OCR Text |
Show Page 2A Jan. 25, iyyo Fighter Country Maintenance pride keeps wing flying TD.f By Lt Col. Jeff Gordon 388th Operations Support Squadron commander Maintenance pride an essential part of the deep commitment to the 388th Fighter Wing's mission and America's airpower future. The 388th FW is delivering much for the American people. Our tasking pace will probably continue for many years, perhaps under an even larger installment plan. Incredibly, we're responsible for meeting established, maintenance standards 365 days a year, for many years to come. The maintenance of our aircraft requires visionary, gutsy people who take care of our resources for the long term. This is ar highly-traine- f, not some fuzzy, quality magical formula thing. Success resides in our team's commitment to mission standards! Our aim is to string together better shift changes, better aircraft for the next pilot to fly, better trained individuals and a better situation for the next person inbound. Making it better for the next person fleet health care to someone we connects long-tercan relate and improve with. far-of- F-- m Lt Col. Jeff Gordon Thinking beyond meeting today's schedule, there's tremendous care and feeding required to keep an aging fighter flying to the highest possible maintenance d compliance-orientestandards. It requires: Professionals leaders who pass the real maintenance bag of tricks; Training; Prevention; Hard work; and Pride pride. With the hours piling on these airframes, we know these are not on short term leases. America has a long-terrequirement for these machines and vitally needs the professionals who work them. The 388th FW will discuss long-terstrategic planning and goal setting this month. This work is an operational necessity. Planning on ways to focus our efforts, improve efficiency, better our training and - F-1- m m improve our maintenance quality is essential. Over the years, reduced budgets, inflation, enemies and tasking wear at our combat power. The total Air mission capable rates are slipping. Keeping Force's F-a balance between today's bills and meeting tomorrow's airpower needs is an immense responsibility and challenge. The difference between a hollow and ready force largely resides within us and how we carry out our commitment to the long-terhealth of our aircraft. We can meet this challenge by working a smart plan and making it better for the next person who does our job. That's maintenance pride. I salute the great people who pride themselves in maintaining the greatest fighter in the world. You're awesome! 16 m Preparing for winter driving Trunk survival kit leaves impression on safety officer By Lt Col. Kurt Dittmer 388th Fighter Wing chief of safety My first winter north of the Mason-DixK.L line was a real Sawyer AFB, Mich., in 1980. It started snowing heavily in November, and by May totaled 217 inches or 18 feet of snow. It took four years, but I finally learned how to deal with the hazards of winter. Here are some of the major lessons I learned. I needed assistance a couple of times during my tour, and I saw some impressive trunk survival kits. The basic complement you need is a shovel, a bag of sand or kitty litter for weight while driving and traction when digging out, a blanket, a tool kit, a first aid kit and a survival kit The survival kit need be little more than a candle for heat and to melt snow for drinking, a can to hold the snow, a plastic garbage bag, and matches or a lighter. You can throw some candy bars in, although they tend to disappear, but forget drink containers that on er might freeze and explode. I used some of the stuff when I came back from a temporary duty and the snow plows had moved all the snow from the parking lot and packed it around my car. I broke into my first aid kit for Band-Aionce and my candles melted when I was stationed at Luke AFB, Ariz., but basically the same kit is in my car now. You may want to add tire chains for emergency use unless you use snow tires. The survival kit comes in handy in case you get stuck, or worse yet, stranded. If you are stranded, put on your four-wflashers and use some indication that you're still in the vehicle, like leaving the hood of your car open. Stay put! It is easier to find a car that's lost than a person who's wandered from a car looking for help. Many accidents happen on the roadside when someone tries to press on and plows into a parked vehicle. So if you are stopping because of a white-ou-t, pull clear of the main highway if at all possible. Make yourself comfortable, because Fighter Country -- Publishedfbr v. people like... jfjV r mi ?' w- ' 1 388th Maintenance J-'- , i. TSgt Sherry Ames Squadron - ...- -a ds ay it may be a while. If your exhaust system is in good repair, then by all means run your car for warmth. Periodically check around to clear the snow off the lights and out of the tailpipe. Break into your survival lot this is the emergency you planned for, so enjoy that chocolate bar. Regardless of how much stuff you have in the car, the best way to avoid using it is to become proficient driving on snow and ice. Large empty parking lots after a good snow offer an opportunity to find out how your car handles in skids, accelerates and turns. An empty parking lot is a better place to find how front-whe-el drive handles than when driving in heavy traffic When you have to travel in traffic, extend your following distances and reduce your speed. Drive with your lights on to be seen and anticipate the other person's mistakes. It doesn't matter that you have the right of way when someone pulls into your lane, it's best to avoid the accident rather 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 formembers of the U.S. miitary services. Contents of Fighter Country are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force photos. Advertisements contained herein do not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the U.S. Air Force or Hill AFB Everything advertised is available without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. than haggle with insurance companies about who was at fault after a collision. If you purchased a sports utility drive may vehicle, remember help traction during acceleration, but does brakes on nothing for stopping. Anti-loc- k the other hand may offer an advantage in stopping, but check your rear view mirror to see if the fella following you made your same investment, or you may end up in the body shop regardless. The biggest advantage to anti-lobrakes is the ability to steer while braking again a trip to a parking lot will help you take advantage of your car's full four-whe- el ck capabilities. For all your trips, plan ahead and tell someone where you're going and when you expect to get back. If you have one available, cany a cellular phone. If you see someone stopped on the side of the road, offer assistance winter sometimes makes it a matter of survival. And besides, how else will you be able to show off your trunk. Fighter Country is edited, prepared and provided by the 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office. Submit editorial copy to: 388FWPA(Bldg. 120, Suite 113). For more information, call the public affairs office at . 777-320- 0. Fighter Country Editorial Staff Cot Benttey Rayburn Commander, 388th Fighter Wing 1st Lt John D. Smith Chief. Public Affairs NCOIC. Public Main TSgt Darla J. Ernst SrA J.C. Woodring Editor. Fighter Country SrA, Aimee Groben . Community Relations |