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Show 12 CM3Bnffirft Jan. 28, 1993 Hilltop Times Deep involvement builds deep commitment by SMSgt. Arthur Cavallo Minot AFB, N.D. I quadron sports, top four meetings, unit advisory council meetings, promotion parties and fund raisers: I don't really have to do all of this, do I, Chief? "I'm a fuel truck driver and I just have to do my job well, right? That's what it's all about, right, Chief?" years ago as a young airman, I asked my chief these questions. They made sense to me then. I would not understand his answer until years later. He told me the Air Force was not a job; people didn't just do their duties and return to their quarters. Twenty-tw- o The Air Force was a way of life, a group of individuals with the same beliefs, willing to accept the ultimate liability. He said it was crucial to bond with each other. He asked, "If you were in a boat with three people you loved, and they all fell overboard and you could save only one, who would it be and why?" I was uncomfortable with the question, so I joked my way out of it. "Hell, Chief, that's easy. None. I can't swim," I answered. He glared at me, but the question echoed in my mind. I did an outstanding job, kept to myself and kept my nose clean. I had a right to my own like-mind- ed life. The Air Force didn't own me 24 hours a day. Right? One night when I was filling a fuel truck, an explosion occurred that engulfed the truck in flames. The driver was still in the cab. In a split second I evaluated the situation and realized it was impossible to rescue the driver. I ran to a phone, called for help and began to shut valves to stop the fuel from feeding the fire. My goal was to save the fillstand and bulk storage tanks. I remember hearing someone beside me scream, "Robbie, Robbie." He then ran over I remember hearing someone beside me scream, "Robbie, Robbie." He then ran over into fireball. To my amazement, he the removed the driver and returned him to safety. He later told me the reason he tried to save the driver was because they were good friends. into the fireball. he removed the driver safety. He later told me the reason he tried to save the driver was because they were good friends. I still asked him why he risked his own life. He said, "I've been to his house for dinner, we play squadron soft-ba- ll together and we go to church together." Again, I didn't understand, but his words echoed in my mind. My chief had proved that you can lead a horse to water and make him drink. I was suddenly involved in squadron, base and civic activities. I got to know and be known by the golf team, chess club, many people church members and others. Time passed and years went by and I continued to do it. One afternoon while directing flight line exploded. I couldn't see operations, a KC-13- 5 my fuel trucks and couldn't see my drivers. I To my amazement, and returned him to in charge and 72 fuels specialists waited to see what I would do. Time seemed to stand still. In a split second I gave evacuation in- was structions. fuel trucks and operators raced safety, reassembled at a predetermined point and provided uninterupted fuel support. Twenty-fiv- e for Twenty-fiv- e responded, but I had 26 people assigned. I got on the radio to my fuels con trol center, and they confirmed that Unit 89 was missing, as well as the operator, K.T. Secondary explosions were occurring and visibility was zero. Something echoed in my mind. What did the chief say about the boat? Why did that staff sergeant rush into those flames? I was in the waiting room when K.T.'s son was born. I was at his son's baptism. Our wives were good friends and we cooked out together. I drove into the smoke, looking for K.T. I saw his headlights. His truck was leaking badly, trying to limp to safety. I got K.T., put him in my truck, and we got out of the smoke. When I retured to the relocation point for the fuels branch, a young staff sergeant asked, "Why?" I looked at her and asked, "What do you mean?" She said, "You made us get our trucks and equipment, relocate, reassemble and continue to support the mission. I understand that, but why did you risk everything on a lost cause?" All I could say was, "It wasn't a lost cause. It was K.T." I asked her the question about the boat and who she would save. She gave me a wisecrack, and I just bit my lip and walked away. She has potential, I thought. She is going to get involved. She will drive into the smoke. She just doesn't know it yet. The duality of man is intriguing. Each generation must build on the knowledge of its predecessors, yet each generation must learn anew. The Air Force mission requires knowledgeable people working in unity and harmony to accomplish its demanding goals. Get involved. Attend functions and events. Bond with each other, care, know and love one another. The results are amazing. Article courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service. 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