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Show B FIGHTER COLS1RY Aug. 28, 1997 adjusts exercise, competition schedule ACC LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE. Va. Air Combat Command has ad(AFNS) its exercise and competition 1997 justed schedule to reflect recent changes in deployment taskings and to help reduce operations tempo. A recent Air Force policy change reduced deployment taskings from 90 to 45 days. The resulting deployment schedule change precluded many participants from being available to attend exercises and competitions this year. Furthermore, reducing operations tempo is a top priority of Gen. Richard E. Haw ley. ACC commander. Scal ing back on exercise and competition commitments was one way to ease the pace for people in the command. Gunsmoke "97, the gunnery competition originally scheduled to be held in October at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., was canceled and will be rescheduled for October and November 1998. As a result of Gunsmoke being rescheduled, William Tell, the competition slated for 1998 will be moved to the summer of 1999. Long Shot, the competition between the ACC num air-to-a- ACC-sponsor- ir ed bered air forces, also scheduled for 1998. will be moved to the summer of 1999. e Proud Shield, the Air Force's strike competition was canceled for 1997 and its being rescheduled for long-rang- 1998. ACC has also reduced the number of participants in Silver Flag Alpha, the desert warfare training for security forces. Previously, a flight of 45 people would go for the training; now, units are sending flights of 3 people. The command will also reschedule its participation in Quick Force, an Air Force 1 sponsored composite force exercise, and will scale back its Air Warrior and Air Warrior II exercises from 22 to 15 per year. The Air Warrior exercises provide realistic training in the close air support role. Additionally, Checkered Flag, a training program established in 1979 to ensure wartime readiness for Tactical Air Command and support units, has been terminated because current levels of contingency and stateside exercises provide sufficient deployment training to maintain ACC readiness. Widow's webs to extend to Saudi Arabia By 2nd Lt. Brett Gooden 421st Fighter Squadron The Black Widows of the 421st Fighter Squadron becomes the first in the 388th Fighter Wing to experience the new y deployment rotation when they leave for Southwest Asia next week. ; About 15 Block 40 depart at midnight Tuesday and approximately 250 squadron members follow Sept. 4. Their destination. Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, is new to nearly everyone in the unit. The majority of squadron personnel are scheduled to arrive one or two days later, where they will be greeted by tents (instead of buildings), high threat conditions, and daily temperatures that regularly reach 20-- 1 30 degrees. "There are going to be some challenges there," said Senior Master Sgt. Rick McMichael, maintenance superintendent." Troops will be placed in a high operations tempo where the heat and wind can be difficult to deal with, added the sergeant, one of many individuals more accustomed to 45-da- F-1- 6s 1 such deployments as Dhahran AB, Saudi Arabia, and Al Minhad AB, United Arab Emirates. For many in the squadron, this trip marks the first deployment of their careers. "I'm kind of anxious," said Airman 1st Class Steve crew chief, who is Zimmerman, assistant dedicated 6 "Some people won't like living in one of the tents, but personally I think it all adds to the experience." The extreme environment and seemingly rugged accommodations are among the possible concerns for those going, according to Lt. Col. Lee Hall, 421st FS commander. However, in order to facilitate the adjustment process, each member attended a briefing Friday on issues such as the mission, items to bring, military pay and departure and arrival dates and times, he said. One important issue addressed was "getting the word out on living conditions." he explained. Six to eight people will be assigned to each tent. Each tent comes equipped with a color TV, cable, a VCR, beds, foot or wall lockers, and a refrigerator. F-1- first-timer- s. The 421st FS has been preparing for deployment in the air as well as on the ground. "We've flown missions emphasizing tactics to be used in Southwest Asia," he said. "The weapons personnel practiced loading the same ordnance we'll use over there." This situations. preparation ensures readiness in Although they will be" away for 45 days to a remote location, the Black Widows' mission remains clear. "We're there to enforce the United Nations sanctions below the 33rd parallel in southern Iraq," said Colonel Hall. Addressing the needs of families left behind is a top priority also, said Colonel Hall. Squadron spouses attended a briefing Aug. 21 which provided answers to many of their questions regarding the deployment. The squadron point of contact for families is Master Sgt. Kevin Bailey, Sortie Flight Support superintendent, at In addition, the Hill AFB Family Support Center can help with questions arising before, during and after the de1 for information. ployment. Call The 421st FS returns from the desert Oct. 21. real-wor- 775-463- shows troops part of their Dining-l- n rules hadr see how much people enjoyed themlet thapviolators of the By Staff Sgt. J.C.oodring!w' to go through on their way to the grog bowl. selves, I would help organize one 388th FW Public Affairs Office dining-in'- s that-- 1 again Troops were ready for battle when they arrived at the Enlisted Combat Dining-l- n sponsored by Hill's Air Combat Command Top 3. The event was nothing like most had ever seen before. "I wish everyone could've taken part in it," said Senior Master Sgt. George Nicholaou, one of the committee members who planned the Aug. 15 event, "it went great!" The dining-i- n brought together more than 200 enlisted troops from ACC units here to Centennial Park. All the warriors were decked out in their battle dress or desert camouflage uniforms. Some even wore face paint to enhance the mood. "It was a much better time than I thought it was going to be." said Staff Sgt. Dave Stephens, who had attended one formal dining in before, but never a combat version. "This dining-i- n was much more relaxed than the formal one. This one brought out more people's personalities." Inside the dining tent, rows of tables stretched from one end to the other. Along one side of the tent was the dreaded gaunt As troops made their way through the gauntlet, observers dowsed the offender with water balloons and water cannons. "Everyone got drenched," said Airman Derrick L. Long, who was attending his first dining-in- . "Rank wasn't an issue. They were all just people." That was just what the planning committee had hoped for. "We decided to open it up into tents to make it less stuffy," said Sergeant Nicholaou. "We just wanted to show the airmen and young NCOs that everyone can get together and have fun. We did it for them." Having fun with people from work was something not everyone was used to. "I didn't know senior NCOs could have so much fun." said Airman Long. "Most of them are so serious at work, but everyone was there to have fun. and I had a great time." The dining-i- n was so successful the organizers agreed all the effort was worth it. "If you would've asked me the morning of the dining-i- n if I would plan another one, I'd say not on your life," said Sergeant Nicholaou. "It was just too much work. Now just not anytime soon." With all the preparation needed to make an event like this a success. Sergeant Nicholaou said if more people work on the planning committee "we can make the next one ten times better." are a military custom that Dining-In- s UJ J !J ' "' u ii i(i ":" military tradition dates back to the formal dinners of ancient Roman legions. They are designed to enhance the esprit de corps of the units, lighten the load of demanding work, give the commander an opportunity to meet socially with his troops and enable all ranks to create bonds of friendship and better working relations through an atmosphere of good fellowship. day-to-d- ay Photo by Staff Sgt. J.C. Woodring Chief Master Sgt. William Steele, 388th Operations Group, crawls through the gauntlet to reach the grog bowl. flGHTERCOUNTRY is published for people like ... nw in u 6. 777-468- a ACC Combat ld Name: Airman 1st Class Tim Smith Col. Ron Fly Job: weapons maintenance technician Commander 1st Lt James R. Wilson .... Chief, Public Affairs Staff Sgt James A. Rush. . ..... NCOIC, Public Affairs Staff Sgt J.C. Woodring Chief, Community Relations Airman 1st Class Sara Banda Editor, Fighter Country Fighter Country is i supplement to the Hilltop Timet, published by Mor Media. Inc.. a Unit: 4th Fighter Squadron Time in service: 1 year, 8 months Family: wife, Rachelle and son, Jeffrey Hometown: Jacksonville, Ark. Hobbies: flying small planes, fishing, hunting and watching football Most recent accomplishment: received a 92 on the Career 388th Fighter Wing Editorial Staff De- velopment Course test Goals: to get a private pilot's license and complete the Community College of the Air Force associate's degree private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract w ith the Ogden Air Logistics Center Public Affairs Office. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of Fighter Country are not necessarily the official view of. or endorsed by the US. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force photos. Fighter Coumn is edited, prepared and pros ided b) the 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office. 5887 D. Ate.. Suite 3. Hill AFB UT. 840.16-50- 1 7. St.ir submissions for Fighter Coumn can to be brought b the office, pae.WHfw 0 hillwpos.hill.af.mil or faved to Deadline for submissions to Fighter Coumn is no later (tun Wednesday 9 a m. eight da s prior to publication. For more information. s.a the public affairs office at 777. Win. POC |