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Show Fighter Country Behind the scenes News and Features Page 3A Families backing pur troops by lending support ByAIC Aimee Groben Editor, Rgjhter Country During the Thanksgiving season we are reminded of a long list of things we have to be thankful for. At the top of that list is family. Traditionally, Congress has designated one day during the week ofThanks-givin- g as "National Military Family Recognition Day." November 21 will be the day to recognize military families for their important contributions and sacrifices. Since the beginning of the Air Force, spouses and family members have been required to make sacrifices - some of which have come in big packages.' Being a member of the 388th Fighter Wing comes with its own brand of sacrifice - sometimes in the form of separation from loved ones. '.,:. "I hope and pray that my husband doesn't have to be called away. But when and if he is, I'll be proud of him because I know he is doing what he wants to do supporting his country," said Gail Kelleher, who is home with her three lief;" said Kelleher. Another spouse finds comfort in boys while her husband is serving in Southwest Asia. knowing there are other people in the Air Force families must find same boat. "I went to a support group unique ways of keeping close. OneAF on base for the first time this week," said Vivian Webb who is also home with her member told ofhow he video-tape- d himself reading his children's favorite sto- children while her husband is serving in ries and sent them to his family while he Southwest Asia. "All the wives whose was deployed. Another wing member husbands are deployed were there. They had crafts for us to work on, but most of said while he was in the desert, mail-ca- ll was the highlight of his day. "Some days, all it gave me a chance to meet a lot of just thinking about my kids got me people and that helps," said Webb. Family Support also provides child care, through," he said. : With the growing number of mili- guest speakers, and crafts from A to Z tary members being called to serve in according to Judy Maughan, who heads different parts of the world, family memup the program. Both Kelleher and Webb said they bers are being called upon to be brave and understanding. Members of the realize they have to be prepared to "go it 3 88th are trying to help families do that. alone" when their husbands are called "My water heater went out not too long away, but both agree that wing members after my husband left for the desert and have made them feel like part of the fam-il- y. water was gushing everywhere. I just didnt know what to do, so I called his "They people of the 34th Fighter squadron. Within 20 minutes two guys Squadron seem like they really care," were here to fix it, that was such a re said Webb. "I wasn't really feeling well and was working my part-tim- e job plus the kids. the One of guys from watching the squadron was over here in no time mowing my lawn," she said. But according to William Perry, the . Secretary of Defense, families are the silent partners and heroes in all missions. "Families face frequent moves, separations, natural disasters and the constant possibility of deployment of their loved ones. Through it all, military families faithfully support their military member and the military, not for money, recognition or other tangible rewards, but out of love for one another and belief in our nation," said Perry in a message recognizing military families. Perhaps Kelleher summed it up best when she said, "Sure, we have our ups and downs just like you would in any job. But being in the Air Force has afforded us opportunities we might never have had. I feel like I am a part of it, and I know if something happened, the Air Force family would be here for me." Programs geared toward improvement boosted by $2.7 billion and Servicemembers their families will benefit from a $2.7 billion boost to quality of life improvement programs over the next six years. Secretary of Defense William Perry announced the increase at a Nov. 10 Pentagon joint press briefing with Gen. John Shalikashvili, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The additional funds will be used to improve compensations, living accommodations and community and family support, Perry said. Added funding begins with a $450 million increase in the fiscal 1996 budget, and continue with an additional $450 million for the five fiscal years after that Perry said that was a 5 percent increase over and above funds already requested by the armed services for similar programs. Perry said changes m the military have made what was unusual five years ago the norm today. Those changes, coupled with the stresses endured by the servicemembers and their families, could "undermine the readiness of the force" if not addressed. The Secretary said the armed forces have high capabilities, morale and readiness, but that providing a high quality of life was essential to maintaining a ready force in the coming decade and beyond. "Quality of life supports readiness. No weapons system is better than the people who operate and maintain it," Perry said. "Therefore, in our allocation of resources, we put people first in our priorities." The announcement, Perry said, represents a commitment of money, resources and an "intellectual effort to fully understand the problems faced by our changing force" and prevent potential future problems. Under the plan, additional funds will be used to: Increase the Basic Allowance for Quarters, or BAQ, to offset off-bahousing costs. Incremental increases could be as much as $120 per month for some people. to offset Provide a in statestationed servicemembers for living expenses areas. These side locations identified as "high-cos- t" more have than 109 areas averages of percent of the national average. Upgrade 10,000 military homes currently on line for closure because of lack of maintenance funds. Additinally, 5,000 single dormitory rooms are going to be improved to provide more privacy and other amenities. Also, plans to explore partnerships with the private sector through housing ventures, such as combining Department of Defense land plus funding to stimulate home building and lease-bac-k options. Increase the access to child care facilities, from the current levels of one-ha- lf of the eligible famia for those needing the service lies to two-thirmove that could affect 38,000 families. Money will also be used to improve recreational goods and ser se cost-of-livi- ng continued from page 1 on joint-environme- nt. "Our commitment to our people cannot be just a series of temporary measures," the General said. "It must be a long-tersustained commitment that has the continuing support of us all. "The quality of life actions that Secretary Perry has announced show that this is not merely a sentiment, but a conviction," he said. Servicemembers and their families have repeatedly been asked to make sacrifices, and have not failed to respond, Shalikashvili said. He also said the founservicemembers are the "key to readiness dation to our joint warfighting capability." "No single investment we make is more important than an investment in our people," he said. "I'm pleased with the steps taken today, steps that will lead to real improvement in the quality of life for members of our armed forces." m Company Grade Officer of the Quarter ds Army. Difference No 3: The Army thinks of enlisted people in, well, a different manner than does the Air Force. They dont expect or require as much, uh, initiative from their enlisted folks. You wont see anything like a senior airman as a crew chief of a multi-millidollar weapon system. Lesson learned? Take care of your Air Force people or they may get squashed in a And that moves us right into... Difference No. 4: It is important to remember three things when dealing with other services. Rank, rank, and rank. The other services are very rank conscious. Very. 'Nuffsaid. One day not long ago, I was talking to an Army guy and he made a grunting sound. I stopped, waiting for him to finish what he had apparently begun to "hoo-ah- ." say. Turns out he had said all he intended to: "hoo-ah- ." It . Yep, in a quick grumble he had said sort It's means something important to these people. of a positive, affirmative, agreeable noise. It doesnt translate very well, and thus it is important to learn Airman can say what it means in context. "Hoo-ah.- " vices, and strengthen programs aimed at preventing family violence. it, but we cant quite use it correctly. It's a cultural thing. Difference No. 5: The other services have a real sense of community. Comparatively, the Air Force looks like so many individuals who happen to dress alike. It's kind of neat, their camaraderie. They've got esprit de corps. When we think of Esprit, we'd sooner like to think of the clothing manufacturer before we'd Lesson learned? We can learn think to say, "hoo-ah- ." a lot about "teamwork" by looking to our military brethren. They know teamwork. But in the end, these are adjustments that can be made. In reality we're capable of great things in a joint, BDU environment. The various colored splotches can quite welL When you get that call to fry somewhere in the world "at a moment's notice," pack your purple suit, have an open mind and be ready for an education. No matter what, you can count on your fellow soldiers, sailors and Marines for fantastic support And you can be sure you'll accomplish your mission. After --- all, we're all on the same team. "Hoo-ah- ." co-ex- ist ' els Capt Tom Klingensmith was the 388th Fighter Wing Company Grade Officer winner for Juty through September. He was selected by the wing commander out of the eight other entries throughout the wing. Klingensmith s accomplishments, offkership, mission accomplishments, and leadership led him in the victory. |