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Show Jan. 11. 1996 Pagt3A Fighter Country Bombs away Loading bombs is all part of the job for (left to right) SrA. Eulitt D. Elkins, SSgl Marc L Robbins and SrA. Henry L Cramer, Jr. of the 4th Fighter Squadron's load crew team. Each of the three fighter squadrons had teams compete at the Load Crew of the Quarter competition Jan. 2 in Hangar 37. Results of the competition will be announced Friday. Pholo by SrA. Ainee Qrobea JP8 increases work, but helps environment By SrA. Aimee Groben Community Relations Although snow hasn't hit the 388th Fighter Wing flightline, cold weather combined with the wing's recent conversion to JP8 jet fuel has created extra work for wrenchturners. The benefits of the conversion to JP8 reach across the environment JP8 evaporates at a significantly slower rate than JP4. The base environmental office estimates that by using JP8, the amount of fuel evaporation into the atmosphere will be reduced by 90 tons a year for Hill AFB. The fuel is not only kinder to the environment but also to the people working on the jets. "JP8 has a lot lower Benzene level, and that's good news for the folks working with the fuel because they're exposed to lower concentrate levels," according to MSgt. Reginald Sanders, superintendent of the wing's fuel shop. "The fuel also has a much higher the temperature level it takes flashpoint for the fuel to ignite. This makes it much safer to work with," he said Being the last region to convert to JP8 gave the 388th a slight advantage. "We understood the problems that would occur with the switch to JP8," said MSgt. Kevin Harp, section chief for the 388th's fuel shop. "We took a look at all the information about 12 percent, the JP8 fuel only expands across the Air Force, concentrating on the the rings and seals about eight percent he lessons learned from bases in cold weather said. Cold weather also effects the expansion of aircraft metal and seals. areas," he said. With cold weather playing a key role in The fuel shop let the information they from other bases them. for work gathered causing fuel leaks, the folks from the fuel Before the switch took place they had alshop expect to see a reduction in leaks by bench-stoc- k increased the March. of levels ready "When the weather warms up the airand conducted a refresher course on fuel leak identification, isolation and repair craft structure goes back to normal. And by that time, we'll have changed out the parts, procedures. "Although there's still down time, it's and the seals that did not adjust to the JP8," a lot less than what it would have been if we said Harp. "We knew what to be prepared for at hadn't stocked up on the parts ahead of the beginning of the conversion, so it's just time," said Harp. a matter of time and a little extra work to JF4, which is thinner than JP8, exand seals on the get things running smooth again" he said. panded the gs F-- gs Wing prepares for evaluation to hit in '96 Phase I Operational Readiness Inspection By SrA. J.C. Woodring Editor, Fighter Country The 388th Fighter Wing is eligible for an Air Combat Command Inspector General Phase I Operational Readiness Inspection in 1996. According to the wing's plans and exercises office, people must be prepared to face this challenge at any time, not only for exercises but for real world contingencies. A recall gets everyone into work to react to a situation, according to MSgt Lorraine Peart, Superintendent of wing plans and exercises. "Usually, we are called in for a higher headquarters tasking, but we could be recalled for natural disasters or local emergencies," said Peart There are three basic parts ofa Phase I: mobility, generation and regeneration. Before any part of the Phase I can begin, people need to get to work and be ready to go, said Peart When recalled, people should report to their duty section in uniform with their personal bag as soon as possible. This does not mean take time to shower or shave," said Peart "If there is a recall, it means time is of the essence and every minute counts. "A common misconception is that there will be time to said Peart "You may have to process shortly after reporting to work and not have time to return home for your bag." Once a recall begins, the mobility and generation portions of the Phase I get going. Both happen at the same time. The mobility part prepares people and equipment to deploy, according to Peart When the recall starts, so does the clock. As soon as possible thereafter, the people of the 388th FW should be on a plane headed for the conflict area. To get there, they process through the mobility processing line. In the line, agencies from around base check trainidentification cards, dog tags, shot records, emerof records and area restricted badges ing records, gency data. They also check to see if anyone needs a power of attorney or wilL Although the agencies are there to issue things at the last minute, members of the 388th FW should have every- thing prepared "It's everyone's job to make sure mobility requirements are met," said Peart "Everyone knows what they need for mobility, they shouldn't put it off until the last minute." e, Some of the training required is Chemical Biological Self AidBuddy Care and small arms training. There orientation briefing given by unit mobilis also a one-tiity sections. For more information on specific training, War-far- contact your unit mobility section. go home and get your personal bag later in the day." A recent wing exercise highlighted the need to have personal bags Non-aircre- w ; brought in durthe recall, ing 1 Meld jacket or Gortex 1 1 padlock when many padlock 1 parka towels 2 to had towels 2 go people 1 belt with subdued buckle 1 washcloth", 1 washcloth through the pro1 pair combat boots undershirts 5 undershirts 5 line cessing (steel toes if directed by commander) 6 panties 6 undershorts s shortly after re4 socks black bras 4 3pairBDUs pair porting. 1 BDU cap or BDU Baseball cap 4 pair black socks 1 toiletry kit "You never 1 kit pair gloves(work gloves allowed) know if you will 2 thermal topsbottoms ,1 toiletry be in the first or 12 thermal topsbottoms 1 set civilian clothes last package," Just as people quickly prepare for deployment, the air- craft have to be prepared to get to the region as close as possible to the time the people arrive. "It doesn't do us any good if the people and equipment get there and there aren't any jets to fly," said Peart "The same goes, if we can't get the people there, they can't get the jets ready to fly the mission." After everyone gets to their destination, the next step, or regeneration phase, is to get the jets ready to fight, said Peart "That's all there is to it," she said. "Get everyone there and get them ready to fight" While sending teams without incident is the goal of every deployment, there are areas that can slow down the process, according to Peart One of the biggest areas for improvement noted in the last exercise was individual motivation. "You train how you fight, so it's very important we show a sense of urgency and pay close attention to details," said Peart "The only way we'll get it right when it's real is if wc practice it the way it's supposed to be done every time." The wing does emphasise safety. "A sense of urgency doesn't mean throwing safety to the wind or taking shortcuts," said CoL Bentley Rayburn, 388th FW commander, "It means giving your best to the task at hand and doing things properly while following all the regulations and technical orders. "If anyone sees an unsafe practice or New personal bags minimum requirements list Male Female Aircrew Required flight gear flying jacket (sunnier or winter as appro-- , priate) , flight cap 4 pair black or white socks 3 flight suits ' . 1 set civilian clothes 1 , racommmded , situation, from the newest airman to the most senior leader, they should stop what's going on until the safety issue is said resolved," Rayburn. The next scheduled wing Phase I exercises are Jan. 30 to 31 and Feb. 29 to March 1. |