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Show r i flGHTERCOLSTRY July 16,1998 V- - Crew chief's eyes fixed on Academy maintainer becomes second F-- Ram 16 to earn appointment to Colorado Springs By Airman Cindy Richards Staff writer, Fighter Country An F- -l 6 crew chief from the 34th Fighter Squadron hopes to go from fixing jets to flying them after being selected to attend the Air Force Academy through the Leaders Encouraging Airman Development program last month. Airman Jason Celski, who has been in the Air Force for almost a year, set his sights on the academy after a friend of his told him about the LEADS program. "After I found out about the program, I asked one of my instructors for more information. He helped get me started by putting me in touch with the right people," said Airman Celski. After filling out the application in January, he wrote an essay for the selection committee on why he wanted to attend the academy. Airman Celeski found out he was among those selected in "I have been dreaming about going to the academy since I was three," he said. "I was going to apply to the academy right out of high school, but I always thought it was something that was out of my reach. Any mid-Jun- e. Hawley: how, I wasn't ready to go to college yet. I decided to enlist in the Air Force instead." The airman is all geared up to go to school now though and can't wait to start the preparatory training classes which begin July 21. "This is an amazing accomplishment for anyone to achieve," said Master Sgt. Tony Church, Bravo Flight Chief for the 34th FS. "It's definitely going to be a challenge for him, but with his determination and commitment he'll make it through it," said Sergeant Church. "The whole squadron is very happy and there seems to be a since of pride throughout." Pride isn't just within the 34th FS, however. Both sets of Airman Celski 's grandparents were enlisted members of the armed forces and, according to the airman, they were all very happy when he decided to join the Air Force. They were overjoyed when they heard he was selected to go to the academy and will have the chance to fulfill his dream of becoming a pilot. "I want to fly fighter jets. Primarily the YF-2- 2 Raptor," said Airman Celski. "It'll be a few years before I can climb in to one of the planes and actually turn it on, he said, but it'll definitely be worth it in the end." (Continued from page A.) for readiness. Readiness is a quality of life initiative. I firmly believe if we fund readiness, our people will stay. People don't want to be associated with third-rat- e equipment. We're ensuring the funding is in place for future spare parts so that we can take care of The our equipment. pieces are in place as we're 95 percent funded against the requirement for this year's budget for spare parts. We'll be 100 percent funded against the requirement for next year." The exodus of Air Force pilots who have left Photo by Airman Cindy Richards Airman Jason Celski inspects General speaks to troops the Air Force a place everybody wants to be. But the primary reason we have a problem with retention is because conditions of service have not matched expectations, so people are going to do other things," he said. "There was a period of time where it wasn't managed as well as it might have been, but I think we've got a grip on it now. "For example, we're making adjustments in the promotions and assignment systems in order to adapt to our changing environment. We're getting over some of the hurdles we faced early in the transition to TRICARE, a program that is beginning to work in a lot of places. Look at what's being done ' to this situsary. But the bottom line is there is no quick-fi- x ation." General Hawley's message to those facing a decision on whether to stay in the Air Force: "Think about the posi- tives." "The Air Force has things to offer that no one else does. People in the Air Force have greater responsibility and the opportunity to leam new things. We have a great team in the Air Force and a community attitude that makes it fun to be a part of. That kind of community spirit is very difficult to find outside of the Air Force. Finally, think about what it means to be a part of the Air Force. No other line of work allows you to go i with numerous civil- "I meet ians from the general public ev- ery day, and they always thank me for the great job the Air Force is doing. But their gratitude and appreciation is for all of the hard work you people are doing for your country on a daily basis. I'd like to thank you on their behalf for everything you're doing in defense of our great nation." for higher paying jobs e with the airlines or positions with the Air Force Reserve or Air part-tim- National Guard has also drawn the attention of the general. "We're producing more pilots and taking pilots out of some of the least important jobs and putting them in the most important jobs ... the cockpit. The bottom line is we're doing everything we can to make the Air Force something people will want to be a part of." For support career fields, the general agreed there is a supervisors definite imbalance with too few 5 and and too many individuals filling positions. "This problem is the result of voluntary incentives which said General Hawley. pushed out our would-b- e "We'll have to live through this period. It's important that we take the time to train these young people though. We neces may even need to slow down our operations when home at night and say, 'I am a part of something that is very important to the future of my country. "I'd ask people to think about those things before they decide to go do something else outside of the Air Force." The general made a special thanks to all military members on behalf of the American public. "I meet with numer- ous civilians from the general public every day, and they always thank me for the job the Air Force is doing," said General Hawley. "But their jp-e- gratitude and apprecia- tion is for all of the hard Gen. Dick Hawley work you people are doACC commander ing for your country on a daily basis. I'd like to thank you on their behalf for everything you're doing in defense of our great nation." While General Hawley visited various workcenters and the innovation of wing members, Mary d observed Ellen's tour began by meeting several wives at the Hill AFB Officers' Club for lunch. She also visited the family support center to discuss local methods of supporting spouses during separations caused by deployments, an ACC benchmark program. Her day ended at the Pioneer Adult Rehabilitation Center in Clearfield, Utah. The center provides employment opportunities at Hill to people with disabilities. This includes custodial services, parts sorting and commissary support first-han- contracts. F-- 1 6 landing gear. ACC sends 21 By Leslie Glover Air Combat Command Public Affairs airmen to Air Force Academy LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) - Twenty-on-e Air Combat Command airmen turn in their stripes to work toward earning bars this summer when they attend the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School under Phase 1 of the Leaders Encouraging Airmen DevelopACC ment program. An additional four airmen the preparatory school with direct appointments to the Academy. The LEAD program, initiated in 1 995, is an initiative that provides commanders the opportunity to nominate their top enlisted performers for a chance to earn a commission, either by an appointment to the US AFA Preparatory School or through AFROTC. The program has two phases: Phase 1 - Allows commanders to nominate airmen to attend the Air Force Academy Preparatory School in preparation for a direct appointment to the USAFA and earn a the commission as a second lieutenant. Some preparatory school and are selected for direct appointment to the USAFA. Phase 2 - The Scholarships for Outstanding Airmen to ROTC program authorizes commanders to identify outstanding airmen with less than six years of service, to AFROTC scholarships. compete for 2- - to Find out more about the LEAD program through the base education center. Following is a list of ACC airmen selected for admission into the USAFA Prep School, July 1 998 entry: highly-competiti- by-pa- ss by-pa- ss ar Senior Airmen David Burke, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho; Tern" Eischen, Trent Gilmore and Eric Volk, Offutt AFB, Neb.; Travis Moore and James Wands, Tinker AFB, Okla. Airmen 1 st Class Ryan Zackrisson, Jasen Hunter and Jonathan Johnson, Tinker, Henry Cobb and Shane Crema, Barksdale AFB, La.; Chad Tucker, Cannon AFB, N.M.; David Braithwaite, Eglin AFB, Fla.; Joel Perlin, Langley, Va.; Joshua Evans, Minot AFB, N.D.; Martin Lopez, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.; Andrew Nowicki, Shaw AFB, S.C.; Michael Dimaria, Fairchild AFB, Wash.; Dustin Mowrey, Ft Carson, Colo. Airmen Jason Celeski, Hill AFB, Utah; Jeffrey Cameron, Shaw. The following ACC airmen were selected for direct appointments to the USAFA, June 1998 entry: Airmen 1st Class Sean Matthews, Minot; Robert Ford, Langley; Daniel Sipps, Mountain Home; and Airman Eric Florschuetz, Hill. |