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Show May 9, 1996 Fighter Country Page3A 'Rude Rams' big guns shoot for playoffs By SSgt James A. Rush NCOIC, Public Affairs Undefeated fbr most of the season, the 34th Fighter Squadron volleyball team fell on hard times recently, forfeiting one match and losing another to the 649th Munitions Squadron. With their 9--2, the 388th Maintenance Squadron "AMMO" team, at 7, was the spike of the day. The 34th devoured 15-- 2 AMMO 15-April 30 in the base gym. "We have a bunch of tall guys. There shouldn't be anyone as tall as us," said 34th FS coach Chris Cross. "We have a couple guys with experience and that helps too. We should be back on track to finish strong." The Rams opened game one 3-- 4, Photo by Trah Kiah prepares to bump the ball. SSgt James A. Rush strong emphasis on preventative measures and centers on communication. NCOIC, Public Affairs in Post-sea-s- 3-- 4, Foreign pilot tours wing safety program By score 7-- 1. Six plays later, it was 13-- 1 thanks to his heavy top-spserve that AMMO couldn't return. A win against the 388th MXS AGE team Friday upped the Rams record to 11-- 2, good enough for second place in the TuesdayThursday league. play is far from certain, however. The Rams must still face the 388th Fighter Wing (9-- twice, the 75th Communications Squadron (8-2- ), and the 729th Air Control Squadron (13-1- ). A demanding flying schedule and temporary assignments will dilute the team's talent also, but Cross is confident they'll weather the storm. "We have a bunch of guys that improved a lot through the season and there's a new guy in the squadron also," he said. "We're going to have to improve our blocking and mix it up on offense however. Wc need to play strong at the net and get more hitting 5-- record adjusted to the "Rude Rams" were hungry to get back on the winning track and Mike Heiser flat, making several errors to allow AMMO a 4-- 1 lead. The next 14 points would come on their side of the scoreboard however. . Terry Ford got the fighter squadron airborne scoring a point and a sideout on two overset balls. With the score J. J. Menozzi stepped to the service line for a 0 run. Cross led the burst with three straight kills and a solo block during the rally. ,;. Ford's service was next and he added six points to the total. Dave "King of the Beach" Chancy powered this scoring spurt with three lolls. Game two saw more of the same. Chancy played big once again and was joined by Mike Heyser who had a trio of successful spikes. Even though the Rams average height was several inches above their AMMO opponents, the crushing blow came 30 feet from the net. Johnny "Red" Walker began service with ate discussion is the backbone of the wing's safety plan. Bostrom and other safety representatives frequently visit the shops and offices around the base to get feedback directly from workers. Pilot meetings, spot inspections, safety days and disseminating cop- -. ies of accident reports from other bases are other measures designed to prevent problems before they happen. "Safety is something where we can learn from each others mishaps, Bostrom said. "The big thing is to get the word out and not repeat a mishap. By introducing its own safety ideas to other nations, the U.S. Air Force hopes to create a safer flying environment for everyone, according to Bostrom 3) one-on-o-nc (JRADlMnONS Senior NCO Academy Kurt E. 388th Maintenance SMSgt Lindsay, Squadron, graduated from the Senior MOO Academy; Maxwell AFB, Ala., May I. Airman Leadership School . Tnefolkwiiig388&Fightcr wmg senior aumen graduated from Airman Leadership School April 22: Face-to-fa- ce An international observer arrived here Saturday to learn the tricks of the trade from the 388th Fighter Wing Safety Office." - - . Foreign pilots from all over the world attend a course at Kirtland AFB, N.M., to learn U.S. Air Force safety procedures. One recent graduate of the course, a Mirage 2000 pilot from the United Arab Emirates, is going to see how the textbook lessons are applied in real-li- fe operations. "We're primarily going to concentrate on flight safety, but we'll be touching on ground and weapons safety also," said Capt. Larry Bostrom, chief of wing flight safety. "He'll get a taste of each because all are involved in flight safety." The UAE captain is here through May 17. During his visit, the tour will include the weapons storage and build-u- p areas, maintenance facilities and the engine hush house. "Hill has one of the best safety programs in the Air Force," Bostrom said. "We're doing some things right here and we want to share those ideas with other folks." The foreign guest will see a program that places a . semi-annu- 4th Fighter Sooidroa Brian J. Downer Shelly R. Johnson Chad R. Harvey al "We've flown with these guys over in the desert They're our allies and if we can help mem to operate safer, we're all better off." The Mirage 2000 is a single-engijet similar in size to the 6. Because of the resemblance, the wing volunteered to host the UAE pilot "We don't have all the answers. We can learn a lot from each other," Bostrom said. "If we are able to think more alike, it will make for a safer environment and a more effective force." ne F-1- 34thFJ Matthew P. Kyler 421st PS Merry N. Plante Sylvia C.Ray 84th Radar Evaluation Squadron Michael D. Caddis Deborah M Proniewicz 388th Logistics Support Squadron BartS.Scroggins 388th Maintenance Squadron Christopher M. Kathnner Jon C, Johnson Alberto Kal tenhauser Donald E. Rucker ffilftOrtttTttftns Support, ftranflros. Ronald S. Walters , , Tffll Air CwtfircH frffndrw John E. Michel Certified Technicians Program Top troops give wing more with less By TSgt Darla J. Ernst NCOIC, Community Relations A job that previously took two people to complete, now only takes one. That's thanks to the Air Combat Command Certified Technician Program. The program allows maintenance ftyhnfriflnf who demonstrate exceptional skill and integrity to complete a job without having a second pair of eyes check it over behind them. "What we're doing is giving skilled people ownership of a from start to finish," said CMSgt Steve Sua, 388th Maintejob nance Superintendent It empowers them to do their own maintenance, check it over and put their name on the dotted line sigmfying the job is done right, according to Stitt But the title and responsibility aren't given lightly. According to Capt Peter Getts, 388th Maintenance Supervisor, he doesn't recommend people to be certified technicians if he doesn't feel they understand whaNhctitle en- tails. "I personally interview every person identified by their . supervisor or flight chief to become a certified technician," he said. "If I don't think they have a grasp on the responsibility that comes with ft, I send them back to their flight without ft." Once a technician passes that stage, they still need the approval of the squadron and group commander before they earn certified technician status. Currently, the Maintenance Squadron only has 12 certified technicians out of a squadron of S50 people There are 17 in the entire wing The tasks that normally take two people to sign off on the aircraft forms are ones considered critical. Only those who exhibit the highest degree of skill and trustvvorthiness qualify to take responsibility for those their work, actasks without having someone double-chec- k Getts. to cording veteran of the Air For SSgt Art Rousseau, a Force, having that certified technician stamp the last three months has made his life easier. Since becoming a certified technician in January, he estimates using the authority three to five times a week. .These are times when, in the past, he would have had to 10-ye- call someone out from the shop to the flightline to check a job that he has done many times. "In the more with less environment, it only makes sense," he said. The certified technician is his own little package, not needing anyone to go out to the line with him to sign off bis work." SSgt Jeff CaudilL who became a certified technician in April, takes a certain amount of pride in being a certified technician, "It's nice to know your superiors believe you can do he said. without someone behind you," checking your job Caudill does structural maintenance in the sheet metal and corrosion shop. "One of the big advantages is that when you're on stand-b- and you're called in for a job, you don't have to bring in another person to sign off your work." Getts believes the program is a pat on the back for those in it and that the extra responsibility gives them a good feeling. But probably the real benefactors of the program are the shops these technicians work in. "The program saves us time and hassle without . promising quality of work or safety," be said. y |