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Show (rOUNTRY. 388th Fighter Wing supplement to the Hilltop Times Twice Monthly Advcrtirrvontt conuind twain do not contituf mrOotm mnt by Dprtmnt th of pfn , tha U.S. Air Fore or Hill AFB. Everything dvrtitwd iavailMo without rooard to rc July 18, 1996 color, wltQton. woe, or oihw nonmrit factor of tho purchawr, u r or patron. 729th ACS named best simulators in command 0 By Wynne Rasmussen staff writer A IE? 0 ( it & ' ' "fc Photo by Gregg Wixom Amn. Jeremy Kern, 34th Fighter. Squadron crew chief, listens to the commander of Air Combat Command, Gen. Richard E. Hawley. Kem was one of six people in the 388th Fighter Wing presented Purple Hearts for injures received during the June 25, truck bombing in Saudi Arabia that killed 19 airmen and injured more than 300. Others receiving the decoration were Capts. David and Joan Thole, MSgt Domenic Fazzo, SSgts. Rodney Smith and Robert Wagner. OSS welcomes new commander Amn. Sara Banda Rodriguez staff writer The 388th Operations Support Squadron received a new leader July 8 during a change of command ceremony at Hangar 37. Lt Col. John C Burgess Jr. succeeded Lt Col. Jeffrey S. Gordon who has commanded OSS since May 1995. Gordon will attend the Navy War College, Newport, R.L Burgess is coming from the same Navy War College where he was a student for the past year and earned his Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. veteran. "Hill is "I absolutely love it here," said the one of the spots that I have always wanted to be stationed ever since I've been a fighter pilot It's a dream come true. I'm really looking forward to being part of the OSS and the 388th Fighter workers and they are better able to concentrate." During his free time, the new commander enjoys outdoor activities with his wife Leesa and their three sons, John, Charlie and Jim. After one day as commander, Burgess left to get requalifed in the F-at Luke AFB, Ariz., where he will also attend Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night training. He is expected to return in September. 17-ye- ar Wing." childBurgess says he has been part ofthe Air Force ever since hood. His father retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel The new commander began his military career as a distinguished graduate in Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Kentucky, in 1979. His assignments include flight commander of the 20th Operations Support Squadron at Shaw AFB, S.C., in 1995; command and Chief of Strafrom briefer at Langley AFB, The new from Offutt at Neb., AFB, Analysis tegic B-F-an instructor as and pilot flown the commander has also. OSS's new commander toured the squadron July 1 and, after meeting his troops, he has high expectations. "I'm looking for leadership," said Burgess. "I want the 388th OSS to take the lead in the wing by building on our succesful existwell as ing programs and providing guidance to the squadrons as cenare issues on that commanders and aircrew the wing advising tral to the flying operation here at Hill." In return, the colonel is committed to fulfilling his requirements as a commander. "I think a commander's top responsibilities are to have integconcern for the rity, be honest with your people and have genuine first and your come should mission "The said. he always mission," mission. Happy people are good people are right up there with the 1992-199- provide weapons control, surveillance inforinformation back to mation and data-lin- k headquarters so the leaders can make command decisions." The training exercises are designed to keep personnel in top form for the field or any combat situation. "The program was developed to provide our personnel with the best training possible," Gordon said. The lieutenant explained the importance of the simulation program by comparing the significance of dogfighting for pilots to the training of squadron personnel. The 729th ACS must be prepared to take over any mission, any time, anywhere. "We support operations anywhere there's a hotspot in the world," Gordon said. "We develop exercises to be prepared for anywhere in the world." Gordon was tasked with overseeing the simulation training program in 1995. His primary goal was to make the program the best possible. Gordon met with necessary members of training, standardization, evaluation and scheduling. "We discussed the best way to support their needs," Gordon said. "My office brought it together to make the program f work." They started scheduling when and what type of exercises. First they scheduled exercises out a week in advance. Then two weeks in advance, and worked to successfully schedule exercises a month in advance. "When I say what 'type,' it's not only for weapons or surveillance personnel, but also what area of responsibility," Gordon 4; 1991-199- 16 . The 729th Air Control Squadron has been named Air Combat Command's best air combat simulation training unit for 199S. First Lt Ralph Gordon, weapons and tactics flight assistant chief, is not certain of the total number of squadrons which qualified for the award but considers it an outstanding achievement The award is an honor because it says, of all the units in ACC that do simulation training, we have the best program," Gordon said. The program provides opportunities for the squadron to practice what they would do in a conflict The most sensible way for air control to be prepared is through the training program, according to Gordon. "We simulate a war," Gordon said. "We 2. 52 Photo by Ron Canteen said. The squadron conducts upwards of two to three major exercises every month. Smaller ones are also conducted on a regular basis. There is a lot of "coordination" which goes on to put one exercise together, let alone several a month. "A lot of people help to make the training program successful," Gordon said. "It's award not just a weapons and a unit-witactics award, everyone in the unit is responsible for this achievement" de Col. John Burgess speaks at his change of command ceremony. Lt. |