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Show 419th Fighter Wing supplement to the Hilltop Times Aug. 11, 1994 by Maj. Ken Warren and SSgt. Charles Freeman 419th FW Public Affairs Office " - July 1994 will be remembered as change of command month at the 419th Fighter Wing, as new commanders took the reins of the 419th Operations Group, the 419th Support Group and the 419th Mission Support Squadron. Col. Charles Stenner accepted command of the Operations Group from the retiring Col. Glenn F. Jepsen July 8 in a ceremony near the 419th's hangar. Stenner, former commander of the 930th Operations Group at Grissom AFB, Ind., said he is pleased and proud to be associated with the 419th. "The heritage of this wing is tremendous," Stenner said. "It has been a great 24 years," Jepsen said. "As I pass the torch, I ask you to give Colonel Stenner the same support and dedication you've given me." . tasking. Hunter said, "It's been great serving as your commander. I have to say a special thanks to my family for supporting me. It has meant a lot." Immediately before the Support Group's change of command ceremony, Maj. Gerald L. Yearsley as- sumed command of the 419th Mission Support Squadron from Ray. Yearsley had previously commanded the 419th Communications Flight. He said to the members of his new command, "I'm extreme- lv VinnorAfl anH nrniiH tn arrant- f lnia nncifinn Dm. standards will remain high. We'll use quality prin- ciples to guide us and each of you will be empowered to carry out our mission." When SSgt. Joe Morton spoke about saving the child last month, he shrugged off the notion of being a hero. "Some people call me a hero, but that's not accurate," said Morton modestly. "Anybody else would have done the same thing I did if they were in the same situation." What Morton did, however, will likely remain with him for a long time. The information management specialist in the 419th Fighter Wing Plans Office was on his way home for lunch from his civilian job when he noticed what appeared to be a doll's arm sticking up from an irrigation ditch. Moments past the scene, he felt the need to go back and take a second look. Back at the scene, Morton realized an actual child was submerged in about 10 inches of water. "His head had been pulled down by the force of the water and was under a culvert,' said Morton. life of a .W su after-- driving SSgt. Joe Morton by SSgt. Charles Freeman by TSgt' Neil Werenskjold Jho, New Operations Group commander Col. Charles Stenner addresses the troops. who wasn't Next, Morton pulled the child him on from the laid his back and ditch, breathing was about to give him CPR when the youngster began gasping for air and started crying. "I was never so happy to hear a kid cry," said Morton. Morton then yelled to the boy's older brother to call 911. The paramedics arrived quickly and took Ethan Wing to the hospital, where he was evaluated and released. Medical officials estimate the child was without air for about four to six minutes. The child's parents weren't home when the incident occurred. Ethan was being kept by his older brother when he apparently wandered to the drainage ditch, 30 to 40 feet from his home. When he got home, Morton hugged each of his three children and recalled thinking it could have easily been one of them in the same situation as Ethan. "It makes you realize how frail our existence is here," he said. Later that night, Morton received a telephone call from Ethan's mother expressing her gratitude for the help given her son. She has since baked Morton a cake and her son has visited the Mortons. Support Group chooses falcon logo for quality awards program 419th Public Affairs Office ilk gDqIDgQ's 050 419th FW Public Affairs Office - 1)1 - by SSgt. Charles Freeman taw.- if In a separate ceremony the next day at the base theater, Col. Ronald C. Ray assumed command of the Support Group from Col. John C. Hunter. Ray told the men and women of the Support Group that his goal was for them to be a team capable of deploying anywhere in the world and accomplishing any vuIFfluil Us 3a headsUp 3C1994 ' The popularity of the preened falcon logo used by the 388th Fighter Wing has extended to the 419th. Personnel in the Support Group recently voted to use the logo on mugs that will be given out as awards to individuals on the group's top process action teams. "The Support Group Quality Council has been in existence for a year and we thought it was time to come up with a classy award to recognize our people for their quality initiatives," said Capt. Bethany Colombo, council chairperson. The suggestion for an award was taken directly to members of the Support Group during a recent commander's call. A brainstorming session was held and the suggestion for the preened falcon logo etched on a glass mug as the top award won by a landslide margin, said Colombo. It will be 15-oun- ce Preened falcon logo To be used on mugs presented twice a year by the group's commander to individuals on teams with the best overall projects. Awards will be judged based on financial savings, morale improvement and timemanpower savings. The details are also being worked out to also recognize civilians selected for the award with a Notable Achievement Award. "I've already heard people say they want to join a PAT just so they could win a mug," said Colombo, who also expressed thanks to the 388th for its use. "It fit perfectly for our purposes." Chaplains offer support by TSgt. Neil Werenskjold 419th FW Public Affairs Office The 419th Fighter Wing Chaplain's Office offers a variety of services and programs designed to improve morale during peacetime and wartime. "The chaplain's office mission is to help people with their spiritual and emotional needs so they can perform their mission effectively," said Chaplain (Maj.) Rand Eberhard, the 419ths lead chaplain. He continued, "If a military member has a lot on his or her mind, it can affect their efficiency on the job. We can help by listening to them and providing counsel. When we are told something in confidence, we are the only military members who cannot be made to violate that confidence. "We're here to provide whatever help is needed for any family crisis or serious accident," said Chaplain (Capt.) Craig II. Rogers, of the chaplain's office. "We are kind of a first response team to do whatever needs to be done until the family's support system can be located to take over." "p466th - tt Anniversary FIGHTER SQUADRON Fighter squadron to mark 50th anniversary of flying with reunion The 466th Fighter Squadron will commemorate its 50th anniversary with a reunion celebration on Saturday, Oct. 15. All current and previous members of the squadron, the 419th Fighter Wing, the Hill AFB and surrounding communities are invited to attend. to "We're working to get all of the knows celebration. If for out the come anyone of any former members of the unit, we ask that they please put us in contact with them so we can make sure they get an invitation," said TSgt. Max Stitzer, an organizer of the event. The event will feature a dinner dance in the 419th's hangar with 1940s and '50s music provided by the Junction City Big Band. Vintage aircraft will also be on display. The cost is $25 per person. The dress at the dinner dance is military uniform or civilian coat and tie 1940s attire is encouraged. For more information or to RSVP, call Karen Stephenson old-time- Photo by TSgt. Preparing for Nil Woronskjold service a MSgts. Stan Robinson (left) and Wade Clark prepare sacrament before a recent LDS service. The chaplains are also available for 419th member weddings or funerals. They also run a variety of worship services during each UTAFor more information, call 775-264- 6. at 777-350- 5. rs |