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Show (TOUNMY "Monthly 388th Fighter Wing Load 'em up, move 'em By 1st April 1994 out Roving ands Lt. John J. Thomas battlefield information where the threats are and what's happening in the air at any given time in our theater of operations, " Bowen said. The 729th ACS will arrive early to set-u- p and remain late to n and repack, not beReady to take a leading role in cause they are slow but because the military's largest air defense they are important to the exertraining exercise, the 729th Air cise. Control Squadron began The 729th ACS is a its journey to the deserts key player in Roving of Texas and New Mexico Sands '94, responsible Choo-cho- o April 12 after loading tons for maintaining a radar of equipment on 40 flatbed You may have seen the people and air defense picture for railroad cars. heard the roar of trucks near the commisevery one of about 100 More than 170 squad1 1th as and 12th the 729th Air sary April military units and the theron members boarded Control Squadron loaded heavy equipment ater command center. planes five days later to packed with everything from beans to They will conduct follow the equipment as battle gear onto railroad cars to get it to radar jamming, surveilthey begin about thirty days Roving Sands '94. lance, weapons control of intense training. and battle management Moving high-tec- h gear over rusty It's a big exercise high-tec- h this in sound for the entire exercise. railways age may about 15,000 soldiers, sailbut for the 729th ACS the During Roving Sands ors, airmen and Marines tracks are the top transportation option. '94, an integrated air deis deployed over 1,400 down not feasible. It fense "Driving gets system consisting square miles of desert of Army and Marine Paexpensive," said 1st Lt. Brian Trenholm. and the 729th ranges "Besides, that's how it would be done in a triot, Hawk and Stinger ACS plays a big role. real world scenario. In most of those missiles combined with "We are really a linchcases the squadron's equipment would Air Force Early Warnpin in making the whole move by train to a designated departure ing AWACS and F-scenario work. We've point where it would rejoin 729th people . Eagle fighter jets will be taken the lead in planning before moving on to the battle, Trenholm employed against an opthis exercise but we're no said. posing force of Air Force less important in the day- and Navy attack aircraft. y warfighting. We "It's set-u- p to give like to think that our comSands The y real us some Roving joint tough air defense. In mand and control makes the whole air defense exercise is held annuthe scenario the friendly forces e. thing tick," said Lt. Col. John ally to test the U.S. military's joint are outnumbered in aircraft commander. ACS 729th Bowen, integrated air defense capabiliy. They fly against us and "We're tasked with keeping evkicks Sands off '94 Roving April we try to protect ourselves," eryone posted on the latest 29th. Bowen said. Chief, 388th Public Affairs tear-dow- old-fashion- ed Photo by st U. John J. Thomu MSgt Melvin Faust of the 729th Air Control Squadron marshals a vehicle onto a train for transport to the desert for Roving Sands '94. 15 to-da- 12-da- five-to-on- 388th to change command B-- F-1- 52 18 we're practicing defense," Bowen said. According to Air Force officials, the annual Roving Sands g exercise gives units like the the 729th ACS the chance to use and test their training in simulated combat, test their survival skills under tough battlefield conditions and hone combat skills so as to maintain the ability to meet wartime missions. joint-trainin- Runyan received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Florida. He is a graduate of Squadron Officer School and Air Command and Staff College. Runyan served three tours as an instructor pilot, the first By Amn. Aimee Groben in a foreign student training squadron. He was also an Editor, Fighter Country at MacDill instructor pilot and trained pilots in the LL Col. Daniel Runyan took the helm of the 4th Fighter Fla. AFB, Squadron in a brief Runyan spent a period in the ceremony Friday inactive reserves and during that morning. time worked as an engineer for After serving as chief of General Dynamics. Upon return11 safety inthe388thFighter Wing ing to active duty, he transitioned for the last 22 months, Runyan iJ.: .1 to the F--4 Phantom II. He's also takes the reins from Lt Col. been aflight examiner, flight comMm Am 4 Greg Ihde, who will become mander, staffofficer, headquarters deputy commander ofthe 3 88th squadron commander and F-Operations Group. Ihde, who program manager in the Headsaid that leading the 4th had quarters Air Combat Command been "a dream come true,' safety office. will then be moving on to Air In his new position, Runyan War College at Maxwell AFB plans to both give and receive June. in Ala, from the people of the 4th Fighter While praising Ihde's tenSquadron. ure with the 4th FS, Col. Mike "I pledge to not only be ready, Koerner who officiated the cer but to excel," he said as he rePhoto bf Amn. Aknaa Groban "I ceived the squadron guide-oemony said, "Luck is where prepaLt. Col. Daniel Runyan ration meets challenge." He also dedication pledge my enthusiasm, said Ihde had constantly prepared and taught the 4th to be a and experience. In return I ask for your dedication." In an interview Runyan said that he thought of himself team of winners and challenged Runyan to do the same. 1 He said he believes in putting the right people in favor "fair." the as won and has 993 in Hill Runyan transferred to of the people who work for him. "He encourages suggestions the right jobs and then letting them take care of business. Runyan has more than 3,500 hours in the E and the ardhestandbehindhispeople," said AlCJared Hammond, F-one visit first to was the Office. "He who works in the Safety Fighting Falcon. His military decorations include the I Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters. me in the hospital, when I had my accident, to make sure He and his wife Georgia have two sons, Jason and Jeff. was getting proper care," he said. 4th; says goodbye Runyan pledges dedication By TSgt. Darla J. Ernst 388th F-l- chief pilots squadron Safety Ihde to New Leadership NCOIC, Some of the other Air Force tactiaircraft flying are the ll cal strike aircraft, and B- -l and bombers. The Navy's 4 Hornet and A-- 6 Tomcat , F-attack bomber also are scheduled to fly combat sorties. "They 've got a whole lot more coming at us than we have to defend ourselves. But that's what Public Affairs F-4- r With the change of weather comes another major change for the 3 88th Fighter Wing its leadership. I The wing commander, Col. James Sandstrom, and the vice commander, Col. Harry Morgan, will be leaving the wing inMay and June, respectively. Col. Daniel Dick will take over the wing from Sandstrom in a ceremony sched2 uled for May 16 at p.m. . Sandstrom, who was recently selected for briga-digeneral, will become the commander of one of the 23rd the Air Force's two composite wings Wing at Pope AFB, N.C. The other composite wing is at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. The 23rd Wing, nicknamed the Frying Tigers, Hercules and 0 flies 6 Fighting Falcons, Tlninderbolt lis and includes approxirnatcly 4,500 people. Dick will come to Hill from the 347th Fighter Wing at Moody AFB, Ga., where he has been vice cxjmmander since August 1992. He is a veteran of the Air Force and has flown the F-- 4 Wild Weasel and 6 Fighting Phantom, Falcon. After more than two years as vice commander of the 38$th and 24 years in the Air Force, Morgan will retire from active duty in June. He will be replaced by Col. Michael Brake, who is currently the vice commander of the 52nd Fighter is Wing, Spangdahlcm Air Base, Germany. Brake expected to arrive in July. cliange-comrna- nd er A-1- C-1- 30 F-1- 24-yc- ar F-4- G F-1- D F-1- change-of-comma- nd 16 A.vSSp n. F-4- 16 |