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Show TOP TIMES Friday, Augutt 24, 1984 HILL CDn)sl IhdniFfe D(i(sdls tion, an organization of almost 2,400 civilian and military members. He succeeds Col. George H. Gibson, who retired from active duty in the U.S. Air Force. Prior to his new position, Colonel Ratcliffe served as chief, Training Devices, System Management Division and chief, Item Management Division, both in the Directorate of Materiel Management. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, the colonel graduated from Colorado State College at Greeley in May 1962, where he earned a bachelor's degree in social science. In May 1975, he graduated from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, Calif., earning a master's degree in public administration. He received his commission as a second lieutenant through the Reserve Officer Training Corps gram at Colorado State. the U.S. Colonel Ratcliffe entered James A. Ratcliffe has been named the new director of DistribuCol. pro- Air Force in June 1962 and complety ed navigator training at James AFB, Texas. He entered -bombardier training at Mather AFB, Calif., then went on to Castle AFB, Calif, for 2 crew training. Upon completion of that training, he was assigned to Sheppard AFB, Con-nall- navigator- B-5- aircraft. Texas, flying From 1963 to 1971, he flew C, D and H aircraft at Sheppard AFB; Pease AFB, N.H. and Wurtsmith AFB, Ma. From 1968 to 1971, Colonel Ratcliffe flew 247 missions in support of Arc Lite efforts in Southeast Asia on numerous temporary duty assignments. In 1971, the colonel was selected by Strategic Air Command to participate as an instructor radar navigator at the B-52- B B-52- B, School, Training Command exchange tour. During this Navigator-Bombardie- r Mather AFB, on a SAC-Ai- r time, he served as instructor, flight commander and finally as chief, Bomber Stan-- val. In 1975, he was selected to be one of the first navigators to command an ATC squadron. From 1975 to 1978 he was assigned to Lowry AFB, Colo., where he served E as squadron commander and deputy group commander. He returned to Mather AFB in 1978 as commander, 449th Flying Training Squadron. Following this assignment, he moved to Maxwell AFB, Ala. to at- tend the Air War College. Following graduation in 1981, he came to Hill AFB where he was assigned as chief, Training Devices System Manage- ment Division. Colonel Ratcliffe is a master navigator with more than 4,000 flying hours. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters and the Air Force Commendation Medal. (U.S. Air Force Photo) Col. James A. Ratcliffe In addition to the deployment training, wing pilots are required to fly a minimum of 10 night training missions every six months, according to flying training officials. If a pilot does not get that minimum amount of training, he becomes and must fly additional missions in that area to become current again. The 388th Tactical Fighter Wing here is currently conducting night flying training for its 6 Fighting Falcon pilots. "One of the primary missions of the wing is to train combat-read- y fighter pilots in the highly said Col. Joseph E. Hurd, sophisticated 388th TFW deputy commander for operations. "To do this effectively, a variety of missions need to be flown and perfected. Among these are night F-1- Deadl ine for the September 7 issue of Hill Top Times will be 4 p.m. Friday, August 31. F-16- non-curren- ," 0 "Perhaps people are noticing our fighters more lately than in recent months because part or all of our runway was closed .for construction from June until early August," the colonel said. "During this period we did not conduct night operations. Also, missions. "Presently, we are preparing our pilots for a deployment to Norway for further training," he said. be"Because we depart at night to travel non-stoentween the United States and Europe, we must sure our pilots are proficient at night flying." during the summer months we must fly later due to extended daylight hours and later sunsets." "rtrgnnn I CONSIDER THE ADVANTAGES OF DINING AT THE.... wm MM we're still open! COMBINATION PLATE Large Selection MM t, " p $95 of Your Favorite Authentic Chinese Dishes CLOSED MONDAYS BUY39 Reservations (tfj TO.lJte. 621-100- 4030 Riverdale Rd. 4 fife mnnsm It's All In The '' mrittj ITJP pr: St -- Classifieds! Mill - 71 CllbSljfll , Nighi vloghvs iesi wisng pilctfs NOTDCE A He is married to the former Sharon Fry of Greeley, Colo, and they are parents of three children, Scott, Cathi and Cristen. Truth That Loohs As Good As His Runs" Trouble borrowing money for a car? At FRIENDLY AUTO we can arrange financing for anyone on a good dependable used car. With a down payment as low as $20000 and monthly payments to fit anyone's budget you can drive a car home today. ZZ3 17. . :rJab V. Imi u mm) FRIENDLY AUTO SALES 027-100- 0 3042 Washington Blvd. 393-540- 1 Just $4.00 for up to 40 words. Send your check to: Hill Top Times P.O. Box 445 Roy, Utah 84067 |