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Show NEWS Team ready for front lines armed with cameras, M-- l 6s by Sgt. Gary J. Dec. 2 1 , Back home they go through grueling tests to prove their combat readiness from logging several miles around the jogging track to the challenging security police obstacle course, weightlifting and calisthenics. These are the people who will be on the front line if fighting breaks out. In one hand they may have an but in the other they'll be carrycamera a to document and record all the ing 66 than just the evening news... If something is happening, chances are we're there covering it. . 1st Lt. Steve Fortunato : M-1- 6, action. They are the people of the joint combat camera team, deployed with the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing from Hill AFB to their location in Southwest Asia. The team is made up of five people from Hill; Altus AFB, Okla.; and the Naval Imaging Command at Norfolk Naval Station, Va. Their job is to document Operation Desert Shield on video and film for a wide variety of publics. "We've been at work since the very beginning of this deployment," said 1st Lt. Steve Fortunato, Detachment 8, 1365th Audiovisual Squadron, Hill. "It's our job to document every aspect of Desert Shield from the processing line back at Hill to any possible contingency and the flight home." The deployed lieutenant, who also has a dual 8, 1 features and news clips and sent by satellite to the Pentagon in only one day." Lieutenant Fortunato said the audiovisual squadrons around the Air Force changed last year to combat camera. The name, he said, more accurately describes the job and what the mission really is. But that's not the only thing y operations. they've changed in "Earlier last year, we began a rigorous training and exercise routine. If we get the call to go to the front line, we want to be prepared," said the lieutenant. "Some people complained when we started the program, but when we found out about the deployment, these same people said all the exercising and preparation was well worth Deployed combat camera officer 365th Audiovisual Squadron, Hill AFB role as director and producer, described his com- bat camera team as the eyes of America. "People may look at the television and think we only record 'fluff,' but that couldn't be further from the truth," he said. "We do a lot more than just the evening news. It's a challenge to make the people understand our job. If something is happening, chances are we're covering it." According to Lieutenant Fortunato, one of their most important jobs is keeping the senior leadership back home informed of what's going on at the deployed location. "Our leaders can make much better decisions on something when they're actually looking at video footage, as opposed to just a written report or news they see on TV. "Because of modern technology, we're able to - it." , With the team of five people here, Lieutenant Fortunato said people can be assured his crew is very prepared. "We're mentally and physically prepared for this operation," he said. "Our work days are long, but we still run two or three miles, three days a week. If the fighting starts, we won't be jumping into a bunker we'll have a camera in one hand and gun in the other. Through our eyes, the rest of the world sees what's going on. We can't afford not to work hard. If we miss it, it's gone forever." The joint combat camera team's other members are: TSgt. Marvin Lynchard, Altus; Sgts. Bill Mutter and Kim Rinta, Hill; and Photographer 2nd Class Glenn Grudell, Norfolk Naval Station. . OPE MOM! At Army Navy Economy Store SKI MERCHANDISE AT SPECIAL PRICES FOR GRAND OPENING! ALL SUNRISE RENTAL SAUDI SENSATIONS Swans Smiths Scott Kids Nationally known Ski Parkas Introduces the illustrious 1 COLONEL CAMEL UP TO i 5oK LaU 7V Original Price! OFF pkg ........ Adult One Piece Ski Suits Insulated Ski Pants IS 'Waterproof 'Breathable A. Some Perfect B. Snap Missing C. Slight Stain ''State of Art" T-Siii- rts TOT&mcnt 4387 Harrison Blvd. Ogden, Ut 84403 476-114- 1 (Harrison Depot)a We are much more than Just friendly bookstore Jan. 1, 1991) $1 499 & m up Country Pkg 1 299 9:00-7:0- 0; $799 NORIDCA Boots, PRE Skis, SCOTTDYNASTAR poles HATS! GtsOVES! Moon Boots $1 1 99 & 705 W. Riverdale Rd. M-- F SQ99 pkg........ $1 100's to choose from WOMENS! MENS! $20 Bibs Adult perform. Cross $30 Tune-u- p -- 10 Early Bird (Allow 3 days) $799 pkg............ STONE GRINDER Freedom Can't be "CameMlagecP Sweatshirts "A Unique Snapshot in Time (collection of poetry) Meet the Colonel at: $499 pkg............ Sports SALE Winter Steiger (Before 7 day-to-da- 99 Detachment Hilltop Times 990 get them that footage in a very timely manner," he said. "From the time we shoot raw footage, it We do a lot more Kunich 388th TFW Deployed Public Affairs Office 1 Sat. 9:00-6:0- 0; Ear Muffs 99 up 621-466- Dec. 23rd 2 9:00-6:0- 0 |