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Show 419th Fighter Wing Supplement to the Hill AFB, Utah Hilltop Times Volume 19 Number 2, February 19, 2004 84056-541- 0 Exercise a dress rehearsal for ORI WHHPflWWIf(H"!?WL!W(l!m,WMWI!H'llIW,f'P!JJ by Ma. James R. Wilson 419th FW Public Affairs Office The 419th Fighter Wing will conduct a in hopes Readiness Assistance Visit March 2 skills before Air of fine tuning its Force inspectors arrive later this spring. More than 125 reservists from Naval Air Station Ft. Worth, Texas will evaluate men and women from the wing on their ability to mobilize and defend a military installation once members are forward deployed. "This is an opportunity for the 419th to validate its unit readiness." Col. Wayne Conroy, 419th FW commander said. The RAV consists of two phases. During the first "go-to-wa- r" II ".- - phase, the wing will be tested on its ability to mobilize and deploy combat airpower. Areas assessed include: recalling and accounting for unit members; personnel readiness or availability of shot records, dog tags, etc; processing cargo to be deployed and generating aircraft and flying missions. The Phase I portion of the exercise will last from March 6-Inspectors will then allot the wing a "transition day," or opportunity for deployed troops to get acclimated and begin conducting their wartime mission at Base X. The Phase II scenario is scheduled for March During this phase, wing members will be evaluated on their ability to project combat airpower at a fictional deployed location (Base X) while under the threat of 8. Photo by MaJ. James , Members of the 67th Aerial Port Squadron walk with their guidon from Hill Air Force Base's air passenger terminal to an awaiting cargo aircraft. The airplane took the first 40 members of the unit to Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. From there, the group was members until February 2005. transported via C-- 5 aircraft to Iraq where they will serve along with other active-dut- y R. Wilson 67th Aerial Port Squadron members activated, deployed I'm excited." by Maj. James R. Wilson 419th FW Public Affairs Office Reservists from the 67th Aerial Port Squadron left Utah Saturday to perform overseas duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom after .being mobilized, Jan. 25, 2004. I Approximately 40 members of the unit crossed the tarmac at Hill the first 'Air Force Base and boarded an Air Force Reserve I step of a deployment to Iraq. Another 10 members from hhe squadron will depart for Iraq later this month. Numerous members of the unit spoke of the conflicting emotions felt while making the final preparations for their departure. "I've got mixed emotions," Staff Sgt. Richard Loomis explained. "I'm a little nervous because of the unknown" nature of what lies 1, th Newslineim deployed troops Support for Those to send a "Gift from the Home wishing Front" can simply log on to www.aafes.com or call to purchase gift certificates in $10, $20, $25 or $50 denominations. Your "Gift from the Home Front" is sent to an individual service member designated by the purchaser or is distributed to "any service member" through organizations such as the American Red Cross, the Air Force Aid Society or Fisher House. New fitness standards Reservists may not have to run the mile and a half and do push ups and now, but Air Force Reserve Command officials want them ready when the new fitness standard kicks in later this year. "Our intention as reservists is to have the same fitness requirements as the rest of the Air sit-u- ps Force," said Maj. Rebecca Reynolds of the command surgeon's aerospace medicine division at Headquarters AFRC. "Once our supplement to the Air Force instruction is complete, it is likely these will be the same as our active-dut- y counterparts." For more details about the new fitness program out the check charts at standards, www.qf.milnewsUASF Fitness Charts.pdf Volunteers needed The 67th Aerial Port Squadron is looking for individuals who would like to volunteer to help families of the recently deployed reservists. Individuals who can help in home repairs, child care and automobile repairs, please contact Senior Master Sgt. Liz Atisme, 67th APS first sergeant, at High Score Master Sgt Thomas W. McNeil, 419th Medical Squadron, passed his end of course Career Development Course exam with a 90 percent or higher. Good job! ahead. "But more than anything, Officials from the 67th APS first learned of the deployment order in Since then, they've been busy preparing squadron members and families for the road ahead. Part of those preparations included holding family readiness briefing to insure plans were in place to assist loved ones in living and emergency situations. On the eve of their departure, staff from the 419th Fighter Wing, held a special send off to thank the' reservists and their families. During the ceremony, each deploying service member was recognized by name, given a yellow ribbon for their families, and a service banner to display in the window of their home signifying a loved on is on duty in Iraq. day-tod- See 67th APS, continued on Page B 10-1- 2. enemy attack. In essence, members of the 419th will face challenges all centered around their ability to survive and operate in a wartime environment. "This is an opportunity for us to gauge where our are before the and weaknesses strengths Operational Readiness Inspection in May," Colonel Conroy said. "We've spent a significant amount of time going over the academics of readiness exercises. Now it's time to apply that knowledge and information." exercise, inspectors Throughout the seven-da- y will write up strengths and findings, come up withal a grade and provide the unit with feedback during a f. formal "The results from your reaction to this kind of scenario are obviously different life or death on an inspection report," compared to a write-u- p Colonel Conroy said. "But let's not forget who we are and why we do what we do." out-brie- Reservists assist accident victims by Stephanie Johns 419th FW Public Affairs Office On Saturday, Feb. 7, northern Utah was hit with another round of heavy snow. . Reservists from Hill Air Force Base were conducting their Unit Training Assembly as the conditions worsened. About wing officials decided to end the day early before the roads became too hazardous for driving. "We have reservists who commute from over 100 miles away," said Col. Wayne Conroy, 419th Fighter Wing commander. "Our number one priority is the We safety of our reservists. decided to get them out of here before the roads got too bad." Many of the 419th FW's reservists live farther than a 50 mile radius from the base. Among those reservists are Staff Sgt. Derek Swedin and Airman First Class Shane Olsen who both live in Logan, Utah. Even though Sergeant Swedin and Airman Olsen live in the same town and work in the same reserve unit, they have never met until their drive back home from their drill on Feb. 7. "As I was driving through Sardine Canyon, I came up on an car accident," said Staff Sgt. Derek Swedin, 419th Logistics "As I got Readiness Squadron. closer, I could see it involved three vehicles, two of which looked totaled." Sergeant Swedin pulled off to the side of the road and ran to see if he could offer any assistance. "When I got up to the cars, I could see some civilians helping with the injured," said Sergeant "I saw someone in a Swedin. n, Battle Dress Uniform directing traffic away from the accident. That's when I met Airman Olsen." Airman First Class Shane Olsen is an structural maintenance technician assigned to the 419th Combat Logistics Support F-- Squadron. "I saw this black labrador retriever in the middle of the road which came from one of the cars involved in the collision," said Airman Olsen. "When I tried to get him, he bit me. Undeterred, Airman Olsen saw an opportunity to help in another area after the dog was brought to safety. "That's when I decided to start directing traffic," he said. Sergeant Swedin and Airman Olsen worked diligently to alleviate the traffic problem while the Highway Patrol and Emergency Medical Technicians worked the three-caccident Sergeant Swedin and Airman Olsen both have assisted other ar motorists in Sardine Canyon many times in the past. "It's not uncommon for me to stop and assist a stranded motorists or help in an accident ' while driving through the said Swedin. Sergeant canyon," "I keep ropes, chains and other items in my vehicle just for those " occasions." Sergeant Swedin and Airman Olsen weren't the only reservists who pulled over to lend a hand in that particular accident "After the highway patrol and police had arrived at the scene, I noticed about six other airmen asking ' an officer if they needed any help," "I was so said Airman Olsen. impressed and filled with pride to know my fellow airman were willing to step up. It just looked good seeing all the guys in BDU's working together to help out." H SI I . . Photo by Maj. James R. Wilson Sgt Derek Swedin and Airman First Class Shane Olsen met while assisting law enforcement officials following a three car collision In Sardine Canyon, Feb. 7. Sardine Canyon is located eight miles southwest of Logan, Utah and is known for it's treacherous driving conditions during winter storms. Staff Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force photos. Advertisements contained herein do not constitute an endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or Hill AFB, Utah. Everything advertised is available without regard to race, color, religion, sex or other nonmerit factors of the purchase, user or patron. |