th in fulfilling a request from Brighton High School in Salt Lake City for the school's annual military day. "We spoke to approximately sophomores, juniors and seniors in six different briefings," explained Captain Scheimer. "The question and answer periods were very 640 productive and everyone seemed interested," he added. Two days later, they provided a guided tour of the NCOIC of TAC's Ground Safety Division. Twenty-seveof the 34 fatalities in 1976 involved airmen with a rank of E-- 4 or below and an average age of n 25. Of the 34 fatalities in 1976, private motor vehicle (PMV) accidents accounted for 18 deaths. "However, deaths from PMV accidents are down 25 per cent this year over simulator, supervisory unit and the compared to last year. This munitions maintenance reduction is attributed to hangar to Gilbert L. Martinez. improved automobiles, lower The tour ended with Col. speed limits, safety belts and Robert L. Rodee, 388th TFW increased driver awareness," vice commander, presenting said Sergeant Shelton. Mr. Martinez with a framed Although vehicle fatalities of are the down, motorcycle deaths poem "High photograph Flight" and best wishes from the wing. Maj. Gen. Edmund A. Three NCOs in the 388th Rafalko, Ogden Air Logistics the runway F-- 4 NCO Academy Center commander, Tactical Fighter Wing participated in the ceremony.' recently graduated from the to Captain Officer's According Wehrle, "These events gave Academy. us a chance to participate with MSgt. Larry J. Johnson, the community and foster Headquarters Squadron, both graduated from the Air Force good relationships, ed professionally personally." and Communication Command's Service academv at have risen from two in 1975 to five so far this year. Principal causes of these fatalities driver include errors, violations and personal attitudes. "These factors, plus the growing complexities of the transportation system and the ffl EWS Personal the commander 388th Air Force motor vehicle one death and attributed to a "natural phenomenon." "Self preservation is an individual responsibility," Sergeant Shelton emphasized. "Only the person driving the car, playing the game or piloting the private aircraft has control over his physical actions. "If you are injured, it not only affects you and your family, it also has a direct and effect on your unit's ability to your accomplish its mission," he rs concluded. graduates three Richards Gebaur Jrife V-- j Commander AFB, our nation's independence, we have As during the first Pilgrims to be reasons thankful. many we our families receive the that remember thanksgiving, physical necessities of life, moreso than any other nation or people. More important, however, we can reflect with a true spirit of gratitude on the untold sacrifices made by men and women to secure the freedoms and blessings of our Constitution. We can also be grateful that we have the opportunity to be actively engaged in preserving these same blessings for ourselves and our loved ones. I extend my personal thanks to every member of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing for your professionalism and dedication in accomplishing our mission. I appreciate the long and often inconvenient hours spent in doing our job In the 200th year of right. behalf of the wing, I would like to express my appreciation to Maj. Gen. Edmund A. Rafalko and Hill Air Force Base personnel as a whole for making us feel at home in Utah, both professionally and socially, on and off the installation. I urge every member of the wing to keep safety first throughout the Thanksgiving holiday. On Missouri. MSgt. Grant B. Sullivan, Organizational Maintenance Squadron, and TSgt. Charles V. Avionics Clinton, Maintenance Squadron, graduated from the Tactical Air Command NCO Academy, Bergstrom AFB, Tex. Crew Chief, Maintenance man, safety slogan winners named Winners of the Crew Chief and Maintenance Man of the Month contest, and winner of the safety slogan of the month, were announced. The v K TFW, Organizational Maintenance Squadron (OMS) took home all three honors. Sgt. Truman H. Duggin, assigned to Red Section of Mappy Thanksgiving III 1976 include eight drownings, four private aircraft fatalities, two deaths L Eddins Col. Neil many drivers, especially motorcyclists," continued the sergeant, "have undoubtedly contributed to this increase." in - &$g&Pl&M From inadequate preparation of Other fatalities I jSR8S)WM Flight Line Maintenance Branch was named Crew Chief of the Month. A1C Glenn K. Bergs, assigned to the Inspection the received Branch, Maintenance Man of the Month award. A1C. Susan M. Mokry, also assigned to the Red Section of Flight Line Maintenance, won the safety slogan for October. The winning slogan was "When you work with tools, be sure to follow safety rules." Maj. Jon W. Shively, OMS commander remarked, "It's encouraging to note than all three are assigned to OMS. We're all proud of them." Airman Mokry received a three day pass for her slogan. Sergeant Duggin and Airman Bergs were presented with trophies and a three day pass. Idaho Boy Scouts tour AMS, learn history and mission by TSgt. Charles V. Clinton group of Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts from Rigby, Idaho, toured the 388th A Tactical Avionics Fighter Wing's Maintenance Squadron recently. Mr. A.B. Brown, a retired USAF colonel, was their leader. Capt. Jerome E. Pueler, Jr., maintenance supervisor and TSgt. Charles V. Clinton, unit information NCO, met the boys and started the tour with a briefing on the mission of the Air Force, history of the 388th, types of aircraft flown by the of the wing and a break-dowsquadron and its specific n mission. During the briefing, the scouts asked questions on preparing for entry into the Air Force both as potential officers and enlisted men. The group was divided into three smaller sections for the actual tour. .Leading each group were MSgt. William N. Thurlow, first sergeant of the squadron, Captain Pueler and Sergeant Clinton. The group visited each component section of the squadron where the men of AMS displayed their professional expertise. Perhaps the best indication of the success of the lour was the promise of one scout leader when he slated, "We will definitely be back." |