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Show AGE March 24. 1994 F IGHTErG OUNTRY 2a . OMMENTAR-Y- Mission must be paramount Editor's Note: The 421st Fighter Squadron returned from Southwest Asia the week of March 14. They deployed there in December to support Operation Southern Watch. By Lt. Col. Ron Oholendt 421st Fighter Squadron Looking back on our time in Southwest Asia brings feelings of accomplishment and pride. The squadron flew 476 combat missions out of488 tasked; the sorties not flown were all canceled by higher headquarters or weather. All told, we flew a total of 690 sorties. Even with three aircraft on alert, we maintained the highest UTE rate of all the weapon systems in theater. We won the deployed wing's integrated combat turnaround competition with a record-settin- g performance, earned an overall 98.1 percent quality assurance pass rate and maintained a 100 percent pass rate on all Foriegn Object Damage inspections. We did our job very well, we accomplished our mission. Wouldn't it be a tragedy if we had spent three months separated from our families and friends and failed to do the is by overemphasizing certain programs. For example, to some, quality has become an end unto itself. I think that misses the point The true measure of any quality improvement should be whether combat capability increases. Does the change allow us to get the mission done easier, cheaper and better? We must never lose sight ofthe fact that mission accomplishment is our highest pri- Our success there was not due to luck, sound planning or even good leadership. Our success was the result of individuals , who made a personal decision to do their jobs to the best oftheir ority. The apostle Paul, a soldier in his own right, sets a great example for military members today. Nearing the end of his life and reflecting on his performance, Paul records, "I have fought the good fight; I have finished the course; I have kept the faith." Paul was a winner and he knew it He achieved the noble purpose in his life that he was called to perform. Paul could not accept his mission was too important so failure he strived to do his best despite the consequences. The mission of the United States military is to defend our country and preserve the freedoms and values we hold dear. The military is a national instrument through which our government achieves its goals. The path to failure begins with losing Military power influences world order. Our sight of the mission. We have all heard mere presence strikes fear into the hearts of " statements like, "safety is paramount," and . the enemy. ' " Our military strength ovemhelmingly "people are our top priority." defeated Hussein and his war machine; our Safety and people are critical for success, but they remain subordinate to the continued presence in Southwest Asia keeps mission. That is why we continue to fly jets him in check. Be very sure that what you even though we know the dangers involved. and I do in the Air Force and in the 388th Another way to lose sight of the mission Fighter Wing is important abilities. 99 K Lt Col. Ron Oholendt 421st Fighter Squadron Commander The wing's mission is to "employ and quick-turnin- g jets, solving maintenance worldassets control air and changing configurations andbuild-in-g problems, deploy and schedules that ensured we and flowplans wide..., day night providing rapid, meet our could cormnanders." tasking. dedsiveairpower for theater Each and every person's job is an inteThat means for the men and women of the 42 1st Fighter Squadron, we must be ready to gral part of the formula that enables a mobilize at a moment's notice, go anyplace squadron to function. Your role, no matter how small you in the world and successfully employ our think it is, is important to the mission. If That's utmost with why lethality. weapons and if Soutwest we have a presence in Asia, enough people aren't committed to the mis' sion, then the best efforts of others, failure is needed, we'll go back again. Our success there was not due to luck, assured. sound planning or even good leadership. Personally, Iprefer winning, and like so was Our success the result of individuals many in my squadron, I know our mission is who made a personal decisionto do their jobs important so I choose to do my best Our families and our country depend on our to the best of their, abilities. I have a long list of squadron members efforts. We cannot afford to fail our who for days worked their tails off mission is too important F-1- 6s '. 90-pl- us AFAF: taki ng care 388th troops earn medallions By Gen. John Michael Loh The 388th Fighter Wing Quality Medallion is awarded to people and groups within the wing who have made contributions to the quality of life by improving a process, or saving the Air Force or wing money, eliminating frustration and saving man-hou- rs simply working smarter, not harder. The following people were recently awarded the medallion: MSgt Randy Lewis, Maintenance Squadron Sergeant Lewis identified and provided detailed information about aircraft forms to the people using them. This resulted in an 80 percent increase in forms accuracy. TSgt. Robert Walter, Maintenance Squadron Sergeant Walter devised a method of securing the environmental control system cooling air hose to the aircraft, eliminating unnecessary aircraft damage and safety hazards. SSgt Thomas Brzenzinski, Maintenance Squadron Sergeant Brzenzinski developed transparent borescope templates and an alignment system to allow technicians to more accurately measure internal engine damage by using the video borescope. SSgt Raymond Cote, Operation! Support Squadron Sergeant Cote redesigned the mission report debriefing form, saving five to ten minutes per debrief, , TSgt. Vincent'Howard, SSgt Faron Rogers and SSgt. James Youngs, Comp, troller Flight These NCOs decreased the completion time for the Financial Plan added steps, clarifying preparation process from 35 to 14 days by eliminating non-valsupplier requirements and making use of newly acquired software. The result was the plan being among only 36 percent to meet the ACC suspense.. Sr A. Alan Hubbard, 729th Air Control Squadron Airman Hubbard fabricated two interface cables from wire and connector pins, saving the Air Force $ 1 ,000 and an estimated four months of time. Air Combat Command Commander an emergency or for long term support - Throughout our history, Air Force people have served with dedication, skill and professionalism. It is no different today. People in Air Combat Command and their families face many challenges every day as we reduce in size, change our force structure and maintain a very high tempo of operations around the world. But one thing remains constant Whenever we find ourselves in need, we can turn to the Air Force Assistance Fund. The AFAF provides support through contributions to the Air Force Enlisted Men's Widows and Dependents Home Foundation, the General and Mrs. Curtis E. Lemay Foundation, the Air Force Indigent Widows.' Fund and the Air Force Aid Society, Although the 1994 AFAF campaign runs for only a few short weeks, the help it provides to the Air Force family extends throughout the year. Whether we are active duty, retired, reserve, guard or a family member, including surviving spouses, with everyone's support we can count on AFAF in : . ue of ou r own The funds provide aid for emergencies, educational needs and widows who need financial assistance for a retirement home. These are just a few of the areas where your generous donation would be used. There are many more. . I urge you and your organizations to share with me in a commitment to caring by actively supporting the 1994 AFAF campaign. This is one we can all be proud of Air Force people talcing care of their own. Not too late to give As ofMarch 22, the 3 88th Fighter Wing had pledged $8,650 to the Air Force Assistance Fund with 75 percent ofthe wing being contacted. The goal, according to Capt Angela Vincent, wing AFAF project officer, is to make 100 percent contact to give everyone the chance to give. "Ifyouhaven'tbeen contacted and want to give, there is still time,wvshe said. "Get with your unit's AFAF point of contact" The campaign ends March 31. Fkhtek. Countm is edited, prepared and provided by the 388th Fighter Wing Public Affair Office. Submit editorial copy to: 388 FWPA (Bid 20, Room 3) by the first Friday of the month for that month's issue. For more information, call the public affairs office at 1 1 1 777-320- 0. Cot James E. Sandstrom, Commander, 388th Fighter YAng 1st Lt. John J. Thomas Chief, Public Affairs ' TSgt. Darla J. Ernst NCOICPubtcAfTaln Amn. Aimee Groben Editor Fighter Country Is a supplement to the Hilltop Times, published by MorMedia, Inc. a private firm In no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the Ogden ALC Public Affairs Office. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper Is an authorized publication for members of the US. military services. Contents of Fighter Country are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the US. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. Unless otherwise Indicated, all photos are US Air Force photos. Advertisement! contained herein do not constitute an endorsement the by Department of Defense, the US. Air Force or Hill AFB, Utah. Everything advertised is available without regard to race, color, religion, sex or other nonmertt factor of the purchaser, user or patron. |