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Show 2a headsUp Nov. 1 2, 1 Supplement to the Hilltop times 992 Congress supports Air Force Reserve clearVis Remember past, look to future Air Force Reserve did well irphe T I in the fiscal 1993 defense au-Li thorization bill. We were given funding authority for a Selected Reserve end strength of 82,300, along with dollars to operate, train and maintain our forces. Lookiner at chanee in all serv OPEN DOOR ices, Congress inserted several personnel support initiatives. They include early retirement benefits for selected reservists, and separation pay and education benefits for others who are involuntarily separated. Because we are within our authorized strength, it's unlikely we will need to offer early retirements or involuntarily separate anyone from the Air Force Reserve in the near future. Congress also expressed its support for increased Reserve participation in local community improvement projects. Stand by for more information. In short, the bill showed Congress is committed to mamtaining a strong and viable Air Force Reserve. As we continue resizing and reshaping the military, such support will allow us to retain quality people like yourselves, enhance force readiness and meet national defense needs with an experienced and capable Air Force Reserve. Maj. Gen. John J. Closner This is the time of year when many of us reflect able to move into a first-clas- s facility, that we conon all we have to be thankful for. Among other verted to the objective wing structure with things, we in the 419th Fighter Wing should be minimal impact on our people, that many of you d promotions and awards, grateful and proud to be members of the United received States armed forces. It's a privilege to be mem- we are moving forward with our quality training bers of "a team of choice." ... the list goes on. Freedom of choice is among the many things Most important, however, we should be thankwe as Americans should be thankful for. Choosful that we haven't lost any people since the tragebe of to is ing part this wing something I'm glad dy of last November's losses of Capts. Arnold about. It was one of the wisest choices I've ever Clarke and Michael Sowell. I think about those made and I hope you feel the same way. Our many fine young men frequently and hope we continue successes as a wing and the camaraderie we share to make safety a top priority in their memory. We have a lot to be thankful for and a lot to are things that reinforce my feelings. Looking back over the last year, I'm reminded look forward to in the coming year. While I realof the numerous accomplishments and events ize most of you are very busy between wing acthat set this unit apart. We can all be justifiably tivities and your civilian jobs, please make the famproud and thankful for the overall excellent rat- effort to share quality time with friends and season. ing we received during the unit effectiveness in- ily as we approach this holiday Although November is the time most people spection in January. I also look back in pride at how well you performed during September's opertraditionally think about giving thanks, Betty ational readiness exercise. The success of both and I count our blessings every day and hope you events points out how hard work and dedication are motivated to do the same. Brig. Gen. Forrest Winebarger pay off. 419th Fighter Wing Commander, also medics were be our thankful that We can well-deserve- Commander, Air Force Reserve Short Bursts Annua! leave needed Leave donations are requested for Suzi McCauley, mobility assistant in the 906th Fighter Group office at Wright-Patterso- n AFB, Ohio. She has been a the with Force Air Reserve's 906th FG for "loggie" many years, helping many units with support agreements and other programs. Jay Joersz 787-386- 9. headsUp takes first place Her husband is terminally ill with cancer and she has exhausted all her leave balances taking care of him. Anyone who would like to donate at least one hour of annual leave to her should contact their civilian l by Sgt. personnel office or Capt. Ed Waller at DSN The results of the recent 1992 AFRES Print Media Contest revealed headsUp won first place as a newspaper supplement. The contest was held in Atlanta, Ga., on Oct. 15-16. s Eel (si n d d y ir : 419th FW Public Affairs Office X Basic training. Just the mention of these two words can spark a multitude of emotions in an airman's mind. It can bring back a flood of memories such as the look and smell of dormitory life at Lackland AFB, Texas, or visions of technical instructors with their "Smokey Bear hats" and grizzly bear attitudes. Basic can be a frightening and disheartening experience for airmen, es- F-1- of the state. ,4 ..4" J 5 ' i : V- pecially when you consider the frequent picture of the airman who is away from home for the first time. However, a little comfort has been brought to the lonely men and women on the threshold of an Air Force career, thanks to units such as Hill AFB's 419th Fighter Wing, U.S. Air Force Reserve. Reserve and active duty units from across the Air Force have gathered to adopt basic military training squadrons at Lackland. For instance, the U.S. Air Force Reserve has adopted the 331st BMTS and each Reserve unit has been asked to contribute a token, depicting their unit's mission to one of the many dormitory dayrooms in the squadron. Two members of the 419th Civil Engineering Squadron recently delivered the wing's donation, a beautifully crafted wooden plaque. The plaque features raised oak silhouettes of Utah, Oklahoma and Arizona, fielded on an azure blue and gray background. Also, each state's shape displays a picture of the appropriate unit's 6 Fighting Falcon flying over familiar terrain the dayroom and see the snow in Utah on the plaque. It should really help their morale." Woodworking is basically a hobby for Smith, but he plans to dive into it after he reaches retirement in a few years. The Santaquin, Utah, native said he plans to mainly focus on making toys and tables and chairs for children. He also added he will build cabinets at his leisure to "avoid becoming a couch potato." Even though it may have been a hardship for the two sergeants to road trip to strike out on a the expenses, Lackland, they analyzed employing quality management techniques, and determined it was more cost effective to drive rather than fly. But, Johnson said the trip helped him realize why he joined the Air Force in the first place. "I love seeing the country from the air much better than driving six days," he said. "But, I did get to catch up on a lot of reading." Returning to the stomping grounds of stubble-heade- d men and women brought back vivid memories for both Hill sergeants. Smith enjoyed returning to the full-tim- 1 4 - e six-da- y r For m Photo by Sgt. Jay Joersz the troops A plaque depicting the 419th Fighter Wing's mission and with the Oklahoma and Arizona units, hangs in one of the dormitories at Lackland AFB, Texas. full-streng- TSgt. Albert Smith, the plaque's designer and builder, and MSgt. Fer-roJohnson, drove 2,600 miles in earOctober to personally deliver the ly wing's gift. The sergeants were greeted by 10th Air Force senior enlisted n advisor, CMSgt. Jerry Derrick, and other civil engineers from the numbered Air Force, who also came to in- stall their contributions to the dormitory. A formal dedication of the Air Force Reserve displays is scheduled later this month by AFRES commander, Maj. Gen. John Closner. headsUp Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office. DEADLINE for submission of articles is 10 working days before each scheduled wing unit training assembly. Articles should be typed, double-space- d line. on a For more information, call the 419th Public Affairs Office, 777-271ter 3. th Incidentally, the 419th FW commander, Brig. Gen. Forrest Winebarger, liked the plaque so much, that he asked Smith to make another one to hang in the wing conference room on the second floor of Bldg. 593. Smith said he enjoyed making the plaque and was glad CMSgt. Rick Potokar, structural manager in the CES, asked him to volunteer his time and talent. "I did it for the airmen," he said, "especially those from Utah. Now some of the kids will be able to go into R! r "I T5P. Ct"orr,, S win,bargr short-haire- d NCO Academy he gradu- Texas-base- d ated from just last year. "It was like corning home, but this time I was on the other side of the fence," he said. "I liked the idea of going back to basic and seeing all the places I'd been," Johnson said. "I was surprised to see my dorm still standing it was one of the older ones. The trip brought back some good and bad memories. "It was also very different, because this time around at basic, we got treated with respect from the TIs." 419th FW STAFF I:!irr!&v;;':::;;;:::;;;; Sgt. Joy Jo.r.1 Sgt. Mar,. M.i.r FW Commond.r CW.I, Public AKair. NCOCf pubie Affpir. public Affoi,sp.c.c.u; 41o,h N!?w0,r'nLVVJ I . Admini.trotiv. Sp.ciali.t |