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Show U.S. AIR FORCE TTr1 777 "V 388th Fighter Wing supplement to the Hilltop Times 1947-199- 7 Combat Wi A 1 Aug. 28, 1997 Twice Monthly '97 Dining-I- n M v;V, : VTRJ TEE. ) Of L lf l sXT. - J J- -' iYiT v tiY "i )W i Bi m T t I iv ri Wi ir- - r it. Phoi h Si.il! Sul- J.C. VWiddrins; calls the members of the mess to held Aug. 15. (Above) Retired Chief Master order during the Enlisted Combat Dinning-lSgt. Joseph S. Jones, guest speaker, discusses traditions in the military. See related story on Pg. B. (Left) Staff Sgt. Richard Ratzburg, Sergeant-at-Arm- s, n Wing supports mock war exercise James R. Wilson 388th FW Public Affairs Office By 1st Lt. Airmen from the 4th and 34th' Fighter to provide Squadrons teamed up Aug. for Global combat power Apache '97, a command and control exercise designed to test a variety of units under a simulated wartime scenario. Global Apache, while planned and organized by the National Guard, involves both active, and reserve military units from across the United States conducting operations in support of this mock war. Units , Wisconsin and Wyoming from in included the scenario which inwere a volved significant amount of flying over western Utah. Besides the wing's other aircraft involved in the exercise inAV-8- s and cluded 1 8-- New-York- F-1- B-l- F-1- s, s, AH-6- 4 helicopters. "The wing's objective was to destroy targets with 100 percent bombs on target, on time while also defeating any air and ground threats," said Capt. Joseph Vasta, 388th Operations Support Squadron Current Operations Flight Commander. "A large portion of the war was conducted at Dugway Proving Ground and the Utah Test and Train Air Force ing Range. While pilots from the 388th are already extremely familiar with the range, the scale of the exercise and the fact.that so ' many different weapons systems participated provided us with excellent training." Global Apache is an annual exercise, however, this year marked the first time the 388th FW took pan. "The benefit of an exercise like Global Apache is the large force aspect that our pilots don't get an opportunity to be a part of on a daily basis," said Captain Vasta. "One of the main reasons we wanted to do this was because it offered us another opportunity to prepare for going to war." Pilots from the wing logged approximately 30 sorties each day while serving as blue forces (the good guys) for the large strike packages. Before those sorties could be flown, pilots in the mission planning cell developed the flying schedule and offensive strategies designed to place bombs on target. "We take the air tasking order, which outlines how our wing will support the exercise, then tell everyone else how we plan to accomplish the mission," said Capt. Eric Knutson, 34th FS pilot. "While the tasking order outlines the flying profile, there are cross-trainin- ar cation training. On the other hand, newly trained helicopter pilots now service commitments. instead of three-yea- r active-dut- y service r incur In general, pilots initial qualification commitments after they complete initial training. training. This reflects the high cost of five-ye- ar five-yea- od herein do not constitute POOR COPY : numerous other things that must be done in order for us to accomplish our mission. The h Mission Planning Ceperforms is vital to'missio'n success.fTovv ever, the pilots still have threat briefings, target area studies and further coordination and deconfliction of issues to perform before flying their mission." According to Captain Knutson. the mission planning cell developed two missions each day which translated into almost 40 sorties. "We provided information such as maps, line-u- p cards, target photos and other supplemental information that the pilot would otherwise have to gather himself." said Captain Knutson. The mission planning cell and everyone else in the wing who contributed to this exercise will likely see it again sometime in the future. The 388th FW and other units have made Global Apache a growing event that is likely to get even larger in the coming years. "We committed a lot of time and resources to this year's exercise and gained a lot from it," said Captain Vasta. "It's a unique training opportunity for everyone involved." Speakers needed 'rtTeplaTi-hing'whic- -- With another school year upon us. the 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office is seeking motivated airmen as speakers for area schools. Grade schools through universities request speakers frequently on various topics. For more information, call Staff Set. J.C. Woodrins at 777-320- endorsemnt by the Depa-tme- of 0. Meeting There will be a 388th Fighter Wing quarterly infonnation management meeting today. It w ill be at p.m. in the 4th Fighter Squadron Conference 1 Room. For more information contact Tech. Sgt. Tony Hernandez at 777-228- 5. Reminder National POWMIA Recognition Day is Sept. 19. adjusts service commitments for pilots WASHINGTON (AFNS) - Standardizing and ensurservice commitment is appropriate for ing the active-dut- y the training received, the Air Force has adjusted the commitments for certain advanced flying training courses. The changes, effective for pilots completing these sertraining courses on or after Aug. 3, 1997, reduce the pifor three to years vice commitment from five years g from one nonfighter major weapon lots Pilots who completed training beanother. to system commitment. The fore Aug. 3 will receive the five-yeU-- 2 same reduction applies to pilots for initial qualifihave Briefly such as an average of $461,000 per fighter initial qualification training course. Disparities arose in service commitments incurred for g into other major weapon systems. Previous d between mato this change, fighter pilots who howthree-yea- r commitment: a incurred jor weapon systems KC-1- 0 cross-traine- d a incurred 5 to who ever. pilots ... c ''v f r- s cross-trainin- cross-traine- KC-13- a five-ye- ar commitment. Even though the tanker training is shorter and the cost is much less, the tanker pilot incurred a two-yelonger commitment than the fighter pilot. Mobility and bomber pilots selected for the fighter comcrossflow program will continue to incur a five-yemitment because of the high cost of fighter training and follow-on utilization requirements in the fighter aircraft. Defense the ar ar 3f See Pilots, Pg. 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