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Show If 1 388th Fighter Wing supplement to the Twice Monthly Hilltop Times Oct. 15,1998 4th Fighter Squadron returns from Turkey Turkish labor Striking union doesn't prevent 'Fighting Fuujins' from supporting Operation Northern Watch mission By Airman Cindy Richards Staff Writer, Fighter Country Some stepped off the C-- 5 into the darkness to ride busses. Others, hugging pillows and lugging duffel bags, braved the chilly air to walk across the parking ramp to Building 900 where friends, family and celebrated their arrival. No matter what their individual preference, they all agreed on orie.thing - it's great being back home. y The 4th f ighter Squadron returned home from its deployment Oct. 1 1 . The unit left Aug. 2 1 . Senior Airman Clinton Butler, 4th FS crew chief, was greeted by his wife, Foribela, and daughter, Tasha. Airman Butler, who has deployed to both Operations Northern and Southern Watch, said that overall, Turkey was a better deployment than Saudi Arabia due to better living and. working conditions. "The living and working conditions were excellent." agreed Staff Sgt. Ron Blackwell, 4th FS Support Section. "As far as being deployed goes. I've been through a lot worse." i Being out on deployment, there usually isn't any additional training going on, according to Senior Airman Kevin Gutierrez, 4th FS Intelligence Flight. The unit just works a normal schedule while they were gone. The striking laborers, while a hindrance, did not pre; vent the airmen from successfully accomplishing their mission. "The strikers ... would go to the supply area and surround our vehicles and wouldn't let us leave," said Sergeant Blackwell. "The first five weeks were hard because we couldn't base because of the strike," added Airman Gutierrez. off go Although the strike limited what the airman could do off base initially, they said that eventually everyone began working with each other and the opportunities to take off base tours opened up. "Once we were allowed to go off base the locals pre-da- 45-da- 9-- The 388th Fighter Wing Officers Wives Club hosts the annual Harvest Moon Auction Friday, Nov. 6 at the Officers' Club. The silent auction begins at 6 p.m. and the verbal auction begins at 7 p.m. Two meal choices are available for $7.50 each. No credit cards will be accepted.'Auctipneers are Lt. Col. Randy "Spidey" Peterson, 388th Operations Support Squadron, and Capt. Scott ' "Rolls" Ple'tos,'34th Fighter Squadron. at 77 1 -Beckham call Andi For more information, at 6666, or Sarah Johnson-Roble- s -- 825-560- 0. Incentive Flights in- Master Sgt. Blaine Reid, Senior Master Sgt. Michele Murray, Senior Airman Bart Scroggins, 388th Logistics Support Squadron; Maj. Rex Rees, 388th Operations Support Squadron; Staff Sgt. Patrick Heimlich, Senior Airman Kiesha Washington, Airman 1 st Class Casey Terry. 4th Fighter Squadron; Staff Sgt. David Trexler, 388th Maintainance Squadron and Senior Airman Reginald Scott. 34th Fighter Squadron. r TOP: Airman Matt Rogge, 4th Fighter Squadron crew chief, marshals an 1 6 returning break formation over from Incirlik Air Base.Turkey, Saturday. BOTTOM LEFT: Hill Air Force Base as the pilots prepare to land. BOTTOM RIGHT: The first of the touches down. deployed F-- F-I- 6s F-I- 6s brief public homecoming at Building 900 was followed by week off to get reacquainted. treated us very well," said Airman Guiterrez. "They actually seemed happy we were there." Besides the strike, there were other challenges faced the airmen which had to be worked through during the by deployment. These ranged from getting used to their deployed location to missing family and friends back home. Now that the deployment is over, the airmen and their family and friends are ready to make up for lost time. The Charity Goodrich met her boyfriend. Airman Gutierrez, in Building 900 with a huge hug and kiss. The couple is happy to be reunited and looks forward to some time together. Their plans for the next week? she said. "You figure it "He's been gone for out." Wing makes steady progress in reducing drunk driving incidents Harvest Moon Auction Ten 388th Fighter Wing members were given centive flights during the third quarter of 1 998. These airman were: Photos by Staff Sat. James A. Rush By Airman Cindy Richards Staff Writer, Fighter Country The numbers don't lie. inDuring the 1998 fiscal year, there was a total of 52 stances of people being stopped for driving under the influence, the numbers represent both on and off base stops, a 1 significant drop from 69 reported in 997. fallen have The numbers greatly since 1 996 when a total of 9 airman were pulled over for driving under the influence. buHfiere are ways to reduce the numbers further. 3By following the National Safety Council's guidelines when throwing a party at your house or during office get togethers, hosts can help limit the number of DUls. The guidelines are: 1. Don't put all the liquor out. When all the alcohol is set out on the counter, a person is more likely to feel com, pelled to finish the bottle. 1 Take guests' car keys. If someone has had too much to drink, take their keys even if they are passed out. The guest could wake up in the middle of the night and still attempt to drive themselves home. 3. Make arrangements for those who have had too much to drink to stay the night. 4. Push the food. The more food a person eats, the less room there will be in his or her stomach for beer. ' Also, allow at least one hour per alcoholic beverage before getting behind the wheel of a car. said Tech. Sgt. Jenny Hadley?388th Fighter Wing Ground Safety NCOIC. "Nobody ever intends on going out and hurting anybody." said the sergeant. "It takes time for the effects of alcohol to wear off. Coffee and other home remedies don't work." . Drinking and driving unleashes a deadly weapon that can effect not only the rest of the driver's Jife. but possibly somebody else's as well. Punishments for DUI are normally as follows: Most DUI charges are dealt with by commanders using Articles 1 5. However, if the case does make it to court and there was personal injury involved, the offender is subject to a dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allow ances, and confinement for 18 months. If no personal injury involved the sentence is reduced to a discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 6 months. The question to ask before taking that first drink is. "Is it worth these penalties to drink and then get back behind the wheel of the car?" "Sometimes it takes some backbone to snatch a friends car keys when you're out drinking." said Sergeant Hadley. "But it must be done, not only for their safety but for the safety of others." ct |