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Show B HeadsUp December 18, 2003 AF leaders send holiday message WASHINGTON (AFPN) The following is a holiday message from Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper: "During this holiday season, Americans have placed their hopes for peace with those who have answered the call to secure freedom: the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines of our nation's armed forces. "Indeed, there is no mission more vital and no cause more noble than to be a defender of freedom, particularly when the values we cherish are under attack and when our citizens ; are going into harm's way. "We know this has been a challenging year, as we remain engaged on several fronts supporting the Global War on Terrorism. Over the past year, we have traveled to many places just to look you in the eye and to offer our thanks for what you're doing for the Air Force and for America. No matter where we go dedication and professionalism. "Your service has been stellar. You are why we have the best air and space force the world has ever known. "We are also humbled by the sacrifices made by your families as you work long hours or deploy far from home. Our families are the source of support that enables us to serve with pride and enthusiasm and defend the democratic ideals of our great country. During this special season, our thoughts and prayers will be with them. "Americans are grateful for your selfless service. You have earned their trust and support through your courage, bravery and sacrifice. And, simply put, we are honored to serve with you. "It is our hope that you will have a joyous holiday season and a safe and prosperous new year." . Members encouraged to ask for help with stress, life's challenges pending discharge. During a presentation I gave on suicide prevention recently, I fielded a question from an airman who was concerned that seeking counseling could jeopardize one's career. The Air Force is working hard to diffuse this myth. In fact. Major General Kevin Sullivan, (commander of Hill Air Force Base), has affirmed "members are encouraged to voluntarily seek mental health help early. Individuals should know mental health visits are not documented in personnel records." General (John) Jumper, Air Force Chief of Staff, this notion in a letter earlier this year. "It is highly unlikely a voluntary mental health visit will have a negative career impact, but may in fact save one's career," General Jumper said One of the most recent survivors of an attempted suicide (by leaping from the Golden Gate Bridge) was interviewed after he was pulled from the water by firefighters. He was a young married man in his whose business had just failed. In a shaking voice, he offered this experience: "At the moment I let go of the railing and began to fall I had a flash of insight every single problem in my life I thought was unsolvable, was in fact entirely solvable except my decision to let go of that railing." I believe the Air Force is making a concerted effort to promote wellness in its members, including encouraging members to seek help as the need arises. Please remember if you of a fellow airman is in trouble, and you think there is no way out of your predicament, call a chaplain or practitioner for help. Lt. Col. Craig Rogers is the chaplain for the 419th Fighter Wing. He can be reached by calling Commentary by Capt. Michael Borg , 419th Medical Squadron All 9th closes book on 2003 we're always amazed with your talent, . too often I have seen people who avoid with emotional stress. It is, a bit cliche to say we sweep things under the rug and hope they go away. On rare occasion, our troubles will resolve on their own accord. More often, however, our emotional stress compounds and grows into something unmanageable. If left untreated, these stresses can develop into n mental or emotional illnesses that undermine our sense of confidence, productivity, and relational health. In its worst form, emotional illness can even lead to suicide. In my clinical practice over the years, I have come to believe the biggest fear is the stigma associated with seeking 'help. In our culture today, we place those people who "pick themselves up by their bootstraps," on a We likewise cringe from those we pedestal. and "needy." In truth, there is no as weak perceive such thing as "one or the other;" folks are too full-blow- self-wort- h, by Col. Wayne F. Conroy 419th FW Commander It is now time to review the status of the 419th Fighter Wing's goals for 2003. Although we did not reach some of the percentages we were attempting, we did make considerable headway towards attaining those goals. In the category of maintaining combat ready forces and equipment, we fell short of our goal because of the unusual high percentage of retirements we experienced this year. One positive, however, is the fact when our people were called upon by higher headquarters, there was no doubt we were ready. All deployed personnel performed magnificently and completed the assigned mission. The 419th's support of Operation Iraqi Freedom was superb. Our manning percentage ended up at 96.4 percent which was just 1.6 percent below our goal. We wanted to retain 98 percent of our eligible reservists. We completed the year with 97 percent retained. In getting ready for the Operational Readiness Inspection, one of our goals was to execute realistic Operational Readiness Exercises. As you all know, we accomplished that goal. The results were favorable in some areas and disappointing in others. But we feel it will all come together at the proper time. Our wing wide education program over the next several months will surely get us on the right track. Our second Mission Essential Task (MET) was to "Develop Our People." In recognizing our people, DONATIONS, ""If , TT--5 'U - 775-264- 6. 2n A Photo by Stephanie Johns Mr. Rick Potokar, 419th Civil Engineer Squadron, Chief Master Sgt. Scott Hennessy, 419th Command Chief, and Tech. Sgt. Terrl Lopes, 419th Logistics Readiness Squadron, place donated food items into boxes. The boxes will be delivered to wing families in need. of food. If anyone knows of someone in need, "We have a lot of caring people in this wing," Chief Hennessy said. "I've already been they can contact me." Members who would like to sponsor a family in approached by some members who asked to need can get in touch with Chief Hennessy. He sponsor an entire family for Christmas." will provide information on local families to For more information on donating items for include ages, clothing sizes of children as well as a reserve families in need, contact Chief Master Sgt. list of items they may need. Scott Hennessy at . For more information on Suicide Prevention Training, contact Maj. Barbara Godsey, 419th Performance Planning Office at (Mr. Ted Burgess, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, also contributed to this convnentary.) 775-242- 2. 775-242- Tax relief law aids reservists and their families - WASHINGTON Reservists who travel more than 100 miles to attend drills or meetings no longer have to itemize to claim a tax deduction for overnight travel expenses. This change and other benefits for members of Air Force Reserve Command and their families are the result of the Military Family Tax Relief Act of 2003, signed into law by President George W. Bush Nov. 11. The deduction for overnight travel is retroactive to Jan. 1. "(Reservists will) be able to deduct unreimbursed travel expenses such as lodging, 50 percent of meals and any transportation costs," said Lt. Col. Janet Fenton, director of the Armed Forces Tax Council. Another major change increases the death gratuity payment to $12,000 and provides that the full payment is That portion of the act is retroactive to Sept. 10, 2001, to provide for servicemembers who died in the terrorist attacks the following day and in the ongoing global war on terror. "If you are killed on active duty, regardless of whether you're in theater, or in a training accident or die from disease, your family receives $12,000 death gratuity that is not taxed," Fenton said. "And that's a big change. In addition, any future increases to the death gratuity will remain Since 1991, the death gratuity had been $6,000, with half of it being taxed, Fenton said. "It just didn't seem to be fair for the military family who was left grieving for their servicemember to get hit with a tax bill," she said. When the tax code changed in 1986, it allowed any military benefit existing in September 19S6 ra remain Fenton said. However, it was always unclear whether military child care was included in that, she added. "This act merely makes it clear that those provisions of child e care were intended to be to military members," she said. "above-the-lin- tax-fre- e. tax-free- ." tax-fre- e, e" The tax act also provides for extra time for servicemembers serving in contingency operations. The internal revenue code allows servicemembers who are serving in combat zones or hazardous-dut- y areas to have an extension of time - usually 180 days from the time the person leaves the combat zone to file taxes. tax-fili- "A lot of military operations don't rise to the level of being declared by the president as 'combat,'" Fenton said. "But there are several contingency operations where servicemembers are outside the continental United States." The act also includes modifying eligibility criteria of veterans organizations; tax-frtreatment of homeowners' assistance program payments; suspension of tax- - exempt status for designated terrorist organizations; and extension of victims' tax relief to astronauts who die on space missions. Capital-gai- n exclusion for home sales is another area people are looking for tax relief in, Fenton said. "This act will allow members to suspend the period of time which they have to sell their home and take the tax exclusion so they won't have to pay that capital gains," she said. "It's retroactive to 1997 so military members who have sold their homes since 1997 have one year from Nov. 11, 2003, to request a refund for any tax they did pay." Since 1997, when the law was previously changed, if servicemembers who owned a home got reassigned more than 50 miles from that home or was ordered to move on post they were no longer able to roll over the gain from that sale to the next home they purchased. Also since 1997, individuals could exclude up to $250,000 ($500,000 for married couples) of gain from the sale of a home if they resided in it for two of the five years preceding the sale. Under this act military and foreign service people can suspend (for up to 10 years) the time transferred away from home on official extended duty for purposes of applying the five-yeportion of the rule. (AFRC News Service from American Forces Press Service ) pt ee ar hero, somewhat overwhelmed because I knew his past and his history of military achievements. Sergeant Wass first met Major Wahlen through her job as a mortgage loan officer for Goldenwest Credit Union in nearby Ogden. She works for Mr. the Wahlen, Kerry Senior Vice company's President and nephew of Utah's only living Medal of Honor recipient. Goldenwest is a staunch of those in supporter to uniform, according Sergeant Wass. The credit union's president and chief executive officer, senior vice president and chief financial officer all made time to attend the ceremony, a testimonial to her claim. "I feel fortunate to work a for like company Goldenwest," Sergeant Wass said. "They've been extremely supportive of my decision to serve from day one." her civilian Joining A employer for the occasion were Sergeant Wass' husband and daughter as well as coworkers from the 419th CLSS. It was Major Wahlen who was center stage though. "He's a very humble person" Sergeant Wass said of Major Wahlen following the ceremony. "He inspires me to be a better airman... a better American." The fact that an airman serving in the military today would request him to administer the oath of enlistment left the World War II hero feeling a bit flattered. "It makes you feel good that someone thinks enough of you to do that," Major Wahlen said. "I felt very strongly about the oath." He illustrates his view of the oath by telling a short story about the day he got orders for Vietnam. "One of the officers said 'All I have to do is make a call and you won't have to go,'" he explained. "I said, 'No, no... Don't do that' I felt the obligation to go and serve my country. I always tried to do what was asked of me." 419th Fighter Wing Mission Statement To Fly, HeadsUp Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office. DEADLINE for submission of articles is 10 working days before each scheduled wing unit training assembly. Articles should be on a line. typed and double-space- d HeadsUp is a Reserve supplement to the Hilltop Times, published by Ogden Publishing Corp., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the Ogden ALC Public Affairs Office. This civilian enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for Air Force Reserve members of the U.S. military services. Contents of HeadsUp are not necessarily the official views of or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense or the Air Force. 1" 6. continued from Page Air Force Reserve Command Mission Statement to defend the United States and Airmen Citizen provide its interests protect through aerospace power. f A - At different times in our lives, we may find ourselves in the roles of those doing the helping, or those needing the help. If we can come to terms with this fact, we can remove the stigma tied to seeking counseling for emotional problems. People in emotional turmoil p need understanding, companionship, and encouragement. The Air Force is a cadre of airmen who function interdependently. Strong relationships and watching out for each other are the lifeblood of this organization. I spoke to an airman a few months ago at Hill Air Force Base who had attempted suicide. He reported afterward that his peers seemed uncomfortable being around him. "They treated me like I was some kind of alien." His resultant feelings were loneliness and impatience with his To continued from Page mid-twenti- es compbx. tax-fre- our goal was to increase last year's numbers by 10 percent We accomplished that ahead of time and tallied a remarkable 118 percent of goal. We wanted to provide leadership opportunities for all qualified candidates and we did, thereby achieving 100 percent of our goal. We had a huge backlog of Enlisted Performance Reports at the beginning of the fiscal year. Only 67 percent of officer evaluations and 73 percent of enlisted evaluations had been completed on time. At the end of Fiscal Year 2003, we had raised those percentages to 96.3 percent and 89 percent respectively. Congratulations to all supervisors for their dedication to taking care of this goal. Our last. MET was concerned with effectively managing our resources. We completed 100 percent of all Management Control Program inputs on time. We identified all of our command, control, computers and communication requirements in our financial plan. We reached our goal of 95 percent Each and every member of the 419th should be proud of what has been accomplished by the wing this year. We are serious about our goals and do not look at them as "eyewash." As usual, we cannot sit back on our laurels. We will have new MET's for 2004. Some goals may be the same because of their intricate influence on our business providing combat ready forces to any theatre commander who requests them A very important part of supplying those combat ready people and equipment is passing our ORI. Past history has shown the 419th always rises to the occasion. We will prevail. Have a great holiday season and come back ready to rumble. ; Fight and Win! 419th FW STAFF Commander Conroy Chief of Public Affairs Maj. James R. Wilson Senior Airman Jullanne Hancock staff Writer Stephanie Johns Editor Col. Wayne F. - , r I v |